Fall Festivals

Sweater weather, apple orchards, and pumpkin-spiced everything. There are plenty of ways to celebrate this year as the leaves begin to change in Indy. Read on for our guide to Indy's finest fall festivals.

Heartland International Film Festival

October 6 - 16 | Various Locations

Two people standing in front of cameras and microphones, being interviewed on the red carpet for Heartland INternational Film Festival

The Heartland International Film Festival has expanded to a brand-new shorts fest. Indiana’s largest and longest-running film festival will celebrate its 31st year in October across Indianapolis.

GermanFest

October 8 | Athenaeum Theatre

A crowd of people watching two dogs race down a path

What better place to celebrate German heritage than at Indy’s historic Athenaeum? This October, grab your lederhosen and discover your inner German at the 14th Annual Original and Fabulous GermanFest, featuring wiener dog races, ZwergenLand for families, and an abundance of German cuisine, singing, and dancing in the Rathskeller’s Biergarten. All proceeds from this event benefit the maintenance and care of the Athenaeum.

Irvington Halloween Festival

October | Irvington Historic Neighborhood

A view of Irvington, Indianapolis.

For over 75 years, the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival has united thousands of residents, several neighborhood organizations, and Eastside businesses with their Halloween festivities. The festival spans a week’s time and offers a five-mile run, scholarship pageant, musicians, contests, Halloween-themed movie nights, ghost tours, roller derby, a haunted puppet show, and more.

Spirit & Place Festival

November 3 - 13| Various Locations

The city skyline

The 28th annual Spirit & Place Festival celebrates collaboration among arts, humanities, and religion. This year's theme is "Identity" and audiences will be able to explore new and intriguing ideas using the theme.

CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Kids Run

November 5 | All Around Indy

Runners running along Meridian Street, Soldiers & Sailors Monument in the background

Now one of the 15 largest marathons in the US, the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is the ideal fall marathon for everyone from the first-time marathon runner to elite athletes. Starting and finishing at the Indiana State Capitol, the course highlights landmarks and historical neighborhoods throughout Indianapolis.