Fall in Indianapolis brings a vibrant mix of cultural celebrations, food fairs, and community gatherings. Below is a curated list of 25 festivals taking place from mid‑September through mid‑October, complete with dates, venues, and ticket information.

French Celebration at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church

Date & Time: September 12, noon‑10 p.m.
Location: 4217 Central Ave.
Admission: Free

Enjoy French wine, music, art, traditional cuisine, and a Catholic Mass in French. The church is conveniently located off IndyGo’s Red Line and provides free bicycle parking.

German American Klub Festival

Date & Time: September 10‑12
Location: 8602 S. Meridian St.
Admission: $5 (free for children under 12)

The 52nd annual event features polka bands, a pretzel toss, German beers, and classic foods. Families will appreciate inflatables and a playground area.

Penrod Arts Fair at Newfields

Date & Time: September 12, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 4000 N. Michigan Road
Admission: $20

More than 1,000 artists will display work ranging from painting to sculpture. Visitors can browse the online artist directory ahead of time to plan their route.

Guggman Haus Oktoberfest

Date & Time: September 16‑20
Location: 1701 Gent Ave.
Admission: Free

Kick off the celebrations with special release beers and a trivia night. Subsequent days include a stein‑holding competition, face painting, and a pottery pop‑up.

Foodees Fest at Castleton Square

Date & Time: September 18‑20
Location: 6020 E. 82nd St.
Admission: Free

This national food‑truck festival offers Thai dishes, Southern sweet tea, and tanghulu, a candied‑fruit Chinese street snack.

Irish Fest at Holy Rosary Church

Date & Time: September 18‑19, 4‑10 p.m.
Location: 520 Stevens St.
Admission: $15 single‑day, $22 weekend pass

Enjoy Irish dancing, traditional food, whiskey, and a variety of vendors.

Murphy Arts Center Festival

Date & Time: September 19, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: 1043 Virginia Ave.
Admission: Free

Explore works by more than 100 Indiana artists, live music, and the “Masterpiece in a Day” competition, where artists create pieces for cash prizes.

Fonseca Theatre Global Rice & Beans Festival

Date & Time: September 19, noon‑4 p.m.
Location: 2508 W. Michigan St.
Admission: Free

Sample African, Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian rice‑and‑bean dishes from local restaurants.

Lockerbie Square Historic District Yard Sale

Date & Time: September 19, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: 542 Lockerbie St.
Admission: Free

Stroll a cobblestone street while browsing yard‑sale treasures, art, and antiques. The event is family‑ and pet‑friendly.

Eagle Creek Park Folk Music Beach

Date & Time: September 19, noon‑7 p.m.
Location: 7840 W. 56th St.
Admission: Free (park admission required)

The Indiana Folk Music Society will perform on the beach. Bring a lawn chair, an instrument, and enjoy an ice‑cream vendor.

Atomic Bowl Duckpin All‑Ages Music Festival

Date & Time: September 19, 3 p.m.
Location: 1105 Prospect St.
Admission: $15

Fourteen bands across two stages will play hip‑hop, jazz, and Latin punk. All proceeds benefit the National Immigrant Justice Center.

Indy Jazz Fest

Date & Time: September 22‑26
Location: The Jazz Kitchen, the Cabaret, the Vogue, Indy Art Center, Turntable
Admission: $29‑$96 (VIP packages available)

The festival opens with tributes to Miles Davis and John Coltrane, moves through Latin jazz, and culminates with a headline set by Sheila E.

Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium

Date & Time: September 25‑26
Location: 500 S. Capitol Ave.
Admission: $16.25 (students) / $27.75 (general)

The 42nd annual event features high‑school football, girls’ flag football, an HBCU Battle of the Bands, a parade, education day, and a worship night. One ticket for September 26 grants access to five separate events.

Our Lady of Lourdes Festival

Date & Time: September 25‑26, 5 p.m.–midnight (Sept 25) and 3 p.m.–midnight (Sept 26)
Location: 5333 E. Washington St.
Admission: Tickets start at $1 (additional costs for specific events)

Games, food, music, and entertainment are offered throughout the weekend. Updates are posted on the church’s Facebook page.

Sun King Brewery Artisan Market

Date & Time: September 25‑26, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: 135 N. College Ave.
Admission: Free with RSVP

Sample local brews while browsing more than 80 artisans. Vendor line‑ups change daily.

Indianapolis Liederkranz German Heritage Night

Date & Time: September 26, 5:30 p.m.
Location: 1417 E. Washington St.
Admission: Free (donations welcome)

Dress in lederhosen and learn traditional German songs. The Liederkranz has preserved German immigrant culture in the Holy Cross neighborhood for 150 years.

MacAllister Amphitheater Family Music Festival

Date & Time: September 26, 4‑9 p.m.
Location: 2450 Conservatory Drive
Admission: Free

Bring kids, dogs, and lawn chairs to enjoy local musicians in Indianapolis’s oldest park, plus over 50 artisans and vendors.

Proof Book Fair at Harrison Center

Date & Time: October 2‑3
Location: 1505 N. Delaware St.
Admission: Flexible pricing (pay what you can)

The event offers a book fair, author talks, writing workshops, games, and food trucks.

Wiener Dog Race & Bratwurst Contest at Athenaeum

Date & Time: October 3
Location: 401 E. Michigan St.
Admission: $20 adults, $10 children

Enjoy pretzels, steins of beer, a dachshund race, and a bratwurst‑eating contest.

Eastside Block Party at Cottage Home Community Space

Date & Time: October 10, 5‑11 p.m.
Location: 714 N. Highland Ave.
Admission: Free (donations to neighborhood association welcome)

Paper lanterns, pumpkins, food trucks, Halloween costumes, and local bands create a festive neighborhood atmosphere.

The Vogue Oktoberfest in Broad Ripple

Date & Time: October 10, 4 p.m.
Location: 6259 N. College Ave.
Admission: $33.56

Features a biergarten, kids’ zone, and polka music. Children under 12 enter free.

Philippine Cultural Community Center Festival

Date & Time: October 11, 2‑6 p.m.
Location: 4141 S. East St.
Admission: Free

Live music, dancing, craft vendors, and lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) celebrate Filipino heritage.

Fall Cider Tasting at Indianapolis Art Center

Date & Time: October 17, noon‑5 p.m.
Location: 820 E. 67th St.
Admission: $29.04 general early‑bird, $7.64 designated‑driver ticket

Sample five varieties of Ash & Elm Cider Co.’s fall offerings while browsing vendors at the concurrent Indy Art Center fall art festival.

Best Pizza in Indiana Contest at Indiana State Fairgrounds

Date & Time: October 17, noon‑6 p.m.
Location: 1202 E. 38th St.
Admission: $36

Two tasting sessions let visitors vote for the best local pizza.

Irvington Halloween Parade and Festival

Date & Time: October 31, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Washington St. & Audubon Rd.
Admission: Free

Witches perform, dogs compete in costume contests, and a parade showcases elaborate Halloween decorations. The event is kid‑friendly and features numerous vendors.

Whether you’re seeking cultural immersion, family fun, or a taste of local craft beverages, Indianapolis’s fall calendar offers something for every neighbor. Mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and enjoy the season’s festivities.

Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.