About this trip idea

Indiana knows how to celebrate each of the four seasons. Fall brings harvests and abundant food. Festivals also celebrate heritage and history. Enjoy the season's best festival in your area. 

Northern Festivals:

Marshall County Blueberry Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 3) Featuring luscious blueberry treats, this festival won't disappoint food fans. Festival goers can also enjoy carnival games, family activities, hot air balloons and a 15k run. 

Ligonier Marshmallow Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 3) Named as one of the top 100 events for group travel, this festival celebrates the marshmallow in all of its greatness. 

Valporaiso Popcorn Festival (Sept. 8) Honoring Valpo native, Orville Redenbacher, this event has been named the "Best in the Region" and offers more than 500 food and craft booths. It also boasts the nations first and only popcorn parade. 

Wizard of Oz Festival (Sept. 14-16) Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the world's largest festival commemorating the beloved children's story. 

Scarecrow Festival (Sept. 21-23) Scarecrow displays are the staple of Wanatah's fall festival. 

Western Festivals: 

Little Italy Festival (Aug. 31-Sept. 3) Clinton hosts this ode to Italian culture over the labor day holiday. It features a wine garden, bocce ball tournaments and of course, plenty of food and entertainment. 

Brookston Apple-Popcorn Festival (Sept. 15) With apple bobbing, a pancake and sausage breakfast and many family activities, no one will be bored, or hungry, at this festival. 

Feast of the Hunters' Moon (Sept. 22-23) This festival features re-enactments of life in the 18th century. Along with a French, British and Native American post to explore, the festival features food, crafts and music. 

Festival of the Turning Leaves (Sept. 28-30) Enjoy the bluegrass parade and other free entertainment at this fall festival. Crafts, children's games and a food court keep all festival goers happy. 

Parke County Covered Bridge Festival (Oct. 12-21) Thirty-one covered bridges are in full effect with the fall foliage. Travel to see each one and celebrate the season with food and entertainment at Indiana's largest festival. 

Eastern Festivals:

Tipton County Pork Festival (Sept. 6-8) Famous for its pork chop dinners, this festival is full of fun. 

Johnny Appleseed Festival (Sept. 15-16) This two-day festival commemorates pioneer John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Chapman travelled around the Fort Wayne area on foot, planting apple seeds and earning national folklore status. 

James Dean Festival (Sept. 28-30) The Fairmount Historical Museum sponsors this ode to hometown star James Dean annually. It features a James Dean look-alike contest, 50's dance contest, a parade of neon and showings of Dean's films.

Central Festivals: 

Greek Fest (Sept. 7-8) Carmel's celebration of Greek heritage features great food, exciting entertainment and dancing. 

Indy's Irish Festival (Sept. 14-16) Enjoy three days of Irish music, art, dance and demonstrations in downtown Indianapolis. 

Indianapolis Scottish Highland Games and Festival (Oct. 13) This festival features sanctioned athletic events, Scottish foods, live Scottish music, bag-piping and dancing. 

Irvington Halloween Festival (Oct. 21-27) The fall festival is full of Halloween fun. It features pumpkin carving, a magic show, costumes, live music, a parade and a haunted house. 

Indianapolis International Festival (Nov. 11-16) Hosted by the Nationalities Council of Indiana, this festival features cultural displays, ethnic art, music and food. 

South Central Festivals:

Old Time Music Festival (Sept. 1-2) Metamora throws this 2-day nod to traditional music. More than 30 regional performers will play on three stages. 

Montgomery Turkey Trot Festival (Sept. 6-9) This small town festival features turkey races, a greased pig contest and a tractor pull.

Columbus Scottish Festival (Sept. 7-9) Be transported to a different time and place. Celebrate the Highland games and be entertained by re-enactors. Other highlights include the shepherding competition and traditional scottish dancing and music. 

Tree City Fall Festival (Sept. 28-30) Decatur County's fall festival provides music, art and fall fun.  

Seymour Oktoberfest (Oct. 4-6) Celebrating the town's German heritage, this three day festival offers authentic food, music, dancing, a biergarten, brat-eating contest and a parade. 

Morgan County Fall Foliage Festival (Oct. 11-14) The fall festival is fun for the family with a car show, crafts, kids events and a parade. 

Southern Festivals: 

Kunstfest (Sept. 15-16) This annual German festival in New Harmony is filled with lively entertainment, traditional food and horse-drawn carriage rides. 

Persimmon Festival (Sept. 22-29) The 66th annual celebration of this midwest delicacy, Mitchell's festival presents food booths, midway rides and a grand parade. 

Huntingburg Herbstfest (Sept. 27-30) Join in on this family-oriented fall festival, filled with food, game booths and pumpkin launches.  

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival (Oct. 1-7) From talent shows and carnival rides to sausage burgers and deep-fried kool-aid, this fall festival has wowed visitors for 91 years.  

Spencer County Octoberfest (Oct. 6) Spencer County celebrates fall with free kids crafts, a huge selection of food and a demolition derby. 

Mt. Zion Applefest (Oct. 13-14) Enjoy delicious food, arts and crafts, live entertainment, children's rides and games at the 32nd annual applefest.