Fall Festivals Near Indianapolis: A Hancock County Guide
2026-04-14
Fall in central Indiana is the state’s best stretch of weather, and the festivals that fill September and October are the best reason to leave Indianapolis for the day. Here’s the Hancock County lineup — all within 30 minutes of downtown Indy.
Riley Festival — Greenfield
When: Early October Where: Downtown Greenfield (centered around the James Whitcomb Riley Home) Running since: 1911
The Riley Festival is one of the oldest continuously held community festivals in Indiana, dating back more than a century. Held every October in downtown Greenfield to honor James Whitcomb Riley — the “Hoosier Poet” born in Greenfield on October 7, 1849 — the festival draws tens of thousands of visitors to the county seat.
Expect:
- Parade through downtown
- Food vendors and craft booths lining Main Street
- Tours of the James Whitcomb Riley Home (preserved as a museum)
- Live music and community programming
- The kind of weekend where Greenfield’s small downtown feels like the center of Indiana
Good for: Families, anyone interested in Indiana literary history, crowds (this one gets busy).
New Palestine Lions Club Oktoberfest
When: September (Sept 12, 2026 estimated) Where: New Palestine Lions Club
The Lions Club’s biggest event of the year. Food, vendor booths, a Kids Zone, wine and beer garden, live music. The Saturday morning parade is a low-key local favorite — no theme, no application, just show up with your truck, tractor, bike, or walking shoes. Lineup at 9 AM at the elementary school on Gem Road, parade starts at 11 AM.
Includes the NPHS All School Reunion — a homecoming for generations of Dragons.
Good for: Community feel, kid-friendly, food festival vibe.
Event on New Palestine Guide →
New Palestine Harvest Fest
When: October 2026 (exact date TBA) Where: Downtown New Palestine
Fall festival with chili tasting, Highland cows (yes, the fuzzy ones), trunk-or-treat, and family activities. Watch New Palestine Main Street’s announcements for the official date.
Good for: Families with small kids, people who like Highland cows.
Event on New Palestine Guide →
Trees on Main — Fortville
When: Late November through December Where: Downtown Fortville, Main Street
Not strictly a fall festival, but the transition from fall to holidays in Fortville. Main Street gets lined with decorated Christmas trees sponsored by local businesses and families. Good evening walk through downtown, especially when the shops are lit up.
Fortville Third Thursday
When: Third Thursday of the month, 4 PM (year-round, but fall versions are especially good) Where: Downtown Fortville
Not a one-day festival, but worth knowing: Fortville’s monthly downtown event series. Main Street shops, restaurants, and bars extend hours. September and October’s Third Thursdays usually have a fall theme.
Planning your fall
A reasonable Hancock fall strategy if you’re in Indianapolis:
Mid-September: New Palestine Oktoberfest (Saturday) Early October: Riley Festival in Greenfield (Saturday — plan to spend most of the day) Mid-October: Harvest Fest in New Palestine (check date) Late October: Any remaining Third Thursday in Fortville + dinner at Taxman Late November: Trees on Main in Fortville (evening walk + dinner)
That’s five weekends of Indiana small-town festivals within a 30-minute drive.
For confirmed dates and updates closer to the season, check the individual town guides — Fortville Guide events and New Palestine Guide events — or come back to this post; we’ll update dates as the fall 2026 calendar firms up.