The crisp crunch of golden leaves under our shoes, the sweet smell of pumpkin spice lattes wafting in the air, and a chilly breeze that will soon invite us to wrap up in cozy sweaters and scarves – fall has started to inch its way into Northwest Indiana, and everyone is here to celebrate the beloved season’s arrival in style.
With regional attractions, fairs, festivals, events, and so much more, Northwest Indiana has a packed lineup of fall-themed activities waiting to be discovered. Check out the list below for a comprehensive list of local fall activities, and be sure to add a few (or more) to your calendar!
Regional Attractions:
County Line Orchard
Hobart’s County Line Orchard is a must-stop spot to get the full Northwest Indiana autumn experience. With apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin patches, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and more, County Line has tons of fall fun wrapped up into one central location for everyone of all ages to enjoy. Be sure to take a walk through its main barn while you’re there, as this space is transformed into a shop full of delicious goodies and trinkets you don’t want to miss (and don’t forget to grab some of its famous apple cinnamon and pumpkin donuts, too)!
Harvest Tyme
Tucked away in the southern portion of Lake County, Lowell’s Harvest Tyme is a family farm full of different activities and events for children and adults alike to enjoy. While the facility is open year-round, Harvest Tyme has special fall events in store, including its Sunflower Festival, Fall Festival, and Pumpkin Glow Trail set to treat your autumn fix in no time. With so much to do, Harvest Tyme is a great place to spend the day with family and friends this fall season.
Fair Oaks Farms
A quick trip down I-65 will bring you to Fair Oaks Farms, a venue in Jasper County featuring tons of dairy and farm-filled activities, such as its annual Applefest. This fall, stop by to pick some fresh produce, pumpkins, and sunflowers at Fair Oaks’ famous orchard or take a stroll through its Sunflower Field. Also, don’t forget to stop by the Farmhouse Restaurant, where you can enjoy a delicious meal to top off a marvelous day of fall festivities.
Fall Events, Fairs, and Festivals:
Additionally, fall festivals and events are popping up all over the Region! Check some seasonal activities off your bucket list with a hayride or a farmers market, stock up on seasonal decor, or start getting those gifts underway for the holidays through an array of events throughout the season. Take a look at the list below to find some that may pique your interest!
September
- Saturday, September 7: Valparaiso Popcorn Festival
- Saturday, September 7: Fall Gnome Wine Glass Cocktails and Canvas Painting
- Saturday, September 7 and Sunday: September 8: Highland Golden Apple Falloween Open House
- Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8: La Porte's Garwood Orchard Apple Fest Arts and Craft Show
- Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8: 30th Annual Door Harvest Festival
- Sunday, September 8: Portage's Painted Apple Pumpkin Spice Canvas Painting
- Weekends starting Saturday, September 7 - Sunday, September 22: Johnson’s Sunflower Festival
- Friday, September 13 - Sunday, November 3: Campfires & Hayrides with Valpo Parks
- Saturday, September 14: Winfield Harvest Festival
- Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15: Duneland Fall Festival
- Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15: Applefest at Fair Oaks Farms
- Saturday, September 14 and 21, Sunday, September 15 and 22: Harvest Tyme Sunflower Festival
- Tuesday, September 17: Aftermath Cidery and Winery Paint & Drink: Pumpkin & Tree
- Thursday, September 19 - Saturday, September 21: Fall Harvest Celebration in Lowell
- Friday, September 20: Fall Paint Night
- Saturday, September 21: La Porte Sunflower Fair
- Saturday, September 21: Fall Freedom Festival
- Sunday, September 22: Discovery Fall Fest
- Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29: Wanatah Scarecrow Festival
- Friday, September 27 - Sunday, September 29: 48th Annual Harvest Festival at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
- Saturday, September 28: St. Joseph Homespun Fall Market
- Saturday, September 28: Hammond's Season Splendor Craft and Vendor Show
- Saturday, September 28: Belstra Fall Festival in DeMotte
- Saturday, September 28: Rensselaer Oktober Fest
- Saturday, September 28: Winamac Fall Festival
- Saturday, September 28: New Carlisle Fall Flower Fest
- Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29: Fair Oaks Farms Oaktoberfest
- Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29: 44th Annual Griffith Fall Harvest Craft Festival
- Saturday, September 28 - Sunday, October 27: Harvest Tyme Fall Festival
- Saturday, September 28 - Sunday, October 27: Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Glow Trail
- Weekends starting Saturday September 28 - Sunday October 27: Johnson’s Pumpkin Festival
- Sunday, September 29: Haunted Hills Fall Fest
October
- Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5: Wickedly Whiting
- Friday, October 4 - Sunday, October 6: Griffith Oktoberfest
- Saturday, October 5: Valpo Events Autumn Promenade
- Saturday, October 5: Crown Point Oktoberfest
- Saturday, October 5: Portage Harvest Festival
- Saturday, October 5: Westville Pumpkin Festival
- Saturday, October 5: Westville 3rd Annual Pumpkin Fest Car Show
- Saturday, October 5: New Carlisle Fill a Pumpkin
- Saturday, October 5: Munster Pumpkins, Witches, and Hayrides Oh My!
- Saturday, October 5: Niles, Michigan 5th Annual Fall Fest
- Saturday, October 12: Valpo Events Fall Harvest Fest
- Saturday, October 12: Lake County Fairgrounds Pumpkin Fest
- Sunday, October 15: Friendship Botanic Gardens Haunted Trails and Family Fun Fest
- Thursday October 17 - Saturday October 19: Portage's Annual Haunted Hayride
- Saturday, October 19: Haunted Hills Fall Fest
- Saturday, October 19: Washington Park Zoo Boo at the Zoo
- Saturday, October 19: Lowell's Buckley Homestead Pumpkinfest & Buckley 5 Miller
- Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26: Crown Point Hometown Hocus Pocus Indoor Market
- Saturday, October 26: Crown Point Sparta Dome Autumn Arts and Craft Fair
November
- Saturday, November 2: Thomas Edison Junior Senior High School 2nd Annual Fall Fest
- Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10: Journeyman Distillery Autumn Artisan Market at the American Factory