Weekend Festival Roundup: Indiana’s Fall Celebrations Fill Streets, Parks and Fairgrounds

Headline: Weekend Festival Roundup: Indiana’s Fall Celebrations Fill Streets, Parks and Fairgrounds

Lead: This weekend (Sept. 19–21, 2025), towns across Indiana stage a festival bonanza — everything from Bluffton’s historic Free Street Fair to intimate porch concerts in Carmel and big car shows in Washington and Columbus. The events offer a mix of rides, live music, living‑history encampments, cultural food, craft markets and family programming that will keep fairgoers busy from dawn to after dusk.

Bluffton to Fort Wayne: big, historic draws

Bluffton Free Street Fair (Bluffton, Wells County) runs Sept. 16–20 and returns as a multi‑day anchor for northeast Indiana. The event, founded in 1898, is billed as the state’s “oldest and largest street fair” and features Poor Jack Amusements rides, parades, a car show and stages of live entertainment. Expect downtown road closures and steady crowds each evening.
The Johnny Appleseed Festival (Fort Wayne) — Sept. 20–21 — recreates pioneer life with 200+ vendors and period demonstrations. Organizers say the weekend is one of the region’s biggest autumn draws; recent tallies put attendance in the hundreds of thousands for the overall Apple Trail season, making early arrival and preplanned parking a smart move.
Nappanee Apple Festival (Nappanee) runs Sept. 18–21 and keeps family traditions alive with the 7‑foot apple pie, the Wings & Wheels show and the Donut Dash races on Saturday morning.

Car culture, cruises and classic rock

Hot Rods & Rock ’n’ Roll (Columbus) — Sept. 20 — offers a free downtown car show 3–7 p.m. followed by live rock into the evening.
20th Century Chevy Car Fest (Washington) — Sept. 20–21 — stages a massive cruise and show with more than 600 classic and custom cars expected and a tribute concert Saturday night. Sunday’s show includes 100+ awards and a silent auction.

Culture, crafts and world flavors

St. George Middle Eastern Festival (Fishers) — Sept. 19–21 — showcases Middle Eastern food, pastries, dance and church tours; adult admission is $5, children $2, and shuttle parking is provided from a nearby elementary school.
Global Fest (West Lafayette) — Sept. 20, starting at 3 p.m. — spotlights international music, dance and food along Northwestern Avenue and Chauncey Plaza.
Art Blitz (Valparaiso) — Sept. 20 (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) — features hands‑on activities and an outdoor exhibition supporting the Art Barn; admission and parking are free.

Living history, heritage and small‑town fall flavor

Trail of Courage Living History Festival (near Rochester) — Sept. 20–21 — re‑creates pre‑1840s frontier life with encampments, open‑fire cooking and canoe rides on the Tippecanoe River. Admission: $10 adults, $5 children 6–11.
Levi Coffin Days (Fountain City) — Sept. 20–21 — commemorates the Underground Railroad site with the festival theme “Where History Meets Heart,” vendor markets and guided historic tours.
Medora Kilnfest (Medora) — Sept. 20 — honors the 1904 brick plant with exhibits and fundraising for kiln restoration.
Francesville Fall Festival, Wendell Willkie Days (Rushville), Frankton Heritage Days (50th anniversary), Tree City Fall Festival (Greensburg, with more than 160 vendors), Attica Heritage Days and dozens of other hometown celebrations run across the weekend — each offering parades, kid zones, local eats and volunteer‑run booths.

Family outdoor, environmental and niche interests

Explore Wabashiki (Terre Haute) — Sept. 20 — a free nature day of guided hikes and birdwatching at Wabashiki Fish & Wildlife Area.
Ferdinand Folk Festival (Ferdinand) — Sept. 20 — an earth‑friendly music and arts day with headliner Will Hoge in the evening.
Honey Harvest Festival (Hunter’s Honey Farm, Martinsville) — Sept. 20 — features live beekeeping demos, hayrides and honey tastings.
Military Vehicle Show & Swap Meet (Portland) — Sept. 19–20 — free admission and large displays of vintage jeeps, tanks and helicopters plus living‑history demonstrations.

What to know before you go (practical tips)

Admission and fees: Many events are free to attend; some charge small admission or festival wristbands (e.g., St. George, Trail of Courage, and some concert gates). Biergarten or tasting areas (Shelbyville Brewfest) typically require paid entry.
Best times to visit: Weekday evenings and early Saturday mornings tend to be less crowded at multi‑day fairs; headline concerts and parades draw peak crowds Saturday afternoon and evening.
Parking & access: Expect closed streets in downtown fairs (Bluffton, Columbus, Greensburg). Several festivals provide shuttle lots (St. George) or recommend nearby municipal garages (Carmel PorchFest). Check festival websites for official parking maps.
Family logistics: Kid zones, pet rules and accessibility vary. Carmel PorchFest allows leashed pets; the Johnny Appleseed Festival is alcohol‑free and family‑centric; some living‑history sites restrict animals.
Bring what you need: Water bottle, comfortable shoes, a cash/card mix (some vendor booths are cash only), sunscreen, and a folding chair or blanket for outdoor concerts.
Weather planning: Many events run rain or shine; bring a light rain jacket or umbrella and check forecast updates Friday night.

Numbers and notes that stand out

Bluffton Free Street Fair — founded 1898 — remains one of Indiana’s longest running community fairs.
The Johnny Appleseed Festival is part of a regional apple‑themed tradition that reaches hundreds of thousands of visitors across related events.
The 20th Century Chevy Car Fest expects more than 600 cars across its two show days.
Carmel PorchFest places roughly 60 bands on about 20 neighborhood porches Sunday, Sept. 21 (no admission fee).

What this means for readers and communities
This weekend’s festival lineup reflects both Indiana’s deep rural traditions and its growing appetite for culture, food and niche interests. For readers: there’s a festival to match almost every curiosity — cars and classic rock, apple pies and pioneer life, folk music and world cuisines. For the communities: these events bring tourism dollars to Main Streets, support volunteer organizations and keep local traditions alive into the fall season.

Planning note: pick the style of weekend you want—big, marquee fairs (Bluffton, Fort Wayne), a focused cultural outing (St. George, Global Fest), or a relaxed neighborhood music crawl (Carmel PorchFest)—then map a route and book any needed lodging early. With so many simultaneous options, festivalgoers can turn a simple Saturday into a multi‑stop Indiana adventure.

For exact times, artist lineups, vendor lists and parking details, readers should consult official festival websites or social pages before heading out; many organizers post final schedules and last‑minute updates in the days leading up to the events. Enjoy the weekend — and support the volunteers and small businesses that make these hometown celebrations possible.