The Riley Festival in Greenfield, Indiana is a four-day celebration held annually in early October to honor James Whitcomb Riley, the famed "Hoosier Poet" and native son of Greenfield. In 2025, the festival runs from Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 5. It is one of the largest craft festivals in Indiana, featuring over 460 exhibitors surrounding the historic 100-year-old courthouse downtown.

The festival offers a variety of activities and events including:

Arts and crafts booths, flea market, and commercial displays spread throughout the downtown streets near US40 and SR9.
Festival foods and food vendors providing a range of options.
Greenfield Banking Company Entertainment Tent, which hosts live performances from Thursday through Sunday showcasing diverse talent.
The historic Parade of Flowers, where local elementary students march downtown to place flower bouquets around the statue of James Whitcomb Riley in front of the courthouse.
A large Saturday parade with over 75 units traveling from Greenfield High School through downtown to Riley Park.
Special contests and shows such as Photography, Home Arts & Quilt Show, and Little Miss & Mr. Pageant.
Community celebrations honoring Riley’s life and poetry, with annual festival themes drawn from one of his poems; for 2025, the theme is “The Yellowbird”.

The event is family-friendly, handicap accessible, and offers free parking at the fairgrounds along with a $1 shuttle service to downtown. The vibe is festive and community-oriented, blending arts, crafts, local heritage, and entertainment in a historic Midwestern town setting.

The Riley Festival has a long-standing tradition dating back more than 65 years, centered on the courthouse statue of James Whitcomb Riley, which was placed in 1918 and serves as the symbolic focal point of the festival.

A rough daily schedule includes:

Thursday to Sunday: Arts and crafts booths open, live performances in the entertainment tent.
Thursday: Festival opening with initial entertainment and vendor areas live.
Friday: Continued vendor displays, entertainment, and community activities.
Saturday: Parade of Flowers in the morning, followed by the main parade later in the day.
Sunday: Final day of festival activities including performances and contests.

Overall, the Riley Festival combines cultural celebration, craft commerce, parade traditions, and live entertainment to honor local heritage and foster community spirit in Greenfield’s historic downtown.

About This Festival