The 2026 Indiana Festival Lineup Is Here — And It's Massive

We've been counting down the days, and now it's official: the 2026 Indiana festival calendar is loaded with nearly 600 events spanning every corner of the Hoosier State. Whether you're a seasoned festival road-tripper or just looking for something fun to do this weekend, this year is shaping up to be one for the books.

By the Numbers

Let's talk scale. Here's how the 2026 lineup breaks down month by month:

January – March: 20 events to shake off the winter blues
April – May: 70 festivals as spring explodes across the state
June – August: 228 summer events — peak festival season
September: A staggering 130 festivals in a single month (yes, really)
October – December: 142 events to carry you through fall colors and holiday lights

September alone could keep you busy every single weekend — and then some.

Spring Kicks Things Off Early

The season starts sooner than you might think. By late February, the Parke County Maple Fair in Rockville is already tapping trees and flipping pancakes. March brings the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington and Sugar Camp Days in New Carlisle — perfect excuses to get out of the house before the big spring rush hits.

April is where things really pick up. The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival returns to our own backyard, and the legendary Mansfield Mushroom Festival in Rockville draws foragers and foodies from across the region. Down south, the Orleans Dogwood Festival and Sassafras Tea Festival in Vernon bring that classic small-town Indiana charm we love.

If you missed our post about spring festival season, now's a great time to revisit it.

Summer Is Absolutely Stacked

June alone has 77 events on the books. The Cole Porter Festival in Peru, Strawberry Festivals popping up everywhere from Kokomo to Crawfordsville to Metamora, and the Americana on Main celebration in Carmel are just the beginning.

July is the peak with 90 festivals — county fairs, Fourth of July blowouts, and food festivals as far as the eye can see. August keeps the momentum rolling with 61 more events before the calendar's biggest month arrives.

September: The Month That Goes All Out

With 130 festivals packed into 30 days, September is the undisputed king of Indiana festival season. This is when the state's most beloved traditions come alive — harvest festivals, covered bridge celebrations, apple butter stirring, and those first cool-weather evenings that make outdoor events absolutely perfect.

If you're planning to hit the road this fall, check out some of our favorite hidden gem small-town festivals for inspiration.

Fall & Holiday Season Wraps It Up Right

October brings 66 events — think pumpkin patches, Halloween-themed festivals, and the world-famous Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County. November eases into holiday territory with 40 events, and December closes out the year with 36 Christmas markets, light shows, and winter celebrations.

We covered some of our favorite food-centric celebrations last year, and many of those beloved events are back on the 2026 calendar.

What's New This Year

We're continuing to add events as organizers finalize their dates and details. The database is live and growing — if you run a festival that isn't listed yet, let us know so we can get you on the map.

We've also been rolling out new features to make it easier to discover festivals near you, filter by type, and plan your weekends around what's happening across the state.

And if you haven't already, join our newsletter to get a weekly roundup of upcoming events delivered straight to your inbox. It's the easiest way to never miss a festival again.

Start Planning Now

590 festivals. 12 months. One incredible state.

The 2026 lineup is the biggest we've ever tracked, and we couldn't be more excited to help you explore it. Bookmark the festival calendar, grab your crew, and start planning your adventures.

Indiana's festival season is calling. 🎪