Fall Activities in Zionsville 2026
Updated August 30, 2026
Fall in Zionsville brings concerts and live performances, outdoor and nature activities, community races, art events, farm visits, and traditional fall activities throughout September, October, and November.
This guide focuses on things to do in Zionsville throughout the fall season, including both scheduled events and activities that can be enjoyed on your own.
Fall Activities at a Glance
| Activity | When | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Walks & Trails | Throughout fall | Parks, wooded trails and the Big-4 Rail Trail |
| Visit Traders Point Creamery | Throughout fall | Farm walks, dairy cows, farm store and dining |
| ZCHS Performances & Sports | Throughout fall | Fall musical, concerts, football and other Eagles sports |
| Zionsville Farmers Market | Saturday mornings through Sept. 26 | Local produce, food, vendors and music |
| SFZ Concert Series | Sept. 13, Oct. 11 & Nov. 1 | Sunday afternoon concerts at St. Francis In-The-Fields |
| Zionsville Parks & Recreation | Sept. 17–Nov. 21 | Birding, campfire concerts, night hikes and owl walks |
| Movies at Maplelawn | Sept. 19 & 26 | Outdoor movies projected onto the barn |
| Salem Fall Cookout | Sept. 25 | Hayrides, pumpkin painting, campfire and s’mores |
| GhostWalk | Oct. 2–3 | Guided walking tour with reenacted local ghost stories |
| Pumpkinfest | Oct. 3 | Pumpkins, children’s activities and hayrides |
| Fall Races | Oct. 3–Nov. 26 | Hit the Bricks, Zionsville Half Marathon and Gravy Chase |
| Gallery On & Off Main | Oct. 24 | Artists and artisans throughout the Main Street district |
| Pumpkins & Hayrides | Oct. 25 | Pumpkins, hayrides and traditional fall activities |
| Smashin’ Pumpkins | Nov. 7 | Pumpkin smashing, composting and the Epic Pumpkin Drop |
| Teeny Tiny Art Market | Nov. 20–Dec. 19 | Small-scale art at SullivanMunce Cultural Center |
Take a Fall Walk or Bike Ride
Not every fall outing needs a scheduled start time. Zionsville’s parks and trails provide several places to get outside as temperatures cool and leaves begin changing.
Starkey Nature Park has wooded trails through approximately 80 acres along Eagle Creek. Overley-Worman Park adds trails, mountain biking and disc golf, while the Big-4 Rail Trail provides a paved multi-use route for walking, running and cycling through Zionsville.
See the Big-4 Rail Trail guide.
Visit Traders Point Creamery
Fall is a good time to explore the farm at Traders Point Creamery, where visitors can see the working dairy farm and walk through the property along Eagle Creek.
The self-guided farm walk follows approximately 1.5 miles of paths through the pastures and farm grounds. A walking pass costs $5 per person and can be purchased from the Farm Store. Guided farm tours are offered April through October.
Visitors can also watch the cows being milked at 6:30 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
The farm can be combined with a stop at the Farm Store or a meal at The Loft, making it an outing that can last anywhere from an hour to much of an afternoon.
See Traders Point Creamery farm tour details and hours.
Enjoy Fall Performances & Sports at ZCHS
Fall brings both performing arts and athletics to Zionsville Community High School, with concerts, theater productions and Eagles sporting events throughout the season.
See a ZCHS Performance
Zionsville Community High School has several performances scheduled at the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center this fall.
- September 29 — Fall Choral Concert
- October 5 — Fall Band Concert
- October 8 — Fall Orchestra Concert
- November 12–15 — A Chorus Line: Teen Edition
A Chorus Line: Teen Edition is the 2026 ZCHS Fall Musical, adapted for teen performers and family audiences.
Check the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center ticket site for performance times and ticket availability as each event approaches.
Catch a Zionsville Eagles Game
Friday night football is one of the most recognizable fall sports at Zionsville Community High School, with varsity games continuing into October.
See upcoming ZCHS football games.
The ZCHS athletics calendar also includes soccer, volleyball, cross country, tennis, golf, and Unified Flag Football. As fall moves into November, basketball and wrestling also begin their seasons.
See all upcoming ZCHS sporting events.
Visit the Zionsville Farmers Market
The Zionsville Farmers Market continues on Saturday mornings through September 26, giving visitors a few more chances to shop the market as the season shifts into fall.
Vendors offer produce, baked goods, prepared foods, flowers and other locally made items, with live music and activities throughout the morning. The final market on September 26 includes Pumpkin Painting with MyArt, a Zionsville art studio that offers classes, camps and creative programs for children and adults.
See the full Zionsville Farmers Market schedule and details.
Enjoy the SFZ Concert Series
The SFORZANDO (SFZ) Concert Series at St. Francis In-The-Fields Episcopal Church continues through the fall with three Sunday afternoon performances:
| Date | Artist | Program |
|---|---|---|
| September 13 · 4:00 PM | Phil Pierick, saxophone | Chicago Bagatelles Project Music for solo saxophone from Bach to today. |
| October 11 · 4:00 PM | Becky Archibald and Friends | Wango Tzango Sfortzango! Original violin-and-piano tangos with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra violinist Bryson Karrer, plus jazz trios with a small combo, celebrating Archibald’s new album Tango for Disobedient Beasts. |
| November 1 · 4:00 PM | Alec Holcomb | A Panorama of Classical Guitar Music Familiar favorites, overlooked gems and rarely heard works that show the range of the classical guitar, including music adapted from other instruments. |
The concerts take place inside the church and provide an indoor arts option alongside Zionsville’s outdoor fall activities.
See the complete SFZ Concert Series schedule.
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Experience Fall with Zionsville Parks & Recreation
Zionsville Parks & Recreation offers several smaller fall activities for people who want to spend time outside, learn about local wildlife, or enjoy an evening in the parks.
Fall Birding Series
The three-part Fall Birding Series meets on Saturday mornings at different Zionsville parks:
- September 19 — Turkey Foot Park
- October 10 — Starkey Nature Park
- November 7 — Carpenter Nature Preserve
Naturalists help participants identify resident and migrating birds by sight and sound. Beginners are welcome, and each session is limited to 20 participants.
Campfire Concert Series
The Campfire Concert Series combines live music with an evening outdoors at Carpenter Nature Preserve.
- September 17 — Possum Jaw String Band
- October 8 — Squirrel Butter
Both concerts run from 6:00–8:00 PM and include campfires, sunset views and concessions.
Night Hike
On October 16, a guided Night Hike at Carpenter Nature Preserve explores how nocturnal animals navigate after dark. Participants also use their own senses to experience the park differently once daylight disappears.
Owl Prowl
The Owl Prowl on November 13 focuses on owl species found around Zionsville. After learning about local owls, participants head into Carpenter Nature Preserve with a naturalist to listen and look for them.
Fall Campfire
The Fall Campfire on November 21 at Carpenter Nature Preserve includes a sunset walk looking for animals active around dusk followed by marshmallow roasting around the campfire.
Browse all Zionsville Parks & Recreation programs.
Watch a Movie at Maplelawn Farmstead
Movies at Maplelawn brings outdoor movie nights to the historic Maplelawn Farmstead, with films projected directly onto the barn. Visitors can bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the lawn.
The 2026 schedule includes:
- September 19 — 1776
- September 26 — Hamilton
Gates open at 7:00 PM and the movies begin at dusk. Pizza, popcorn, desserts and beverages are available for purchase.
See the full Movies at Maplelawn event guide.
Spend a Fall Evening at Salem Methodist Church
Salem Methodist Church’s Night Out with Christ Fall Cookout is scheduled for October 2, beginning at 6:00 p.m., and includes several traditional fall activities in one evening.
Visitors can take a hayride, paint pumpkins, gather around a campfire, participate in a candy dig, and enjoy dinner and s’mores. Stones Crossing will provide live music. All ages are welcome, and the church describes it as a community event. Guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Salem Methodist Church has been part of the Zionsville community since the 1830s, with its first church built in 1849. The historic church sits in a wooded area off 550 South, adding to the setting for an outdoor fall evening.
Experience Zionsville’s GhostWalk
GhostWalk is an evening walking tour through Zionsville’s historic Village, with actors reenacting stories connected to local people, places and legends.
The approximately 45-minute experience returns October 2–3, 2026, with stories and stops that can change from year to year.
See the full GhostWalk event guide.
Celebrate Fall at Pumpkinfest
Pumpkinfest at St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church returns on October 3 with an afternoon of family fall activities. The event is open to the public.
Children can paint pumpkins, take a hayride to the church’s pumpkin patch, and enjoy other seasonal activities. Pumpkins are available while supplies last.
See the complete Pumpkinfest guide.
Race Through Zionsville This Fall
Three community running events take place from October through Thanksgiving, ranging from a 3K walk to a half marathon.
Hit the Bricks
The Hit the Bricks 5K Run & 3K Walk on October 3 includes a timed 5K and untimed 3K. The routes use the Big-4 Rail Trail, neighborhood streets and Zionsville’s historic brick Main Street.
The 2026 race highlights the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County as its local charity, with a large portion of race fundraising benefiting programs for area youth.
See the Hit the Bricks 5K & 3K guide.
Zionsville Half Marathon & 5K
The Zionsville Half Marathon & 5K returns November 21, offering both a 13.1-mile race and a 5K.
See the Zionsville Half-Marathon & 5K guide.
Gravy Chase
On Thanksgiving morning, November 26, the Gravy Chase offers 2.2-mile and 4-mile run/walk routes through historic downtown Zionsville.
The event is the Boys & Girls Club of Boone County’s largest annual fundraiser, with 100% of proceeds supporting programs, camps and sports for local youth. The Zionsville Gravy Chase enters its ninth year in 2026.
Explore Gallery On & Off Main
Gallery On & Off Main brings local artists and artisans into shops throughout the Village on October 24.
Main Street merchants open their businesses to participating artists, creating an art walk along Main Street and in nearby shops. Visitors can browse artwork, meet artists, and explore businesses throughout the district from noon to 8:00 PM.
Enjoy Pumpkins & Hayrides at Lions Park
Pumpkins & Hayrides returns to Lions Park on October 25 from 2:00–5:00 PM for a free afternoon of fall activities.
The event includes hayrides, free pumpkins for painting while supplies last, Bach to Rock, Mr. Daniel’s Music, Master Yoo’s Taekwondo, bounce houses, games and food. A kids costume contest begins at 4:00 PM, and parking in Lions Park is free for the event.
See the full Pumpkins & Hayrides event guide.
Smash Your Pumpkins at Mulberry Fields
Smashin’ Pumpkins returns to Mulberry Fields Park on November 7, giving families a fun way to dispose of leftover pumpkins after Halloween.
Visitors can bring pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns to the smashing stations before the pieces are collected for composting. The Epic Pumpkin Drop is one of the main attractions, with Zionsville firefighters raising pumpkins on a ladder truck and dropping them from above for a dramatic smash.
See the complete Smashin’ Pumpkins event guide.
Browse the Teeny Tiny Art Market
The Teeny Tiny Art Market opens at SullivanMunce Cultural Center on November 20 and continues through December 19.
The juried market features miniature works by local and regional artists, with each piece measuring 6 x 6 inches or smaller. The small-scale format makes the exhibit easy to browse and especially suited to collecting and holiday gift-giving.
Common questions
- What is there to do in Zionsville in the fall?
- Fall in Zionsville includes concerts and live performances, outdoor and nature activities, community races, art events, farm visits and traditional fall activities throughout September, October and November. Scheduled events include the SFZ Concert Series, Movies at Maplelawn, GhostWalk, Pumpkinfest, Pumpkins & Hayrides and Smashin’ Pumpkins.
- When does the Zionsville Farmers Market end for the season?
- The Zionsville Farmers Market continues on Saturday mornings through September 26, 2026. The final market of the season also includes pumpkin painting.
- What fall races take place in Zionsville?
- Three community running events take place from October through Thanksgiving: Hit the Bricks on October 3 with a timed 5K and untimed 3K, the Zionsville Half Marathon & 5K on November 21, and the Gravy Chase on Thanksgiving morning, November 26.
- Where can I see fall colors in Zionsville?
- Starkey Nature Park has wooded trails through approximately 80 acres along Eagle Creek. Overley-Worman Park adds trails, mountain biking and disc golf, and the Big-4 Rail Trail provides a longer paved route for walking, running and cycling through Zionsville.
- Are there fall activities in Zionsville for families with young children?
- Yes. Pumpkinfest on October 3 includes children’s activities, pumpkin painting and hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Pumpkins & Hayrides returns to Lions Park on October 25, and Smashin’ Pumpkins at Mulberry Fields Park on November 7 includes pumpkin smashing and the Epic Pumpkin Drop.
- What fall programs does Zionsville Parks & Recreation offer?
- Zionsville Parks & Recreation runs a three-part Fall Birding Series, a Campfire Concert Series at Carpenter Nature Preserve, a Night Hike on October 16, an Owl Prowl on November 13 and a Fall Campfire on November 21.
- Are there indoor fall activities in Zionsville?
- Yes. The SFORZANDO (SFZ) Concert Series presents Sunday afternoon concerts at St. Francis In-The-Fields, the STAR Bank Performing Arts Center hosts the ZCHS Fall Musical and fall choral, band and orchestra concerts, and the Teeny Tiny Art Market opens at SullivanMunce Cultural Center on November 20.
- When is GhostWalk in Zionsville?
- GhostWalk returns October 2–3, 2026. The approximately 45-minute guided walking tour moves through the historic Village while actors reenact stories associated with local people, places and legends.