Fri, Sep 11 – Sun, Sep 13, 2026
Zionsville Fall Festival
Lions Park, Zionsville
© ZionsvilleIndiana.com
The Zionsville Fall Festival is a long-running community tradition held the weekend after Labor Day at Lions Park. It's the Zionsville Lions Club's largest annual fundraiser, drawing visitors from across central Indiana for three days of carnival rides, food, the Saturday morning parade through the Village, and family-friendly activities.
The 73rd annual festival takes place September 11–13, 2026, with the theme "Out of this World." Admission to the festival at Lions Park is free; carnival rides require tickets, and games are paid separately.
Quick Facts
- Bring cash. Carnival games are paid in cash at each booth, most vendors take cash only, and paid parking is $8 cash.
- VIP Carnival starts Friday at 5:00 PM. This free event is for families with children with special needs; RSVP is encouraged.
- The parade starts Saturday at 10:00 AM. Main Street closes during the parade. Arrive early for nearby parking; closer to parade time, expect to park farther away and walk.
- Sunday is Wristband Day. Unlimited rides at the carnival are $25 on Sunday.
- Bounce houses have separate wristbands. Unlimited bounce-house access is $16 per day in the Kid’s Corner area.
- Leave pets at home. Pets are not allowed at the festival unless they are service dogs or part of a festival exhibit.
© ZionsvilleIndiana.com
What to expect in 2026
The festival runs across three days, with different highlights each day:
Friday, September 11 · 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- 5:00 PM: VIP Carnival for families with children with special needs
- Poor Jack's Carnival opens
- Food vendors and community booths
Saturday, September 12 · 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- 10:00 AM: Fall Festival Parade from Zionsville Community High School through the Village along Main Street
- Poor Jack's Carnival rides, food vendors, and community booths
- Kid's Corner bounce houses, Safety Zone activities, and live entertainment
- 5:00 PM: Lion's Lounge opens (21+, $10 cover)
- 7:00 – 11:00 PM: The Impalas play at the Lion's Lounge
Sunday, September 13 · 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: American Dream Car Show
- Wristband Day at Poor Jack's Carnival
- Community bingo
- Food vendors and vendor areas
VIP Carnival
The Zionsville Lions Club and the HAWK Foundation co-host the VIP Carnival on Friday evening of Fall Festival weekend. This free event is designed for families with children with special needs.
The general carnival is also open to the public Friday evening, alongside the VIP event.
Families are asked to RSVP at zionsvillelions.com so the hosts can plan food and supplies, but last-minute attendees are welcome.
© ZionsvilleIndiana.com
Lion's Lounge
Lion's Lounge opens Saturday at 5:00 PM for adults 21+. The Impalas, an Indianapolis-based dance band, perform from 7:00 – 11:00 PM. Cover is $10 at the door.
The parade route
The parade begins Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 AM at Zionsville Community High School. From there it travels down Mulberry Street and Ash Street before turning onto Main Street through the Village, ending at Old National Bank near Main Street and Sycamore Street. Main Street is closed to vehicles during the parade.
Many spectators stand along the parade route. Lawn chairs can work if you arrive early, but space is limited and carrying chairs from distant parking can be inconvenient once nearby spots fill.
The parade typically includes school marching bands, local businesses, community organizations, and themed entries. Many entries hand out candy while supplies last, so families with children may want to bring a small bag.
Hours, parking and admission
Dates: September 11–13, 2026
Hours listed: Friday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St, Zionsville, IN 46077
Admission: Free
Carnival Rides: Single-ride tickets are available throughout the weekend. On Sunday, unlimited-ride wristbands for the carnival are $25.
Carnival Games: Games are paid separately at each booth. Bring cash, as card acceptance varies and may not be available at every game.
Kid’s Corner: Bounce houses are located in a separate area of the park. Unlimited Kid’s Corner wristbands are $16 per day.
Parking: Lions Park parking is free year-round, but during the Fall Festival, on-site parking is $8.00 cash, which supports park maintenance. Overflow paid parking is available on the vacant lot at the southwest corner of Main Street and Sycamore Street for an $8.00 cash fee.
Free public parking lots are located at the northwest corner of Main Street and Sycamore Street and the southwest corner of Main Street and Pine Street. Street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. See the downtown parking section for details.
Parking near the parade route and Lions Park fills quickly during the Saturday parade, so plan to arrive early if you want to park nearby.
A pedestrian-only entrance with ramp access is also available from South Elm Street, useful for stroller access or a shorter walk from downtown.
Food and vendor payments: Most vendors take cash only. An ATM is located near Lion’s Concessions.
First Aid and Lost & Found: First Aid is located north of the Gazebo in the Public Safety Area. Lost & Found is located at the Zionsville Lions Clubhouse during the festival.
Pets: Pets are not allowed unless they are part of a festival exhibit or are service dogs.
Prohibited items: Firearms, smoking in Lions Park, illegal substances, and fireworks are prohibited.
Downtown map
Save the downtown Zionsville map to your phone before you go. It shows the Main Street area, including nearby restaurants, shops, public parking, restrooms, and landmarks.
Hosts
The Zionsville Fall Festival is hosted by the Zionsville Lions Club, the festival's founders and primary organizers. The festival is the Lions Club's largest annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting community work in Zionsville and the maintenance of Lions Park.
The Friday evening VIP Carnival is co-hosted by the Lions Club and the HAWK Foundation, which supports individuals and families affected by autism and other special needs.
Common questions
- When is the Zionsville Fall Festival in 2026?
- The Zionsville Fall Festival runs Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Lions Park. The festival is held annually on the weekend after Labor Day.
- What time is the Zionsville Fall Festival parade?
- The parade begins Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 AM. It starts at Zionsville Community High School and travels down Mulberry Street and Ash Street before turning onto Main Street through the Village, ending at Old National Bank on the corner of Main Street and Sycamore Street.
- Where is the Zionsville Fall Festival held?
- The festival is held at Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St, Zionsville, IN 46077. The Saturday morning parade runs through the Village along Main Street.
- What address should I use for Lions Park — Sycamore or Elm Street?
- Lions Park has two entrances. For Fall Festival weekend, use 11053 Sycamore Street for driving directions; this is the main entrance with the large parking lot and the large Lions Club billboard. 115 South Elm Street is a separate pedestrian-only entrance with ramp access descending from the street into the park. This entrance may be useful for people walking from nearby street parking or downtown, but the main driving entrance and large parking lot are on Sycamore Street.
- How much does the Zionsville Fall Festival cost?
- Admission to the festival at Lions Park is free. Single-ride tickets are available throughout the weekend. On Sunday, unlimited-ride wristbands for the carnival are $25. Kid’s Corner bounce houses are in a separate area of the park, with unlimited wristbands at $16 per day. Games are paid separately at each booth. Card acceptance is not guaranteed, so bring cash for games and other purchases.
- Where do I park for the Zionsville Fall Festival?
- Lions Park parking is free year-round, but during the Fall Festival, on-site parking is $8.00 cash, which supports park maintenance. Overflow paid parking is available on the vacant lot at the southwest corner of Main and Sycamore Street for $8.00 cash. Free public lots are at the northwest corner of Main and Sycamore Street and the southwest corner of Main and Pine Street. Street parking is also available throughout the downtown area. Parking near the parade route and Lions Park fills quickly during the Saturday parade.
- What are the Zionsville Fall Festival hours?
- The 2026 festival hours are listed as Friday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Activity times may vary by day.
- What activities are at the Zionsville Fall Festival?
- The festival includes Poor Jack's Carnival rides and games, food vendors, community booths, the Saturday morning parade through the Village, the VIP Carnival, Kid's Corner bounce houses, Safety Zone activities, Lion's Lounge, the American Dream Car Show, and community bingo.
- Is the Zionsville Fall Festival family-friendly?
- Yes. The festival includes carnival rides and games, food vendors, the Saturday parade, and family-focused activities. Friday evening also includes the VIP Carnival, a free event designed for families with children with special needs.
- What is the VIP Carnival at Fall Festival?
- The VIP Carnival is a free Friday-evening event for families with children with special needs, co-hosted by the Zionsville Lions Club and the HAWK Foundation. Families are encouraged to RSVP at zionsvillelions.com so the hosts can plan food and supplies, but last-minute attendees are welcome.