Zionsville Fall Festival

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.

What to expect in 2026

The festival runs across three days, with different highlights each day:

Friday, September 11

• 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: 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
• Evening Lion's Lounge for adults 21+

Sunday, September 13

• 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.

Confirmed 2026 schedule and programming details will be added once they are announced.

The parade route

The parade begins Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 AM at Zionsville Community High School. From there, the route travels south through the Village along Main Street, ending at Old National Bank near Main Street and Sycamore Road. Main Street is closed to vehicles during the parade.

Spectators are welcome to bring portable lawn chairs or stand along the parade route. Front-row spots along Main Street fill up early, so arrive well before the 10:00 AM start if you want to set up lawn chairs near the curb.

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.

Plan your visit

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 – 5:00 PM
Location: Lions Park, 11053 Sycamore St, Zionsville, IN 46077
Admission: Free

Carnival Rides: Single-ride tickets are available all carnival days. Unlimited-ride wristbands are offered on Sunday (Wristband Day), with 2026 pricing announced closer to the event.

Carnival Games: Games are paid in cash at each booth. Bring cash, as card acceptance varies and may not be available at every game.

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 Road for an $8.00 cash fee.

Free public parking lots are located at the northwest corner of Main Street and Sycamore Road and the southwest corner of Main Street and Pine Street. Additional parking may be available along nearby streets and in public lots throughout the Village.

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.

Food and vendor payments: Most vendors take cash only. An ATM is typically located near the Zionsville Little League concession stand.

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.

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.