Fri, Oct 23 – Sat, Oct 24, 2026
Fright Nights 2026
Mulberry Fields Park & Maplelawn Farmstead
Fright Nights is a Halloween event presented by Zionsville Parks and Recreation as a fundraiser for Maplelawn Farmstead. The experience begins at Mulberry Fields Park, where visitors board a haunted hayride through the park to the Fright Barn at Maplelawn Farmstead. The evening also includes spooky encounters, a campfire, and other nighttime activities.
The 2026 event takes place Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM.
Quick Facts
- Parking and event entry are at Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Road.
- Entry is by timed ticket. Tickets go on sale September 15.
- Fright Nights is recommended for ages 8 and older. Participants under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the night of the event.
- The last on-site ticket is sold at 9:30 PM.
Event Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, October 23 – Saturday, October 24, 2026 |
| Time | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT (Last on-site ticket sold at 9:30 PM) |
| Parking & Entry | Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Road, Zionsville, IN 46077 |
| Main Attraction | Fright Barn at Maplelawn Farmstead |
| Advance Tickets | $12 per person |
| Night-of Tickets | $15 per person |
| Tickets On Sale | September 15, 2026 |
| Entry | Timed ticket entry |
| Recommended Ages | Ages 8+ (participants under 12 must be accompanied by an adult) |
| Presented By | Zionsville Parks and Recreation |
| Benefits | Maplelawn Farmstead |
The Fright Barn Experience
The Fright Barn is a fully immersive haunted attraction at Maplelawn Farmstead. Visitors can expect:
- Dark, enclosed spaces and sudden jump scares
- Theatrical fog, strobe effects, and areas with low to no lighting
- Graphic scenes of gore and horror
- Uneven flooring and tight passageways
- Live actors and intense sound effects
The attraction is designed to scare. Parental discretion is advised, and participants under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Haunted Hayride & Other Activities
The Fright Nights experience begins at the Mulberry Fields concession stand, where visitors board a haunted hayride through the park to the Fright Barn at Maplelawn Farmstead.
The evening also includes:
- Spooky encounters
- Campfire
- Other nightly surprises
Tickets
Tickets are $12 per person in advance or $15 per person the night of the event. Tickets go on sale September 15, and entry is by timed ticket.
The last on-site ticket is sold at 9:30 PM.
Zionsville Parks and Recreation registration portal
Parking & Entry
All event parking and entry are at Mulberry Fields Park, 9645 Whitestown Road.
The experience begins at the Mulberry Fields concession stand before visitors board the haunted hayride through the park to Maplelawn Farmstead.
Event Rules
- Participants under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Cameras, flashlights, cell phones, and other lighting or recording devices may not be used inside the Fright Barn or Spooky Story Barn.
- Alcohol and illegal drugs or substances are prohibited during the event.
- Weapons are prohibited on site.
- Only registered working service animals are permitted.
Fright Barn Rules
- Do not force doors or push against walls. A green indicator light signals when a locked door can be opened.
- Do not touch actors, props, or displays. Actors will not touch guests.
- Walk at all times; do not run, and watch your step.
- Stay with your group and keep moving.
Fright Nights History
Fright Nights began in 2023 as a partnership between Zionsville Parks and Recreation and Maplelawn Farmstead. The event was developed as a fundraiser for the farmstead while also creating a Halloween program for teenagers, young adults, and families.
Fright Nights has continued as an annual fall event, using the historic farmstead as the setting for its haunted attractions and nighttime activities.
About Maplelawn Farmstead
Maplelawn Farmstead has a documented history dating to the early 1800s. John and Jane Wolf established the original farmstead in 1835, and the property later remained in the Scott family for about a century.
Today, Maplelawn Farmstead interprets rural Indiana family life during the 1930s Great Depression era. The farmstead was listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Fright Nights is a fundraiser for Maplelawn Farmstead, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to preserving and restoring the historic property.