Fall Festivals AND EVENTS

Events for the Whole Family This Fall

Step into everything Conner Prairie has to offer this fall. From the spectacular beauty of our sunflower field to spooky nights with the legendary Headless Horseman, our fall festivals and events are a great way to celebrate the season. Take a stroll across our grounds and explore our newest outdoor Smithsonian-affiliated exhibit Habitat and inspire curiosity through seasonal events dedicated to art, culture, and education. There is something for everyone.

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Headless Horseman Festival

October 5 - 29, every Thursday-Sunday

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The Headless Horseman rides again at Conner Prairie’s annual Halloween festival. Join us for an evening of ghoulish delights that the whole family can enjoy. Activities include the Headless Horseman marionette show, the Trail of Terror, spooky storytelling, Halloween games, the haunted hayride, and more!

Scarecrow Contest

2023 Registration is closed

Think you can create an award-winning scarecrow? Enter our scarecrow contest! Whether you like your scarecrows spooky and scary or cute and creative, we want to see the best scarecrow you can make!

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Corn Maze

Features from the 2023 corn maze

Guests walking Corn Maze at night

The 22,160-foot maze features three unique adventure paths to appeal to guests of all ages:

  • Long Maze: Test your wits in our family-friendly puzzle maze. This maze may take up to an hour or more to complete. The long maze is closed during nighttime Headless Horseman events.
  • Kids' Maze: Bring the little ones along on our shorter kids' maze. This maze may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
  • Trail of Terror: Brave the spooky the trail after dark – inspired by ghost stories and legends of the region.

Be sure to ride the 1859 Balloon Voyage for a birdseye view.

Sponsored by:

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Upcoming Programs & Events

bird statue at habitat

Habitat

Open Now

A new way to experience the world around you at Conner Prairie! Our newest outdoor Smithsonian experience allows you to see what habitats a tree fosters after it has fallen and the ways in which mushrooms hold together the ground we walk on. Habitat showcases the unique habitat throughout the gardens and landscapes of Conner Prairie.

Woman giving blood

Versiti Blood Drive

October 5

Looking for a great way to give back to the community? Stop in and give blood! Each donation saves 3 lives!

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Headless Horseman Festival

October 5 - 29

The Headless Horseman rides again at Conner Prairie’s annual Halloween festival. Join us for an evening of ghoulish delights that the whole family can enjoy. Activities include the Headless Horseman marionette show, the Trail of Terror, spooky storytelling, Halloween games, the haunted hayride, and more!

Traditional Arts & Arms Workshops: Hearth Cooking

Cooking Over the Hearth

October 7

The Headless Horseman rides again at Conner Prairie’s annual Halloween festival. Join us for an evening of ghoulish delights that the whole family can enjoy. Activities include the Headless Horseman marionette show, the Trail of Terror, spooky storytelling, Halloween games, the haunted hayride, and more!

Aerial View Of Conner Prairie Grounds During Fall With Colorful Leaves

Sensory Friendly Hours

October 8
10 a.m. - noon

Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e. the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.

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Memory Cafe

October 14

Join us this fall for our harvest related Memory Cafe. Enjoy corn shucking, exploring our maze and a stop at the Apple Store.

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Pennsylvania German Design

October 14

Create instant family heirlooms with Ken Scott while exploring the 18th century folk art of Pennsylvania. Ken will introduce traditional styles and design as students learn the art of calligraphy and drawing used in early fraktur, such as marriage and birth certificates.

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Advanced Hornworking

October 14 - 18

Work alongside master hornsmith Art DeCamp to make a Tennessee/Kentucky screw tip banded style powder horn. Basic hornworking techniques such as heating, pressing, lathe work, finishing and coloring of horn will be covered.

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Historic Brewing

October 14

Beer has always played an important role in the history of America. This class will explore that history in early Indiana as well as several recipes from the period. In addition, participants will help brew a historical beer using early 19th-century style ingredients and equipment. As we step through the brewing process, techniques will be shared so you can make the same beer using modern homebrewing techniques.

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Dovetailing Basics

October 14 - 15

Hand cut dovetails are not only practical and beautiful, but also a source of pride for the craftsman. In this class students will make a simple box with a sliding lid to learn how to lay out and cut through dovetails. Time will be taken in the class to discuss other types of dovetail joints. If you have tools, feel free to bring them along.

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Axe Forging

October 14 - 15

Explore traditional forging techniques with blacksmith Nathan Allen. Examine stylistic differences and construction techniques used on historic axes. The class will primarily cover punched eye axes. For those with more blacksmithing experience, forge-welded styles can be made. Students will have the chance to forge a couple of different styles.

Traditional Arts & Arms Workshops: Custom Knife Sheath

Custom Knife Sheathing

October 15

Folk artist and leatherworker Ken Scott will show you the many tips and techniques used in making knife sheaths for all styles of working knives. Please bring the knives you want to sheath to class.

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Leatherworking

October 16 - 17

Join Ken Scott as he teaches you his unique style of making hunting bags and pouches. Through pattern development, cutting, stitching, finishing, and basic leatherworking techniques, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind hunting pouch. You’ll also learn Ken’s unique antiquing methods.

Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshops: Folding Knife

Knifesmithing

October 16 - 18

Under the guidance of Nathan Allen, you'll learn about the history and creation of a traditional hand-forged knife. Topics include proper steel selection, use of a coal forge and anvil, filing, and finishing a handle. You can expect to complete at least one knife during class.

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Wheel Thrown Pottery

October 17, 24 and 31

Discover the basics of wheel thrown pottery. Students will be able to practice all aspects of throwing and shaping pottery. Whether a beginner or intermediate student, you will be able to progress at your own rate and develop your skills.

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Shaker Style Table

October 18 and 25

Shaker furniture and design has long been admired for it's simply design and clean lines. This class will be building a simple one-drawer side table, which will fit into any home. Woods used will be walnut for the primary wood and poplar as a secondary wood (drawer bottom and side). Students will learn traditional jointery including dovetails and mortise-and-tenon joints.

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Basic Blacksmithing

October 18

Discover the basis of blacksmithing. We'll be using traditional coal fired forges, hammer and anvil to make several simple projects that will teach the fundamentals of this ancient craft.

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Horn Handled Penny Knife

October 18 - 20

Penny Knives were simple folding knives that featured turned handles and thing practical blades. Work with Art DeCamp as he guides the class through the process of turning horn for the handle, filing out and finishing the blade (including heat treat) and assembly of the knife.

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Shaker Style Table

November 1, 8, 15 and 22

Shaker furniture and design has long been admired for it's simply design and clean lines. This class will be building a simple one-drawer side table, which will fit into any home. Woods used will be walnut for the primary wood and poplar as a secondary wood (drawer bottom and side). Students will learn traditional jointery including dovetails and mortise-and-tenon joints.

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Chautauqua

November 2

Chautauqua returns to share interesting stories about Indiana history. Enjoy interesting — and likely little known — stories from within the county’s boundary lines. This event is for participants 21 and up and includes three craft cocktails, each one themed to that evening’s shared stories.

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All about Oxen

November 4

Come learn all about oxen! Whether you'd like to train oxen of your own or you just want to learn more about these impressive animals, this class is for you! Join Conner Prairie's agriculture staff to learn about the history, selection, training, and care of these magnificent draft animals. Afterward, try your hand at driving Conner Prairie's team of heritage breed Randall Lineback oxen with assistance from the Ag Staff.

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Fun in the Forge

November 4

Take history home with you by completing several projects such as barbeque skewers, a flint and steel firestarter and a dinner bell.

Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshops

Basic Blacksmithing

November 6, 13, 20 and 27

Discover the basis of blacksmithing. We'll be using traditional coal fired forges, hammer and anvil to make several simple projects that will teach the fundamentals of this ancient craft.

Person working on pottery

Wheel Thrown Pottery

November 7

Discover the basics of wheel thrown pottery. Students will be able to practice all aspects of throwing and shaping pottery. Whether a beginner or intermediate student, you will be able to progress at your own rate and develop your skills.

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Corn to Cocktail

November 9

Explore four different spirts to learn where they originated, how they’re made, their history in the United States — and best of all — how to make them into delicious cocktails.

Aerial View Of Conner Prairie Grounds During Fall With Colorful Leaves

Sensory Friendly Hours

November 12
10 a.m. - noon

Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e. the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.

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A Merry Prairie Holiday

November 24 - December 17, 21 - 22

More lights, more fun and more storytelling, there's not a twinkle out of place! Step into the story as A Merry Prairie Holiday presents new experiences for heartwarming family traditions.

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Breakfast with Santa

November 25 - 26 and December 2–3, 9–10, 16–17

Breakfast With Santa is our annual holiday tradition. Gather as a family for a memorable experience and enjoy a special breakfast with an opportunity to visit with Santa. Santa will regale the room with lively tails of Christmas past before moving to a special stage where he can visit with each family’s youth individually.

Past Events

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Our Love, Our Family: An African American Wedding

September 2

The sound of wedding bells are in the air for our happy couple. Celebrate the matrimony of the Turner and Richardson families as the couple embark on new opportunities and challenges of inequality in the 1830s. Be a part of the wedding preparations and engage in festivities that focus on new promises of land, love and family.

Free with general admission

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Sunflower Field Programs

September 5
10 a.m. - noon

 Learn about the benefits of cover crops, information on soil testing and an activity to celebrate soil and sunflowers with Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.

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Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

September 8 - 10

Come celebrate a weekend of innovation and experience the colorful glow of Indiana's largest hot air balloon festival.

William Conner House

Bicentennial Marker Unveiling

September 9
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Celebrate Hamilton Counties Bicentennial with us! Join us at Conner Prairie as we showcase the history of the Delaware and Fall creek Townships, including Conner Prairie and celebrate the Anniversary of Hamilton County. This ceremony is free with general admission.

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William Conner House Architectural Tour

September 9
1 - 2 p.m.

Learn about the deep history of the William Conner house as it celebrates 200 years since its construction during an architecture tour. This tour is free with general admission.

Aerial View Of Conner Prairie Grounds During Fall With Colorful Leaves

Sensory Friendly Hours

September 10
10 a.m. - noon

Enjoy a calm environment at Conner Prairie and explore at your own pace. Anything that makes loud noises or has bright lights (i.e. the Dry Goods Store in CWJ) will be shut off unless specifically asked to turn on. Access to the quiet space areas in our buildings and across the grounds will be highlighted for easy access.

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Homeschool Day

September 13

On this day, any homeschool family can visit Conner Prairie for our current school group rates without the usual requirement of having a group of 15 students or more.

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Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators

September 13

Stop by Treetop Outpost during our homeschool day to learn something new about Indiana wildlife from Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators and explore the importance of conservation, nature and wildlife.

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Free Admission Day

September 16

Explore nature and history in new ways this fall during our Free Admission Day. The 1859 Balloon Voyage will be an additional cost.

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Sunflower Field Programs

September 16
10 a.m. - noon

Join Hamilton East Public Library as they read stories, sing songs, participate in art activities and celebrate the blooming sunflowers. Discover the transformation of a tiny seed to a flower with Hamilton East Public Library as they bring seeds from their Seed Library.

Deaf Heritage Day 2021

Deaf Heritage Day

September 23

Our history is a product of diverse people and cultures. This program will provide guests from the Hearing and the Deaf communities an opportunity to learn about Deaf culture, American Sign language, and the history of the Indiana School for the Deaf.

Free with general admission

Man making a knife

Fun in the Forge

September 23

Take history home with you by completing several projects such as barbeque skewers, a flint and steel firestarter and a dinner bell.

Photo of Pottery on a table

Wheel Thrown Pottery

September 26

Discover the basics of wheel thrown pottery. Students will be able to practice all aspects of throwing and shaping pottery. Whether a beginner or intermediate student, you will be able to progress at your own rate and develop your skills.

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Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

 SEPTEMBER 8 - 10, 2023

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Come celebrate a weekend of innovation and experience the colorful glow of Indiana's largest hot air balloon festival.

Check out all of the engaging family-fun activities across three days that will explore the innovation of flight!