Summer
Summer days are a great time to enjoy Indiana’s first Smithsonian affiliated museum. Wonder through time as you experience history come to life. Enjoy nature-based play at Treetop Outpost then cool off at our River Crossing Splash Pad.
Watch our sunflower field come to life and book an event or photography session as the sun-drenched flowers tower over you. Catch a baseball game and be a part of America’s favorite pastime.
Through engaging storytelling, meaningful conversations and acres to explore, central Indiana summers are an unforgettable experience!
Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival
September 6 - 8, 2024
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!
Get updates about the festival by texting GLOW to 317-779-3330
Scarecrow Contest
2024 Registration is closed
Think you can create the best scarecrow featured at Conner Prairie's Headless Horseman festival? Enter our 3rd annual scarecrow contest! The winning scarecrow will earn prizes and bragging rights. Grab your supplies and show us what exciting scarecrows you can dream up!
Golden Hour Gatherings
August 25, 29 and September 1
Experience the magic of Golden Hour Gatherings at Conner Prairie! Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of our sunflower fields while savoring heritage breed foods and artisanal cocktails. Join us for a celebration of nature, flavor, and community.
Sunflower Field
Open Now!
Find that picture perfect moment in our sunflower field. Learn more about our sunflower wedding package as well as our professional photo shoot pass.
Don't miss out on this opportunity as sunflowers rely on mother nature.
Supported by:
Programs & Events
Symphony on the prairie
From June 28 through August 31 at the Conner Prairie Amphitheatre, fans will be thrilled with an exciting line-up that offers a fun-filled musical summer experience for the whole family.
Past Events
Black Birders Week Pride Walk
June 1
Celebrate the first day of Pride Month as it intersects with the final day of Black Birders Week. Join Conner Prairie staff for a guided bird stroll before the museum opens for the day.
History on Tap
June 7
Conner Prairie’s Horizon Council invites you to an evening of craft beer at Conner Prairie, featuring tastings from local craft brewers and vintners.
Birds & Brews
June 14
Experience birds and their habitats by taking a guided bird walk along the Trails at Conner Prairie with Jeff Canada, owner & coffee roaster, of Wood Warbler Coffee located in Noblesville, IN. After strolling, enjoy a presentation on Smithsonian-certified bird friendly coffee.
Throwback Camp
June 15
Experience the best of Conner Prairie Adventure Camp as an adult during Throwback Camp. Enjoy a grownups-only day of canoeing, ziplining, archery, camp crafts, field games, summer tubing, and more!
Kiln Burn
June 15
Come visit the pottery shop in Prairietown to watch pottery being made and then step out to the kiln shed to find out how a white hot fire and some table salt put the "finish" adds the final touches to these beautiful pieces. This program is free with general admission.
Father's Day Lunch
June 16
Celebrate the father in your life by joining us for our Father’s Day Picnic Lunch. Relax, let us do the cooking, and make the day special with a delicious picnic on the prairie.
Juneteenth Free day
June 19
Explore Conner Prairie for Free! Enjoy a day filled with exploration and discovery across our 1,046 acres of land.
Juneteenth Jubilee
June 19
Celebrate Juneteenth with Fishers Arts Council at Conner Prairie. Explore Black-owned businesses and community resources along with local food vendors and entertainment.
Curious by Nature
June 24
Join us as we spend our time together in nature’s classroom exploring the natural spaces here at Conner Prairie, often in spaces not open to the general public. Each date will be unique and special, and you won't want to miss a single one! We can't wait to welcome you to Curious By Nature!
Stroller Strides
June 11, 18 and 25
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies.
Throwback Camp
June 29
Experience the best of Conner Prairie Adventure Camp as an adult during Throwback Camp. Enjoy a grownups-only day of canoeing, ziplining, archery, camp crafts, field games, summer tubing, and more!
Membership Appreciation Month
June 1 – 30
Conner Prairie is happy to offer members a month of exclusive experiences and a little extra love to thank them for their continued support.
Glorious 4th
July 4 – 6
Independence and freedom are contested ideas. Join the citizens of Prairietown as they celebrate 60 years of American independence, but also hear how others have questioned just how free America is. This program is free with general admission.
Chocolate Passport
July 7
Join us in a celebration of chocolate! On World Chocolate Day, we’re highlighting the history of chocolate from around the globe. This program is free with general admission.
Evening sessions of Wheel Thrown Pottery
June 24, July 1, 8, 15
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.
Afternoon sessions of Wheel Thrown Pottery
June 25, July 2, 9, 16
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.
Stroller Strides
July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Join us on the Trails at Conner Prairie for Stroller Strides hosted by FIT4MOM North Indy. Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies.
Throwback Camp
July 13
Experience the best of Conner Prairie Adventure Camp as an adult during Throwback Camp. Enjoy a grownups-only day of canoeing, ziplining, archery, camp crafts, field games, summer tubing, and more!
Pop-up Play
July 13
Join us for a morning of Pop-up Play designed especially for early learners to wonder, explore, discover and create! This special time between child and caregiver will be led by our education staff.
Curious by Nature
July 15
Join us as we spend our time together in nature’s classroom exploring the natural spaces here at Conner Prairie, often in spaces not open to the general public. Each date will be unique and special, and you won't want to miss a single one! We can't wait to welcome you to Curious By Nature!
Corn to Cocktail
July 18
Corn: we know it, we love it, it’s a vital part of Indiana’s agricultural heritage. But what’s it got to do with alcohol? Join us for Corn to Cocktail, where we’ll investigate Hoosier corn provision, learn how corn becomes spirit, share some history, and make a couple of potent potables.
Historic Baseball
July 20
Baseball is a sport rooted within American culture.
Join us to watch a historic game of baseball between two local historic baseball clubs! This program is free with general admission.
Hay in a Day
July 20
Try your hand at scything, raking, and stacking hay while you learn about pasture plant identification and why hay is so important both historically and today. You can even enter in a hay cutting competition!
Chocolate Passport
July 21
Join us in a celebration of chocolate! On World Chocolate Day, we’re highlighting the history of chocolate from around the globe. This program is free with general admission.
Water Explorations
July 26 and 27
Engage in water-related programs at Treetop Outpost and the shoreline of the White River.
White River Float
July 26
Float the White River with guides from Friends of the White River. This exclusive and guided event focuses on history, shoreline and aquatic wildlife, riparian flora, environmental science and water quality, all while engaging guests in a first-hand look at Central Indiana's most valuable natural resource.
Stroller Strides
July 23 and 30
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment.
Pop-up Play
August 3
Join us for a morning of Pop-up Play designed especially for early learners to wonder, explore, discover and create! This special time between child and caregiver will be led by our education staff.
Botanical Dyeing from the Garden and Beyond
August 10
Find out all the amazing colors you can grow in your own garden. You'll leave with at least 8 mini skeins to use in your future textile projects. Wear clothes that are only enhanced with additional color.
WILDLIFE WEEKEND
August 10 & 11
Learn about the plants and animals who call Indiana home through conversations with local wildlife partners. Learn about animal rehabilitation at Treetop Outpost and enjoy a guided nature walk along the Trails at Conner Prairie.
Soul, Clap and Dance! JOY as Resistance
August 10 & 11
The Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis, in partnership with Conner Prairie, presents Soul, Clap and Dance! JOY as Resistance. The performance examines how African Americans have historically established traditions of joyful celebrations highlighting strength and resilience despite the constant weathering of hardships.
Prairietown Funeral
August 17
Grief and loss have always been a part of our lives. Join Conner Prairie on August 20 as we explore grief and mourning from a 19th century perspective. This program, set in 1836 Prairietown, is offered to respectfully interpret some of the beliefs and attitudes regarding illness, death and burial in the early 19th century. This program is free with general admission.
Homeschool Day
August 20
Give your students a unique and personal experience to connect with history and nature. At Conner Prairie we invite guests to “Step into the Story,” and we also strive to step into theirs. Through observation, deep listening, and thoughtful questioning, we create meaningful connections, offering guests an opportunity to go beyond “doing” and experience “being.”
Old German Strudel
August 24
Learn how to make this time-honored German tradition from scratch. Our expert cooks will show you how strudel used to be made - both savory and sweet.
We Can Camp
August 24 – 25
Join us as you learn basic camping skills, enjoy fun outdoor experiences and spend the night on our grounds in a tent! This program is perfect for first-time campers or anyone looking for a refresher.
Golden Hour Gatherings: Paint and Sip
August 25
Sit back, relax and enjoy a glass of wine while painting a sunflower canvas-themed artwork. Savor excellent food options, wine tastings and a wagon ride along the Trails at Conner Prairie.
Stroller Strides
August 6, 13, 20 and 27
Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment.
Corn to Cocktail
August 28
Corn: we know it, we love it, it’s a vital part of Indiana’s agricultural heritage. But what’s it got to do with alcohol? Join us for Corn to Cocktail, where we’ll investigate Hoosier corn provision, learn how corn becomes spirit, share some history, and make a couple of potent potables.
History on Tap
June 7, 2024
Conner Prairie’s Horizon Council invites you an evening of craft beer at Conner Prairie, featuring tastings from dozens of local craft brewers with more being added regularly.
Wander wooded gravel roads through our historical areas, check out some 1830s entertainment, all while experiencing tastings from over 27 brewers. Food options available (at an additional cost) range from soft pretzels, burgers, BBQ, and tacos to ice cream and donuts.
For updates and event info, text "HOPS" to 317.779.3330. Message & data rates may apply.