Get out your hoodies, make some apple cider, put on a scary movie, and get ready for the best season of the year!
The leaves are turning colors and the temperatures are dropping as we settle into the fall season. Whether you have a kiddo in school and it is fall break, or you just enjoy autumn activities, northeast Indiana has a ton to offer these upcoming months.
With so much going on, it’s inevitable that we’ll miss some (but you can submit them via whatzup.com). However, we feel we have more than enough to keep you busy until the inevitable doom of winter arrives.
Until then, here are some fun fall activities to dive into!
Feather Fest
Sept. 30: From 1-4 p.m. at Lindenwood Nature Preserve, 600 Lindenwood Ave., there will be guided hikes, crafts/activities, live birds from Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and tons of hiking to find some of the more than 70 identified bird species visible in Fort Wayne.
Wild Zoo Halloween
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 7-29: Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo offers their annual Wild Zoo adventures with activities and animal enrichment for the spooky season. Costumes are welcome, but please make sure they follow an appropriate dress code for a family-friendly environment. Each weekend offers a different theme, starting with Truck and Tractor followed by Superhero, Pirates and Princesses, and Witch and Wizard.
J&L Pickin’ Patch
Thursday-Sunday through Oct. 31: With more than 90 beds of flowers, hundreds of pumpkins, fresh veggies, mazes, and fall décor, this picking patch at 3522 Nuttman Ave. has it all. According to their website, “We are a small-scale, bio-diverse farm located just minutes from downtown Fort Wayne. Our mission is to provide you with the most memorable experiences while offering the highest quality flowers and produce available. As Fort Wayne’s First U-Pick Flower Farm we are constantly learning and growing. We hope you join us on our journey!” They are open 3-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Kuehnert Dairy Farm Fall Festival
Friday-Sunday through Oct. 29: Kuehnert Dairy Farm, 6532 W. Cook Road, offers everything you can think of when you imagine a pumpkin patch: hay rides, corn pit, straw mountain, cornhole, baby calves, yummy food, pedal track cars, corn maze, and so much more! Kuehnert Dairy is celebrating 125 years of bottling memories, and these fall festivities are sure to bring in many more.
Amazing Fall Fun
Friday-Sunday through Oct. 29: Marked as one of Indiana’s best corn mazes, Waterloo offers a super-fun pumpkin patch experience. Situated on 16 acres at 3150 County Road 43, the corn field is carved out into an awesome Mario Party theme this year. On top of the largest corn mazes in Indiana, they are also known for their kid-friendly activities and amazing apple cider doughnuts.
Haunted Castle & Black Forest
Friday-Saturday through Sept. 30; Sunday, Oct. 8; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 12-29; Tuesday, Oct. 31: Who does not love a haunted house? Come visit the Haunted Castle, 8965 Auburn Road, and its two stories of frights and shrieks. Or enjoy the outdoors while walking through the Black Forest. Or, even better, visit both! You never know what’s hiding behind the tree.
Hysterium
Friday-Saturday through Oct. 28; Thursday, Oct. 26; Tuesday, Oct. 31: Rated as one of the top 20 Indiana Haunts, Hysterium, 4410 Arden Dr., offers an asylum-themed haunt where the patients have taken over and the staff need to be saved! Navigate your way through the asylum and see if you make it out on the other side alive — although there’s a near 100 percent chance that you will!
Nosferatu at The Embassy
Oct. 20: The grandfather of vampire movies, Nosferatu will be shown with musical accompaniment by organist Dennis James on the Grande Page Pipe Organ. Come watch the iconic Halloween movie as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Experience this movie in a way you never have before. The Embassy is in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne and is a perfect opportunity to kick off the week before Halloween. For general admission tickets, go to the Embassy box office or go to fwembassytheatre.org.
A Nightmare on Berry Street
Oct. 21: For those 18 and older, this event at East Ende Eclectic, 1501 E. Berry St., is an awesome artistic Halloween experience with spooky vendors, characters, photo ops, and horror art. Tickets are available via simpletix.com.
Fright Night Zombie Walk
Oct. 21: Fort Wayne’s annual Fright Night is actually a full day of Halloween fun. Downtown will come alive with costumed patrons, with the Zombie Walk pre-party slated from 1-5:30 p.m. at the downtown library. From there, the popular Zombie Walk will begin at 3 p.m. Although admission is free to participate in the walk, some Fright Night activities will have a small fee. So, dress up in your best zombie attire and head downtown to check out all the spooky activities and other “zombies.”
Halloween Haunt
Oct. 21: Among the Fright Night activities will be the Halloween Haunt from 3-6 p.m. at the Community Center, 233 W. Main St. This event is geared toward the little monsters to have a fun afternoon with tricks and treats galore. There will be plenty of games and concessions for your little goblins to enjoy in a non-scary atmosphere.
Howl-O-Walkoween
Oct. 21: Over at Promenade Park, your four-legged friends can get into the Fright Night fun from 2-6 p.m. With proceeds going to the Humane Education programs, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control is preparing for an adorable gathering of furry friends. There will be a pet costume contest, raffle prizes, pet portraits, food trucks, and a parade through Promenade Park.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct. 21: Who doesn’t love a cult classic? Come enjoy a screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory at 9:15 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., and arrive early if you want a good seat. Also, bring a blanket/hoodie and watch a fun movie under the beautiful night sky.
Fall Foliage Final Friday Fun Hike
Oct. 27: At 10 a.m., Fort Wayne’s Parks and Recreation will host a trail hike at Lindenwood Nature Preserve to experience the beautiful foliage before we move into the winter season. Experience the beautiful, wooded scenery Fort Wayne has to offer and maybe make a friend along the way.
Halloween at the Park
Oct. 27: From 6-9 p.m., Huntertown Family Park will host their fourth annual Halloween at the Park the Friday before Halloween. The treat trail will take place from 6-8 p.m., and the Forest of Fear is from 6-9 p.m. with an upgrade option for a lights experience. There will also be a pumpkin-carving contest with all proceeds going to support the park.
Hunter’s Moon Night Hike
Oct. 28: Looking for a little more outdoor adventure? Join the Lindenwood Nature Preserve on a hike under the full moon beginning at 9 p.m. Guided by the moonlight, the hike will begin at the entrance to the preserve and hike along the Trail of Reflection. Bundle up — it may be chilly!
Rock Your World Halloween Psychic & Holistic Expo
Oct. 28-29: If you have ever wanted someone to read your future, explain your astrology charts to you, and experience a holistic approach to life, this event is perfect for you! Join psychics, mediums, and healers at this two-day event, running from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, at Memorial Coliseum.
Fall Allen County Fairgrounds Craft Bazaar
Oct. 28: Come check out homemade art, collectibles, and treasures from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Looking for a last-minute fall decoration? Maybe you need to pick up a gift for a family member or friend! Whatever your case may be, with more than 90 local vendors, there is something for everyone! Food will be available as well as free parking.
Garden Trick or Treat
Oct. 28: Come to Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory dressed in your favorite costume for this kid-friendly festival with trick-or-treating and other activities from noon-3 p.m. Learn about the conservatory and get some super-cute photos with the kiddos.
Halloween Dinner in the Dark: A Masquerade Dinner
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Nothing says spooky season like removing one of your main senses: sight. Put on a blindfold and try some unique foods with your taste and scent senses heightened at Conner’s Kitchen+Bar, 1150 S. Harrison St. You will get to enjoy a cocktail hour, a four-course meal, cocktail and wine pairings, as well as a mask with your ticket. Dress fancy and enjoy a unique experience from 6-10 p.m. each night.
As you can see, there is so much to do in the Fort Wayne area this fall season.
Put on a coat and go explore what our beautiful town has to offer! Happy fall and happy Halloween, friends!
