Northwest Indiana

Indiana Weekend Picks

The best events, dining, and activities happening across Northwest Indiana. From Crown Point's charming downtown square to the shoreline trails of the Indiana Dunes, there's always something worth your weekend.

Crown Point Dyer Highland Lowell Munster Portage Schererville St John

Jack-o-lanterns and string lights along a winding autumn woods trail at dusk

Outdoors & Nature

Witches in the Woods: A Halloween Night Run in Crown Point

Crown Point's Witches in the Woods 5K and 2K sends costumed runners along a nighttime course at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Friday, Oct 30, 2026, at 6 p.m., alongside the Hocus Pocus Halloween market.

Fest tents and a beer garden under string lights in a small-town square with a historic courthouse clock tower at dusk

Family Fun

Crown Point Oktoberfest: A Free Fall Celebration at Bulldog Park

Crown Point's Oktoberfest returns Saturday, Oct 3, 2026, at Bulldog Park with German food, a beer garden, live music, hayrides, and games.

Bright market stalls piled with fresh produce and cut flowers on a sunny Saturday morning

Dining & Drinks

Crown Point Farmers Market: Saturday Mornings on the Square

The Crown Point Farmers Market wraps its 2026 season Saturday, Sept 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bulldog Park: 70-plus vendors, local produce, and live music next to the courthouse square.

Charming downtown Crown Point street at dusk with warm-lit storefronts

Dining & Drinks

Crown Point's Main Street: A Saturday Stroll

Walk the historic Crown Point square, grab coffee at Sip Coffee House, and explore the shops and restaurants lining Main Street. A perfect low-key Saturday.

Autumn market stalls with pumpkins and mums under string lights and a plaid-draped vintage truck at a small-town harvest festival

Family Fun

Dyer Flannel Fest: A Cozy Fall Weekend in Town

Dyer's Flannel Fest is set for Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7 and 8, 2026, per the Indiana Festival Schedule Guide, a cozy harvest-season gathering with details shared by the town of Dyer as the date nears.

Cyclists with glowing bike lights riding a loose line down a quiet town street at night past a string-lit park gazebo

Outdoors & Nature

Highland Fright Ride: A Costume Bike Ride After Dark

Highland Parks & Recreation hosts the 4th Annual Fright Ride on Friday, Oct 2, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. at Main Square Park, a costume-friendly 7.75-mile night bike ride through town.

BBQ grill tents, a beer garden, and glowing carnival rides at an evening park festival

Family Fun

Highland Backyard BBQ Festival: A Long Weekend of Ribs and Rides

Highland's Backyard BBQ Festival runs Thursday through Sunday, Sept 24 to 27, 2026, from 2 to 10 p.m. each day at Main Square Park with BBQ food, a beer garden, carnival rides, and live music.

A rustic red barn, heirloom pumpkins, and craft tables at a living-history farm festival in peak fall color

Family Fun

Buckley Homestead Fall Festival: Old-Time Fun in Lowell

The Buckley Homestead Fall Festival returns to the Lake County living-history farm in Lowell this October with reenactors, historic crafts, food, and entertainment. The 2026 dates are posted at lakecountyparks.com as they are confirmed.

A pumpkin patch and corn maze entrance with a hayride wagon at a family farm on a sunny fall afternoon

Family Fun

Harvest Tyme: Corn Mazes, Pumpkins, and the Pumpkin Glow in Lowell

Harvest Tyme's fall season in Lowell is open every weekend through Oct 25, 2026, with corn mazes, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, hayrides, and the evening Pumpkin Glow Trail on Fridays through Sundays.

A pumpkin patch with hay bales, children on pony rides, and a hayride wagon on a green park lawn in autumn

Family Fun

Munster's Pumpkins, Witches and Hayrides, Oh My!

Munster's free fall family event returns Saturday, Oct 3, 2026, at Centennial Park with a pumpkin patch, costumed characters, a candy hunt, and pony rides.

White canopy tents over tables of tomatoes, peppers, honey, and fresh bread at a Sunday farmers market in a leafy park

Dining & Drinks

Munster Farmers Market: Sunday Mornings at Centennial Park

The Munster Farmers Market runs Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Centennial Park through Oct 11, a relaxed close to the weekend with local produce, baked goods, and crafts.

Warm-lit intimate theater interior with red velvet seats

Arts & Culture

A Night at Theatre at the Center

Catch a professional live performance at this intimate Munster theater. Big productions in a cozy setting, perfect for a date night or girls' night out.

Community gathering in a park with vendor tents and families on a sunny day

Outdoors & Nature

Weekend Vibes at Munster's Centennial Park

Trails, an amphitheater, and plenty of green space. Centennial Park is Munster's outdoor hub for a relaxed weekend afternoon.

A hay wagon draped in string lights and cobwebs on a dark trail lined with glowing jack-o-lanterns

Family Fun

Portage Haunted Hayride: Spooky Nights at Woodland Park

Portage Parks & Recreation's Haunted Hayride returns to Woodland Park on Thursday through Saturday, Oct 15 to 17 and Oct 22 to 24, 2026, with spooky fun starting at 6:30 p.m., plus concessions and food trucks. Cash-only tickets, and it sells out.

Flights of amber craft beer on a decorated table with jack-o-lanterns and string lights in a banquet hall

Dining & Drinks

Boos & Brews Brewfest: A Halloween Brew Night at Woodland Park

Portage's second annual Boos & Brews Brewfest brings a 21-and-older Halloween night of beer samplings, a costume contest, food vendors, and music to Oakwood Hall at Woodland Park on Friday, Oct 30, 2026, starting at 6 p.m.

A tribute concert stage with rose and gold spotlights above a vintage microphone

Arts & Culture

Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest: A Musical Weekend at Woodland Park

The 34th annual Indiana Elvis FANtasy Fest, billed as the final one in Portage, fills the Woodland Park Community Building with Elvis tribute artists, live shows, and a benefit auction for Porter County Special Olympics, Friday through Sunday, Oct 9 to 11, 2026.

Vendor tents, families, and a live music stage at a small-town harvest festival in an open park square

Arts & Culture

Portage Harvest Festival: A Fall Celebration at Founders Square

Portage's free Harvest Festival returns to Founders Square on Saturday, Sept 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and local artisan vendors.

Handmade wreaths, knitted goods, and fall decor on vendor tables inside a bright community center craft show

Arts & Culture

Schererville Holiday Craft Show: A November Weekend of Local Makers

Schererville Parks & Recreation's long-running Holiday Craft Show fills the Schererville Community Center and Homan Elementary with handmade gifts and holiday decor on Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7 and 8, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Decorated car trunks with pumpkins, hay bales, and balloons at a trunk-or-treat event beside a park playground

Family Fun

St. John Boo Bash: Trunk or Treat at Prairie West Park

St. John's free Boo Bash & Trunk or Treat returns Saturday, Oct 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon at Prairie West Park with trunk-or-treat, pumpkin train rides, pumpkin decorating, and a costume parade.

Families at a small-town German Oktoberfest with beer steins, German flags, and a polka band under a pavilion

Family Fun

St. John Oktoberfest: A German Celebration at the Parish

St. John's free Oktoberfest returns Friday through Sunday, Oct 2 to 4, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Parish with German food and beer, live music, and family fun.

Rustic wooden crates of fresh apples, squash, and gourds at a Sunday farmers market stall

Dining & Drinks

Fall Farmers Markets: St. John and Highland

Market season runs strong across Northwest Indiana. St. John opens Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 3 through Oct 25 at 9660 Wicker Avenue, and Highland's downtown market gathers Thursday afternoons at 2730 Highway Avenue through the season.

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