If you’ve been looking for a fall event that goes way beyond a basic haunted house, the Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie is it. This is the kind of night that sticks with you long after October ends, and once you go, it becomes one of those things you just have to do every year.
We went last year and I’m not exaggerating when I say the caramel apples alone are worth the drive. But honestly, everything about this event is just really well done. It has that rare combination of genuinely spooky atmosphere and family-friendly fun, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
Here’s everything you need to plan your visit.
What Is the Headless Horseman Festival?
The Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie is an evening outdoor event held every fall at the Conner Prairie living history museum in Fishers, Indiana. The whole experience is built around the legend of Sleepy Hollow, and from the moment you arrive, the setting just works. Think lantern light, fog rolling across open fields, and the very real possibility that something is going to jump out of the darkness at you.
This is not a standard corn maze situation. There are multiple attractions spread across the grounds, live entertainment, food and drinks, and an atmosphere that feels theatrical in the best possible way.
2026 Dates and Hours
The Headless Horseman Festival runs on select evenings throughout October.
2026 Dates: October 1 through October 25, Thursdays through Sundays
Hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Tickets sell out, especially on weekends, so buy ahead of time through the Conner Prairie website.
Tickets and Pricing
General Admission: $26 per person (non-member)
Conner Prairie members receive a discount, so if you plan to visit Conner Prairie for other events throughout the year, membership is worth looking into.
Haunted Hayride: $10 per person, purchased separately at the event
Parking is free, which is genuinely great for a ticketed event of this size.
Getting There
Conner Prairie is located at 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis.
From the Dayton area, you’re looking at about 90 minutes via I-70 West. It’s an easy straight shot, and because the event goes until 10 PM, you have plenty of flexibility with your arrival time.
If you’re planning a longer Indiana day trip and want to explore more of the area while you’re up there, check out our Indiana day trips from Ohio guide for ideas to pair with your visit.
What to Do at the Festival
The Haunted Hayride
This is the main event, and it lives up to the hype. The hayride follows a guided route through the darkened grounds while cast members bring the legend of Sleepy Hollow to life. It’s theatrical, atmospheric, and just scary enough without crossing into genuinely traumatizing territory.
The hayride is a separate $10 ticket purchased on-site. Get in line early because it does get backed up as the evening goes on.
Trail of Terror Corn Maze
The corn maze at Conner Prairie covers 11 acres, and at night with the Trail of Terror overlay, it becomes something else entirely. Even if you’re good at mazes, budget extra time here because the atmosphere slows you down in the best way. You’ll be stopping to look over your shoulder every few minutes.
Axe Throwing
Yes, axe throwing is part of this event and it’s as fun as it sounds. Instructors walk you through everything so no experience is needed. It’s a great palate cleanser between the scarier attractions and honestly one of those things everyone in your group will want to try.
Barrel Train Ride
If you’re bringing little ones, the barrel train is perfect for kids 48 inches and under. It keeps the younger crowd happy and gives parents a chance to enjoy the event without anyone melting down over being too scared.
1859 Balloon Voyage
One of the more unique offerings at the festival, the tethered hot air balloon gives you a bird’s eye view of the grounds after dark. It’s a different way to see the whole event laid out below you, and the night lighting makes it genuinely beautiful.
Live Entertainment
Circle City Fire performers bring fire shows to the festival grounds throughout the evening. They add another layer to the overall atmosphere that makes the whole event feel more like an immersive experience than a simple ticket attraction.
Food and Drinks
The Apple Store
Do not skip the Apple Store. I cannot stress this enough.
They’re open from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and serve caramel apples that are absolutely worth building your evening timeline around. We went back twice last year. They also carry cider, and everything about this little stop just hits differently when you’re surrounded by fall air and festival lanterns.
Sleepy Hollow Tavern
The Sleepy Hollow Tavern is the adult beverage spot on the grounds, and they serve Ichabrewed Crane, a craft beer brewed specifically for the festival in collaboration with Sun King Brewery out of Indianapolis. It’s a fun detail that adds to the Sleepy Hollow storytelling running through the whole event, and it’s actually really good beer.
Food options are available throughout the festival grounds, so you won’t need to eat before you arrive unless you want to.
Tips for Your Visit
Buy tickets in advance. Weekend dates especially fill up fast. Don’t assume you can grab tickets at the gate.
Dress for the weather. October evenings in Indiana get cold, especially once the sun goes down. Layers are your friend — you’ll be outside the entire time. I always bring a packable puffer jacket that I can stuff in my bag if it warms up, and if it’s going to be really chilly, hand warmers are a total game changer for an outdoor evening event. A good insulated travel mug for hot cider doesn’t hurt either.
Wear comfortable shoes. This is an outdoor event across open grounds. Leave the cute boots at home or at least make sure they’re walkable. We like lightweight trail sneakers for this kind of event — comfortable, grippy, and you won’t regret it after two hours on uneven ground. Kids’ sneakers with good traction matter just as much here.
Keep your hands free. A small crossbody bag or fanny pack is so much better than a backpack when you’re navigating a dark corn maze and trying to hold a caramel apple at the same time.
Arrive at opening or plan to stay late. The crowds are lightest right at 5 PM and again closer to 9-10 PM. Peak crowds tend to hit around 7-8 PM.
Bring cash for the hayride. The $10 hayride ticket is purchased on-site, so it’s worth having cash on hand.
The whole event takes 2 to 3 hours if you do everything, so plan accordingly for the drive home.
Is It Scary? Who Is It For?
The Headless Horseman Festival is genuinely atmospheric and has scare elements throughout, but it’s designed to be accessible for most ages. Families with older kids (roughly 7 and up) tend to do really well here. The barrel train ride and some of the lighter activities keep younger kids engaged, though the full experience really is designed with tweens, teens, and adults in mind.
If you’re looking for something that goes harder on the horror side, this might feel tame. If you want an immersive, well-produced fall event that has real atmosphere without leaving anyone having nightmares for a week, this is the sweet spot.
Plan Your Full Day
Since you’re making the drive, it’s worth turning this into a full Indiana day trip. Fishers and the surrounding Indianapolis area have a lot going on in October. Check our Indiana day trips from Ohio guide for suggestions on how to fill the hours before the festival starts.
While you’re in Indianapolis, GetYourGuide has some great options worth exploring before the evening kicks off — from Indianapolis walking tours and experiences to Indiana day trip adventures that pair perfectly with an October evening at Conner Prairie.
If you’re on the hunt for more Halloween fun closer to home, check out our guide to the best Halloween events near Dayton, Ohio for options that don’t require an overnight stay.
Final Thoughts
The Headless Horseman Festival is one of those events that earns its spot on the annual fall bucket list. The combination of a gorgeous outdoor setting, a well-executed Sleepy Hollow theme, and genuinely fun activities makes it stand out from the crowd of October haunted attractions. And if we’re being honest, the caramel apples and the Ichabrewed Crane beer seal the deal.
Get your tickets early, layer up, and go.
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