Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie UPDATED for 2026: Indiana's Ultimate Fall Family Adventure

Fall in Fishers, Indiana, wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Headless Horseman Festival at Conner Prairie. Every October, our neighbors across the street transform the historic grounds into a world of carnival thrills, fall traditions, storytelling, live entertainment, and just the right amount of spooky fun.

Whether you're planning a family fall getaway, a night out with friends, or simply looking for a quintessential Indiana October experience, Headless Horseman offers something for everyone.

And if you're coming from out of town or want to make a fall fun weekend out of it? There's an especially easy way to make the most of your visit: stay right across the street at Prairie Guest House.

The 2026 Headless Horseman Festival runs Thursdays through Sundays, October 1 through 25, from 5–10 p.m. at Conner Prairie in Fishers.

This year marks another season of the longtime fall tradition, with 16 nights of chills and thrills throughout the festival grounds. The festival is designed with both families and adults in mind, so you can choose your own level of spooky from a variety of activities: 

The Headless Horseman Hayride: The Headless Horseman Hayride is the centerpiece of the Conner Prairie Headless Horseman Festival. As your wagon winds through the dark woods, you'll relive the legend of Sleepy Hollow while fog, sound effects, and live actors bring the tale to life. When the Headless Horseman makes his appearance, the excitement in the air is electric. 

The Corn Mazes & Haunted Trails: Test your sense of direction with three different ways to explore the corn!

The first maze is a quick, family-friendly adventure that takes about 20 minutes to complete—perfect for younger kids, first-time maze-goers, or anyone who wants a little corn maze fun without getting too turned around.

Ready for more of a challenge? The second maze takes approximately 40–60 minutes and puts your navigation skills to the test. You'll want a good sense of direction—and maybe someone in your group who actually knows how to read a map!

Then, for the bravest visitors, there's the Haunted Trail. This experience takes guests into a darker side of the Headless Horseman story, with ghostly performers and a haunted setting inspired by a circus whose train crashed in the corn years ago. Kids will definitely need adult supervision on this trail!

Live Entertainment and Carnival Thrills: Headless Horseman isn't all about being scared. Watch as fire becomes art with Circle City Fire, dance to live music, listen to a not-so-spooky storyteller, or join a "Scaryoke" experience later in the evening for those ready to add a little more Halloween energy to their night. Guests can also experience the Eerie Illusions Magic Show or the Sleepy Hollow Marionette Show, both long-time favorites for families.

Fall Food & the Famous Apple Store: Upon walking in, you'll be greeted with the scent of apple cider, roasted nuts, and famous kettle corn. Headless Horseman features plenty of classic festival food, including burgers, pizza, pretzels, popcorn, bao buns, BBQ, ice cream, donuts, and more. For the over 21 crowd, you'll want to try local brewery Sun King's exclusive Headless Horseman-themed beer, Ichabrewed Crane, a copper ale brewed with apple cider, ginger, and nutmeg!

And don't leave without stopping at The Apple Store for one of Conner Prairie's most iconic fall treats: a delicious caramel apple. The Apple Store is open throughout Headless Horseman from 5–9 p.m.

Fun for Every Age: Enjoy a wide variety of attractions designed for kids and adults alike, including:

• Barrel Train Ride through a musical pumpkin patch (riders must be under 48" tall)

• Perilous Plunge dry tubing hill

• Carnival games

• Corn maze

• Apple Spin ride

• Potato sack slide

• Spider rock climber

• Face painting

• Fall sensory play

• Historical calliope

The festival runs from 5–10 p.m., and there's plenty to see beyond the hayride. Conner Prairie recommends arriving at least 45 minutes before your scheduled hayride time to allow time for parking, check-in, and walking to the hayride area.

October evenings can get chilly! Wear layers and comfortable shoes because you'll be spending time walking around the festival grounds.

Your hayride ticket has a designated time for joining the hayride line. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy other festival activities before your scheduled ride.

You don't have to rush through Headless Horseman. Most guests spend at least two hours at the festival, and there are plenty of activities to enjoy before and after your hayride.

Here's our favorite Headless Horseman tip:

Don't drive home afterward.

Prairie Guest House is located directly across Allisonville Road from Conner Prairie, making it an incredibly convenient home base for your Headless Horseman adventure.

After an evening of hayrides, carnival games, fall treats, and spooky trails, you can head back to your Noblesville bed and breakfast instead of fighting traffic out of the parking lot and driving home.

Wake up the next morning to a homemade breakfast, coffee, and a quiet morning on our two-acre property.

It's the perfect combination of fall adventure + peaceful getaway.

We are offering a special promotion to Headless Horseman visitors staying at Prairie Guest House.

Use promo code HEADLESS to save 10% on your Prairie Guest House stay.

Whether you're planning a family weekend, a girls' getaway, or a fall date night, staying across the street makes the whole experience easier.

The 2026 Headless Horseman Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, October 1–25, 2026, from 5–10 p.m.

Headless Horseman takes place at Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, Indiana.

For 2026, general admission festival tickets are $26 for nonmembers, while the hayride is an additional $10. Conner Prairie members receive complimentary festival admission but still pay $10 for the hayride.

Yes. Parking at Conner Prairie is free.

Plan on spending at least two hours at the festival, although your visit may be longer depending on your group, the activities you choose, crowds, and your hayride time.

It depends on which experiences you choose. Conner Prairie offers many family-friendly activities such as carnival games and barrel train rides, while the later hayrides and Haunted Trail provide a scarier experience. Earlier evening activities and hayrides are generally a better choice for younger children or guests who don't love being scared.

For the easiest Headless Horseman experience, stay at Prairie Guest House, located directly across the street from Conner Prairie.

Use promo code HEADLESS for 10% off your stay.

Ready for a night of fall fun?

Grab your Headless Horseman tickets, choose your hayride time, and make your plans for a fall getaway in Fishers.

Then book your room at Prairie Guest House and enjoy the convenience of staying right across the street from Conner Prairie.

October is better when you don't have to drive home after the Headless Horseman.