It’s officially autumn. My favorite season and the perfect time for fashion freaks. I can’t wait to pull out my tried-and-true milk chocolate, leather jacket that needs a little (actually a lot) of TLC.
October brings us tricks and treats as we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, World Mental Health Day, Halloween, early Día de Muertos celebrations, National Book Month and part two of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Sci-fi lovers: assemble at Kheprw Institute’s Translocal Afrofuturism Conference.
Food lovers: Stuff yourself at the World Food Championships, Chicken and Beer Festival and Golden Ace Inn Chili Cookoff.
Take the kiddos in their costumes to Global Trunk or Treat. See a reading of short plays by teen writers confronting gun violence.
Cinephiles can watch their soon-to-be favorite at Heartland International Film Festival, Vintage Movie Night at Garfield Park Arts Center and catch “Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Horror” with a live musical performance at Central Library.
Don’t miss German Fest, Cottage Home Block Party and Historic Irvington Halloween Festival.
If you use this list, you’ll stay busy all month long.
Oct. 1-5 🔝
Poet-Tree
🗓️ Wednesday, Oct. 1
📍 Lawrence library branch, 7898 Hague Road
🎟️ Free
Write a poem for “poet-tree” from Oct. 1-Nov. 30. Leaves and yarn will be provided.
Butler University Visiting Writing Series: Catherine Lacey
🗓️ 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1
📍 Shelton Auditorium, 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ Free
Catherine Lacey lives in México City. She is the author of six books including “The Möbius Book” and “Biography of X.” Her writing is intense, lyrical and sometimes dreamy while exploring themes of loneliness and selfhood.
Lacey will read some of her work during this special edition of Butler University’s Visiting Writer Series in partnership with Golden Hour Books.
Fort Ben Farmer’s Market
🗓️ 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
📍 Fort Ben Cultural Campus, 8920 Otis Ave.
🎟️ Free
Get fresh produce, coffee, baked goods and plants. Also grab dinner from local food trucks and take a ride on the musical swings.
Scrap Social Series
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
📍 Maker’s Alley at The Stutz, 1060 N. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ $20
Whether you’re into junk journaling, zines or mood boards, find something to create during this First Friday pop-up hosted by Connection Club and Writing From Her Corner. Bring paper scraps and good chats.
Shadow Play: A Queer Pop-Up
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
📍 Mass Ave. Knit Shop, 862 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free
This exhibition brings together two queer artists, Leslie Keith Shaw and Todd Fuqua, who transform shadow into a space of queer joy and resistance.
First Friday: Transformaciones
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
📍 Lost Dog Gallery, 1040 E. New York St.
🎟️ Free
This group art show features works by six Indy Latina Artists members, including Mirvia Sol Eckert, Mary Mindiola, Nettie Viera, Mara Salazar, Elisa Barety and Alicia Trujillo, with special guest Sofia Casanova. Everything is in constant evolution in “Transformaciones.”
First Friday: Exit Strategy
🗓️ 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
📍 Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
“COMFORT,” by Phil Campbell, uses donated clothing to mirror a cold hospital setting that turns into a comforting place filled with tributes to those lost to addiction.
Boxx the Artist will also be showing works in, “The Woman in Between,” which examines local grass-roots trailblazers and the role marginalized, dark-skinned Black women play in society.
State Street Club
🗓️ 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
📍 State Street Pub, 243 N. State Ave.
🎟️ $10, ages 21+
Techno lovers assemble. Come early for the food and the arcade lounge and dress to sweat while you dance.
GermanFest
🗓️ Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
📍 Anthenaum, 401 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ $12.25-58.53, free for kids 3 and under
Discover your inner German. Enjoy arts and crafts, Durstig games, live wiener dog races, Kinderland for the kids, and food and beverages. All proceeds benefit the maintenance of the Athenaeum, which was built in the 1890s to serve the German-American community in Indianapolis. Today, it functions as a community center with a restaurant, theater and fitness facilities.
Golden Ace Inn Chili Cookoff
🗓️ 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
📍 The Golden Ace Inn, 2533 E. Washington St.
🎟️ $10
Get a bowl of chili and a beer at Indy’s oldest Irish bar. And if you think your chili could be a winner, contact Sean McGinley at smcginley@gocathedral.com to participate. Chili cooks get a free beer.
Vintage Movie Night
🗓️ 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
📍 Garfield Park Arts Center, 2345 Pagoda Drive
🎟️ $5
Grab some popcorn and watch “Miracles for Sale.” The 1939 film follows a man who designs illusions and magic tricks for magicians, as he protects a woman who is likely to be murdered.
One Nation One Vibe
🗓️ 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
📍 Proper Variety & Events, 614 Mass Ave.
🎟️ $18-24, ages 21+
Celebrate Nigeria Independence at Club Fauzi. This “Pay for Palestine” edition includes nonstop vibes from DJ ATL, DJ Baby Kakes, Smart the DJ and DJ Frankeyzz.
Oct. 6-12 🔝
“ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence”
🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free
“ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence” is a national program that uses theater and community engagement to confront the issue of gun violence. Six 10-minute plays by teen writers will be presented live and virtually.
Trick or Trinket
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7
📍Re:Public at 10 East Arts, 2301 E. 10th St.
🎟️ $5
Get ready for a cozy, creepy night filled with creativity and community. Costumes encouraged, weirdness celebrated. Bring your oddities, mini treasures, handmade goodies and spooky trinkets to trade with a boo buddy.
Translocal Afrofuturism Conference
🗓️ Oct. 8-11
📍 Kheprw Institute, 3802 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free
The yearly gathering of artists, authors, activists and visionary community builders celebrates and imagines a future on their terms. Afrofuturist authors Reynaldo Anderson and Maurice Broaddus will lead a community conversation.
To close out the conference slide to the dance floor for a “Sinners” inspired dance party. You must dress as an ancestor or a future descendant to mirror the iconic dance scene in the film.
Donations will support Kheprw Institute. If you can’t make it in person, tune in virtually.
World Mental Health Day Meet-Up
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9
📍 Frederick Douglass Community Center, 1616 E. 25th St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Get connected to mental health resources, enjoy refreshments and relax with a soothing sound bath meditation with yoga instructor Preciss Stone. This event is hosted by Mirror Indy reporters Darian Benson and Mary Claire Molloy in honor of World Mental Health Day.
Heartland International Film Festival
🗓️ Oct. 9-19
📍 Multiple venues
🎟️ $13 and up
The 11-day festival’s theme is “Connect to What Matters.” Dial into 100+ independent films with screenings at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Indy Art Center, Kan-Kan Cinema, Living Room Theaters and Newfields. You can also watch films online.
Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest
🗓️ Oct. 10-11
📍 Multiple venues
🎟️ Free, but must register
Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest is back for the second year. The festival will feature a book fair, local and regional author readings, publishers and literary magazines and writer workshops. There will be bookish activities for all ages, along with food trucks, music, games and prizes.
Big Gay Halloween Market
🗓️ 1-6 p.m. Oct. 11-12
📍 The Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.
🎟️ Free
Get two nights of spooky queer magic. Shop from over 100 vendors, get music from Pride of Indy Bands and participate in an over-the-top costume contest.
Jazz on Central
🗓️ 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11
📍 Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 526 E. 52nd St.
🎟️ Free
Shop, grab some grub and listen to live jazz hosted by Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood.
Harvest Moon Hangout
🗓️ 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11
📍 Irvington Community Garden, 6018 Dewey Ave.
🎟️ Free, but must register
Bring a dish, chair and a blanket to a community potluck to celebrate autumn as neighbors shut down their garden down for the season.
Cottage Home Block Party
🗓️ 5-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct.11
📍 Cottage Home neighborhood, 714 N. Highland Ave.
🎟️ Free
For over 40 years, the Cottage Home Block Party has taken over the 700 block of Dorman Street and Highland Avenue on the east side. The event features live music, food, drinks, local vendors and a kids area.
We Are Indy Arts Collective 10th Anniversary
🗓️ 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11
📍 Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🎟️ Free, but must RSVP
Ten years ago, artist Anthony “Tony” Radford created We Are Indy Arts to provide support to African American artists in Indianapolis. The collective features multidisciplinary artists like Rebecca Robinson, Omar Rashan, Gary Gee and Bruce Armstrong.
Indy Folk Series
🗓️ 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11
📍 Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd St.
🎟️ $25-30
For over 20 years, the series has brought a mix of local, regional, and national touring acts and several returning favorites. This event features a double dose of singer-songwriter mastery with Grace Pettis and Natalie Price.
Pettis’ music is described as a little bit of folk, a little bit of country and Americana and a whole lot of soul. Price was raised in a strict, religious, less-than-musical household and her songwriting is largely self-taught.
Daydream Market
🗓️ Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
📍 Tube Factory Campus, 1125 Cruft St.
🎟️ Free
Enjoy an afternoon of musical performances, an interactive art and poetry station, postcard coloring and food.
Art-Fi: Color. Groove. Vibe.
🗓️ 7:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
📍 Midwest Leak Studio, 5860 Michigan Road
🎟️ $17.85
Artist Tony Styxx will host a night of coloring with groovy music for some much-needed relaxation ahead of the work week. Custom prints and materials will be provided.
Oct. 13-19 🔝
Indigenous People’s Day Community Celebration
🗓️ 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13
📍 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
🎟️ Free
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day for free at the Eiteljorg Museum. Watch performances by Native Pride Productions and tour the Native American galleries with Monica Raphael, curator of Great Lakes Native art cultures and community.
Black Health Fair
🗓️ 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
The first annual Black Health Fair at the Center for Black Literature and Culture will have free screenings, wellness resources and over 30 health vendors. The event will also feature guest speakers Beatrice Beverly, co-founder of Stop the Violence Indianapolis, and Dr. Virginia Caine, director & chief medical officer of Marion County Public Health, who will break down health issues in the Black community.
Consumer Protection and Scam Prevention
🗓️ 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15
📍 Eagle library branch, 3905 Moller Road
🎟️ Free but must register
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office will give a presentation on how to spot common scams and protect yourself on the internet and social media.
World Food Championships
🗓️ Oct. 16-19
📍 Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St.
🎟️ $28-50
For a $50 weekend pass, you’ll witness the best in food sport create their signature dishes live in the kitchen arena. Some of the world’s best cooks will compete across 10 categories: bacon, barbecue, burger, chef, dessert, live fire, rice, sandwich, seafood and vegetarian.
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
🗓️ Oct. 18-25
📍 Irvington neighborhood
🎟️ Various prices
Each year, the historic eastside neighborhood welcomes over 80,000 guests. Get ready for a week of Halloween excitement, including a wellness fair, Halloween Ball, Spooky Organ Concert, blood drive, a horror movie night and a zombie bike ride. Also, don’t miss the infamous Halloween street fair and parade on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Locally Made and Autumntidings
🗓️ Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
📍 Indy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St.
🎟️ Free
ARTSPARK will come alive with art activities, art and food. Locally Made arts market features artwork, wares and artisanal goods from 50+ local and regional artists.
At the same time, the grounds at Indy Art Center will also host Ash & Elm’s Autumntidings Fall Fest where you can enjoy samples from popular Indiana cideries, breweries and distilleries for $23.69-45.10.
Diwali Celebration
🗓️ Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
📍 Indy’s Global Village, 4233 Lafayette Road
🎟️ Free
Bring in the Hindu New Year by lighting diyas and decorating Indy’s Global Village with rangoli, a traditional folk art where intricate patterns are created on floors or courtyards. The event will also feature music, dance performances and food.
Chicken & Beer Festival
🗓️ 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
📍 University Park, 307 N. Meridian St.
🎟️ $36.47 general admission, $47.07 VIP
A full day of food, friends and good times. Eat food from top-tier restaurants and up-and-coming chefs and don’t miss the “Hot Wing Challenge.”
Concerts with a Cause Fundraiser
🗓️ 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19
📍 Central Christian Church, 701 N. Delaware St.
🎟️ Free
The benefit concert for Classical Music Indy will feature performances from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Kent Cook, who will perform works by Beethoven and Dvorák. Any donations support Classical Music Indy.
Oct. 20-26 🔝
Citizenship Class
🗓️ 10 a.m.-noon Monday, Oct. 20
📍 West Perry library branch, 6650 S. Harding St.
🎟️ Free, but must register
This citizenship instruction class is provided by the Burmese American Community Institute. Call (317) 331-7537 or email info@baci-indy.org to register and learn more information.
Visible Mending 101
🗓️ 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21
📍Patina Gallery, 2201 E. Michigan St.
🎟️ $10-15
Have a piece of clothing you’ve been meaning to repair (when you learn how to sew)? Learn visible mending and repairs techniques with Sew Darn Radical. Class prices are on a sliding scale.
Old School Haunted Roll
🗓️ 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23
📍 Skateland Indianapolis, 3902 N. Glen Arm Road
🎟️ $13
This is an event for the grown folks. Bring your skates, wear your costume and roll all night long.
Bands of America Super Regional Championship
🗓️ Oct. 24-25
📍 Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave.
🎟️ $34-63, kids under 10 are free
High school marching band students from 11 states will perform at the championship, hosted by the Shortridge High School Band. Performances will be scored by a panel of national music educators and marching band experts. The 14 highest-scoring bands will advance to the finals.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Community Celebration
🗓️ 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
📍 Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.
🎟️ Free
Día de Muertos is a Mexican holiday that celebrates and remembers friends and relatives who have died. Enjoy performances, meet artists and create your own art, inspired by the traditions and stories behind this cultural celebration.
Reading with a Witch
🗓️ 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🎟️ Free, but must register
The Black Hats Society of Historic Irvington will bring your kiddos books, fun and just the right amount of spooky. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
Oct. 27-31 🔝
Indy Cinema Series at Central Library
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28
📍 Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair St.
🎟️ Free
Drop in and watch “Nosferatu: A Symphony Of Horror,” with a live musical performance. Must be 17 and up.
Fall Career Fair
🗓️ Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29
📍 Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Ave.
🎟️ Free
Get connected to employers and health organizations and find friends at this resource fair.
Global Trunk or Treat
🗓️ 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29
📍 Indy’s Global Village, 4233 Lafayette Road
🎟️ Free
Learn about the creepy monsters and figures who haunt the world. Enjoy games and collect global candy from decorated trunks of parked cars. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite costume.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Rediscovered
🗓️ Oct. 30-Nov. 2
📍 Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle
🎟️ $15-111.24
In honor of the 300th anniversary of “Vivaldi’s Four Seasons,” Baroque specialist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell and violinist Francisco Fullana will lead a music and multimedia storytelling performance.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Mesgana Waiss covers arts and culture. Contact her at 317-667-2643 or mesgana.waiss@mirrorindy.org.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
