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indianapolisrecorder.com Arts & Culture AfiSection Friday, October 3, 2025chloegm@indyrecorder.comBy CHLOE McGOWAN%u00a0It%u2019s October, so you know what that means? Spooky Season has descended upon Indianapolis.Whether you%u2019re looking for some family-friendly festivities, a spooky show, festival or storytime hour, Indianapolis will not disappoint. The Recorder has compiled a list of a few Halloween-themed events, activities and trick-or-treat destinations hosted by various organizations throughout Indianapolis%u2019 arts and culture scene.Friday, Oct. 3Headless Horseman Festival %u2014 $26; free for membersConner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, FishersConner Prairie%u2019s annual Headless Horseman Festival is back with even more immersive activities, games and haunts for the whole family. Kids and families can enjoy carnival thrills, venture through the Trail of Terror Corn Maze, try their hand at axe throwing, or engage with live performances of music and magic.%u00a0connerprairie.org/headless-horseman%u201cShadow Play: Where Bodies and Cities Meet in Light and Dark%u201d %u2014 FREEMass Ave Knit Shop, 862 Virginia Avenue%u00a0Bringing together two queer artists using shadow as material and metaphor, %u201cShadow Play%u201d aims to blur the lines between public and intimate, concrete and flesh, transforming into a space of queer joy, resistance and play.eventbrite.comWoodrufi Place Neighborhood Walking Tour %u2014 $15-$20 (Recurring every Friday through Oct. 24)735 Woodruff Place E. Dr.Lantern-carrying guides will lead guests on a spooky twilight stroll through Woodruff Place, retelling the haunting historic tales each Friday in October.indianalandmarks.orgSaturday, Oct. 4Monument Circle Art Fair %u2014 FREEMonument Circle, Downtown IndianapolisRegional and local artists will showcase their work during the familyfriendly one day fair, featuring art, musical entertainment and food trucks at the historic Soldiers and Sailors Monument.facebook.com/MonumentcircleartWoven of Iron %u2014 $15-$50Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St.Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company presents %u201cWoven of Iron,%u201d a fusion of dance genres and expressions depicting political, social and cultural narratives alongside lived experiences of those in the African Diaspora.phoenixtheatre.orgSunday, Oct. 5Art & Soul Sundays: Jeremy Larnel Thomson %u2014 FREEIndianapolis Artsgarden, 110 W. Washington St.Indy native Jeremy Thomspon takes the stage for October%u2019s event. The vocalist is known for performances across the city as well as leading worship in various congregations.%u00a0eventbrite.comMonday, Oct. 6%u201cENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence%u201d %u2014 FREEPhoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St.Join American Lives Theatre as they take part of the national program using theatre and community engagement to confront the issue of gun violence. The event will feature staged readings of six 10-minute plays written by teenagers addressing various aspects of gun violence.americanlivestheatre.orgWednesday, Oct. 8Translocal Afrofuturism Conference%u2014 FREEKheprw Institute, 3802 N. Illinois St.Back for a second year, the Translocal Afrofuturism Conference brings together authors, artists, activists and visionaries to create, celebrate and imagine a future %u201con our own terms.%u201dgive.kheprw.orgThursday, Oct. 934th Annual Heartland International Film Festival %u2014 Prices vary (Recurring through Oct. 19)Various locations, IndianapolisMore than 100 independent films are screening across various locations in Indianapolis, including the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Indy Art Center, Kan-Kan Cinema, Living Room Theaters, Newfields and online.heartlandfilm.org/festivalFriday, Oct. 10Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest %u2014 FREE (Recurring through Oct. 11)The Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St.Returning for its second year in a row, Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest is back with local poets and hosts Mitchell L. H. Douglass and Chantel Massey, celebrating the power of writing grown right here in the midwest.indianahumanities.org/program/proofNight at the Boo Bash %u2014 $8-$15Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, 650 W. Washington St.The Indiana State Museum comes alive this October, featuring a cast of quirky characters and haunted holiday-themed activities on all three floors. Children and families are encouraged to try their hand at spookysounding instruments, creepy science demonstrations and play games to win haunted prizes.indianamuseum.org/event/night-atthe-boo-bashSaturday, Oct.11Big Gay Halloween Market %u2014 FREEThe Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.Hosted by Indy Gay Market, celebrate the spooky season with more than 100 vendors selling art and goods, live music and a costume contest.indygaymarket.comSpooky Stories %u2014 $10-$25Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, 705 N. Illinois St.Storytelling Arts of Indiana Returns to the Phoenix Theatre for a haunted night of storytelling meant to enrich, connect and entertain audiences through the arts.%u00a0phoenixtheatre.orgMonday, Oct. 12Art-Fi: Color. Groove. Vibe. %u2014 $17.85Midwest Leak Studio, 5860 Michigan RoadCurated by Tony Styxx, Art-Fi returns this October for a night of coloring and vibing with friends and community. Custom prints and utensils will be provided for creating coloring expressions.eventbrite.comWednesday, Oct. 15Uncharted Series: Beethoven X. Beyonc%u00e9 %u2014 $15-$64Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument CircleComposer Steve Hackman returns to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in a performance celebrating and elevating R&B and pop queen Beyonce with classical music king Beethoven.%u00a0indianapolissymphony.orgFriday, Oct. 18Indy%u2019s Global Village Diwali Celebration %u2014 FREEGlobal Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette RoadHoosiers are invited to celebrate the Hindu New Year as the Global Village is transformed with the lighting of diyas and rangoli. Guests can enjoy music and dance performances, activities and Indiana food.%u00a0eventbrite.comLocally Made: Indy%u2019s Fall Fest and Autumntidings %u2014 FREEIndy Art Center, 820 E. 67th St.%u00a0The Indy Art Center%u2019s annual Fall Fest returns with art activities, food and live entertainment for the whole family. Guests can shop artwares from more than 50 vendors, sample food, beer and wine from local artisans and enjoy free pumpkin painting.indyartcenter.org2025 Halloween Ball %u2014 $48.70-$54Irvington Lodge, 5515 E. Washington St.The 78th Historic Irvington Halloween Festival%u2019s ball is celebrating a very wicked Halloween. The Ozian-themed event hopes to bring the community together for an evening inspired by the land of OZ, complete with costumes of emerald elegance, bewitching live music, and refreshments.%u00a0irvingtonhalloween.com/halloween-ballSunday, Oct. 19Harvest Nights %u2014 $21-$34 (nonpeak night) (Recurring through Nov. 2)Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan RoadNewfields%u2019 annual %u201cspooky not scary%u201d outdoor exhibition is back this fall. After dark, the museum transforms its gardens into a foggy, pumpkin-filled forest. New this year, are 50 largerthan-life handmade mushrooms from Kara Kent and Expo Design.discovernewfields.org/events-exhibitions/harvest-nightsMonday, Oct. 20Starve a Vampire Halloween Blood Drive%u2014 FREEIrvington Library, 5625 E. Washington St.Hosted as part of the Historic Irvington Halloween festival, guests are invited to roll up a sleeve for their biggest blood drive of the year through Versiti Mobile Drive. Whole blood and double red appointments are available.irvingtonhalloween.com/blood-driveFriday, Oct. 24ZooBoo %u2014 $31.75-$34.75; free with membershipIndianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St.ZooBoo welcomes back guests of all ages to enjoy magic and potions, trickor-treating, rides on the Roller Ghoster and Round-Go-Merry and more. Costumes are encouraged.indianapoliszoo.com/zoo-events/zoobooSaturday, Oct. 25Dia de Muertos community Celebration %u2014 FREEEiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St.The Eiteljorg is once again teaming up with Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural to celebrate D%u00eda de los Muertos with a community celebration. Guests will experience live music, dancing, vibrant altars and art displays honoring the rich traditions of the Mexican Holiday.eiteljorg.org/dia-de-muertos/Trunk or Treat %u2014 FREEBrightwood Forest Manor Community Center, 4062 E. 34th St.The Brightwood Forest Manor Community Center is hosting a spooktacular neighborhood engagement event this month through Trunk or Treat. Guests are encouraged to show up with festive costumes to collect candy, engage in activities and fuel community spirit.brightwoodcc.orgSunday, Oct. 26Reading with a Witch %u2014 FREEIndy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.Join the Black Hat Society of Historic Irvington for a kids and family-friendly spooky, fun story hour. Costumes are encouraged!eventbrite.comFriday, Oct. 31Trick-or-Treat at Indy Reads %u2014 FREEIndy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.Trick-or-treaters of all ages are welcome to join Indy Reads for a Halloween celebration. Guests will receive cany, get to pick out a free book from the Halloween totes and work on %u201cspooky%u201d coloring pages.%u00a0indyreads.org/event/trick-or-treatat-indy-readsHealthy Soul Culinary Art Foundation%u2019s 4th Annual Halloween Boo Bash %u2014 FREEThe Amp at 16 Tech, 1220 Waterway Blvd.Healthy Soul%u2019s 4th annual Halloween Boo Bash promises to be safe, fun and free, featuring trick-or-treating, games and crafts, a live DJ, candy and more.eventbrite.com%u201cNosferatu%u201d %u2014 $21.60Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument CircleThe Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra invites you to celebrate Halloween with the presentation of the gothic horror classic %u201cNosferatu,%u201d featuring organist Donnie Rankin playing the soundtrack live on the Hilbert Circle Theatre%u2019s Wurlitzer organ alongside the 1922 film.indianapolissymphony.orgPlease note: Admission and ticket prices listed are general and before taxes/fees.Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.COMMUNITY ARTS CALENDAR: SPOOKY SEASON 2025(Photo/ Getty Images)