Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie
Fall festival · Fishers · Indiana
Conner Prairie's living-history grounds north of Indianapolis turn over to the Headless Horseman after dark, with hayrides and lantern-lit trails through the same fields costumed interpreters work by day. The 2026 run is Thursdays through Sundays, October 1 through 25, five to ten at night.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Thu-Sun 5-10pm; museum grounds close at 4pm on festival days
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: October 16–October 20
Color builds from October 10 · mostly bare by November 9
Sampled at Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie’s own coordinates and elevation (240 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 19 weather points across Indiana, nudged 2 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. This year's weather has the peak running 7 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works
When to go to Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie
You get about 17 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly October 27.
It sits inside Indianapolis, so you can fit it into an afternoon.
Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Indiana, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Indiana
Leaves & views
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Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 1 – Oct 25. Thu-Sun 5-10pm; museum grounds close at 4pm on festival days. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 16–October 20 (best estimate October 18). Color starts around October 10 and is mostly bare by November 9.
- How do I get to Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie?
- Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie is in Fishers. The closest city is Indianapolis, about 17 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Indiana's fall lineup.
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