From the woody hillside, hundreds of illuminated grins pierce the dark.
Faces of all shapes and sizes shine through the blackness. The visages are inescapable to everyone who comes to Newfields’ annual Harvest Nights event.
But in creating this jack-o’-lantern jubilee, the team at Newfields didn’t want to go for scary. Rather, the pumpkins, and all of the features included in the celebration, add a spooky flavor to the chilly autumn nights.
“This is an exceptional outdoor experience for the Indianapolis community and all our neighbors, that we have continued to grow and expand,” said Jonathan Berger, vice president of marketing and external affairs, as well as executive producer of Harvest Nights. “This spooky celebration is now an Indianapolis autumn tradition.”
Harvest Nights returns as one of many beloved Halloween-season attractions at area cultural institutions. People can see elephants smashing gourds and explore Pumpkin Town at the Indianapolis Zoo. Find frights for all ages inside the villainous lairs of BOOville, the theme for this year’s annual haunted house at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Remember those who we’ve lost and honor tradition during Día de Muertos at the Eiteljorg Museum, or party with Fred the Mastodon during Night at the Boo Bash at the Indiana State Museum.
Here’s a rundown of what to expect from local museums and zoos this fall:
Harvest Nights
Details: 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 31, the Gardens at Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Ave., Indianapolis; discovernewfields.org
Newfields has been hosting a harvest-themed festival since 2018, which has grown to center around a nighttime experience known as Harvest Nights. Visitors can walk the Pumpkin Path of Peril, brave the Ghost Train and see the stately Lilly House turn into Mischief Manor with a few surprises along the way. New this year are the Garden Monsters, a group of ghosts, ghouls and goblins designed by a local artist or organization set up throughout the Garden at Newfields.
To fortify your bravery, organizers have planned special food and beverage options that really set the mood. Enjoy cinnamon Bavarian crème churros, giant pretzels from Half Liter, caramel corn from Just Pop-In! and fresh apple cider from local orchards. Adults can enjoy Hotel Tango Distillery’s Spooky Campfire Cocoa, a new version of the fan favorite whiskey applejack from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, and a new lineup of draft beers from Elysian Brewing Co., including Night Owl Pumpkin Ale.
Harvest Nights will also feature special events throughout its run, such as Rocky Horror Picture Drag Show on Oct. 21 and Art or Treat from Oct. 29 to 31.
Zoo Boo
Details: 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays through Oct. 31, Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St.; indianapoliszoo.com
At the Indianapolis Zoo, even the animals celebrate Halloween. The centerpiece of this annual tradition is Pumpkin Town, a fun and festive village underneath the zoo’s Bicentennial Pavilion. People can interact with cats and Agape therapeutic miniature horses inside Jack’s Barn. They can try their luck in the Mirror Maze. Meet the Leeward Sisters — Terra, Wisp and Bubbles — as they conjure up some Halloween magic in their cauldron.
Find more fun at Bat Alley, the Roller Ghoster and Gator Pirate Bayou. Kids can visit eight different stations along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, and all the while, the Patch DJ will be spinning tunes both spooky and spectacular to keep the party lively.
Zoo Boo also features a special menu of treats, such as the Hocus Pocus Burger or Chilling Chili Cheese Taters. Grown-ups can enjoy a Scary Cherry Mule or a Myotis Martini — cocktails created especially for ZooBoo by Hotel Tango Distillery.
BOO-ville
Details: Oct. 10-31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays (lights-on hours); 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sundays (frightening hours); Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3300 N. Meridian St.; childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/haunted-house
For 59 years, the Children’s Museum Guild has been transforming the museum into a house of (mini) horrors every Halloween. This year’s theme is BOO-ville, a town full of Halloween classics overseen by the resident witch, Guilda. Visitors can explore the town where Halloween villains, such as mad scientists, witches, zombies, werewolves, and more, live during their “offseason.”
Two different experiences are offer: A “lights on” session with upbeat music and the lights turned up for guests to scare more easily. Then from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, the experience is designated as the Frightening Hours.
The museum will also host special events throughout the run of BOO-ville. Families with older children ages 7 to 14 can take part in Twilight Fright on Oct. 14 in the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience. Enjoy a beastly buffet on Oct. 21 and 28 during Friendly Feast with the Witches. And on Oct. 21, grown-ups can get in the ghostly spirit during a 21-and-over Halloween After Dark.
Day of the Dead (Dìa de Muertos)
Details: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 21, Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; eiteljorg.org
Known primarily as a Mexican holiday, with roots stretching back to Indigenous traditions, the Day of the Dead is a a time to gather together to remember and celebrate friends and relatives who have passed on. The Eiteljorg Museum’s annual festival will feature a day full of performances from groups such as Grupo Folclórico Macehuani, Grupo Folclórico: Infantil Macehuani, Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos and Ballet Folklorico Mosaicos Kids.
People can also enjoy the Community Art and Altar Exhibit at the museum, which opens on Oct. 10 and runs until Nov. 2. Groups from thoughout the community, Consulado de Mexico en Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Central Library and Christ Church Cathedral, have created decorated altars, or ofrendas, where people can enjoy the intricate works of art. They can also add a note for their own departed loved one at the community ofrenda.
Night at the Boo Bash
Details: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; indianamuseum.org
The Indiana State Museum is hosting a series of different activities and special events for what it is calling Spooky Season. Kids can explore pumpkins during the Pumpkin Party, while people can see the museum in a whole new light during Twilight Tales. But the centerpiece is Night at the Boo Bash, an annual Halloween party hosted by Fred the Mastodon. Family and friends are encouraged to dress in their most creative costumes for a chance to win a grand prize. The night will include dancing, candy and fun activities for all ages. Admission is $12 per person, with a 25% discount for state museum members.
