Nashville, Indiana Festivals & Annual Events
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Wondering when Nashville, Indiana actually has something going on, or trying to pick a weekend around it? Luckily for you, there’s something going on every month of the year, it just depends what kind of festival or event you’re looking for.
What’s below is the most complete list of annual Brown County festivals and events I’m aware of, month by month. Everything here has run multiple years in a row, so you can plan around it. New one-offs don’t make the list until they’ve proven they’re sticking around, and the week-to-week stuff (plus all the recurring weekly and monthly things) lives in my monthly event calendars instead.
I keep all of this in a database I update year-round, so these dates are the most up-to-date info I’ve been able to find.
NOTE: A lot of the entries below say ‘Date TBD.’ That means the organizer hasn’t announced yet, and the line underneath tells you the pattern that event usually follows, so you can pencil in a weekend now and confirm closer to your trip.
January
❄️❄️ See the full January event calendar here.
First Day Hike
Start the year off right with this fresh-air tradition! This naturalist-led hike follows Trail 7, a 1.2-mile loop around Ogle Lake with moderate terrain - think a few staircases, some root-covered paths, and the possibility of icy patches.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories about the park’s wildlife and history, and the experience wraps up with a fire and treat at the picnic shelter. It’s a peaceful, invigorating way to welcome the new year.
Ukulele Festival
Even if you’ve never strummed a chord, the Brown County Ukulele Fest is an infectious, joy-filled winter tradition that packs the Brown County Inn with music lovers of all skill levels.
Expect workshops, jam sessions, and concerts featuring talented ukulele performers from across the country. Some sessions require advance tickets (and often sell out!), but the public concerts and open mic events are open and welcoming for anyone who wants to join.
Frosty Trails Extreme Trail Race
This one’s for trail runners who don’t mind mud, creek crossings, or cold toes. Choose from a 5K, 10K, or four-person 20K relay through the hilly, wooded terrain of Hard Truth Hills.
Afterward, warm up with chili, drinks, and a “shot mile” where runners 21+ take a quick shot with each short loop around the terrace. Even non-runners can join the fun with a festival pass.
Winter Hike Series
Each winter, Brown County State Park offers a rotating series of naturalist-led hikes that explore lesser-known areas of the park - many of which are off-trail and not typically accessible on your own.
These hikes vary in theme and location, from abandoned villages to old CCC ruins, and include some fascinating local history and ecology. It’s one of the best ways to explore the park more deeply, and you’ll definitely want good boots and warm layers.
February H2
💘💘 See the full February event calendar here.
Daddy Daughter Dance
Two hours at the Seasons Lodge conference center, put on by Parks and Rec, with ticket sales going back into the department.
Registration is required and this one sells out. Both of the last two years went before the day arrived and they don't take walk-ins. Tickets open in mid-January, so if you want in, set a reminder.
Whistle Pig Shadow Chaser
This lighthearted 5K is Brown County's spin on Groundhog Day, complete with the opportunity to run the whole course AGAIN just for fun.
Runners start and finish at the State Park Rec Building (near the Campground entrance), and it's a great way to shake off winter and lean into the sillier side of the season.
Ag Day Breakfast
The Soil and Water Conservation District puts this on in the Exhibit Hall out at the fairgrounds, and it's open to anyone, not just farmers and landowners.
It was billed as Ag Brunch in 2026 after years as the Ag Day Breakfast, so try both names if you go looking for it.
Winter Hike Series
Every winter, Brown County State Park hosts a special guided hike series that explores hidden corners of the park you can’t usually access on your own. Led by naturalists and local experts, these off-trail adventures highlight local history, forgotten ruins, and the raw beauty of winter in the hills.
Hikes vary in difficulty and location - just meet at the Nature Center to join in. Pets are only allowed on the Dog Hike in March.
March
🍀🍀 See the full March event calendar here.
Easter Egg Hunt at Deer Run Park
Organized by Brown County Parks & Recreation, kids ages 2 to 11 can bring a basket and enjoy this beloved community tradition. This event features hundreds of eggs spread across the sports fields and a chance to snap a photo with the Easter Bunny.
It’s typically held the Saturday before Easter and offers a relaxed, festive atmosphere for families to enjoy time together outdoors.
Death March Off-Road Bike Race
This off-road endurance race sends riders on a choose-your-own-route adventure across gravel roads, forest trails, and county lanes to visit historical cemeteries scattered throughout the Hoosier National Forest. Each checkpoint must be documented with a photo, and time bonuses or penalties are applied depending on your choices.
Known for its grit and tongue-in-cheek name, the Death March is a true challenge for competitive cyclists - and a test of your strategy, stamina, and maybe even sanity.
Indiana Button Society Show & Competition
Explore the colorful and quirky world of button collecting at this annual three-day show hosted by the Indiana Button Society.
Whether you’re a serious collector or just button-curious, there is more going on here than you'd expect - displays of antique and vintage buttons, competitive exhibits, craft vendors, and a silent auction. It’s a unique peek into a niche passion that draws collectors from all over the country.
Soup Bowl Benefit
Get cozy with Brown County’s best soups, all served in one-of-a-kind handmade pottery bowls you get to keep. There’s also a silent auction featuring art, goods, and experiences from the community.
The Soup Bowl Benefit is a heartwarming fundraiser packed with flavor, local flair, and great music, all in support of Mother’s Cupboard, a vital local organization that serves free hot meals to those in need. A great way to fill your stomach and support a good cause.
April
🌷🌷 See the full April event calendar here.
Village Idiot Elections
Story has no mayor and no town government, so the most official title anyone holds down there is Village Idiot. Nominations go in a jar behind the bar all year, patrons vote, and the winner gets announced April 1.
To be nominated you have to have been a customer and you have to have done something genuinely dumb and worth retelling. The prize is a $100 bar tab and your photo on the wall until somebody outdoes you.
It's been running since 1999 and nobody has ever won twice.
A Taste of Art
The Rotary Club's fine art auction, and one of the more grown-up nights out on the Brown County calendar. The evening opens with a reception, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and beer, wine, and liquor tastings, with time to look over the pieces before any bidding starts.
A professional auctioneer runs the live auction, and there's a silent auction of smaller work that closes earlier in the night. Proceeds go to Rotary scholarships and local charitable work.
Brown County Family Festival
This weekday evening event is geared toward families with younger kids and features free food, bounce houses, games, and prize raffles.
Community organizations set up booths to share helpful resources in a casual, fun setting. It’s a great chance to connect with local groups while the kids enjoy outdoor play.
CSVFD Easter Egg Hunt
Hosted behind the firehouse, this annual egg hunt includes multiple age-group zones, prizes, snacks, and a visit with the Easter Bunny.
It’s a casual, welcoming event for families - just show up with your little ones and enjoy the fun.
Easter Bourbon Hunt at Hard Truth Hills
This adults-only twist on the Easter egg hunt invites bourbon fans to search for eggs filled with Hard Truth spirits, prizes, and exclusive swag. Ticket holders receive a handcrafted cocktail and a branded tote bag before heading into the rackhouse “hunting grounds.”
A fun, offbeat way to celebrate spring - typically held across two weekends in April.
Friends of the Library Annual Plant Sale
Typically coinciding with the Wildflower Foray weekend, this plant sale features a great selection of locally grown perennials, herbs, and native plants at excellent prices.
The sale happens rain or shine under the library’s solar panels, and many of the most desirable plants go quickly - so arrive early. Proceeds support Friends of the Library programs throughout the year.
Wildflower Foray
The Wildflower Foray is one of Brown County’s most beloved spring traditions. Held the last full weekend in April, this multi-site event features dozens of guided hikes, birding walks, wildflower ID workshops, and hands-on programs led by naturalists and botanists.
Activities take place at T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Brown County State Park, Yellowwood Forest, and other local preserves. Visitors can explore restored gardens, discover rare native plants, and enjoy art, writing, and photography sessions inspired by the landscape.
Most programs are free and open to all ages, with hikes ranging from gentle strolls to off-trail adventures.
May
🌼🌼 See the full May event calendar here.
Indiana Wine Fair
With dozens of Indiana wineries, food trucks, live music, and a free keepsake wine glass, this is one of the most beloved wine festivals in the state.
Wander the grounds at the Story Inn, then stick around for the evening comedy show (included with admission).
Americana Bean Jamboree
Celebrate Memorial Day weekend with two full days of Americana music, camping, food trucks, and laid-back vibes. Buy a daily pass to enjoy the performances, or get in free with your camping reservation.
Annual Morel Mushroom Sale for Charity
This long-standing fundraiser for local charities is organized by the Brown County YMCA and gives you a chance to grab a bag of fresh morels, all without having to spend hours in the woods.
Both pre-orders and walk-up purchases are available, but fair warning, they go fast.
Art in the Garden
One of the Art Guild's two big fundraisers of the year, held in the evening on private property with gardens worth the ticket on their own. Expect food, drink, live music, and Guild artist members showing and selling work through the night.
Tickets are required in advance and this is priced as a fundraiser, so it's a plan-ahead evening rather than a drop-in. Parking is off-site with a shuttle.
BroCoCon – All-Ages Game Conference
Hosted by the local favorite, The Toy Chest, this family-friendly board game convention brings together vendors, game demos, raffles, open play, and a kid’s play space.
Want more? There’s also an optional 18+ after party for grown-up gamers.
Brown County Antique Machinery Spring Show
Step back in time with a weekend full of vintage tractors, working farm equipment, and family-friendly activities at the Brown County Antique Machinery Association’s Spring Show.
Shop the craft and vendor booths, enjoy great food, and stick around for Saturday’s popular auction - plus, many of the tractor drivers join in the downtown parade later that day!
Brown County Enduro Race
Mountain bikers from across the region hit the trails for the annual Brown County Enduro. Riders compete in open, expert, youth, and even Class 1 E-Bike divisions.
With challenging climbs, fast descents, and beautiful forest scenery, it’s one of the most exciting races of the season - camping included!
Dances with Dirt Gnawbone Trail Race
This trail race isn’t for the faint of heart. With race distances ranging from 5K to 50 miles, Dances With Dirt tears through the steep, wild terrain of Brown County.
Whether you’re in it solo or part of a relay team, be ready for creek crossings, steep climbs, and plenty of dirt. It’s chaos in the best way.
Dawg Gone Walk & Fiesta
Bring your pup for an afternoon of dog contests, games, shopping, and more - all while raising money to support the Brown County Humane Society’s lifesaving work. Costumes, look-alike contests, and even canine royalty add to the fun.
Friends of Brown County State Park Annual Poker Ride
This is a horseback ride, not a bike ride, and you bring your own horse. Riders collect cards at checkpoints along the trail and turn in a poker hand at the end, with a prize for the best hand.
You register as a group of up to five. Enter at the Horsemen's Camp entrance off SR 135 rather than the main gate, since horse trailers can't come through the front. Proceeds support the Horseman's Camp.
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
Come hungry - this beloved twice-a-year breakfast is a Brown County tradition worth waking up for. Hosted by the local Lions Club, the morning includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, biscuits and gravy, and gallons of hot coffee served up with plenty of smiles.
Whether you come for the community connection or just the warm stack of flapjacks, it’s a feel-good way to support a great cause.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
The market's first month, and it opens with the spring crops. Asparagus, rhubarb, radishes, lettuce and other greens, plus bedding plants and starts if you're putting a garden in.
I used to be involved with this one, so I'm biased, but there's nothing else around here that puts this many local growers and makers in one place at one time.
Sangria Festival
A free afternoon at the winery built around their sangria. Wine tasting, sangria cocktails, tours through the production area, a food truck, and outdoor games.
The Humane Society usually brings dogs along. Worth noting this one is at the winery out on 46 East, not the downtown Nashville tasting room.
Spring Blossom Parade
Brown County knows how to do a parade, and this one kicks off spring in style! Each year, the Brown County Lions Club hosts the Spring Blossom Parade, winding through Nashville with community floats, live music, and themed fun.
TEDxBrownCountySchools
A local TEDx event that blends professional speakers, student voices, and inspiring ideas. This one-day gathering features talks on innovation, education, creativity, and courage - all organized by Brown County students and community leaders. Free and open to the public.
The Gathering
War in the Woods
One of the most thrilling no-prep drag races in the country returns to Brown County. Expect high horsepower, head-to-head rivalries, and an unpredictably wild track. Whether you’re racing or spectating, it’s an adrenaline-packed experience.
June
☀️☀️ See the full June event calendar here.
Touch-A-Truck
This free, family-friendly event lets kids explore emergency vehicles, construction trucks, and big rigs up close. A quiet hour kicks things off for sensory-sensitive guests, and early birds can snag giveaways like hard hats or Culver’s tokens.
All donations support local weekend backpack food programs.
Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festival
The longest-running bluegrass festival in the world always delivers with multiple days of live performances from national touring acts, local favorites, and rising stars.
Pack your banjo - or just your lawn chair - and settle in for a weekend of music in the birthplace of bluegrass.
Brown County 4-H Fair
A true local tradition, the Brown County 4-H Fair showcases everything from livestock shows to pie judging and youth fashion revues.
Visit the carnival during bracelet nights for unlimited rides, grab a lemon shake-up, and celebrate small-town summer fun all week long.
Brown County Bikes Youth Mt Bike Camp
CANCELLED FOR 2026: Ukulele World Congress
If you’ve ever wanted to strum under the stars with hundreds of fellow music lovers, Ukulele World Congress is the ultimate summer gathering. This free, volunteer-run festival fills a wide-open field in Needmore with camping, community jams, and open mic performances that run late into the night.
There’s no formal schedule - just a Thursday cocktail party, Friday potluck dinner, and open mics that stretch from dusk to midnight. It’s famously laid-back, welcoming players and listeners alike to join the friendliest jam session you’ll ever find.
Pack your uke, your tent, and your best “don’t be a jerk” attitude, and settle in for a weekend of music, laughter, and pure Brown County charm.
DINO Mountain Bike Race
Take on Indiana’s premier singletrack in this race for all ages and skill levels. Held the day after the DINO Trail Run, the course winds through hilly terrain that’s both fun and challenging.
A perfect weekend for outdoor enthusiasts - bring your bike, your tent, and your energy.
DINO Trail Run
One of the most popular trail races in the series, the Brown County DINO Trail Run offers both 5K and 15K distances through scenic forest terrain. Expect tough climbs, a mile-long downhill stretch, and a great mix of adventure and accomplishment.
Make it a full weekend with camping, hiking, and nearby Nashville shops and restaurants.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
June is strawberry month in Indiana, and this is where you find them without driving out to a U-pick. Peas, early summer squash, herbs and cut flowers fill in around them.
RockFest
Not to be confused with the Rock & Mineral Show in September. Same club, different event, and this is the smaller and more hands-on of the two.
It's held at the Nature Center shelter house out at the state park, with club members bringing displays, rock tumbling demonstrations, and activity tables aimed at kids. The event itself is free, but you'll pay the park gate fee to get in.
Strawberry Festival at St. David’s
July
🎆🎆 See the full July event calendar here.
4th of July Fireworks
Brown County puts on three separate fireworks displays around the Fourth, in different parts of the county and not always on the same night.
All three are below, so you can pick whichever is closest to where you're staying, or catch more than one if the dates line up.
Fireworks & Community Concert at the Story Inn
Spend the Fourth in the charming village of Story with a free concert and fireworks display. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, grab food and drinks on site, and end the night with fireworks overhead - all in support of the local volunteer fire department.
Fireworks in Nashville with the Brown County Lions Club
The Lions Club puts on Nashville's own Fourth of July fireworks display, the closest show to downtown and the one most visitors end up at.
Bourbon & BBQ Fest at Hard Truth
Twenty-five teams compete in barbecue and live-fire categories up on the Hard Truth campus, and your ticket gets you a food sample from every competitor station. There's a People's Choice award on the line plus golden tickets to the World Food Championships.
Live music, cooking demos from sponsors, yard games, and whiskey tasting stations round out the afternoon. It's not a 21+ event and there's a kids' ticket, but the whiskey samples are adults only.
Tickets come in tiers that go from general admission up through an air-conditioned VIP lounge, so look at what you're actually buying before you commit.
Brown County Youth Showcase
Support the next generation of local talent with live performances from music students of all ages. From fiddle solos to full family bands, this annual showcase (organized by Kara Barnard) will blow you away with the talent on stage.
Hippy Hill Festival
Peace, love, and live music take over Bean Blossom for three days of workshops, community, and good vibes. This throwback celebration features two stages of performances, camping, and plenty of tie-dye.
Admission required for all guests on-site, including campers.
Indiana Fingerstyle Guitar Festival
Fingerstyle guitarists from across the globe gather in Nashville to compete for handcrafted instruments and a spot in the evening concert. With open mic events, afternoon competition rounds, and evening performances, it’s a full day of world-class acoustic talent.
La Fete Champignons Des Sauvages
Known locally as the Wild Mushroom Party, this annual event celebrates all things fungi with forest foraging walks, mushroom-themed food and drink, artisan vendors, and live music throughout the day.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
The tables start getting heavy in July. Sweet corn shows up, the first real tomatoes come in, and there's usually blueberries, green beans, cucumbers and more zucchini than anybody knows what to do with.
Snakefest at Brown County State Park
Snakefest brings snakes to center stage with hands-on reptile displays, hourly presentations, and arts and crafts for all ages. Hosted by naturalists and herpetology experts, this annual July event offers an engaging mix of education and family fun.
Whiskey Chaser Trail Running Festival
Run through the hills, then raise a glass. Choose from a 5K, 10K, or 20K relay, and stick around for the infamous Shot Mile, where racers sip a spirit after every lap. The post-race celebration includes live music, food, and of course - whiskey.
August
🌻🌻 See the full August event calendar here.
Brown County Humane Society Barn Sale
One of the biggest and best rummage sales around, the Barn Sale benefits the Brown County Humane Society and features thousands of donated items - from antiques to kitchenware to tools.
New items are added all weekend, and Saturday often brings special deals for big spenders. All proceeds support shelter animals.
Chamberfest Brown County
ChamberFest brings world-class classical music to Brown County with a week of performances, lectures, and multimedia presentations held throughout Nashville.
Most events are free and open to the public, with donations encouraged. A rare thing to find in a town this size, in a community that has been built around the arts for over a century.
HOPE Fest
A resource and recovery fair put on by Do Something Brown County, and one of the events on this list that's really for the people who live here. Supportive services set up alongside music, food, giveaways, carnival games and a dunk tank for the kids, plus recovery testimonies from people in the community.
If you're new around here or looking for a way to plug in, this is a good one to walk into.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
Peak market. Tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, melons and peaches all landing at once, which makes August the month I'd point you to if you're only going once all summer.
Outsiders Charity Club Brown County Volunteer Fire Department Red Line Ride
A motorcycle and Jeep rally through Brown County that raises money for the Brown County Volunteer Fire Department. Registration runs late morning, the route makes a stop at the Story Inn, and it finishes up over in Morgantown.
$25 a person, rain or shine. If you're not riding, check whether the endpoint is open to spectators before you drive over, because none of the current materials say either way.
Pickin’ in the Backwoods Music Festival
Set in the hills of eXplore Brown County and Valley Branch Retreat, Pickin’ in the Backwoods is a small-scale, high-energy music festival featuring 35+ bands, food trucks, dancing, campfire jams, and more.
Camping is BYOB, and space is limited - designed for an intimate, music-loving crowd.
Southern Indiana Blues Festival
Three days of nonstop blues and roots music - complete with camping, workshops, and jam sessions. The Southern Indiana Blues Festival features national and regional acts in a laid-back setting, with kids 12 and under free. Reserve your campsite early and settle in for soulful summer sounds.
September
🍎🍎 See the full September event calendar here.
9.11 Memorial FUN Run/Walk
Choose a 5K or 9.11K in honor of first responders at this annual run/walk. With awards for top finishers (and even “Top Dog”), it’s a meaningful and community-centered way to support this local fire department.
Antique Machinery Fall Show & Old Settlers’ Reunion
This heritage event features antique machinery, sawmills, steam engines, a kids’ area, and more. With live demonstrations, auctions, and plenty of old-fashioned charm, it’s a nod to Brown County’s agricultural past.
Art Colony Weekend
Celebrate the history of art in Brown County with a weekend of exhibitions, workshops, auctions, and events hosted by the Brown County Art Guild. From the Founders Exhibition to cocktail parties and live demos, this long-standing weekend is a nod to the area’s deep artistic roots.
Betty Begonia Upscale Tag Sale
A beloved Brown County tradition, Betty Begonia’s Upscale Tag Sale turns a 1920s-era barn into a treasure hunter’s dream. Shoppers will find vintage furniture, holiday décor, plants, craft supplies, and one-of-a-kind home goods, all priced to move.
Brown County Rock & Mineral Show
This annual show includes flint knapping, gold panning, wire-wrapping, and vendors offering fossils, gems, and minerals. Admission and activities are free, which is part of why it stays busy all weekend.
Campside Sessions Women Mt. Bike Camp
Spend a weekend learning skills and shredding trails with other adventurous women during this immersive mountain bike retreat. Led by professional coaches, the camp includes trail time, primitive camping, and plenty of good energy.
CANCELLED FOR 2026: Harmony Valley Music Festival
Three days and three stages out at eXplore Brown County, with a lineup that runs from string bands and bluegrass through funk and electronic acts. 35+ acts, artisan vendors, and arts and movement workshops between sets.
Weekend camping is included with general admission, but there's no car camping, so pack what you can carry or bring a wagon. Amplified music stops at midnight and a silent disco picks up from there.
Kids 13 and under get in free with an adult, and no alcohol is sold on site - campers 21 and over can bring their own.
EPIC Mountain Bike Festival
Now moved to September, the EPIC is one of the Midwest’s top mountain bike festivals. Ride legendary singletrack, camp onsite, enjoy food trucks and bluegrass music, and support the trails you love.
Good People Good Times Music Festival
A weekend of music, live art, light shows, and community vibes, this festival combines camping with an eclectic lineup and immersive experiences. With performances from amazing bands and late-night headphone discos, it’s a celebration for the senses.
Family-friendly, with kids 12 and under free.
Hard Truth Gravel Fondo
Billed as Indiana's hardest gravel race, this one sends riders over 50 miles of rough hills and chunky gravel through the backroads of Southern Indiana.
It starts and finishes at Hard Truth, so there's live music, food and games waiting when you roll back in.
Hard Truth Harvest Festival
Celebrate the season with live music, fall cocktails, pumpkin painting, and a whiskey release from Hard Truth x Mellencamp. This all-ages festival features vendors, hay rides, and a cozy autumn vibe from afternoon to evening.
Indiana Bigfoot Conference
Explore all things Sasquatch at this two-day gathering featuring speakers, vendor booths, fireside chats, and community town halls. Whether you’re a believer or just Bigfoot-curious, it’s a weekend full of mystery and fun.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
Late summer and early fall overlap in September. The last of the tomatoes and peppers sit alongside the first apples and winter squash, and pumpkins usually turn up toward the end of the month.
Nature Daze
A morning of talks on native habitat, invasive plants and the birds and bugs that depend on them. There's a kids' hike and a bug hunt too.
It's aimed at landowners, but anyone curious is welcome. The venue and the hours have moved year to year, so check before you go.
Street Carnival
Enjoy an afternoon of free family fun with games, face painting, bounce houses, and carnival treats - all in support of the community work of the local Salvation Army chapter.
The Gathering
Step back in time at the Pioneer Village to experience hands-on pioneer life skills. Enjoy live demonstrations, traditional crafts, and a community meal of cornbread, ham, and beans - free to all attendees.
Uncle Pen Fest
Celebrate bluegrass roots at this multi-day music festival, including Hall of Fame inductions, jam sessions, and performances by top national acts. A must for any bluegrass fan.
War in the Woods
Known for its no-prep, high-drama racing, War in the Woods brings serious speed and wild action to the Brown County Dragway. This crowd-favorite showdown packs the stands with fans of gritty competition.
October
🎃🎃 See the full October event calendar here.
Brown County Back Roads Studio Tour
Visit artist studios throughout the county Wednesdays through Sundays in October during the annual Studio Tour. Meet artisans, watch demonstrations, and purchase original works while taking in peak fall foliage on scenic back roads.
Free and self-guided, with some studios offering interactive activities.
Halloween Festivities
Halloween is the busiest stretch on the whole Brown County calendar, and it isn't one event so much as a run of them spread across the month.
Everything below happens somewhere between the first weekend of October and Halloween night, so there's something here whether you're coming for a weekend or the whole season.
Fall-O-Ween Party
Enjoy hayrides, face painting, bounce houses, and s’mores at this annual Halloween celebration. Admission is free with donations encouraged. Cap off the evening with a movie in the park - bring a blanket or chair!
Ghost Stories Under the October Sky
Gather under the stars by the Steele family cemetery for spine-tingling tales told by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Bring a blanket, flashlight, and warm layers for this atmospheric event best suited for ages 8 and up.
Melchior Slightly Haunted Puppet Show
Whimsical marionettes, spooky fun, and family-friendly storytelling come together in this delightful 30-minute puppet performance. Perfect for all ages - kids under 2 get in free.
Fall Festival (formerly Halloween in the Hills)
Celebrate with a pumpkin carving contest, campsite decorating, a Trick or Treat hike on the Friends’ Trail, and a candlelit hike on Trail 10. Family-friendly, stroller-accessible, and packed with the fall beauty Brown County is known for.
Friendly Forest Halloween Trail
One of Brown County’s best family-friendly Halloween traditions, the Friendly Forest invites kids to trick or treat along a lighted trail. Expect fun decorations, costumed volunteers, and plenty of candy. Free hot dogs and cocoa await at the end.
Donations are welcome to help support the Fire Department.
Haunted Forest & Hayride
Brave the hayride and haunted forest trail filled with creepy clowns, ghouls, and more. This spook-filled event runs just two nights each year and is popular for good reason.
'Squash the Block' Trick or Treating in Nashville
Celebrate Halloween in downtown Nashville with trick-or-treating, storytelling by the Visitor Center fire pit, and special treats from local shops. It's the one night the shops hand out candy instead of selling it.
Blue Lady Bash
This annual costume bash features live music, prizes, and themed décor at the historic (and famously haunted) Story Inn. The October comedy show is usually on the same night and ticket holders get in free.
Sweet Mash Monster Bash
From glow-in-the-dark beer pong to pumpkin bowling, this family-friendly Halloween bash features live music, s’mores, specialty cocktails, and a costume contest. Reserve a Haunted ATV tour or just enjoy the party!
Trick or Treat on the Trail
Brown County’s biggest Halloween event lets kids walk the Salt Creek Trail to collect candy from costumed volunteers. This safe, festive event is hosted by Parks & Rec and the YMCA and is a can’t-miss tradition for local families.
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast
Come hungry - this beloved twice-a-year breakfast is a Brown County tradition worth waking up for. Hosted by the local Lions Club, the morning includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, biscuits and gravy, and gallons of hot coffee served up with plenty of smiles.
Whether you come for the community connection or just the warm stack of flapjacks, it’s a feel-good way to support a great cause.
Tecumseh Trail Challenge Ultra Marathon
Test your endurance on this scenic and rugged course through Yellowwood. Choose from distances including 8 miles, 13.1, 26.2, and 50K, or join the all-new 50K relay. A post-race celebration and optional camping round out the experience.
Story Inn Bourbon Festival
A bourbon festival built around the valley's moonshine history and the still Sheriff Clarence Moore seized here during prohibition, with half the evidence reportedly going missing.
Local craft bourbon, live music, and arts, crafts and food vendors fill the grounds. Ages 21 and over, so leave the kids at home.
Fall Swap Meet & Craft Fair
The Brown County Antique Machinery Association's annual fall swap meet and craft fair - buying, selling, and swapping tools, parts, antiques, and handmade goods at the fairgrounds. 8am-1pm.
Trick or Treat at the CSVFD Firehouse
Trick-or-treating at the firehouse on Halloween night, 6:30 to 8:30, with candy and pizza from Eddie's.
It's a public event, so you don't have to live out at the lakes to bring your kids. If you want to help hand out candy, the department sets up extra tables and chairs and you can reserve one and decorate it however you like.
Annual Tractor Drive
Brown County Responder Aid
Enjoy a day of local acts, food trucks, and a silent auction to bring the community together to support Brown County volunteer fire departments. Wristbands are $10, and kids under 10 are free. A full day of fun for a good cause set against a beautiful fall backdrop.
FallFare
Held the first Saturday in October, Fallfare features handmade crafts and local goods to benefit nonprofits. A Nashville tradition hosted by the United Methodist Church, it’s a great place to find seasonal gifts and support meaningful causes.
Nashville Indiana Farmers Market
The market's last month, and it leans all the way into fall. Apples, cider, winter squash, gourds and pumpkins, plus mums if you're still filling pots on the porch.
November
🦃🦃 See the full November event calendar here.
St. Agnes Christmas & Craft Bazaar
Get a jump on your holiday shopping with unique handmade gifts, baked goods, paper crafts, stained glass, wreaths, and woodwork at the St. Agnes Christmas & Craft Bazaar.
Don’t miss the silent auction of themed gift baskets and tabletop Christmas trees, the quilt raffle, or the Youth Group’s vintage boutique - all supporting parish missions and outreach.
Cabin Fever 5K Race
Run or walk a scenic route through Eagle Park while supporting Parks and Rec’s youth scholarship fund. This all-ages 5K is part of the Magnificent 7 race series and a great excuse to get moving in the fall air.
Hard Truth Flannel 5K Extreme Race
Break out your comfiest flannel for this fun, wooded trail run with options from 5K to 20K plus a Shot Mile. Stick around after the race for awards, laughs, and a post-run celebration that’s as cozy as your outfit.
Chocolate Walk
TICKETS GO ON SALE AUGUST 15. Sample chocolate-themed treats from over 40 local shops and restaurants as you stroll downtown Nashville. A sweet way to support shelter pets, this event often sells out early, so grab your tickets while you can.
Gravel Grovel D.I.N.O Bike Race
Grind through gravel, singletrack, and fire roads in Hoosier National Forest at this endurance biking challenge. Course options range from 30 miles to 100K, with relay and tandem categories. Refuel after with mashed potatoes, soup, and a s’mores buffet.
Hilly Half Marathon
Challenge yourself with this scenic half marathon, 10K, or 5K through Brown County State Park. Known for its elevation and stunning views, the route finishes with a fast downhill stretch. All proceeds benefit the Brown County YMCA.
Community Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa Claus
Ring in the season the Friday after Thanksgiving with live music, sweet treats, and a visit from Santa at this family-friendly tradition. Kids receive commemorative wooden nickels and the tree lighting begins at dusk.
Seasons Holiday Art & Craft Show
Mark the holiday season at this long-running artisan show featuring handcrafted decor, jewelry, pottery, and seasonal gifts. Local favorites like fried biscuits and apple butter make this a nostalgic stop for shoppers and browsers alike.
Abe Martin Bazaar
Find everything from handmade soaps to jewelry, holiday decor, and wood-turned crafts at this cozy seasonal bazaar. It’s a one-stop shop for locally made gifts and festive inspiration.
December
🎄🎄 See the full December event calendar here.
Brown County Children’s Auction
Going strong since 1977, the annual Brown County Children’s Auction raises money for local kids through a lively in-person auction. Donations from local businesses and individuals make up a wide-ranging catalog of goods, services, and gift certificates. 100% of the proceeds stay in Brown County to help kids in need.
Brown County Christkindl Market
A festive outdoor holiday market inspired by traditional European Christkindlmarkts, with charming booths full of handmade gifts, holiday treats, music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and family activities. Held in the heart of Nashville, it’s a joyful spot to shop local and soak up the season.
Winter Wonderland Trail
This self-guided trail lights up with hundreds of Christmas decorations, music, and festive scenes. Enjoy hot dogs, cocoa, and cookies around the fire - and don’t forget to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus while you’re there.
A cozy, free community event that brings out the best of small-town holiday spirit. Donations are welcome to help support the Fire Department.
Christmas Light Parade
Watch the streets of downtown Nashville glow with twinkling lights, decorated floats, and live holiday music at this beloved annual parade. Spectators are encouraged to bring a new toy to donate to the Salvation Army Toy Shoppe, helping to make the season brighter for local families in need.
Reindeer Romp 5K/8K
The Reindeer Romp is a holiday running tradition through the paved roads of Brown County State Park.
With 5K and 8K options, it’s a fun and festive way to get moving, whether you’re racing for time or strolling in reindeer antlers. Proceeds benefit the YMCA.
Stuff-A-Stocking
Kids follow a map to visit shops around town, collecting holiday treats, crafts, and small toys to fill a keepsake stocking provided by the Community Foundation. Only 300 tickets are sold and they go fast - this event is hugely popular with families and a charming way to explore Nashville’s small businesses.
Uplands Winter Wine Market
Over 100 wines from all nine Indiana Uplands wineries, poured inside the Brown County Art Gallery while you shop local vendors and artisans and look at the art. You can come and go across the afternoon instead of committing to a time slot.
Your ticket includes a souvenir Uplands glass and a six-bottle tote, which makes it very easy to leave with more than you planned on. There's an optional cheese and cracker tray you add when you buy, and it does run out.
Hog Wild Christmas Bazaar
Sixty-plus vendors and a few food trucks take over the fairgrounds, and since it's a 4-H fundraiser your holiday shopping does double duty.
More flea market and craft fair than boutique, which is most of the appeal. Doors open in the morning and it wraps up mid-afternoon.
Indiana Rail Road Santa Train
This free holiday tradition invites families to board a vintage passenger car and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Kids can mail letters to Santa, meet festive characters, and enjoy the magic of a Christmas train, all without leaving the station.
The tour through Southern Indiana kicks off with stops in Morgantown and Helmsburg on the same night.
Lights Over Bean Blossom
Drive through dazzling light displays and then park to explore the Christmas Village, complete with photos with Santa, letter-writing stations, hot drinks, and festive fun.
This family-friendly experience is one of the newer holiday traditions in Brown County, and it’s quickly become a favorite.
Santa Claus at the Brown County History Center
Santa visits the History Center on select Saturdays in December, offering kids the chance to share their wish lists and enjoy some old-fashioned holiday cheer in a historic setting. Free to attend.
Victorian Candlelight Dinner
The Story Inn’s Victorian Candlelight Dinners blend old-world ambiance with modern fine dining. Guests enjoy a multi-course meal by candlelight with live seasonal music and costumed servers in a beautifully decorated 1850s setting. Reservations required.
Events that Have Been Discontinued
Over time, some former annual events are discontinued and no longer held. These are the events that I’m aware of in that category.
As far as I can tell, the events listed in this section are done, but I keep them listed here with the last date I have on record – partly so you are not left wondering, and partly in case one of them comes back.
Cordry-Sweetwater Lake Fireworks & Ox Roast
This event is no longer open to the public. While it's still held each year, only lot owners and their guests may attend.
Quafftoberfest
Quaff ON! Brewing Co. brings live music, contests, cocktails, and plenty of beer to this lively fall celebration.
Join in for growler hoisting, pretzel necklaces, and a night of Oktoberfest-style revelry.
Victorian Tea
The Art Gallery ran this as an afternoon tea for years, and the last one was billed as its final occurrence.
I'm keeping it listed because people still go looking for it every spring. If it comes back, it moves back up into April where it belongs.
Now You’re Ready to Plan Your Trip to Brown County
So, as you can see, there’s something going on here year-round. It’s really just a matter of what you’re into.
What’s on this page is the big stuff: the festivals and annual events that have been running for years, the ones worth building a trip around. If you want the week-by-week version, with all the smaller and recurring things included, that’s what the monthly calendars are for.
Most of these don’t fill a whole weekend, though. So once you’ve got one picked out, there’s still the rest of the trip to figure out. That’s where I can help.
Tell me your dates, your group, and what you’re in the mood for, and I’ll send back a Custom Brown County Recommendations Guide with specific places to eat, hike, shop, and spend your time, plus honest notes on what to skip. It’s $75 and it comes back within 5 business days.
Get your custom Brown County guide →
More Posts to Help Plan Your Trip
- Want a version you can take with you? Build your own printable Brown County events calendar. Filter by date and category, then print it or save it as a PDF.
- Looking for what’s happening on your exact dates? The monthly event calendars have the week by week rundown, including all the smaller and recurring events that don’t make this list.
- Need somewhere to stay? Festival weekends book up early, especially in October. Here’s the full lodging guide.
- Not tied to a specific event or month of the year to visit? Here’s what each season is actually like here, so you can pick the time of year first and the events second.
