October Events in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley

One of the best parts of October in Terre Haute is the calendar filled with fall fun! But don’t expect to find many Halloween events here, because Halloween gets its own special calendar! (Coming soon!) This portion of our calendar focuses on fall, harvest, pumpkins, and autumnal events.

October Events in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley

Featured Event!

Save the date! Girls on the Run wants you to join them as a volunteer or participant (you can walk or run!) for their 5k event on November 15! This event is open to everyone in our community! Register to volunteer or race HERE!

Featured Event!

Wednesday, October 8. Murder We Walked: A True Crime History Walk hosted by VCPL 12 Points. Ages 10 & Up: In 1869, an altercation at Triangle Lot, now the Gold Medal Plaza, resulted in the death of John Petri. Visit this historic park to learn more about Petri’s murder with Vigo County Historian Suzy Dunning.

Thursday, October 9. Free showing of Jumanji at Moonlite Drive-In Theatre.

Thursday, October 9. Pokemon Creation at VCPL Main. Who’s that Pokémon? You decide at Pokémon Creation! Use a premade template to design a unique Pokémon, complete with stats, special moves, type, description, region, and even a custom evolution line.

Thursday, October 9. Bambu Basics at Haute Create at VCPL Main. Ages 12 & Up: Are you curious about 3D printing? Find out how to get started at BambuⓇ Basics. From key terms, software tools, and the slicing process, you’ll follow along with step-by-step instructions that cover the basics of using Bambu Studio, including how to find, edit, and prepare a simple design for print. Bring your own laptop or use one of the laptops available in Haute Studio. Materials will be provided.

Thursday, October 9. Sweet Reads Book Club: Pride & Prejudice hosted by VCPL at The Magpies’ Nest. In Jane Austin’s classic Pride & Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet sees the world with sharp wit and a questioning mind, often weighing her family’s expectations against her own sense of independence. She navigates the pressures of marriage, wealth, and reputation while observing the flaws and charms of those around her. Her quick judgments sometimes cloud her view, but her determination to remain true to herself shapes every choice she makes. Enjoy a sweet treat, good company, and a great book every month at the Sweet Reads Book Club.

Friday, October 10. ZZ Top at The Mill.

Friday, October 10. The Brain Freeze Files Book Club. Whether you’re into cold cases, haunted houses, or epic quests, bring a book you loved—or you hated—to The Brain Freeze Files Book Club! Share your thoughts with fellow fans of true crime, the paranormal, and fantasy as you swap recommendations, vent about plot twists, and uncover new reads to chase or avoid. From serial killers to spellcasters, no genre is off-limits. If something catches your attention, place a hold on it immediately and add it to your growing to-read list. Coffee will be provided. No purchase necessary.

Friday, October 10. Opening day for Parke County Covered Bridge Festival.  There are 9 festival communities scattered throughout Parke County. Each community has a specialty they are known for, make sure to visit them all! The festival is headquartered on the courthouse lawn in Rockville, Indiana, where you will find amazing food, artistans, vendors, and more open daily from 9 am to 6pm.

October 10-13. Fall at the Farm & Co in BOWLING GREEN. Vendors, photo backdrops, food trucks, and more.

Saturday, October 11. ISU’s Blue and White parade starting at 9:00 A.M.The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on 9th Street and Cherry Street and proceed west on Wabash Avenue and north on 5th Street. The Homecoming football game against Southern Illinois University Carbondale will begin at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Saturday, October 11. Homecoming Book Signing. Stop by the ISU Bookstore get a signed copy of bestselling Diamonds in Auschwitz and have a chance to talk with author, Meg Hamand, one-on-one.

Saturday, October 11. Grand Opening of Birdie’s Gifts and Stuff.

Featured Event!

Saturday, October 11. Wicked: The Sing Along at VCPL Main. Ages 16 & Up: Burst out of your bubble and defy gravity at Wicked: The Sing-Along. Pick up the mic to join Galinda, Elphaba, and the students of dear old Shizz for a round of karaoke, then flaunt your best haute Oz-ture for the costume contest. After that, test your brains with some Wicked trivia, covering everything from the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City.

Saturday, October 11. Experience VR at VCPL Main.

Saturday, October 11. DIY Sip and Share: Grapevine Wreaths at VCPL Main.

Saturday, October 11. Paris Potterfest in PARIS, IL. They will have activities, food and craft vendors (Harry Potter inspired), some scenes acted out, train rides, a scavenger hunt, trivia and class sorting!

Saturday, October 11. No Sew Pumpkins at the CLINTON public library. Combine fabric and stuffing to make a No Sew Pumpkin!

October 12 and 13. Ravioli making at Sons’ Spice Co. You can choose to make dyed dough for specialty pumpkin shaped ravioli!

Monday, October 13. Free showing of Beetlejuice at the Moonlite Drive-In.

October 13-17. Fall break camp at the CLAY County YMCA.

October 13-18. Crispus Attucks Basketball Escape Experience at the CLINTON public library. Your team has one hour to uncover the truth, crack the codes, and recover the lost “Championship Sneaker.” The path won’t be easy — hidden clues, vintage memorabilia, and championship lore guard the treasure well.

Tuesday, October 14. Animals Around the World at VCPL Main. Travel to deep, dark jungles, arid deserts, and even the frigid Arctic in search of reptilian, avian, and furry friends at Animals Around the World! In every session, your child will learn about a unique animal through stories and crafts—and may even get to meet the featured animal.

Wednesday, October 15. Classic Board Games & Buddies at VCPL 12 Points. Ages 13–17: Challenge your friends to an evening of strategizing, solving mysteries, or rolling the dice for a big win at Classic Board Games & Buddies!

Thursday, October 16.Cheers for Charity at the Vigo County History Center. A progressive dinner and silent auction inside the Vigo County History Center.

Thursday, October 16. eARTh Art Exhibit with Rose-Hulman Arts Exhibits. Receptions are free and open to the public! And most artworks are for sale.

Friday, October 17. The Princess Bridge at Hatfield Hall. Join Cary Elwes (Westley) for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, The Princess Bride. After a screening of the iconic movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion, revealing never-before-shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics!

Friday, October 17. Curious Kids Spooky Science: Dissolving Candy Corn. Grab your child’s lab coat and let them explore the scientific method with this easy experiment! Watch how candy corn reacts to being left in different liquids, take notes on how long it takes and what happens, then discuss why the candy dissolves in some liquids but not others.

Saturday, October 18. Princess Day: Under the Sea at St. George Orthodox Church. Hair, makeup, nails, and more!

Saturday, October 18. Family Hike at Hawthorn Park with the Vigo County Parks Department. Discover nature together at the Family Hike! Every month, the Vigo County Parks Department will lead a guided hike at a different local park while exploring native plants, animal tracks, map reading, and more.

Saturday, October 18. Cozy Crafts: Mini Poison Pendant at VCPL Main. Ages 11–18: Pick your poison at Cozy Crafts. Fill a miniature bottle with your choice of glitter, beads, or other small accessories to make a customized necklace pendant to take home.

Saturday, October 18. Ask a Mortician at The Madam’s Curiosities.

Saturday, October 18. That’s What She Said Terre Haute. Since 2013, The She Said Project’s That’s What She Said performances have been inspiring audiences and empowering communities throughout the country with powerful, intimate stories shared by local women. In this inaugural production in Terre Haute, 9 women from the community will take the stage and share their stories of success, joy, hardship, and overcoming barriers. This year’s speakers include: Lori Aden, Miren Beristain, Jess Berryhill, Alisa Bonine, Debra Olson, Michelle Price, Tammy Schaffer Shike, Haleigh Thompson with Lana Branch, emcee. The show is produced by Bev Merritt-Hicks and directed by Laura Reed.

Sunday, October 19. Debs An American Tragedy at Wabash Activity Center. This is a staged reading of a play written by Benjamin Fulk and directed by Arthur Feinsod.

Monday, October 20. Read to Rover at VCPL West. Share a book with a furry friend from Love on a Leash. These good-natured therapy dogs are eager to listen to your child practice reading aloud in a stress-free setting, complete with cuddles, belly rubs, and ear scratches!

Tuesday, October 21. Minecraft Club at VCPL Main. Ages 9 & Up: Head into the mines for resources, create a redstone-powered trap, craft tools, and fight off Creepers at the Minecraft Club! Join other players in Haute Create for co-op play, or enjoy your own game while you chat with people who share your interest. Bring your own device to play or use one provided in Haute Create.

Tuesday, October 21.Indiana State University Performing Arts Series Presents: Spirit of Scotland.

Wednesday, October 22. Decks, Dice & Dominoes at VCPL West. Challenge friends and fellow enthusiasts to card, board, and tile games at Decks, Dice & Dominoes! Whether you’re a cunning tactician, a master bluffer, or a secret grandmaster, you can indulge in timeless traditional games like Euchre, chess, or dominoes, or discover new classics, including Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, or Kingdomino!

Wednesday, October 22. What Really Led to the Titanic Disaster at VCPL Main. Join ISU and Rose-Hulman professor Leroy Franklin for a look at the contributing factors behind the disaster and the lessons they continue to teach.

Thursday, October 23. Curious Creations at the Madam’s Curiosities. Ages 16 & Up: Join the Madam for a century-old game of Exquisite Corpse, where each participant adds to a hidden drawing of a mystery creature until the end, when the final image is revealed. Refreshments provided.

Thursday, October 23. Stingers & Fangs: Meet Indiana’s Most Dangerous Creepy Crawlers. Join Purdue extension’s Tabby Flinn to learn more about the creepy crawlers that pack a punch. Learn how to identify them, manage living with them, and when to call the experts. Bring in any insect and get help identifying it. This program will be both in person and virtual. Registration ends October 16th.

Thursday, October 23. Read to Walter at VCPL 12 Points. Ages 4–14: Is your child uncomfortable reading out loud? Maybe they just need a friendly ear—and Walter the Goldendoodle is ready to listen. Walter is a licensed therapy dog from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs who’s eager to hear a good story and whose calm presence will build your reluctant reader’s confidence.

Friday, October 24. Harvest Festival at Full Gospel Assembly of God. FREE event with games, prizes, candy, cake walk, bounce house, and hayride.

Friday, October 24. Clue-inspired dinner party. Join at the historic Ohio Building for a Clue-inspired dinner party! Enjoy a themed dinner, one drink ticket, and a live interactive game where you’ll uncover the suspect. Dress in your best costume and prepare for an unforgettable night of intrigue and fun!

Friday, October 24. Curious Kids: Spooky Science-Inflating Balloons. Ages 6-12: How do you blow up a balloon without using your mouth? Try a chemical reaction! At Curious Kids, your child will discover an easy way to capture a gas using a balloon, a plastic bottle, and common household ingredients.

Friday, October 24 and 25 from 6:00-8:30 pm. Holy One Harvest Festival with FREE food, fun, games, and a hayride with Faith Wesleyan Church.

Featured Event!

Our family is excited for National Girls & Women in Sports Day with our partners at Rose-Hulman Volleyball! You can register to join Rose-Hulman Volleyball for NGWSD here!

Saturday, October 25. Holiday Bazaar at the Wabash Activity Center. Shop for decor and gifts for the upcoming holidays…from Halloween to Veterans Day to Thanksgiving to Hanukkah and Christmas!

Saturday, October 25. Rose Drama Club: Little Shop of Horrors. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.

Featured event! 

October 25. Join the Vigo County History Center for a Night at the Museum! Make plans to join the Vigo County History Center for this epic evening event October 25th, 2025 at the Vigo County History Center. This is an interactive event with a full cast of historic characters that will be mingling with guests for fun evening!

October 27-31. Catholic Charities registration for The Christmas Store.

Tuesday, October 28. Sensory Storytime at VCPL West. At Sensory Storytime, your teen or adult care recipient will enjoy a stimulating campfire experience designed to engage their senses and provide opportunities for movement, exploration, and connection in a supportive environment. While enjoying storytime, attendees can play with fidget toys, cocoon themselves in blankets and weighted bean bags, and interact with tactile materials, rhymes, songs, and movement activities tailored to their sensory needs.

Thursday, October 30. Cozy Stories and Sensory Play at VCPL 12 Points. Ages 3–5: Build your little one’s language and fine motor skills through active listening and hands-on exploration at Cozy Stories & Sensory Play! Each session includes a personal sensory bin filled with items inspired by the story. As they listen, they can squish, scoop, sort, and explore materials like scented play-dough and colorful feathers.

Friday, October 31. Erasure Poetry at VCPL 12 Points. Try a new form of creative expression at Erasure Poetry. Use a marker to redact a printed page, revealing only the words that speak to you and shape a unique poem. No writing experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to play with language.

Friday, October 31. Terre Haute Foursquare Gospel Church Harvest Party. Games, fire truck, cake walk, food. All free!

Featured Event!

Toddler Tuesday at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum!

Tuesday mornings are so FUN at the Museum!

It’s Toddler Tuesday, a drop-in program designed for little learners to explore, socialize and play. Plus, our Education Team will have some Hands-On Science too!

No reservation is necessary; just tell your friends, bring the littles by and let them know at the Admissions Desk that you’re here for Toddler Tuesday.

Admission is just $5 per person thanks to a generous grant from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation!

Recurring events:

• Mondays. Crafternoons at VCPL West. Grab your yarn and crochet hooks, your fabric and sewing supplies, or even your junk journal and washi tape for a relaxing afternoon at Crafternoons. Meet with a group of crafters every week to share ideas, show off projects, or just dedicate time to your WIPs—no matter what you’re creating!
• Tuesdays: Art Start at VCPL Main. Ages 2–6: Encourage your child to explore their imagination and try something new with the Swope Art Museum. Each session pairs a book with a hands-on art project, giving your child a chance to create, experiment, and connect stories to their own ideas.
• Tuesdays. Baby Lap Sit Storytime at VCPL West. Strengthen your bond with your little one through songs, stories, and bounces at Baby Lap Sit Storytime. Baby Lap Sit Storytime will help your child learn new sounds and words, recognize pictures, shapes, and colors, and encourage their imagination and creativity!
• Tuesdays (10/14, 10/21, 10/28). Ages 3–5: Parlez-vous français? You and your little one will enjoy exploring a new language at L’heure du Conte! Learn about French culture and language through songs, nursery rhymes, books, games, activities, and stories.
• Wednesdays: Campfire Storytime at VCPL West. Cozy up around the campfire for songs, stories, and a visit from a furry puppet friend. At Campfire Storytime, your child will learn about animals and the natural world through engaging stories, music, and puppet-led conversations. Occasional musical guests will join to keep things lively, and each puppet friend will help introduce new animals and the roles they play in nature.
• Thursdays (10/2, 10/16, 10/30): Libratory at VCPL West. Do you have a budding artist or a mad scientist whose creativity is waiting to be unleashed? Stop by the Libratory and get ready to experiment! Libratory takes ideas from some of your children’s favorite stories and turns them into concepts that they can experience hands-on.
• Fridays: Music Makers Storytime at VCPL West. Whether you’re looking to bond with your little one, meet new friends, or prepare for their first day at Kindergarten, you can capture your child’s imagination at Music Makers Storytime. At Music Makers Storytime, your child won’t be able to sit still as they dance to music, move with interactive books, and play with scarves, egg shakers, and more.
• Fridays (10/3, 10/17, 10/31). 3D Print Night at VCPL West. Learn how to take your ideas from concept to creation at 3D Print Night! At this interactive demonstration of the West Branch Library’s 3D printer, you’ll journey through every phase of designing a print—from the inception of an idea to a polished product.

Click for Midwest Fall Fun: Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, and Jumping Pillows!

We know the Haute is here for Halloween! Our 2025 Halloween guide is coming soon! 

Before you go, sign up for email notifications so that you’re one of the first to hear when our posts are published!

As always, typos happen and event details change. While we do our best to keep this calendar updated and correct, please confirm details before solidifying your plans or making fun promises to your children. We also can’t advise you what is good, better, best for your family and our community. Be safe and make good choices!

The fun has ended for these great events:

Wednesday, October 1. Adventures in HeroQuest at VCPL Main. Your child can team up with other mythical heroes to conquer monsters, complete epic quests, and discover treasure in dark dungeons at Adventures in HeroQuest! Along the way, they’ll build problem-solving skills, practice teamwork, and explore a fantasy world where each session is a new adventure.

Wednesday, October 1. Bookbinding part 3: sewing signatures at VCPL main. Ages 16 & Up: Create the body of your book in part three of Bookbinding. Learn how to gather your signatures—small packets of nesting pages—mark them, and stitch them together to make a text block. By the end of class, you’ll have your own cookbook, with recipes from Library staff and space to include your own recipes or family favorites.

Wednesday, October 1. Scrabble at VCPL 12 Points. Let your inner logophile loose for 15 points! Whether you’re a long-term Scrabbler, a dedicated word nerd, or a casual lexophile, lay your tiles on the board and see who can rack up the most points as you challenge other players in this classic tile-based game. Bring your own board or use one available at the Library.

Thursday, October 2. Cozy Stories & Sensory Play. at VCPL 12 Points. Ages 3–5: Build your little one’s language and fine motor skills through active listening and hands-on exploration at Cozy Stories & Sensory Play! Each session includes a personal sensory bin filled with items inspired by the story. As they listen, they can squish, scoop, sort, and explore materials like scented play-dough and colorful feathers. Each session offers a new story, new textures, and new ways to learn through play.

Thursday, October 2. Magi Kids at VCPL Main.

Thursday, October 2. Preschool Party: Spooky Shapes at the CLINTON public library. Calling all Crawlers & Toddlers! October’s Preschool Party will be making Spooky Shapes out of Play-Doh!

Friday, October 3. Dancing with the Terre Haute Stars. Watch 12 incredible stars light up the stage to raise funds for CASY’s 12 programs. This year’s stars are: Chris Doti, Jimmy Flores, Brooke Hill, Jennifer Norris, Megan Schofield, Jaime Sullivan, Haleigh Thompson, Barry Turner, Kelsey Veatch, Andy Volkl, Giana White, and Mara Whitman.

Friday, October 3. Barn Party 2025 at Remnant Church. We love fall y’all! On Friday Oct. 3rd, join us for one of the greatest events of the season. Our Barn Parties are always one’s for the books. There will be lots of food, including: soup beans, vegetable soup, chili, gumbo, corn bread, and deserts. We will also have hayrides, an open barn to dance and enjoy, cornhole, flag football, and there is always something up our sleeves like horse rides or a petting zoo. We love to surprise. The fun starts at 6pm. Dress in your country attire, invite your friends and family, and let’s have a great time together!!!! By the way the event is free, so don’t miss it!

Friday, October 3. Cozy Crafts: Perler Beads at VCPL Main.

Saturday, October 4. October Buddy Bike Ride with Ramble Markets and Events. Celebrate the weekend with a bike ride around Downtown Terre Haute, visiting our awesome local bars and restaurants, with a grand finale at Charlie’s to see Abbi Scott Band live in the beer garden!

Saturday, October 4. Fire Prevention Parade with Sugar Creek Fire Prevention.

Saturday, October 4. Friends of the Library Book Sale at VCPL Main. Shop for books, DVDs, CDs, and more at the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Thousands of items will be available at low prices, from current bestsellers to your favorite classics. Proceeds from your purchases will be used to fund Library programs and services you enjoy!

Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5. Fall Open Barn at Aris Farm. FREE admission! Nature trail, paint a rock for the garden, food.

Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5. Linda Luebke Strings Festival.

Featured Event! 

Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5. Pioneer Days at Fowler Park Pioneer Village. Step back in time during our 52nd Annual Pioneer Days in our 19th- century log cabin village October 5th – 6th from 10 am to 5 pm. Experience the way of life lived by Pioneers of Indiana during the 1800s- 1840s. There will be children’s activities, live music, hands- on demonstrations, vendors, historical cabins & covered bridge, food trucks and much more.

Saturday, October 4. Fall Bash vendor event at Bear’s Coffee and Roasting Co.

Saturday, October 4. Harvest Vendor Bazaar at The Meadows.

Saturday, October 4. Exotic Feline Rescue Foxes and Felines Fall Fest.

Saturday, October 4. Fall Fest at Vigo County Conservation Club. Admission and parking are free!

Saturday, October 4. Max + Honey’s Flower and Pumpkin Farm Festival. Pony rides, corn maze, petting zoo, sweet treats, pumpkins, vendors, and more!

Saturday, October 4. Meet VIPERS Paranormal Research Team at The Madam’s Curiosities.

Sunday, October 5. Magical Lands Bookstore: Leaves Lattes, and Local Love at The Red Barn at Sycamore Farm.

Sunday, October 5. Harvest Market at Watertower Estates. Spend the afternoon sipping wine, enjoying specialty drinks, and listening to live music while shopping from a variety of talented local vendors. This year we’re excited to welcome Terre Haute’s newest food truck—Floyd’s Smash Court—serving up delicious eats all day long!

Featured event!

Monday, October 6. Auditions: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Community Theatre. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide head-on with the story of Christmas! This delightful show is adapted from the bestselling Young Adult book, and has become a holiday staple for groups across the United States. The crowd-pleasing comedy features plenty of great roles for children and adults, a few favorite Christmas Carols, and lots of laughs.

Monday, October 6. Lego Lab at VCPL Main.

Tuesday, October 7. Duplo Designers at VCPL Main.

Tuesday, October 7. We Survived Book Club at VCPL Main. Ages 7–12: In April, 1986, a sudden explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant lit the sky in flames. Thirty-six hours later, Anya, her mother, and her brother flee as the city of Pripyat is evacuated under government orders—but no one seems to understand just how dangerous the Chernobyl explosion is in Erin Falligant’s Anya Flees the Fallout.

Wednesday, October 8. Bookmarks Against Bans at VCPL Main. Ages 13 & Up: Thousands of books are removed from the shelves of libraries, depriving readers ease-of-access to some of their favorite stories and authors. Whether you’re a fan of George M. Johnson, Sarah J. Mass, or even John Green, show your support for books that have been banned or challenged at Bookmarks Against Bans! Design a bookmark featuring one of your favorite banned or challenged books, add a quote to the back, and use Haute Create’s sublimation printer and heat press to finish your project.