What festivals and events are happening in the South Bend area from Oct. 13 to 19?

As we make our way into fall and into the holidays, the South Bend and surrounding communities will offer a variety of events, including festivals, holiday bazaars, and theater productions, certain to pique your interest.

Gather your family or friends, get in the car and attend one, or all, of these exciting events scheduled for the week of Oct. 13 to Oct. 19, 2025.

MACTOBER FEST — Enjoy macaroni and cheese that is extremely cheesy and gooey at a participating South Bend restaurant from 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 15. Local chefs will prepare artisan mac and cheese samples, and each sample will be paired with a beer (or wine). Tickets are $48 full pairings or $28 for food only. Participants are asked to vote for the best mac and cheese; best pairing; and most creative mac and cheese. For list of participating restaurants and to purchase tickets go to eatdrinkdtsb.com/mactoberfest-2025/.

BETHEL UNIVERSITY FALL CHORAL CONCERT — The Fall Choral Concert, “Dwelling Place” will be held across from Bethel University at Liberty Drive Missionary Church at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16. The performance will feature Bethel University Voices, the University Choir and Worship Collective. The evening will celebrate community, faith, and the power of song. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at Tickets.BethelUniversity.edu. The church is located at 2014 Liberty Drive in Mishawaka.

The Fall Choral Concert, "Dwelling Place," will be performed by Bethel University choirs on Oct. 16, 2025.

NEON NIGHT HAYRIDE — Head over to Bendix Woods County Park, 56960 Timothy Road, New Carlisle, on Oct. 17 and light up the night with bright, neon colors. Paint your face, wear neon colors, and take a glow-in-the-dark hayride. Enjoy light-up treats afterward.  The event is from 7 to 9 p.m. and the cost is $8 per person. Meet at the DeNeve Shelter-Otahnagon Picnic area.

WHISPERS FROM THE PAST: GHOST TOURS OF THE MORRIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER — Step into the past and take a 1-hour guided tour through a century of history, tragedy, and theatrical superstition. Explore hidden spaces rarely seen by the public. Hear tales of mysterious footsteps, unexplained lights, and the ghosts who never took their final bow. Dates: Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15, purchase at morriscenter.org/events. The Morris Performing Arts Center is located at 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend.

MOVIES AT THE PARK — This month’s movie in Howard Park will be Coco. The movie begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Howard Park is located at 219 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend.

THE FOREST OF FEARZ — The Fulton County Historical Society presents a haunting new experience on Oct. 17-18, 24-25, and Oct. 31-Nov. 1 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $15 per person. Enter if you dare! The Fulton County Historical Society is located at 37 E. 375 N (just off U.S. 31) in Rochester, 574-223-4436.

Signage outside of the attractions Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at the Niles Scream Park in Niles, Michigan. The park opens Sept. 6 and continues weekends through two "Black Out!" nights Nov. 7 and 8.

HARVEST FEST — The Indiana Dinosaur Museum will host a Harvest Fest for all ages on Oct. 17-19. There will be face painting, pumpkin carving, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a petting zoo, games, S’mores, caramel apples and a pumpkin pie eating contest. The Museum is located at 7102 Lincoln Way W., South Bend; indianadinosaurmuseum.org.

NILES SCREAM PARK — The 2025 season continues, and the park will be open from 7 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 25.  The park will also be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 30 and from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 31. On Oct. 12, 19, 26 the park will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. In November the park will be open from 7 to 11 p.m. Nov. 1 for adults only, 18+ night. The season will end on Nov. 7 and 8 with Black Out nights held from 7 to 10 p.m. There are 44 acres of fear and fun. Purchase tickets online at haunted.org. Ticket prices are higher at the gate. Check online for this year’s haunted events. Niles Scream Park is located at 855 Mayflower Road, Niles, 269-687-FEAR; haunted.org.

Take a fun-filled ride through the crisp rural landscape during the running of Pumpkin Trains every Saturday in October at Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson.

STEAM & DIESEL PUMPKIN TRAINS — The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum will be running Pumpkin Trains every Saturday in October in historic North Judson. Diesel Pumpkin Trains are 10-mile, round trip excursions to the Kankakee River, lasting approximately 45 minutes. You may also opt to ride the Steam Train, which will take you on a shorter ride for 20-25 minutes. Both trains will drop passengers off at the pumpkin patch where young and old can play games and choose the perfect pumpkin for carving. Ticket prices are $25-$8 with toddlers (ages 2-0) riding free on an adult’s lap. Departure times are 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. CDT for the diesel train and 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. CDT for the steam train. Be sure to dress for the weather. Purchase tickets at hoosiervalley.org. Be sure to check out the museum and the collection of everything trains. The museum is located at 507 Mulberry St., North Judson.

TWILIGHT PUMPKIN TRAINS — The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum will begin these trains with an hour-long Not-So-Scary, Scary Animal Show, put on by Silly Safaris, at 4:15 p.m. CDT on Oct. 18 and 25. This show features a variety of animals and handlers and is fun for all ages. The diesel trail then leaves the depot at 5:30 p.m. CDT. Ticket prices are $30-$16 with toddlers (ages 2-0) riding free on an adult’s lap. Be sure to dress for the weather. Purchase tickets at hoosiervalley.org. HVRM is located at 507 Mulberry St. in North Judson.

FALL CRAFT BAZAAR — Pine Creek Church, 25075 Stanton Road in North Liberty will hold a fall craft bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Vendors have many homemade items for sale including Christmas items, wreaths, goat milk soap, baked goods, Tupperware, Scentsy and much more. There will be a silent auction until 1:30 p.m. The Witness Commission will have a room with garage sale items. Women’s Fellowship will be selling lunch items.

FALL CRAFT SHOW — Crest Manor Church of the Brethren will hold a craft show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Candles, jewelry, doll clothes, snow globes, mugs, holiday décor, kettle corn, woodwork and more. A chili lunch will be available. The church is located at 1342 Berkshire Drive in South Bend.

HOLIDAY MARKET CRAFT SALE — Find Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas décor at St. Paul’s Senior Community Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. You will find a variety of crafts, Mary Kay, Scentsy, Paparazzi, baked goods and so much more! Lunch is available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Paul’s is located at 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend and is handicapped accessible.

Jewelry by Heather Fritz and Tonya Colwell at the 2024 Crest Manor Church of the Brethren Fall Craft Show.

JOY MART II CRAFT FAIR — Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 63568 Old US 31, South Bend will hold its craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. They will offer local homemade crafts, a bake sale featuring pies, kieflies, breads, cookies, cakes and tailgate goodies. A chicken and noodle lunch is available. The fair is sponsored by Altar Rosary Sodality.

NEW BUFFALO SERVICE LEAGUE ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW — This event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the New Buffalo High School Gym, 1112 E. Clay St., New Buffalo. More than 100 vendors with items including clothing, jewelry, home décor, huge bake sale, and more! Breakfast and lunch items available – and don’t miss the apple slices. Admission is $2 per person.

St. Joe Today will host Downtown Spooktacular on Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Joseph

DOWNTOWN SPOOKTACULAR — St. Joe Today announces a new Halloween-themed event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, located on the corner of Lake Boulevard and Pleasant Street in St. Joseph. This event will include a spooktacular market, spooky lighthouse tours, pumpkin patch and decorating station, pumpkin carving display and demonstration, John Dudley's Spooktacular Magic Show, costume parade, hayrides, and Where's the Witch Scavenger Hunt. For more details and information on each event and the time of each, go online to stjoetoday.com/downtownspooktacular.

AUTUMN APPLE DAY — This family-friendly afternoon in the park will offer you fresh apples and cider while the kids enjoy making a seasonal craft. Sit back and enjoy the colorful foliage. All ages welcome. This day can be enjoyed at the Hofferth Shelter in Ferrettie-Baugo Creek County Park, 57057 Ash Road, Osceola from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 19. The cost is $5. Register by Oct. 16 by calling 574-654-3155.

ORDER KIEFLIES NOW FOR HOLIDAY DELIVERY — Three local churches will be making kieflies for your holiday enjoyment, but they must be pre-ordered for pickup on Dec. 6. Here is order information:

• Coalbush United Methodist Church, 15977 Jackson Road, Mishawaka. Order by the dozen until Nov. 26. Pre-payment of $18 per dozen required. Call 574-259-4136 or email [email protected].

• East United Methodist Church, 1621 E. Third St., Mishawaka. Order by the dozen or half-dozen by Nov. 30. Payment with cash only, $18 per dozen and $9 per half-dozen. Call the church office from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday at 574-255-9445, leave your name, phone number, and your order amount.

• Lydick United Methodist Church, 26510 W. Edison Road, South Bend. Order by the dozen with a 3-dozen maximum by Nov. 9. Pre-payment of $15 per dozen. Mail your kieflie order and check payable to Lydick UMC, Attn: Karen T., 26510 Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46628.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What festivals and events are happening in the South Bend area from Oct. 13 to 19?