Things to Do This Weekend in Northwest Indiana | October 9-11, 2026

The second weekend of October, October 9-11, 2026, brings a great mix of food, fall color, and family fun across Northwest Indiana. Crown Point hosts the inaugural Whole Hog Invitational at Bulldog Park on Friday night, the Hesston Steam Museum runs its family-friendly Ghost Train through the autumn woods on Saturday and Sunday, and Valparaiso celebrates with its Fall Harvest Festival and Saturday Market. Apple orchards are in full season, so this is the weekend to pick apples, choose pumpkins, and enjoy the best of fall in Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties.

Here is your complete guide to everything happening from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, plus a few of my favorite ways to plan it. Whether you are a longtime resident or new to the Region, this is a perfect fall weekend to get out and explore.

Friday, October 9

Whole Hog Invitational at Bulldog Park in Crown Point

The headline event of the weekend is the inaugural Whole Hog Invitational, presented by Meraki Hospitality Group and Indiana Grown at Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St. in Crown Point on Friday, October 9 from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. Five regional chefs compete cooking whole-animal dishes, and guests vote to crown the first Whole Hog Champion. The event spotlights Indiana farmers with an Indiana Grown farmers market and local farm vendors, plus live music and family fun, with proceeds benefiting Northwest Indiana No Child Hungry. Northwest Indiana Business Magazine covered the announcement, and tickets are sold through Eventbrite.

When: Friday, October 9 · 5:00-10:00 PM
Where: Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St., Crown Point, IN
Cost: Tickets via Eventbrite; food and drinks extra

Bash for the Blue & Camo in Schererville

Schererville's community calendar lists the Bash for the Blue & Camo at the 2 Halls of St. George on Friday at 6:00 PM, a fundraiser that honors the men and women who serve in law enforcement and the military. It is a great way to start the weekend while supporting those who serve. Check the Town of Schererville events calendar for ticket details.

When: Friday, October 9 · 6:00 PM
Where: 2 Halls of St. George, Schererville, IN
Cost: See the town calendar for details

Saturday, October 10

Morning markets: Chesterton and Valparaiso

Start Saturday the classic way. The Chesterton European Market fills Thomas Centennial Park at Broadway and Third Street from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with artisan goods, local produce, prepared foods, live music, and a dog-friendly stroll through one of the prettiest downtowns in Porter County. Over in Valparaiso, the Valparaiso Market runs downtown from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM with local vendors and seasonal finds.

Fall Harvest Festival at Central Park Plaza

Valparaiso's Fall Harvest Festival takes over Central Park Plaza from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with pumpkin painting, apple cider, caramel apples, bounce houses, and face painting. It is exactly the kind of low-key, family-friendly afternoon that makes October in the Region feel special.

When: Saturday, October 10 · 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where: Central Park Plaza, Valparaiso, IN
Cost: Free to attend

5th Annual Spook-Fest in La Porte

La Porte goes Halloween early. The 5th Annual Spook-Fest takes over the Dunes Event Center, 110 Clear Lake Blvd. in La Porte from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM with 100+ vendor booths, goodie bags for the first 100 adults, and a costume photo-op area. Wear your costume and make a morning of it.

When: Saturday, October 10 · 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Where: Dunes Event Center, 110 Clear Lake Blvd., La Porte, IN
Cost: Free to attend; vendors vary

Hesston Steam Museum Ghost Train

The Hesston Steam Museum Ghost Train is one of the most charming fall traditions in La Porte County. Trains depart at frequent intervals from noon to 5:00 PM Central on Saturday and Sunday, including the narrow gauge ride through the haunted woods with a family-friendly Mad Lumberjack theme. Museum admission and parking are free during Ghost Train weekends; you pay only for train rides, and the museum recommends booking ahead on its website.

When: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 · noon-5:00 PM Central
Where: Hesston Steam Museum, 1201 E. 1000 N., Hesston, IN
Cost: Free admission and parking; train tickets extra

Downtown La Porte Trick or Treat

Kids in costume can fill their treat bags at participating downtown La Porte businesses during the Downtown La Porte Trick or Treat from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Central. Presented by the Downtown La Porte Events Committee, it is a safe, family-friendly way to kick off the Halloween season in one of Indiana's most charming small downtowns.

When: Saturday, October 10 · 1:00-3:00 PM Central
Where: Downtown La Porte, IN
Cost: Free

Highland Chili Cook-Off

Warm up with the Highland Chili Cook-Off at America's Antique Mall, 8311 Indianapolis Blvd. in Highland from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Vendors and employees compete with their chili recipes, mild, wild, or five-alarm fire, and the public gets to taste and vote. Antique shopping plus chili makes for a cozy October afternoon.

When: Saturday, October 10 · 3:00-6:00 PM
Where: America's Antique Mall, 8311 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland, IN
Cost: See the event page for details

Apple orchards in full season

This is peak apple weekend. County Line Orchard at 200 S. County Line Rd. in Hobart is open daily with apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, a petting zoo, tractor rides, fresh donuts, and live music. Garwood Orchards at 5911 W. 50 S. in La Porte keeps its U-Pick open through October 31 for apples, pumpkins, and fall produce, with a farm market open daily. Both are worth the drive and make a perfect family outing.

Saturday night under the stars in Lowell

Lake County Parks hosts its monthly Observatory Open House at the Calumet Astronomy Center in Buckley Homestead County Park, 19100 Chase St. in Lowell. This month's program, Saturn & the Goat, features evening telescope viewing of Saturn and the fall constellations. Open houses run in the evening and are weather permitting, so check the Lake County Parks calendar before you head out.

When: Saturday evening, weather permitting
Where: Buckley Homestead County Park, 19100 Chase St., Lowell, IN
Cost: Free

Sunday, October 11

Ghost Train, day two

The Hesston Steam Museum Ghost Train runs again Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM Central, so there is still time to catch the Halloween train rides through the autumn woods. It is the kind of experience kids talk about for weeks, and the free admission makes it an easy add to any weekend.

A slow Sunday at the orchards or the dunes

Sunday is a great day for County Line Orchard or Garwood Orchards, both open with apples, pumpkins, and farm markets. If you would rather be by the water, the trails of Indiana Dunes National Park are gorgeous in mid-October, with fall color arriving along the dunes, migrating birds on the move, and far fewer crowds than summer. A Sunday afternoon walk on the lakeshore is a Northwest Indiana tradition worth starting. The South Shore CVA regional events calendar has even more ideas across the lakeshore.

How should you plan your weekend?

Friday: Head to Bulldog Park in Crown Point for the Whole Hog Invitational, or support local first responders and veterans at the Bash for the Blue & Camo in Schererville.

Saturday: Start at the Chesterton European Market or the Valparaiso Market, then choose your adventure: the Fall Harvest Festival at Central Park Plaza, the Spook-Fest in La Porte, the Hesston Ghost Train, the Downtown La Porte Trick or Treat, or a day at County Line Orchard or Garwood Orchards.

Sunday: Catch the Ghost Train one more time, pick apples at the orchards, or take a slow walk on the Indiana Dunes lakeshore before the week begins.

Weekends like this remind me why Northwest Indiana feels like such a special place to call home. Festivals, farms, small downtowns, and neighbors who show up for each other, all within a short drive of each other. If you are thinking about making this area your home, I would love to help you find the right fit. I bring 9 years of experience, 80+ homes sold, and a genuine love for this community to every conversation. Reach out anytime on my contact page for a free consultation or market analysis, or browse the neighborhood guides to find the town that fits you. For more ideas anytime, check our complete guide to Northwest Indiana activities, and catch up on last weekend in our Things to Do October 2-4 guide.