Conner Prairie’s Headless Horseman festival, presented by Bank of America, returns this October with an evening of fall traditions that grows spookier after dark. Guests can play games, explore corn mazes, enjoy carnival attractions and watch live performances before setting out in search of the legendary rider.

The festival grounds offer plenty for families to discover at their own pace. Guests can try axe throwing, bean bag games and apple basket tossing, then take in music, magic, theater and fire performances. Younger visitors can ride the barrel train through a musical pumpkin patch, while those looking for more adventure can head to Perilous Plunge, a dry tubing hill.

Storytelling is at the heart of the celebration. The Sleepy Hollow marionette show brings the familiar tale to the stage, while the Eerie Illusions Magic Show adds a few mysteries of its own. After nightfall, guests seeking a bigger scare can venture onto the Haunted Trail through the corn maze.

The festival’s signature experience remains the Headless Horseman hayride. Riders travel into the story of Sleepy Hollow and encounter the Horseman along the way. The hayride requires a separate $10 ticket in addition to festival admission, so guests hoping to ride should reserve a time when they purchase tickets.

A stop at Conner Prairie’s Apple Store rounds out the evening with caramel apples, cider slushies and other seasonal favorites. The store is scheduled to remain open until 9 p.m. on festival nights.

Headless Horseman runs Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 1–25, from 5 to 10 p.m. Festival admission is free for Conner Prairie members with a required reservation and $26 for nonmembers. Capacity is limited, so advance tickets are recommended, especially for guests planning to take the hayride. Find details and tickets at connerprairie.org/headless-horseman.

Photo Courtesy of Conner Prairie