Event Calendar

From warm summers along the trails to chilly winters around the fire, from pumpkin towers in the fall to the first blooms of spring, Elkhart County, Indiana, is lucky enough to go through all four seasons and celebrate them all. No matter the time of year, we always have something in the works.

Summer

Every summer the community comes together for the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. Midway rides takeover the skyline while the best fair food takes over your tastebuds. This is one of the largest county 4-H fairs in the country. Every night the grandstands are packed for free entertainment, and the days offer everything from a rodeo to a tractor pull, crowning a Fair Queen to a demolition derby.

Our farmers markets are legendary. From Elkhart Farmers Market to Goshen’s Mill Race Farmers Market to Nappanee’s Farmer’s Market, you meet the people who put their lives into their work, and savor the fruits of their labor on the spot! 

Fall

Fall is fun all across Elkhart County. In Wakarusa, you can see the one-of-a-kind pumpkin tree. It literally stops traffic as it towers over the middle of the intersection at Waterford and Elkhart streets.

The Barns at Nappanee Home of Amish Acres has loads of fall fun for the whole family. You can see how to make authentic apple butter, take a guided tour of the historic Amish house, then go on a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch and pick one out to take home.

Winter

Cold nights are no match for warm hearts when the holiday season arrives. Enjoy holiday fun at Linton’s Enchanted Gardens featuring 50,000 square feet of seasonal cheer, including holiday shopping, pictures with Santa, Polar Express train rides, and more.

Wellfield Botanic Gardens stays open late to showcase their amazing Winter Wonderland holiday lights displays. Complimentary hot chocolate and fire pits will keep you warm as you peruse their well-crafted works of art.

Also around Christmas, The Michiana Event Center features a huge living nativity scene and an amazing equestrian show, plus Shipshewana Majestic presents Noel - the show for Christmas in Shipshewana Amish Country.

The Blue Gate Theater offers amazing entertainment year-round, and always schedules traditional seasonal shows.

When winter is at its coldest, we just chill-it! The Shipshewana Lights of Joy is a must-see holiday lights event.

Goshen also carves out its spot with the Fire and Ice Festival. Held in early January, extravagant ice sculptures line downtown streets. Then things heat up with fire dancers and marshmallow roasting.

Spring

Things get a bit sticky in the spring, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! The Wakarusa Maple Syrup Festival features some of the sweetest treats around.

During the same season, The Quilt Gardens start to bloom, featuring tens of thousands of annuals arranged to create spectacular quilt displays.

You can also take in a deep breath of Spring’s freshness by visiting the Calendar Garden at DeFries Gardens. Also coming back to life are the ever-evolving displays at Wellfield Botanic Garden.