Things to do in Elkhart this fall

Whether it’s spooky season or apple cider and pumpkins season, fall is full of fun.

We’ve rounded up activities around the Elkhart area this fall. Plenty are free events; some require tickets. Click the links for the full details. Check it all out, and we’ll see you this October and November.

Friday, Oct. 2

Halloween Costume Swap – Downtown – Costume drop-off is Sept. 28 to Oct. 1. Then return with your voucher to pick out a new costume during the event at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Garden of Villains – 6 to 9 p.m. at Wellfield Botanic Gardens – Presented in collaboration with the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, meet cosplayers dressed as favorite villains and collect treats.

Saturday, Oct. 3

Garden of Villains – 6 to 9 p.m. at Wellfield Botanic Gardens – Presented in collaboration with the Hall of Heroes Superhero Museum, meet cosplayers dressed as favorite villains and collect treats.

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Needle Felting Leaves – 3 p.m. at Osolo – Make leaf sculptures using fabric and needles with this popular crafting technique.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Island Park Trunk-or-Treat – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Island Park – Kid-friendly and safe trick-or-treating at the beautiful park.

Oct. 12 to Nov. 3

Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda – Come by Pierre Moran during open hours to turn on a candle with a loved one’s name or leave a picture or other small memento for a departed loved one.

Thursday, Oct. 15

Neon Nights – 5 to 9 p.m. – See downtown Elkhart glow with blocks of light-based sculpture, live entertainment, food and more. Opening night features Downtown Merchant Alliance Ladies’ Night.

Friday, Oct. 16

Genealogy Marathon – 1 to 5:30 p.m., Downtown – Join in person or virtually for presentations on basic and more advanced family history research. RSVP at the link.

Books & Boots – 1 p.m. at Ox Bow County Park – Meet Miss Debbie with Elkhart County Parks naturalists for a book discussion and nature activity. Dress for the weather. Books are geared to ages 8-12, and advanced reading is not required.

Friday Night Bingo – 5 p.m. at Osolo – This month we’re playing candy bingo for fun prizes.

Neon Nights – 7 to 11 p.m. – See downtown Elkhart glow with blocks of light-based sculpture, live entertainment, food and more.

Saturday, Oct. 17

Music in the Stacks – 1 p.m., Downtown – This all-ages Storytime pairs a story with the live music of the Elkhart County Symphony’s Zephyr Wind Quintet. Friends of EPL supports this program.

Neon Nights -7 to 11 p.m. – The full glow, including a special event at NIBCO Water and Ice Park.

Sunday, Oct. 18

Elkhart Community Chorus – 6:30 p.m., Downtown – The Elkhart Community Chorus brings their fall concert “Once Upon a Verse,” featuring music based on fables, poetry and stories. The chorus is conducted by Grammy Award winner Juan Carlos Alacón.

Thursday, Oct. 22

Zombie Barbie Workshop – 5 p.m. at Osolo – Customize a recycled Barbie into a unique and creepy zombie. RSVP at the link.

Late Night Frights – 7 p.m. at Pierre Moran – Join us after hours for a special screening of “Obsession” (R, 1:49) and free popcorn.

Friday, Oct. 23

Ox Bow Halloween Campfire and Hayrides – 7 to 10 p.m. at Ox Bow County Park – Activities, food trucks, face painting and hayrides in the park.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Foundations Trunk-or-Treat – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Foundations on Grant Street in Elkhart – Play games, get candy and more at this event open to the community.

Ox Bow Halloween Campfire and Hayrides – 7 to 10 p.m. at Ox Bow County Park – Activities, food trucks, face painting and hayrides in the park.

Trunk-or-Treat Family Fall Festival – 5 to 7 p.m. at Southgate Crossing – Join a free, fun-filled trick-or-treating event.

Monday, Oct. 26

Día de los Muertos – 4 to 6 p.m., Downtown – Join us in creating an ofrenda with a photo or story of a loved one. Plus, we’ll have face painting and pan y café with support from Panaderia Hernandez and Deliamar Megashop.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Ghosts in a Jar for Teens – 4:30 p.m., Downtown – Create a little friend that never disappears.

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Day of the Dead Celebration – 4:30 p.m., Downtown – Celebrate the Day of the Dead with crafts and activities like picture frame decorating, mini altars and more.

Thursday, Oct. 29

Trunk-or-Treat at Pierre Moran – 4 to 6 p.m. at Pierre Moran – Drop by for fun and safe trick-or-treating with family-friendly games, crafts, snacks and candy-alternative treats.

Friday, Oct. 30

Halloween Parade – 10 a.m., Downtown – Join our fun, annual Halloween party for preschoolers. Enjoy stories, songs and fun before we parade around the library for treats.

Sunday, Nov. 1

Dìa de los Muertos Family Celebration – 1 to 4 p.m. at the Elkhart County Historical Museum – Enjoy a free celebration with music, crafts, food and more.

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Mini Skull Piñatas – 4 p.m. at Pierre Moran – Decorate your own mini piñata with colorful tissue paper and streamers to celebrate Día de los Muertos.

Saturday, Nov. 7

Fall Leaf Chalk Pastel – 9 a.m. to noon at Dunlap – Celebrate fall with hot cocoa, a cookie and turning a leaf into a pretty picture. Bring a leaf or find one outside our branch.

Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes – 11 a.m. at Cleveland – Hear the stories of several of the ships claimed by the Great Lakes from Travis Childs, an archivist and historian at The History Museum in St. Joseph County.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

Roz Puppets presents: Little Dog’s Spooky Bone Hunt – 3:30 p.m. at Osolo – This comical and fun adventure is for the whole family. Little Dog sets out to find a tasty bone, leading to a quest full of interesting encounters.

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Family Movie: Toy Story 5 – 1 p.m., Downtown – Enjoy free popcorn while watching “Toy Story 5” (PG, 1:42).