Crisp air, golden leaves, and the buzz of football season—October in The Bend is pure magic. From fall festivals and pumpkin patches to tailgates and scenic walks, the city comes alive with autumn charm. October is the perfect time to experience The Bend at its most colorful.

Ghost Tours at The Morris

Step into the shadows of the Morris Performing Arts Center for Whispers from the Past, a one-hour guided journey through more than a century of history, tragedy, and theatrical superstition. Wander beneath glittering chandeliers and into hidden spaces rarely seen by the public, where echoes of vaudeville spirits and long-forgotten patrons linger. From the opulent Palais Royale to the stage’s haunted wings, each stop reveals a story that blurs the line between legend and truth. Dare to listen—you may not leave alone. See dates and times.

Notre Dame Football in The Bend

Under blue-grey October skies, Notre Dame Football hosts three games this month. Boise State comes to town October 4. The Broncos also made the inaugural College Football Playoff last season, so we can expect this to be an exciting matchup. The Irish host NC State October 11, and storied rival, USC, October 18. There's nothing quite like a Notre Dame - USC matchup under the lights, and certainly nothing tops the pageantry and tradition of a Fighting Irish home game. Whether you're visiting for the first time or making a return trip, get up to date on everything you need to know before arriving on campus.

BUY TICKETS

Looking for a place to watch the game? Check out our list of Top Places to Watch a Notre Dame Football Game in South Bend & Mishawaka.

Irish Jam

Join the Notre Dame women's and men's basketball teams October 3 in Eddy Street Commons for a celebration of Irish Basketball ahead of the 2025-26 season! This isn’t your average game day — it’s a full-on festival of hoops and hype. Save the date, lace up your kicks, and get ready to bring the noise. There is plenty of programing to be excited about. Be sure to check the schedule of events.

Fall Fun at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum

The Indiana Dinosaur Museum is hosting a whole lineup of fun this month, starting with Oktoberfest October 3-5. Find all your favorite fall activities at Harvest Fest from October 10-17, and finish the month off with Halloween Fest October 24-26. Haunted trails and mazes, coffin races, pumpkin carving and so much more!

More more fall fun and Halloween events in South Bend and Mishawaka, check our events calendar!

Halloween Events in South Bend & Mishawaka

Spooky season comes alive in South Bend with festive fun for all ages. Haunted houses and ghost tours bring thrills for those who dare, while pumpkin patches, hayrides, and trunk-or-treats offer family-friendly ways to celebrate. The Vampire Circus at the Morris Performing Arts Center is a fusion of Tim Burton and Cirque Du Soleil, Monster Bash at Four Winds Casino will feature live music and a costume contest, and Zoo Boo offers fun for the whole family. Don't miss Niles Scream Park just across the border in Niles, Michigan for one of the top haunted attractions in the country.

For more fall fun and Halloween events in South Bend and Mishawaka, check our events calendar!

Halloween Events Around The Bend

Werewolf Night at The Well Feb 01

Werewolf Night at The Well

Welcome to our next game night! This event's theme is Ultimate Werewolf! We have played and learned…

Zoo Boo at the Potawatomi Zoo

A community favorite, join the Potawatomi Zoo to celebrate Halloween with Zoo Boo! Taking place October 17-19 from 2-9 p.m., you can trick-or-treat, see the animals, and ride the Haunted Train (scary after dark) and Enchanted Carousel. The Zoo is closed for regular hours during Zoo Boo.

Don't miss the Potawatomi Zoo Pumpkin Patch from October 1-26. For $8 per person you can get a small pumpkin, games, photo ops, and a spooky snack.

Mystery at the Mansion

Taking place October 17 & 24, The History Museum's annual Mystery at the Mansion performance takes place at Copshaholm (The Oliver Mansion). This year's Mystery takes place in 1910 Chicago. A factory owner, Sidney Bluth, holds an extravagant party aboard his personal ship. Tragedy strikes, and the ship sinks to the bottom of Lake Michigan. All guests escape the shipwreck except two – the captain of the ship and Bluth himself. The authorities suspect foul play. Was this act of sabotage meant to kill the wealthy Bluth? Or did the real target escape the shipwreck? Only you can discover the truth! 

RELATED CONTENT: A History Lover's Guide to The Bend

 

Mystery at the Mansion 2025

Celebrate Harvest Season

Pumpkin patches, u-picks, farmers markets — it wouldn't be fall without visiting some of these places. Get ready for those photo ops by checking out our guide to harvest season. 

Mactober Fest

Enjoy a cheesy adventure through downtown South Bend October 15 at restaurants serving up creative macaroni and cheese paired with ice-cold local brews! 

Hayrides through Bendix Woods

Capture the magic of changing trees and explore Bendix Woods on their hayrides all October long. Public hayrides take place October 12, special neon night hayrides take place October 17, and night hayrides take place October 25.

Thistleberry Farm

Perhaps South Bend's most popular spot for fall fun, Thistleberry Farm has it all – pumpkins, photo ops, corn maze, a sunflower field, farm animals, pony rides and more. It’s a wildly popular spot for families as most of the activities are geared for kids.  

 

Brasserie 23 Tastings

Join The Bend's athentic French restaurant for a lineup of fun tastings throughout the month. Try a selection of seven unusual wines from around the world October 9, including a variety of Hors-d’oeuvres provided. Join for the Hunters Moon Cocktain Dinner October 11 which includes five courses paired with five cocktails. Finish the month with Wine Cabinet of Curiosities October 30 with seven more wine selections from around the world. C'est delicieux!

RELATED CONTENT: Brasserie 23: French Cuisine in The Bend

Plan a Fall Color Tour

What better way to celebrate the change in seasons than by putting on the hiking boots or walking shoes and heading out to see nature's most vibrant colors? From college campuses to off-the-beaten-path nature preserves, we have some tips on where to go on your leaf peeping adventure.

Two children run through the apple orchard at Lehman's Orchard in Niles, MI

Fall In South Bend & Mishawaka

Fall is a special time around The Bend, where crisp breezes usher in breathtaking fall colors. We celebrate harvest season at our farmers markets and explore great hikes with the crunch of leaves…

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Events Around The Bend

Winter Restaurant Weeks Jan 23

Winter Restaurant Weeks

Downtown Restaurant Weeks are back! From January 23 to February 8, you've got the time to taste, sip…

Oblates of Blues Jan 24

Oblates of Blues

One performance only! This is part of Acting Ensemble's "Poets and Playwrights" series, which…

Fitness Bootcamp Jan 28

Fitness Bootcamp

Get moving every Wednesday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Howard Park! Fitness Bootcamp features…

Latin Wednesday Jan 28

Latin Wednesday

Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue & More. Beginner's lesson of 30 minutes @7 PM, followed by open…

Pinhook Painters Jan 28

Pinhook Painters

Pinhook Painters welcomes artists of all abilities and mediums for studio time each Wednesday from…

Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959) Jan 29

Hiroshima Mon Amour (1959)

Thursday, January 29, 2026 6:30 PM-8:00 PM Learning Beyond the Classics: Grand Dames Directed by…