Things to Do This October in South Bend & Mishawaka
With 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, October is the perfect time to experience The Bend at its most colorful.
Bendix Woods Hayrides
St. Joseph County Parks offers private two-hour hayrides at Bendix Woods County Park for groups looking to enjoy a wagon ride, relax outdoors, and make memories together. Daytime and evening options are available, with evening rides including a campfire for extra fall fun.
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.
Find dates, times, and ticket information on the Morris Center Website.
Spirits & Sips Halloween Pop-Up Bar
Bar Louie's third floor is getting a full Halloween takeover, transforming into Spirits & Sips, a spooky seasonal pop-up filled with over-the-top décor, creepy corners, Halloween photo ops, and a lineup of frighteningly good cocktails created for spooky season. Go for the cocktails. Stay for the atmosphere.
The official kickoff will be on Friday, October 1 with a DJ spinning until 10pm. No tickets or reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served from October 1 through October 31.
October First Fridays: Fall in Love with Downtown
October First Fridays: Fall in Love with Downtown is bringing Fire Prevention Week to downtown South Bend with hands-on activities, fire safety education, and a special Touch-a-Truck experience. The night will also feature an Oktoberfest celebration, Pumpkin Palooza pumpkin carving at South Bend Chocolate Café, a fall photo op, the final architectural walking tour of 2026, food trucks, vendors, and more!
Oktoberfest
Close out the biggest festival of the year at Moser's Austrian Cafe. This event features live music from Deutsch Meisters, tapping of Oktoberfest Biers from well-known Bier Hauses in Germany and Austria, and delicious food specials. Reservations are highly encouraged as this event tends to sell out. Call 574-654-0086 to reserve your spot!
RELATED CONTENT: Around The Bend: Moser's Austrian Cafe
Halloween Events in South Bend & Mishawaka
It's officially spooky season 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. Check out some of these local Halloween events to add to your October itinerary:
- October 9-10 | Boo Bash | St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds
- October 17 | Halloween in the Park | Newton Park
- October 17-18 and 23-25 | Zoo Boo | Potawatomi Zoo
- October 23 | Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | South Bend Scottish Rite
- October 31 | Monster Bash | Four Winds Casino
For more fall fun and Halloween events in South Bend and Mishawaka, check our events calendar!
Notre Dame Football in The Bend
Under blue-grey October skies, Notre Dame Football hosts only one home game this month, on October 10, versus Stanford. 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.
Be sure to check out Football Fridays at the Eck and Rockne Bash October 9!
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.
Mystery at the Mansion
The History Museum's annual Mystery at the Mansion performance takes place at Copshaholm (The Oliver Mansion). This year’s Mystery at the Mansion is inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, inviting guests to uncover which suspect is in possession of the stolen Bill of Rights. Set during America’s Bicentennial, the story follows History Museum director Jim Sullivan as he works with the FBI and Gertrude Oliver Cunningham to stage a Bicentennial Ball at Copshaholm as a sting operation. But when the sale goes wrong, every guest becomes a suspect in this mystery inspired by real events.
Fall Weekends at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum
Don't miss a full lineup of fall fun at the Indiana Dinosaur Museum.
- October 10-11 | Goodwill Days
- October 17-18 | Fossils, Pumpkins and Paws
- October 24 | Oktoberfest
- October 30-31 | HalloweenFest
Stop by the South Bend Chocolate Cafe for a fall treat while you're there!
Mactoberfest
The cheesiest event in South Bend is back for another year! Head downtown for a celebration of ooey, gooey mac & cheese. Visit restaurants throughout downtown and enjoy artisan mac & cheese samples prepared by local chefs. Each sample will be perfectly paired with a beer (or wine).
Fall Artisan Market
Shop 200+ booths featuring handmade goods, artists, makers, boutiques, bakers, local businesses, specialty products, home décor, gifts, and so much more at one of the area's largest shopping events of the season. Whether you're getting a head start on holiday shopping or simply looking to support local, you'll find something at this Century Center market.
Enjoy Fall Activities
Visit Thistleberry Farm
Perhaps South Bend's most popular spot for fall fun, Thistleberry Farm has it all – pumpkins, photo ops, a 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 toward kids.
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, check out our blog for tips on leaf-peeping in South Bend.
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.
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