Things to Do This Weekend in Northwest Indiana | September 18-20, 2026

This is one of those September weekends that proves how much Northwest Indiana packs into a single stretch of days. From the Schererville Street Fest in downtown Schererville to pet-friendly fun in Munster, a harvest festival in Winfield, and a global celebration in Valparaiso, there is something for every kind of weekend, whether you love a lively street festival or a slower pace in the dunes.

Here is your complete guide to everything happening from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, plus a few of my favorite ways to spend it. If you are new to the area or just visiting, this is a wonderful window into how the region gathers, celebrates, and welcomes everyone in.

Friday, September 18

Schererville Street Fest kicks off downtown

Friday evening belongs to the Schererville Street Fest in downtown Schererville. The town closes the street for the weekend's signature fall festival, with Day 1 running 5:00 to 11:30 PM at Town Hall and the festivities continuing Saturday, September 19. Expect food vendors, local booths, live music, and that classic small-town street-fair energy. The Town of Schererville posts road closures and event rules on its official Town of Schererville website, so check there before you head out.

When: Friday-Saturday, September 18-19, 2026 (Friday 5:00 to 11:30 PM)
Where: Downtown Schererville
Cost: Free to attend; food and activities extra

Closing weekend at the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival

Friday also starts the final stretch of the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival, which runs through Sunday, September 20 with more than 50 events at parks and preserves across the region. On Friday, September 18, Indiana Dunes State Park hosts a Photo Scavenger Hunt from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting at the Nature Center. Many festival events are free and need no pre-registration, though park entrance fees and passes apply. See the official Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival website for the full closing-weekend schedule.

When: Friday, September 18 (festival runs through Sunday, September 20)
Where: Indiana Dunes State Park and parks across the region
Cost: Most events free; park entrance passes apply

Saturday, September 19

Paws in the Park at Munster Community Park

Saturday morning in Munster is made for dog lovers. Paws in the Park, Humane Indiana's annual fundraiser, runs 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Community Park near the Munster Community Pool. The day includes a one-mile pet-friendly walk, a “WestMunster” Doggy Fashion Show, a vendor market, food trucks, and live music, all in support of animals in the region. Registration details are on the Humane Indiana Paws in the Park page.

When: Saturday, September 19 · 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Where: Community Park, near the Munster Community Pool, Munster, IN
Cost: Free to attend; 1-mile walk is donation-based; some activities require separate registration

Winfield Harvest Festival at Randolph Street Park

The Winfield Harvest Festival fills Randolph Street Park on Saturday from 12:00 to 7:00 PM. It is a classic family-friendly fall festival with craft and business vendors, an entertainment area with live music and a beer garden from Crown Brewing, a kids area, and a lineup of food trucks. Live music runs through the afternoon with Michael & Amber, the Dirt Born Band, and Party Foul. The Town of Winfield Harvest Festival page has the full details.

When: Saturday, September 19 · 12:00 to 7:00 PM
Where: Randolph Street Park, 11900 Randolph Street, Winfield, IN
Cost: Free to attend; food and drinks extra

Sunflower Festival at Johnson's Farm Produce

Head to Johnson's Farm Produce on Ridge Road in Hobart for the Sunflower Festival, open Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Walk the sunflower fields, ride the train, and enjoy the farm's seasonal activities and market. General admission is $15.99 per person with all-access passes and season passes available. Confirm hours and pricing on the Johnson's Farm Produce Sunflower Festival page before you go, since dates are weather-dependent.

When: Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 · 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Johnson's Farm Produce, 8960 E Ridge Road, Hobart, IN
Cost: Festival admission $15.99 per person; all-access $25.99

More on Saturday

Saturday also brings the Crown Point Farmers Market at Bulldog Park in the morning, the Schererville Street Fest continuing downtown, and Jammin with Save the Dunes from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Millennium Park Plaza in Michigan City. For a closer look at one of my favorite Lake County towns, see the Schererville neighborhood guide.

Sunday, September 20

17th Annual World Cultural Fest in Valparaiso

Sunday is the World Cultural Fest, the annual celebration organized by the Valparaiso International Center. The 17th edition runs 12:00 to 5:00 PM at the William E. Urschel Pavilion at Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso, with free admission. Enjoy multicultural music and dance performances, international cuisine from local ethnic restaurants, children's activities, a cultural market, and the signature Parade of Nations, where guests are invited to wear traditional attire and carry flags of their heritage. See the Valparaiso International Center World Cultural Fest page for details.

When: Sunday, September 20 · 12:00 to 5:00 PM
Where: William E. Urschel Pavilion, Central Park Plaza, Valparaiso, IN
Cost: Free to attend

Closing day at the dunes and the orchards

Sunday is the final day of the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival, so it is your last chance this year to join its free programs across the parks. It is also the second day of the Sunflower Festival at Johnson's Farm in Hobart. If you are up for a slower pace, the golden grass and beach trails of Indiana Dunes National Park are beautiful this time of year. The National Park Service events calendar lists trail conditions, pass fees, and programs.

How should you plan your weekend?

Friday: Kick off the weekend at the Schererville Street Fest downtown, or ease in with a hike and the Photo Scavenger Hunt at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Saturday: Bring the dog to Paws in the Park in Munster, then spend the afternoon at the Winfield Harvest Festival or the Sunflower Festival in Hobart before catching more of the Street Fest.

Sunday: Take the family to the World Cultural Fest in Valparaiso for the Parade of Nations and global flavors, then close the weekend with a sunset walk in the dunes.

Weekends like this remind me why Northwest Indiana feels like such a special place to call home. Festivals, parks, farms, and neighbors who show up for each other, all within a short drive of each other. If you are thinking about making this area your home, I would love to help you find the right fit. I bring 9 years of experience, 80+ homes sold, and a genuine love for this community to every conversation. Reach out anytime on my contact page for a free consultation or market analysis, or browse the neighborhood guides to find the town that fits you. For more ideas anytime, check our complete guide to Northwest Indiana activities, and catch up on last weekend in our Things to Do September 11-13 guide.