Newfields, Indianapolis: October Harvest Nights

Everything you need to know about exploring Newfields' popular, Fall attraction, Harvest Nights!

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Looking for a fun, fall activity in Indianapolis?

Wow, what a bizarre year it's been. Yet, autumn continues to be the Hoosier state's most incredible season, so we need to take advantage and get outdoors while the gorgeous, Midwestern weather lasts!

After the great success of Newsfields' Winter Lights, the art museum, which, fittingly, describes itself as "a place for nature and the arts," has added a yearly Harvest event, displaying a plethora of pumpkins, light displays, and cornstalks to delight the senses.

​And, thankfully, Harvest Days and Nights, is back for the second year running, with some extra precautions, but plenty of outdoor activity to keep you entertained and distracted for an evening. 

 Since we visited at night, I'm only going to focus on Harvest Nights, but information about Days is available on the website!

Newfields Harvest Nights:
​The Basics

Tickets

Newfields Harvest Nights is *popular* and tickets sell out quickly. Entires are timed, between 7:30 and 10:30 PM. We were able to get in before our allotted time slot, but don't depend on it!

2020 Harvest Nights Ticket Prices

I would strongly suggest snagging some tickets for any day you can get! We went on a random Wednesday and were *lucky* to get tickets. 

FAQ: Do I need a Newfields entry ticket in addition to a Harvest Nights ticket?

No! Since the normal operations of the museum are closed during your visit to Harvest Nights, you do not also need to purchase a regular entry ticket. That said, you will *not* be able to visit the art exhibits or Oldfields (the Lilly mansion) during your visit.

Indianapolis Date Night Ideas

Parking

Though we were a bit worried about the parking situation, Newfields was prepared! A team of parking staff direct you to spots, much like parking for an evening at Symphony on the Prairie, back when times were normal.

Parking for Harvest Nights is free.

Safety precautions

As you'd expect, there are a number of safety precautions in place at Newfields, due to the pandemic.
Masks are required, inside AND outside, social distancing is requested, and they are not accepting cash.

Harvest Nights' main events are entirely outdoors, starting to the right of the museum building, and continuing through the grounds. However, at the end of the walk, after seeing Oldfields, guests do have to walk through the museum, past the gift shop and restrooms, and back to their cars. As you'll know if you've visited before, it's a large, wide-open area, but just FYI, you do have to walk through the interior.

Is Harvest Nights too scary for kids?

Naturally, it'll depend on the kid. It is quite dark, there are scarecrows, mist, and comical ghosts, but it's not intended to be frightening. Nothing jumps out, and there isn't anything "gruesome" or bloody. At best, it might be a little creepy or disorienting because of the dark. If this is a concern, consider Harvest Days!

​Newfields Harvest Nights:
​What to expect!

PUMPKINS! Ok, there's more than just pumpkins, but I can safety say I've never seen so many of my favorite thing in one place! After leaving the ticketing area, you'll start with a walk away from the main building, through a tunnel of corn stalks, complete with spooky mist and music!

Entering the corn stalk display, complete with mist and creepy music

Then, you'll enter a fairly amazing (and *long*) walkway of lit-up Jack-o-Lanterns, which is the highlight of the event. This portion also includes an area to stand and watch "the ghost train" (lights that make it look like a train is coming toward you - how do people think of these things!)

Fall 2020 Style Essentials

After the Jack-o-Lanterns, you'll reach a crossroads, where there are food and drink vendors.​ Continuing past, hopefully with beverage in hand, you'll head toward the Lilly mansion, and the permanent beer garden, home to more drink sales.

Now you've reached another focal point of the experience, at Oldfields. Spend some time watching the incredible, 1930's ghostly light show *projected* onto the building!

Looking for new Cozy Fall Decor?

Don't forget to see the scarecrows, located behind the Lilly house, toward the beer garden.

After the Oldfields light show and scarecrows, you'll continue across the old bridge, packed with more (real) pumpkins than you could've imaged it could hold, back toward the museum.

How long does Harvest Nights take?
The event is very flexible. You can stay as much or as little time as you like. As we were there late, and just adults, we were in and out fairly quickly. We walked through the entire event, but didn't linger too long at any specific area. Round-trip, from parking to driving out again, was about an hour and a half.

​Newfields Harvest Nights: Food and Drink

Teaming up with local vendors, Newfields has concocted a lovely, seasonal menu of beverages and snacks for Harvest Nights. Note: they do not serve actual meals, so be sure to eat before you come!

For an extra $3, you can make your drink glow!

Newfields Harvest Nights:
​Don't forget the gift shop!

​The IMA has an excellent gift shop, and during Harvest Nights is no exception. Not only is it open, but they've added great autumnal products, including these lovely pumpkins by local artist Shawn Everette.

Thanks for stopping by!

Grab your tickets for Harvest Nights and have a great time! x

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