Looking for a family road trip that blends small-town charm with big summer energy? Just a 2.5-hour drive from metro Detroit, Fort Wayne, Indiana offers a lineup of festivals packed with local flavor — and is designed with families in mind.
“We make it easy for families to come out and have fun,” says Kristen Guthrie, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Visit Fort Wayne. “No matter what the festival is, even if at night it’s really adult-focused, there’s going to be great stuff for the kids during the day.”
Plus? “They’re affordable,” she adds. “We even try to have free parking. The location is also super convenient — for most events, you can easily walk to other attractions downtown.”
Whether it’s dancing to live music, sampling local food or watching your kid light up at a pickle parade, build a family mini-vacation around some of Fort Wayne’s top summer fests.
7 can’t-miss family fun summer festivals in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Greek Festival
📅 June 19-22, 2025
📍 Headwaters Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Grab a gyro and soak in traditional Greek music and dancing at this annual favorite, now in its 43rd year. Plus, the location, Headwaters Park, “is right on the river,” Guthrie says. “It also has a great festival park for kids.” Be sure to stop by on Saturdays for extra activities.
Middle Waves Music Festival
📅 June 28, 2025
📍 Headwaters Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana
This one-day, family-friendly event brings national acts and local music together. Plus, play a bit of cornhole or Connect 4 in a game area, hit the glitter bar and visit the art zone. “Kids can make a flower crown or bracelet,” Guthrie says. This year’s headliner is electronic-rock duo Phantogram.
Big Fort Fest
📅 July 10-12, 2025
📍 Downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana
New for 2025, this summer party spotlights local food trucks, artisans and 20 live music acts. Concerts include headliner Bone Thugs-N-Harmony by night, with all-ages fun and lots of room to explore during the day.
St. Joe Pickle Festival
📅 July 17-19, 2025
📍 Pickle Festival Grounds, St. Joe, Indiana
Did you know Sechler’s Fine Pickles are made just 35 minutes outside Fort Wayne? Celebrate at this quirky three-day fair. “It’s a great hometown festival,” Guthrie says. “They have food, music, a parade and pickle factory tours.” There’s even a pickle juice contest for ages 12+.
Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races
📅 Aug. 1-2, 2025
📍 Promenade Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Chinese traditions and competition merge in this event on St. Mary’s River. “These are traditional long boats that hold 20 people paddling in unison,” Guthrie says. “It’s fun to see those dragon boats racing down the river.” There are plenty of on-shore activities, too.
Taste of the Arts
📅 Aug. 23, 2025
📍 Arts Campus Fort Wayne, Indiana
This downtown celebration is all about creativity. “This is a really special event that showcases Fort Wayne’s ballet, a philharmonic, performing arts and fine art,” Guthrie says. Explore performances, food, hands-on art, music and more.
Johnny Appleseed Festival
📅 Sept. 20-21, 2025
📍 Johnny Appleseed Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Wind down summer by stepping back to 1842 with period demonstrations, crafts, kids’ games, costumes, early-fall foods — plus trappers and traders. “John Chapman was a real person who came through the area planting apple trees,” Guthrie says. “He’s actually buried here in Fort Wayne. We’ve really claimed him as our own.”
Where to stay on your family’s trip to Fort Wayne
With 50-plus hotels, Fort Wayne has plenty of lodging close to the downtown action.
“On our website, you can sort by hotels with pools or free breakfast,” Guthrie says. “We really try to make that super easy for families to find. There are so many great options.”
For a local feel — or if you’re escaping for a date weekend — try “The Bradley,” co-founded by the creator of Vera Bradley, with signature florals. “It’s a boutique hotel and a very Fort Wayne experience,” Harris adds.
This content is sponsored by Visit Fort Wayne. To learn more about events happening in this region of Indiana, head to the Visit Fort Wayne festivals website.
