Shipshewana, Indiana is a small town known for its Amish and Mennonite communities, but it’s also known for its festivals. If you are looking for a few things to do in Shipshewana, you came to the right place! Every year, Shipshewana hosts a variety of festivals that celebrate the town’s unique culture.
Here are a few of the most popular festivals in Shipshewana.
- Shipshewana Mayfest
Mayfest is a two day-festival usually held on the first weekend of May. It features a parade, food vendors, 3v3 basketball tournaments, live music, a craft show and more. It even features “buggy pulling races”. Contestants have a relay race of some sorts with a buggy, in which they act as the horse and are timed to see who can pull the buggy a certain length the quickest. You won’t be disappointed if you visit the Shipshewana Mayfest!
2. Fall Crafters Fair
The Fall Crafters Fair in Shipshewana is a three-day festival that is held in the beginning of October. It has been a staple in Shipshewana for numerous years, and recently moved from being held outside to being held inside at the Michiana Event Center. The Michiana Event Center is located next door to the famous Shipshewana Flea Market. It features over 200 artisans selling their handmade crafts. It also has events for children such as train rides, a petting zoo, treasure hunts, and more. Bring the whole family for a great time at the Fall Crafters Fair!
3. Shipshewana Lighting Parade and Ceremony
The Shipshewana Lighting Parade and Ceremony is an annual tradition that takes place on the second Saturday in November. It features downtown shopping (open 10 am-9pm), food vendors, live Christmas music, photo opportunities, and a lighting parade and lighting ceremony.
The lighting parade is a parade that precedes the lighting of all the Christmas lights in Shipshewana, and contains plenty of local businesses and organizations, with parade floats COVERED in lights! Expect to see anything from tractors to semi-trucks, to even horse drawn carriages. Once the last parade float goes through the town square (right out front of The Blue Gate Restaurant and Theatre), Christmas carols are sung, and a countdown is given to the lighting of Shipshewana. Be sure to arrive early, the day of the Lighting Ceremony is one of the busiest of the year in Shipshewana!
4. Ice Festival/Chili Cookoff
The Shipshewana Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff is another great tradition, and it takes place on the third weekend in January every year. It features ice sculptures being created and displayed out front of many local businesses in Shipshewana, an ice carving competition, and a chili cook off. Bring out your whole family and begin an annual tradition by joining us at the Shipshewana Ice Festival and Chili Cookoff!
Shipshewana is such an eventful town, and these are some events that you are not going to want to miss. Mark each of these events on your calendar and tell your friends and family!