Need a reason to plan a trip to Morgan County? Everyone loves festivals and events, so here's our breakdown of the 20+ best events to plan your visit around in 2020. These events range from specific performances to annual festivals and include several concert series that stretch throughout several months. Keep an eye on our event calendar for even more fun events taking place throughout the year, and for more active fun, don't miss our list of 20+ Running events in 2020, coming soon!  

Merry MAC Players Presents Love Letters - Feb. 14-23
Martinsville's community theatre group, the Merry MAC Players, produces several performances throughout the year. Be sure to get this one on your calendar for February, just in time for Valentine's Day! The story features a couple, Melissa and Andrew, as they read from notes, letters and cards written and exchanged over nearly 50 years. Through these written words, they discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats – that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.  

Maple Syrup Day - Mar. 21
Join the staff at Bradford Woods for a fun day of learning about (and eating!) maple syrup! Stop in on Saturday, March 21 from 9 am to 3 pm and you'll learn to identify and tap sugar maple trees, observe sap as its boiled into syrup on an open fire, check out a candle making demonstration and enjoy a pancake brunch. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience the beautiful atmosphere of Bradford Woods. There will be tours available, family-friendly activities and a chance to check out the cargo net tower! 

GardenFest - Mar. 28
The Morgan County Master Gardeners present their annual GardenFest and Pansy Sale event at Hoosier Harvest Church in Martinsville. Stop in to browse dozens of vendors featuring everything from live plants to garden art, lean from expert speakers on garden-related topics. Refreshments are available on site and this event is completely free for attendees! 

Daffodils at Link Observatory - April
Throughout the month of April, you can visit the grounds of the historic Link Observatory to see the beloved daffodils of Helen Link. Grounds are open on weekends courtesy of the Indiana Daffodil Society and there's also someone on hand from the Link Observatory Space Science Institute (LOSSI) to answer questions about the observatory itself. The many varieties of daffodils on the grounds bloom throughout the month, and this is a fantastic family photo opportunity. Take advantage of the LOSSI open observation night on the first Saturday of the month to enjoy both daffodils and stargazing! 

Merry MAC Players Presents Ann of Green Gables - May 1-10 
Another fun production from the Merry MAC Players will feature the much beloved character of Ann Shirley, also known as Ann Shirley, from the books by L.M. Montgomery. Watch the adventures of Ann as they take place live on stage at the historic Depot Theatre in Martinsville. This will be a show that will be popular with all ages, so be sure to get your tickets in advance! 

Drink at the Creek Concert Series - May - Oct.
If you haven't made it out to Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co and Distillery for one of their seasonal Drink at the Creek concerts yet, well... what are you waiting for!? Purchase tickets in advance or get a season pass, because you won't want to miss any of these fun live music acts on the outdoor stage at The Creek. Past performers at Cedar Creek include a wide variety of nationally known tribute bands, as well as regional favorites. Watch for the season schedule announcement a bit later in the year, but be sure to get these shows on your calendar, now!

Roadrunner Rally in the Valley - June 13
Come on out and enjoy a day of cool cars, motorcyles and even a 5K race for you active types. This is a fundraiser for Stability First, a Morgan County non-profit that works to alleviate poverty. Whether you've got a great ride to show off or you just like to browse the vehicles on show, the Roadrunner Rally in the Valley promises a fun, relaxing day in downtown Martinsville. Cars will be on display on Washington Street, stretching from the courthouse square east past beautiful, historic homes.  

Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series - June - Sept.
Downtown Mooresville celebrates summer with this fun, twice monthly concert series featuring well known local and regional acts. The first event of the series kicks off  in style with the Downtown Mooresville Block Party! Come out, enjoy dinner at one of Mooresville's locally owned eateries then enjoy an evening live music in Bicentennial Park. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs or blankets (and maybe some bug spray). Concerts continue into September; watch our event calendar for exact dates and performers. 

Downtown Martinsville Summer Concert Series - June - July
Just steps off the courthouse square in Martinsville, you'll enjoy this Thursday evening series of live music performances from regional acts. A great excuse to kick off a summer weekend early, these events will be held on the grassy lot on North Jefferson Street, adjacent to the Art Sanctuary. Refreshments will be provided by local food trucks and the Art Sanctuary will have beer and wine for sale on site. Stay tuned to our event calendar for exact dates and featured performers.

Antique Machinery Show - June 27-28
If you love old tractors, steam engines or antique farm toys, this is the event for you! The two-day Morgan County Antique Machinery Show is held at the Morgan County Fairgrounds each year, bringing participants from across Indiana and beyond. There will be demonstrations from steam powered equipment, a tractor parade, even a flea market style swap meet! Refreshments are available on site. 

Artie Fest - July 10-11
Martinsville's favorite summer festival celebrates everything "Artesian!" The fun kicks off with a free outdoor concert on Washington Street on Friday evening. Food vendors are available on site, as well as from downtown eateries. Saturday's festivities begin with a 5K run, then enjoy a classic car show, craft fair, children's activities and more live music throughout the day. It all winds down at dusk with Cinema on the Square, featuring a popular movie on a big screen right in the street! Bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the show. 

Morgan County Fair - July 31-Aug. 8
Everyone loves a county fair, and Morgan County's is one of the best. Enjoy 4-H exhibits, animals, grandstand events, and so much more. The fair kicks off with a couple of concerts featuring country music on Friday with Trace Adkins and rock n roll on Saturday with four amazing tribute bands - Resurrection (Journey), Thunderstruck (AC/DC), Bebe le Strange (Heart) and Dave Fleppard (Def Leppard). Carnival rides open Sunday evening and you definitely don't want to miss the food court - all vendors in the local food court are community organizations, and the food is always amazing. 

Old Settlers Festival - Aug. 10-12
Mooresville's end-of-summer celebration takes place in early August each year, kicking off with a parade through town on Sunday. Carnival rides, games, local food booths and live music take over Pioneer Park for a few days of summer festival fun before fall. This event has free admission, though carnival tickets are required for games and rides.  

Hunter's Honey Farm Fall Harvest Celebration - mid-Sept.
One of our favorite fall festivals, this Fall Harvest Celebration takes place on site at Hunter's Honey Farm, just south of Martinsville. The Hunter family has been tending bees and bottling honey for more than 100 years! Come see how they process this year's honey harvest with free honey barn tours, live hive demonstrations, a honey-themed concession stand, pony rides, kids' activities and more. 

Old Town Waverly Park Festival - Sept. 26-27
Learn about the fascinating history of the river town of Waverly at the annual two-day Old Town Waverly Park Festival. Enjoy old fashioned games, kids' activities, a petting zoo and live demonstrations of traditional arts including blacksmithing, tinsmithing, weaving and more! Historic reenactors can be found throughout the park and there is live entertainment scheduled throughout the day. Watch our calendar for the complete schedule! 

Apple Festival & Craft Fair - Sept. 26-27
Anderson Orchard brings together 50+ craft vendors, live entertainment, apple picking, hayrides and more at this annual festival that's fun for all ages! Don't miss the concession stand with apple cider (hot, cold or frozen!), caramel apples, fried apple pies and more. Kids love the play area with giant straw bales to climb and who doesn't love to pick their own apples and raspberries? Watch our calendar for additional events at Anderson Orchard throughout the fall season. 

Fall Foliage Festival - Oct. 8-11
Morgan County's signature festival, the Fall Foliage Festival is four days of fall fun for the whole family! Kicking off on Thursday with Farmers Day and discounted carnival rides, this festival also features live music, kids' activities, an art exhibit, craft vendors and so much more. The parade takes place on Sunday at 1 pm. Watch our calendar for this year's detailed schedule closer to the event dates. 

Holiday Candy Cane Pours - Saturdays in Nov. & Dec.
The Martinsville Candy Kitchen has been making life sweeter in Morgan County for more than 100 years! Still family-owned and operated, this iconic candy shop also boasts 24 flavors of ice cream, an old fashioned soda fountain and a wide variety of chocolates and other candies. Their specialty is, of course, hand made candy canes and, though they make them throughout the year as needed (including fun custom flavors!), the public candy pours during the holiday season are a crowd favorite! Enjoy the experience every Saturday in November and December, plus select weekday evenings in December. Santa visits twice each holiday season, too, so watch our calendar listings! 

Victorian Christmas Celebration - Dec. 5 
Mooresville's annual holiday celebration kicks off with a community tree lighting on Friday evening, then a day filled with fun on Saturday! Enjoy the day and the festive small town holiday atmosphere as you explore more than 10 stops throughout the community. There are vendor and artisan markets, free carriage rides, fun characters to meet including Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Scrooge, loads of live entertainment, great food and so much  more! Watch out - the Victorian era includes an element of the Wild West as well as traditional arts demonstrations and historic reenactors. 

Martinsville Cookie Stroll - Dec. 12
The signature holiday event for downtown Martinsville, the annual Cookie Stroll is fun for the whole family! Enjoy live entertainment throughout downtown, meet some llamas (and alpacas), hang out with Peppermint the Penguin and Santa Claus, browse through vendor markets and of course, enjoy some tasty holiday treats! Participants with cookie passports receive a cookie at each cookie stop, but even without a passport, this is a fun day of festive holiday happenings and entertainment. 
 

Don't forget to check out our list of local favorite eateries so you know where to refuel during your Morgan County adventures, and if you plan to make it a weekend getaway, check out the area's lodging options, which include both hotels and charming air b&b rentals.