Weekend Events: Fright Festival, Oktoberfest, and Art Opportunities

Whiting’s Annual Fright Festival

Now in its 11th year, Whiting’s annual weekend fright festival is set to open in 2026 for a single weekend. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday and continue from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday. This event highlights Whihala the Witch and her troupe of circle sister witches, along with fire-eaters, costume contests, games, food, paranormal investigations, and spooky displays.

Saturday daytime hours offer more kid-friendly activities, with scarier fun commencing at dusk. A new addition this year is a free panel discussion on Friday at 6 p.m. Hosted by Bob Anderson on the Oliver Street Stage, you’ll enjoy insights into local haunts accompanied by his vampire sidekick.

For the complete event schedule, visit wickedlywhiting.com or call 219-659-0292.

Crown Point Welcomes DJ Pauly D

DJ Pauly D, known from the MTV reality series “Jersey Shore,” brings his lively persona to Crown Point on Friday. The outdoor music and dance event takes place at Bulldog Park from 5-11 p.m.

Tickets are available at $40 for general admission, $65 for VIP near the stage, and $1,000 for a VIP cabana accommodating nine guests with private bathrooms and a bar. The lawn chair pass option is already sold out. For more details, visit crownpoint.in.gov or call 219-661-2271.

Oktoberfest Celebrations

Harvest Tyme Farm Park in Lowell celebrates Oktoberfest on Friday and Saturday. The event features a beer garden, food vendors, and German-inspired games, with free admission. The farm is located at 17904 Grant St. in Lowell. For more information, visit harvesttymefun.com or call 219-440-2386.

St. John hosts its own Oktoberfest from Friday to Sunday at St. John Evangelist Catholic Church. Live music, German fare, and brews are available with free admission. Events take place in the church parking lot at 9400 Wicker Ave. For details, call 219-365-5678 or visit stjohnparish.org.

The following weekend, Griffith Central Park hosts the sixth annual Griffith Oktoberfest from October 9-11. Offering German food, local microbrewery favorites, live music, and children’s activities, admission is free. Visit the Facebook event page or call 219-924-7500 for more information.

Chesterton Art Center’s Street Print Fest

The Chesterton Art Center hosts the Street Print Fest on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event includes print shop demonstrations and opportunities to learn about printmaking. Coordinated by Executive Director Hannah Hammond-Hagman and Education Director Cara Schmitt, it encourages guests to create their own prints.

Established over 60 years ago, the nonprofit AACPC hosts the event based at 115 S. 4th St. in Chesterton. For more information, call 219-926-4711 or visit chestertonart.com.

World Premiere of “Back to Love”

“Back to Love,” a new dramedy by Stacye Clark, premieres this weekend with performances on Saturday and Sunday at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster. The play blends humor, storytelling, and spiritual truth, aiming to inspire audiences to reflect and grow.

For tickets, visit paulamariemedia.com/back-to-love.