Birds are chirping. Plants are blooming. It’s springtime in the Fort. And as the outside world comes alive, so do our social calendars. It’s the season for weddings, block parties, barbeques, and—perhaps the most essential fair-weather affair of them all—festivals.
With its sprawling parks and decked out amphitheaters, Downtown is the festival destination every spring and summer, and this year’s no different. The 2025 festival season is bustling with options you won’t want to miss, with everything from cultural celebrations and art-centric activities, to magical music and foodie fantasies.
So before your planner is filled to the brim, check out DTFW’s spring and summer festival guide, and don’t forget to save the dates!
April 26 ┃ Headwaters Park
The festival season officially kicks off with the Michiana Wine Festival, where you can taste regional wines, hit up your favorite food trucks, shop crafts and enjoy live music. The festival is also hosting a 5K the night before where runners are greeted at the finish line with, you guessed it, a glass of wine.
May 17 ┃ Main, Calhoun, and Berry Streets
BuskerFest returns to the streets for its 14th season—welcoming back a full lineup of musicians, buskers, and unique, live street performances you won’t find anywhere else! This community event is free and for all ages.
May 18 ┃ Headwaters Park
Eco Fest is celebrating its sixth year with a hefty lineup of sustainability-focused vendors, food trucks, kids activities, boat tours and live entertainment. Attendance is free and all ages are welcome.
May 31 ┃ Headwaters Park – Rothschild Pavillion
Celebrate Arab culture at ArabFest, where you can indulge in Middle Eastern fare, listen to cultural music, and dance the day away. Bring the kids along for crafts, stories and more. Admission is free.
Fort Wayne GermanFest & FamilienFest
June 5-8 ┃ Headwaters Park
Fort Wayne GermanFest is an institution among Fort Wayne festivals, with its four-day celebration of German culture, food, beer, entertainment, and games! Families won’t want to miss FamilienFest (on Saturday only), which is free and kid-friendly.
June 12-15 ┃ Headwaters Park
Fort Wayne’s famous RibFest is entering its 28th season with another fun-filled, finger-licking festival fitting for any Father’s Day celebration. In addition to hosting the nation’s top ribmasters, RibFest boasts a musical lineup full of rock and blues legends. Bonus: dads get in for free on Father’s Day.
June 19-22 ┃ Headwaters Park
Experience true Greek philoxenia (hospitality) at the annual Greek Festival. Enjoy a variety of Greek cuisine and lots of live music and dancing. Can’t make it in person? You can order your Mediterranean fix on-the-go thanks to the Greek Festival’s partnership with Waiter On The Way (only available during festival hours).
June 28 ┃ Headwaters Park
Middle Waves is back at Headwaters with another unforgettable lineup—including Phantogram as this year’s headliner. More than just a music festival, Middle Waves is known for curating special hands-on experiences and magical memories.
July 4 ┃ Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
Enjoy a summer’s eve with the Botanical Conservatory’s annual Jazzworks outdoor concert. Stick around for one of the best views of the City of Fort Wayne’s Downtown fireworks. Musical lineup includes the iconic Ty Causey—with the rest of the lineup TBA soon!
July 10-12 ┃ Headwaters Park
This brand new festival is all about celebrating summer in the Summit City, promising national music acts, food, markets, children’s activities, and more. Be a part of this inaugural event that has potential to become a new city tradition!
July 10-12 ┃ Freimann Square
Fort Wayne heART of the City, a local artist-led collective, is continuing the community tradition of Art in the Park (originally part of the once-beloved Three Rivers Festival). This year, though, they’re expanding, adding an art-focused market full of unique finds from regional artists and makers.
July 12-13 ┃ Main Street (Outside the FWMoA)
The Fort Wayne Museum of Art Chalk Walk has been a trademark event (once part of the Three Rivers Festival) since 2000. The event is based on an Italian tradition of street painting that dates to the 16th century, known as i madonnari (street painters). Using pastels, artists reproduce existing artworks or create their own in their designated street square. It’s a spectacular event for all ages!
July 25-26 ┃ Headwaters Park
Fort Wayne Pride is the largest regional celebration of the LGBTQ community, and includes live entertainment, a vendor market, nonprofit resource fair, food, a beer tent, trivia, a march, and more! All supporters are welcome.
August 1-2 ┃ Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory
The Botanical ROOTS Music Fest is your chance to celebrate music, the environment, and the synergy between the two. Visitors can expect an eclectic, soulful selection of musical genres, ranging from Americana and acoustic to blues, zydeco and reggae sounds. Lineup TBA.
August 1-2 ┃ Promenade Park
Dragon boat racing is a traditional water sport that originated in China over 2,000 years ago. The Fort Wayne Dragon Boat Races combine rich Chinese traditions, competition, team building, and fun along the St. Marys River. In addition to this year’s races, guests can take part in other games and kids activities.
Tacos, Tequila and Margarita Fest
August 2 ┃ Headwaters Park
Frozen or on the rocks? Choose your own adventure at the eighth annual Tacos, Tequila and Margarita Fest—returning to Headwaters with another celebration of Mexican fare and spirits. Enjoy tacos from over ten incredible regional taquerías and a special selection of tequila, plus live music and entertainment.
August 23 ┃ Headwaters Park
Immerse yourself in the heart of Fort Wayne’s vibrant Hispanic community at Fiesta Fort Wayne, a captivating celebration of diverse traditions and culinary delights. The day will be brimming with energetic music, mesmerizing folkloric dance, and mouthwatering Latin American cuisine. It’s fun for the whole family.
Taste of the Arts Art & Culture Festival
August 23 ┃ Arts Campus
Taste of the Arts Festival celebrates arts and culture in Northeast Indiana. Enjoy music, dance, theatre, visual art, kids’ activities, food, and more! The festival is open to all, providing access to art without cost.
Brewed IN the Fort Craft Beer Fest
September 6 ┃ Headwaters Park
Brewed IN the Fort is Fort Wayne’s local craft beer festival, with tastings from local breweries, cideries, and meaderies. Sip locally brewed bevvies while listening to live music and grabbing a bite at one of your favorite food trucks.
Molly Conner is a Fort Wayne native and freelance writer. Having lived in Downtown Fort Wayne throughout her twenties, she loves watching her stomping grounds grow. With her love of storytelling and community in tow, she’s eager to tell Downtown Fort Wayne’s story piece-by-piece—exploring the people, spaces, and organizations that make it thrive.