Feast of the Hunters' Moon

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Cultural & TraditionalWest Lafayette

DatesDates TBA · Usually OctoberCheck locally before booking

Duration2 daysListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsFew American festivals recreate as specific

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type

The story

Feast of the Hunters' Moon in West Lafayette

Feast of the Hunters' Moon is a weekend historical reenactment held every October near Fort Ouiatenon, an eighteenth-century French trading post outside West Lafayette, Indiana. Running since 1968, the event recreates the annual fall gathering of French traders and Native American nations that once took place at the fort along the Wabash River.

Fort Ouiatenon stood on the Wabash River near present-day West Lafayette, Indiana as an eighteenth-century French military and trading post, one of the key points of contact between French colonists and the numerous Indigenous nations who lived in and traveled through the region, including the Wea, Kickapoo, Mascouten, Potawatomi, Piankashaw, Sauk, Fox, Seneca, Miami, Lenape, and Shawnee.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Few American festivals recreate as specific a historical moment: the fall gathering of French settlers, soldiers, and multiple Native nations, including the Wea, Kickapoo, Miami, and Potawatomi, at an actual eighteenth-century trading post site

The mystery stays covered

Reenactors dress in period-accurate French and Native American garb, and Indigenous participants construct a temporary Wea village on the grounds each year as part of the living history programming

The city starts moving

Food vendors serve period dishes including rabbit stew, voyageur stew, and venison sausage, while fife and drum corps, French folk singers, and Native American drummers provide music grounded in the era portrayed rather than modern entertainment

The water draws everyone in

The event has also drawn scholarly criticism over how it represents ongoing Indigenous culture, since rules have historically required interpreters to wear period dress that can suggest static traditions

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's central tradition is its recreation of the historical fall trading gathering

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including the construction of a temporary Wea village by Indigenous participants and demonstrations of period trades by costumed reenactors

The sacred route

Living ritual

from chairmaking to gunsmithing

The local code

Living ritual

Musical traditions specific to the event include fife and drum corps performances

Tradition 5

Living ritual

French folk singing

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and Native American drumming

Tradition 7

Living ritual

all performed as part of the living history programming rather than as standalone concerts

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually October

Getting around

For Feast of the Hunters' Moon, plan transport around the exact West Lafayette venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to October weather along the Wabash River, which can be cool and sometimes wet; sturdy closed-toe shoes are important given the grassy, sometimes muddy...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Feast of the Hunters' Moon, stay near the part of West Lafayette you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map40.43 N, 86.91 W Open in Google Maps

West Lafayette, IN

Nearest airportIND — Indianapolis

TransportFor Feast of the Hunters' Moon, plan transport around the exact West Lafayette venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Feast of the Hunters' Moon, stay near the part of West Lafayette you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to West Lafayette via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near West Lafayette, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare fares Festival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to October weather along the Wabash River, which can be cool and sometimes wet; sturdy closed-toe shoes are important given the grassy, sometimes muddy riverside encampment grounds. Attendees are not expected to dress in period costume, though some visitors do.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Feast of the Hunters' Moon?

Feast of the Hunters' Moon is listed for Past edition: 11–12 October 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Feast of the Hunters' Moon take place?

The festival is listed in West Lafayette, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

West Lafayette, IN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtfdc.org

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually October

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Feast of the Hunters' Moon

Feast of the Hunters' Moon in West Lafayette

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The water draws everyone in

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Tradition 7

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

West Lafayette, IN

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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