Father's Day in Fort Wayne, Indiana
1. Explore Fort Wayne's Land and Water Trails
If dad loves a good outdoor adventure, the Fort Wayne Outdoor Pass is a great place to start! The free pass features 19 different hikes, bikes, and trails around the area. Explore and check in at Fort Wayne's three rivers and additional water trails, plus our 140+ miles of land trails to start earning prizes along the way! Get the free Outdoor Pass here.
Bring your own hotdogs and/or marshmallows (roasting sticks will be provided) and camp chairs and join the Father's Day Picnic and Hike at Lindenwood Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 21 where a fire will be lit for roasting. After lunch explore the trails.
Rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard from Fort Wayne Outfitters – or bring your own! – and check out these can't-miss paddle trails in the area. Pro Tip: the boat launcher on the North dock at Promenade Park allows you to enter and exit the river with ease.
Prefer to stay on land? Try out these bike trail itineraries! The itineraries connect you to attractions, parks, splash pads, and more. Plus, you'll find different trail ride lengths for all ages. Don't forget – Fort Wayne Outfitters also offers bike rentals.
2. Celebrate Big Flavor at BBQ RibFest
There's nothing like some delicious BBQ for a Father's Day feast! This year, why not let someone else do the cooking? The 29th annual BBQ RibFest brings Blues, Brews, and BBQ to Headwaters Park downtown, June 18-21. Mouth-watering BBQ prepared and served by award-winning BBQ teams from around the country!
3. Father's Day Classic Car Rides
Give Dad a gift he’ll never forget—a ride in a classic car from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum! Staff and volunteers will be offering free rides in historic vehicles from the museum’s collection. On Saturday, June 21, from 1-4 pm, head to the Education and Exhibit Plaza for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
4. Fort Wayne Zoo
Discover your wild side at the Fort Wayne Zoo — perfect for all ages! Dad can pet a stingray, feed a giraffe, ride through the Outback in a dugout canoe, and say hello to his favorite animal friends.
5. Cheer on the Fort Wayne TinCaps
For the baseball fans, grab your tickets and cheer on the Fort Wayne TinCaps! The TinCaps are playing all weekend, and don't forget to stay after the game for postgame fireworks Thursday-Saturday. On Father's Day, the team will take on the South Bend Cubs on our home field at Parkview Field at 1:05 pm! Snag some tickets here!
6. Dine-In or Carry-Out
Check out Fort Wayne's best dining recommendations, offering international cuisine, award-winning flavors, and sweets for dessert. Or pack a couple of blankets for the family, pick up carryout from Dad's favorite Fort Wayne restaurant, and enjoy a scenic picnic! Check out some of the great parks in Fort Wayne and Allen County and find the perfect picnic spot.
7. Exploring Downtown
There's so much to discover while you're downtown. From The Landing and Promenade Park to Fort Wayne's murals and breweries, check out our guide to summer weekends downtown. Visit The Old Fort for the Siege of Fort Wayne 1812 to see the historic fort come alive with demonstrations.
8. Fishing Hotspots
Does Dad love to go fishing? Fort Wayne is home to many great fishing destinations offering a wide variety of fish. Take Dad out for a day of relaxation on the water at one of these 5 fishing hotspots around the area. Be sure to bring your sunscreen and a snack to enjoy!
9. Laugh with Dad
Take your dad out for some laughs to see Craig Robinson at the Summit City Comedy Club, June 18 - 20, or Rob Schneider at the Clyde Theatre on June 19.
10. Enjoy Father's Day in the Garden at the Botanical Conservatory
Fathers get in FREE for a visit at the Botanical Conservatory June 20-21! Enjoy live butterflies, garden displays, a visit to their cafe, and take advantage of a special plant giveaway while supplies last! On Sunday from 12-3 p.m., make the day extra special while enjoying lawn games and live music, plus beer and bites available for purchase.
11. Celebrate Festival Fun at Hoagland Days
Give Dad a weekend full of classic fun and hometown flavor at Hoagland Days. This fair offers a full weekend of family fun, June 18-20! Kick things off with carnival rides, bingo, live music, and delicious eats from local vendors. Don’t miss the demolition derby on Friday and Saturday night, plus Saturday's big parade, helicopter and drone demos, and a fireworks show to cap it all off. With a kids' tractor pull, BBQ dinner, and plenty of entertainment under the tent, it’s a great way to celebrate Dad with classic festival fun.
12. Take a Sweet Breeze Canal Boat Cruise
Relax on a boat ride where you will cruise Fort Wayne's river for a 60 or 90-minute boat ride. This boat tour is the perfect family-friendly event for Father's Day, while also learning more about Fort Wayne's riverfront.
This post was originally published in May 2019 and has been updated. Last Updated: June 2026
