Labor Day marks the start of Bloomington's most magical season.
The temperature begins to get chillier, the leaves start to change color, and the air becomes crisper. While many celebrate summer's last hurrah with a backyard barbeque and a final soak in the sun, Bloomington offers a wide array of fun events to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall — we've rounded up every festival and event you can expect to find during Labor Day weekend so you don't have to.
Use this navigation list to easily jump from section-to-section:
Festivals
4th Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts
Date: Saturday, September 2 through Sunday, September 3
Time: 10:00 am-6:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am-5:00 pm on Sunday
Location: 4th Street
Admission: Free
Enjoy the annual 4th Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts, with work available by over 120 local, regional, and national artists.
Special Events
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: 11:00 am-9:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
Food Truck Friday takes place at Switchyard Park every Friday through October. Swing by anytime between 11:00 am-9:00 pm to grab some delicious, locally-made food, enjoy the amenities at Switchyard Park, and experience live music & performances from local artists.
Lilly Library Tour
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Location: Lilly Library
Admission: Free
Guided tour of the Lilly Library including stunning murals in the Reading Room and experts will talk about books including the Gutenberg Bible and Audubon’s Birds of America to name a few.
Gallery Walk
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
Location: Various downtown art galleries
Admission: Free
Enjoy local & regional art and Bloomington's vibrant downtown scene during Gallery Walk. Fourteen downtown art galleries participate in the event — stroll through the heart of Bloomington as you admire various works at each location.
WEEKEND FARMERS' MARKETS
Photo by Woolery Farmer's Market
Date: Saturday, September 2
Time: Varying times — see all Saturday markets here
Location: Multiple venues — see all Saturday markets here
Admission: Free
Enjoy three different Bloomington farmers' markets during Labor Day weekend: the Bloomington Community Farmer's Market, Woolery Farmers' Market, and Smithville Farmers' Market.
Live Music
The Bluebird
Enjoy live musical performances at The Bluebird:
Artist: Magic City Hippies
Date: Saturday, September 2
Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm; show starts at 9:00 pm
Admission: $25.00 per ticket
Sporting Events
JOSH BURTON MEMORIAL RACE (rain date)
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: Gates open at 5:00 pm; hot laps begin at 6:00 pm; race begins at 7:00 pm
Location: Bloomington Speedway
Admission: prices vary
Celebrate the life of Josh Burton and enjoy a night of motorsport with Midwest Sprint Car Series Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, and Midwest Mini Sprint Association racing.
IU FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER VS. OHIO STATE
Date: Saturday, September 2
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Memorial Stadium
Admission: Ticket prices vary
Kick-off of the 2023 season against Ohio State. Go Hoosiers!
IU MEN'S SOCCER adidas/IU CREDIT UNION CLASSIC
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
Admission: Adults $10.00, Youth $5.00
The last match up was 2021. Watch the top ranked IU team take on Washington.
Date: Monday, September 4
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
Admission: Adults $10.00, Youth $5.00
IU Men’s Soccer is 3-0 against Seton Hall, come cheer them on to victory!
IU WOMEN'S SOCCER VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Date: Sunday, September 3
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
Admission: Free
Come out and cheer on the IU Women's Soccer team against Northern Illinois.