Monday, August 8, 2022
Bloomington's Best Fall Festivals
Categories: Events, Festivals, General
As the leaves start changing throughout Southern Indiana, Bloomington comes alive with vibrant festivals and events to entertain spectators of all ages and interests. The beautiful scenery is enough of a reason to visit B-Town in the fall, but these incredible events are an added bonus you don't want to miss out on.
Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival
Date: Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10
Time: Varying times
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Varying prices
Enjoy hot air balloon launches, helicopter rides, pyrotechnic skydivers, fireworks, a wine & beer garden, food & commercial vendors, and other entertainment at the Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival!
Black y Brown Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, September 10
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
The Black y Brown Arts Festival is a celebration and showcase of African, African-American, Hispanic, Latinx, and Native American creative arts and artists, affirming community space, preserving arts appreciation, and pride in the spirit of diversity of the local Bloomington community.
Monroe County Fall Festival
Date: Thursday, September 15 through Saturday, September 17
Time: 5:00-9:00 pm on Thursday & Friday; 12:00-9:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Marci Jane Lewis Park in Ellettsville
Admission: Free
The Monroe County Fall Festival is an Ellettsville tradition drawing folks from across Indiana for live music, a queen contest, education day, commercial tent, crafts, food vendors, live music & entertainment, games, parade, and much more.
Ridgefest
Date: Saturday, September 17
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Admission: $25.00 per ticket
Enjoy music by Cody Ikerd and more, plus beer, wine, and food vendors, and general fall vibes at Ridgefest!
Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival
Date: Thursday, September 22 through Saturday, September 24
Time: 6:00-10:00 pm on Thursday & Friday; 10:00am-11:00 pm on Saturday
Location: McGlockin Park in Stinesville
Admission: Free
Enjoy craft vendors, food booths, live music, a pie competition, an antique tractor show, a parade, and more at the annual Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival.
Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
Date: Thursday, September 22 through Sunday, September 25
Time: Varying times — see the schedule
Location: Several downtown locations and venues
Admission: Several ticket packages are available — find ticket information
Celebrate the diversity, beauty, and joy of music and arts from around the world at the 29th annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival. Lotus invites attendees to safely enjoy multicultural music, art, food, dance, workshops, and more!
Hoosier Hysteria
Date: Saturday, October 7
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Admission: Free
Get excited for the Indiana University basketball season at Hoosier Hysteria! Features include skills competitions, a dunk contest, and a brief scrimmage with both the men's and women's teams.
Indiana University Homecoming Weekend
Date: Friday, October 7 through Sunday, October 9
Time: All day
Location: Various locations on the IU campus
Admission: Free
IU Homecoming Weekend allows alumni to reconnect with friends, relive their favorite college traditions, and show their kids their old stomping grounds. The Indiana University Alumni Association will host several events throughout the weekend, including a parade on Friday evening and the Hoosier Huddle, a members-only tailgate, on Saturday.
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Date: Saturday, October 15
Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Courthouse lawn
Admission: Free
Pick out your own homemade blown glass pumpkin or simply admire the display of over 900 glass pumpkins at the 13th annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch! All pumpkins are made by members of the Bloomington Creative Glass Center. Proceeds from the pumpkin sales support educational arts programming throughout the year.
Science Fest
Photo by Marc Lebryk
Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: Multiple locations across the Indiana University campus
Admission: Free
Participate in over 150 hands-on science activities, demonstrations, and talks at Science Fest.
Look forward to it again next year:
Makevention
Date: Saturday, August 27
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Convention Center
Admission: Free
Join the local community of makers as they showcase and celebrate their various works, including digital fabrication, screen printing, upcycling, and more, at Makevention.
Pridefest
Date: Saturday, August 27
Time: 2:00-11:30 pm
Location: Kirkwood Avenue
Admission: Free
Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and queer allies at the seventh annual Bloomington Pridefest! The festival will feature a vendor expo, musical performances, educational workshops, wellness activities, and other entertainment.
Indiana Toy and Comic Expo
Date: Sunday, August 28
Time: 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Convention Center
Admission: $8.00 pet ticket (12 and under are free)
Enjoy the Indiana Toy and Comic Expo, featuring creators and special guests, contests, a meet and greet, and more!
4th Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts
Date: Saturday, September 3 through Sunday, September 4
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.
Looking for more information about fall in Bloomington? Check out these blogs:
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Alyssa Davis
Alyssa is the Digital Content Coordinator at Visit Bloomington. She's also a proud Indiana University alumna, Millennial cat lady, and Formula 1 enthusiast.
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