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Thursday, September 21, 2023

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. 

 

Bug Fest

Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Karst Farm Park
Admission: Free     pre-registration recommended @  https://form.jotform.com/230644960070149

A celebration of insects and their relatives! The mission of Bug Fest is to educate the public about insect and spider biology. There will be live insect displays, crafts, games, storytelling, a flea circus, information tables on a variety of subjects, and more!

 

Witch Fest - Harvest Market

 

Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
Location: Courthouse Lawn
Admission: Free     

Artists of all kinds - handmade makers and crafters - along with astrological readers providing a variety of services from tarot to reiki.  Live music throughout the day with story time crafts and more! 


Monroe County Fall Festival

 

Monroe County Fall Festival

Date: Thursday, September 21 through Saturday, September 23
Time: 5:00-9:00 pm on Thursday, 5:00-10:00 pm on Friday; 1:00-10:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Marci Jane Lewis Park in Ellettsville
Admission: Free

Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival

Band performing at the Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival

Date: Thursday, September 28 through Saturday, September 30
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

lotus parade

Date: Thursday, September 28 through Sunday, October 1
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 annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival. Lotus invites attendees to safely enjoy multicultural music, art, food, dance, workshops, and more! 


Great Glass Pumpkin Patch

glass pumpkin

Date: Saturday, October 14
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 14th 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.

 

Indiana Toy and Comic Expo

IndianaToyAndComic

Date: Sunday, October 15
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Convention Center
Admission: $8.00 pet ticket (kids free w/paid adult)

Enjoy the Indiana Toy and Comic Expo, featuring creators and special guests, contests, a meet and greet, and more!

 

Indiana University Homecoming Weekend

iu homecoming parade

Date: Friday, October 20  through Sunday, October 22
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. 

 

Hoosier Hysteria

hoosier hysteria

Date: Saturday, October 21
Time: TBD
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.

 

Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival

Three hot air balloons launching at the Indiana Kiwanis Balloon Festival

Date: Thursday, October 26 through Saturday, October 28
Time: Varying times
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Varying prices

Enjoy hot air balloon launches, pyrotechnic skydivers, fireworks, a wine & beer garden, food & commercial vendors, and other entertainment at the Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival


 

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Laura Newton

Laura Newton

A proud Indiana University grad, Laura likes listening to live music and enjoying a great meal with friends at the many wonderful restaurants in Bloomington. Laura is the Chief Operations Officer for Visit Bloomington.

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