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We want to take you behind the scenes, to give you insider information you won't find anywhere else. This is where we pull Bloomington's hip happenings together with recommendations from our team, first-hand accounts from project producers, and guest blogs by local gurus.  The Backstage Blog helps you stay in front of it all.

Friday, November 17, 2023

Holiday Happenings in Bloomington

Categories: Indiana University, General, Family Fun, Events, Festivals

Artisan Guilds of Bloomington Holiday Show

Date: Friday, November 3 & Saturday, November 4
Time: 4:00-9:00 pm Friday; 9:00 am-5:00pm Saturday 
Location: Monroe County Convention Center
Admission: Free

Over 70 artists from Bloomington’s favorite guilds, Local Clay Potters’ Guild, Bloomington Spinners & Weavers Guild, and Indiana Glass Guild, unite for three shows under one roof.

Christmas Fair

Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Free

Almost time for the 8th Annual Christmas Fair! Over 70 Vendors, 2 food trucks, and can't forget Santa! You won't want to miss this!

Bloomington Handmade Market

Date: Saturday, November 11 & Sunday, November 12
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Convention Center
Admission: Free

Browse handmade items from over 60 artists at the Bloomington Handmade Market! 

Gingerbread House Workshop

Date: Saturday, November 18 & Saturday, December 9
Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Location: Indiana Memorial Union
Admission: $75 for your first house, $30 each for additional houses

Sweeten up the holidays with our Gingerbread House Workshop! Join us in IMU's Alumni Hall and craft the festive cookie house of your dreams. They are also having take-home gingerbread house kit pick-ups on Thursday, December 2 and Thursday, December 16.

Bloomington Holiday Market

Date: Saturday, November 25
Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: Showers Common
Admission: Free

Enjoy the 21st annual Bloomington Holiday Market featuring 50+ farm vendors, food & beverage artisans, and local/regional artists.

Shop Small Saturday

Date: Saturday, November 25
Time: All day
Location: Downtown Bloomington
Admission: Free

Support small businesses during Shop Small Saturday in Bloomington!

Unitarian Universalist Holiday Arts Fair & Bazaar

Date: Friday, December 1 & Saturday, December 2
Time: Friday, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church (Fee Lane)
Admission: Free

Featuring artists whose works include: paintings, watercolors, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, and mixed media. 

Delta Theta Tau Holiday Boutique

Date:  Saturday, December 2
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Free

Featuring decorations, gift items and sweet treats.

Stinesville Christmas Bazaar

Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Stinesville Community Center (formerly Stinesville Elementary School)
Admission: Free

Handmade items, commercial vendors, and flea market vendors will be on-site at this Christmas shopping event. Santa will be making a special visit.

16th Annual Beth Shalom Holiday Bazaar and Art Fair 

Date: Sunday, December 3
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: 3750 East 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47401

With over 15 participating artists/makers, there will be clothing, jewelry, pottery, quilts, home-baked sweets and more.

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra Presents: Celebrate the Season

Date: Friday, November 24
Time: 5:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: Adults $25, Students $12, Youth 18 & under $5

Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra before or after the Canopy of Lights for a magical, memorable holiday program featuring seasonal favorites, a delight for the whole family.

The Nutcracker

Date: Thursday, November 30 through Sunday, December 3
Time: Various times
Location: Musical Arts Center
Admission: $25.00-$45.00 per ticket

Enjoy the magical story of Clara, performed by the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Chimes of Christmas

Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $11.00-$33.00 per ticket

Celebrate the holiday season with the Grammy-nominated Singing Hoosiers when they return to IU Auditorium for the jolliest family-friendly event of the year, Chimes of Christmas.

Straight No Chaser Holiday Concert

Date: Wednesday, December 13
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $29.00-$89.00 per ticket

A cappella sensation Straight No Chaser is coming home to IU Auditorium once again, with their Sleighin' It tour. Packed with pop hits, holiday classics and plenty of laughs along the way.

Bloomington Chamber Singers Present Handel's Messiah Sings Part I

Date: Sunday, December 17
Time: 3:00pm
Location: St. Mark's United Methodist Church
Admission: Free

Enjoy one of the best known, and most frequently performed choral pieces in Western music.

Constellation Stage & Screen Presents Matilda the Musical

Date: Thursday, December 14 through Sunday, December 31
Time: Various times
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: Prices vary per ticket

Packed with high-energy dance numbers and astonishing stage magic, children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of this extraordinary little girl! 

Canopy of Lights

Date: Friday, November 24
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Courthouse Square
Admission: Free

Experience one of Bloomington's most magical traditions as Santa flips the switch to transform the downtown area into a sparkling, winter wonderland, displaying thousands of lights on and around the Monroe County Courthouse Square.

Photos with Santa

Date: Friday, November 24 
Time: 7:30 - 9:00  pm
Location: Fountain Square - South Atrium, Main level
Admission: Free

Saturdays: Dec. 2 - 23          10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sundays: Nov. 26 - Dec. 17  Noon - 4:00 pm

Bring your camera and take your own photos with Santa! 

Light Up The Night

Date: Thursday, November 30
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Indiana Memorial Union - Biddle Hotel & Conference Center
Admission: Free

Make your night more merry and bright during the annual lighting of the IMU's iconic outdoor candle. Enjoy ice skating, food, a winter market, and more!

Sensory-Friendly Photos with Santa

Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 11 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Allison-Jukebox Community Center
Admission: Free

Those with sensory needs can meet and take pictures with Santa! Bring your own camera, space is limited, and pre-registration is required. 

Garlands and Greenery at The Wylie House

Date: Wednesday, December 6 - Saturday, December 9
Time: 10:00 am- 4:00 pm
Location: Wylie House
Admission: Free

Take a step back in time at the Wylie House. Decorated for the holidays in festive greenery, guided tours will be available, and learn how the holidays were generally celebrated in19th-century Bloomington.  

Harmony School Holiday Gift Market

Date: Friday, December 8
Time: 3:00 am-7:30 pm
Location: Harmony School

Harmony's Holiday Gift Market is open to the public and features local retailers The Brown County Toy Chest and Morgenstern Books. Children ages 4-12 years can make handmade gifts while their adults shop. For a $10 fee, makers can take home two gifts. Fees benefit the High School Spring Trip. Join us for dinner! Chili, baked goods and drinks available for purchase, benefiting the Middle School Spring Trip.

Santa on Sale Street

Date: Saturday, December 9
Time: 9:00 am-Noon
Location: Sale Street - Ellettsville
Admission: Free

Welcome Santa to Sale Street as he arrives on a fire truck. Free photo with Santa, send a letter to Santa and enjoy many more activities.

B-Town Krampus -- The Inaugural Year 2023

Date: Saturday, December 9
Time: 4:00 pm-10:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Brewing
Admission: Free

Enjoy the return of Krampus to Bloomington.

 

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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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