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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, December 15, 2023

Top January Events

Categories: Outdoors, General, Family Fun, Events, Arts & Culture, Festivals

Check out the top events happening in January 2024, and make a three-day getaway out of your trip!

Use this list to easily navigate from section-to-section:​


FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Two ice sculptors carving for a live audience for the Freezefest Ice Battle
 

Freezefest 2024

Date: Thursday, January 18 through Saturday, January 20
Time: Various times — see the schedule here
Location: The Mill and Upland Brewing Co.
Admission: Free

Attend the three-day event that is Bloomington's only winter festival featuring ice sculptures, live carving demonstrations, an ice battle at Upland Brewing Co., family activities, and more!

Under the Sea Experience

Date: Saturday, January 27
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: The Warehouse
Admission: Kids $37.95, Adults $21.95; Family Bundles and Birthday Bundles available

Bloomington's 1st Under the Sea Experience is calling all ocean enthusiasts! Guests will enjoy an immersive experience featuring active play spaces, sensory and craft stations , an interactive shipwreck and bubble house, dancing and singing with your favorite Under the Sea characters and much more.


LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

Man performing stand-up at the Limestone Comedy Festival
Photo by TALL & small Photography
 

The Bluebird Shows

Location: The Bluebird

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

  • Jukebox Luke
    • Date: Friday, January 12
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 PM, show begins at 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $10.00 per ticket
       
  • Kameron Marlowe: I Can Lie Tour
    • Date: Sunday, January 21
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket for regular admission, $89.00 per ticket for VIP admission
       
The Bishop Shows

Location: The Bishop

Enjoy live performances by the following artists:

  • Millaze w/ Moonnews
    • Date: Friday, January 12
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $7.00 per ticket, 21+
The Comedy Attic Shows

Location: The Comedy Attic

Enjoy live comedy performances by the following comedians:

  • Sabrina Wu From Joy Ride!
    • Date: Friday, January 12 through Saturday, January 13
    • Time: 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM both days
    • Admission: $16.00 per ticket for students, $20.00 per ticket for general admission
  • Sheng Wang's Comedy Attic Debut!
    • Date: Saturday, January 20
    • Time: 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $20.00 per ticket, 18+
  • Laurie Kilmartin
    • Date: Friday, January 26 through Saturday, January 27
    • Time: 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM both days
    • Admission: $18.00 per ticket for students, $22.00 per ticket for general admission
IU Auditorium Shows

Location: IU Auditorium

Enjoy live performances by the following:

  • STOMP
    • Date: Saturday, January 20
    • Time: 8:00 PM 
    • Admission: $27.00+ per ticket
       
  • An Evening With Branford Marsalis
    • Date: Thursday, January 25
    • Time: 7:30 PM 
    • Admission: $23.00 per ticket 


SPORTING EVENTS

Tip off at an IU Men's Basketball game

IU Men's Basketball

 

IU Women's Basketball
  • vs. Michigan
  • vs. Penn State
  • vs. Minnesota
  • vs. Northwestern


EXHIBITS & OTHER AREA HAPPENINGS

by hand gallery
Photo by By Hand Gallery

'Deck the Halls with Local Artists

Date: Monday, January 1
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Location: By Hand Gallery
Admission: Free

Forty-five years ago, By Hand had its first holiday exhibition of local artist’s work. By Hand was created as a place where local artists could come together to make their art available to the public and we still do this. Two of the original artists are still selling at By Hand and for others this will be their first year. We have jewelers, painters, print makers, potters, woodworkers, weavers, dyers, knitters, stone carvers, glass workers, photographers, a puzzle maker and many, many, others all working to produce skilled creative work.

RECURRING EVENTS

farmers market

 

Bloomington Winter Farmers' Market

Date: Recurring weekly on Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion
Admission: Free

The Winter Market has a diversity of vendors and products including fresh produce, local meat and poultry, dairy products, eggs, maple syrup, honey products, breads, baked goods, jams and sauces, prepared foods, locally roasted coffee, cut flowers, seeds and plants and many other items. You can find everything you need for nourishing winter meals along with local crafts. 

 

LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS IN JANUARY AND BEYOND? CHECK OUT THESE PAGES:
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Samantha Hyde

Samantha Hyde

Samantha is the Digital Content Developer at Visit Bloomington. She is a proud recent graduate of Indiana University, a lover of concerts, traveling, and is a pro tennis fanatic. 

 

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