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Head Backstage to be in the know. 

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.

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Thursday, October 21, 2021

Top November Events

Categories: Arts & Culture, Indiana University, Shopping, General, Live Music, Family Fun, Festivals

Events are slowly but surely returning to Bloomington. Check out the top events happening in November 2021, and make a three-day getaway out of your trip!

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


HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Canopy of Lights

Smithville Holiday Bazaar

Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 8:00 am-3:00 pm
Location: Old Smithville School
Admission: Free

Enjoy a holiday bazaar featuring handmade items, baked goods, arts & crafts, and more.
 

Bloomington Handmade Market — Holiday Affair

Date: Saturday, November 13 & Sunday, November 14
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! 
 

Christmas Fair

Date: Saturday, November 13
Time: 2:00-6:00 pm
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Free

Enjoy crafts, fair food, live music, and an appearance from Santa at the Christmas Fair!
 

Harvest Market

Date: Friday, November 19 & Saturday, November 20
Time: 4:00-8:00 pm Friday; 10:00 am-4:00 pm Saturday
Location: Whippoorwill Hill
Admission: $5.00 per person

Enjoy the annual Harvest Market, comprised of artisanal, boutique, and farmers' goods!
 

Bloomington Symphony Orchestra Presents: Celebrate the Season

Date: Friday, November 26
Time: TBA
Location: TBA
Admission: Free

Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra before or after the Canopy of Lights for a magical, memorable holiday program featuring seasonal favorites, an audience sing-along, special guests, and so much more! 
 

Canopy of Lights

Date: Friday, November 26
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.
 

19th Annual Bloomington Holiday Market

Date: Saturday, November 27
Time: 9:00am-1:00 pm
Location: Showers Building & Plaza, City Hall
Admission: Free

Enjoy the 19th annual Bloomington Holiday Market featuring 50 farm vendors, food & beverage artisans, and local/regional artists.


SEE OUR FULL LIST OF HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS IN BLOOMINGTON.


FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

A sandwich from Cardinal Spirits
Photo by Cardinal Spirits

Bloomington Restaurant Week

Date: Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 7
Time: Varies at each participating restaurant
Location: Various local restaurants
Admission: Free

Enjoy special menus from a variety of local restaurants during Bloomington Restaurant Week!
 

University Speaker Series: Pioneering Women in Athletics

Date: Wednesday, November 3
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Memorial Hall
Admission: Free

Attend a panel discussion celebrating women's athletics featuring IU alumnae & Olympic medalist diver, Lilly King, Olympic medalist diver, Jessica Parratto, ESPN anchor, Courtney Cronin, and IU Women's Basketball Head Coach & member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Teri Moren.
 

Hoosier Basketball Fan Fest

Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Admission: $5.00-$49.00 per ticket

Enjoy an evening of Hoosier Basketball featuring players from the men's team during Hoosier Basketball Fan Fest!
 

Potpourri of the Arts

Date: Sunday, November 14
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $10.00-$45.00 per ticket

From African dance traditions to gospel and R&B, Potpourri of the Arts is a celebration of Black music, dance, and culture.


LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

Empty IU Auditorium

RAIN — A Tribute to the Beatles

Date: Wednesday, November 3
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $25.00-$69.00 per ticket

Come together to celebrate 50 years of Abbey Road during RAIN.
 

Bob Dylan "Rough and Rowdy Ways" Tour

Date: Sunday, November 7
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $59.00-$119.50 per ticket

Enjoy an evening of musical hits by Bob Dylan.
 

Anastasia: The New Broadway Musical

Date: Tuesday, November 9 & Wednesday, November 10
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $17.00-$79.00 per ticket

Enjoy the off-Broadway performance of Anastasia.
 

The Bluebird Shows

Location: The Bluebird

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

  • Zach Bryan
    • Date: Tuesday, November 2
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $30.00 per ticket
       
  • Back 2 Mac — Fleetwood Mac Tribute
    • Date: Friday, November 5
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm
    • Admission: $15.00 per single ticket, $12.00 per four-pack
       
  • The Cadillac Three
    • Date: Saturday, November 6
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • The Lemonheads
    • Date: Wednesday, November 10
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • Shane Smith and the Saints
    • Date: Thursday, November 18
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $15.00 per ticket
       
  • Southern Accents — Tom Petty Tribute
    • Date: Friday, November 19
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm
    • Admission: $15.00 per single ticket, $12.00 per four-pack
       
  • Thunderstruck — AC/DC Tribute
    • Date: Saturday, November 20
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm
    • Admission: $15.00 per single ticket, $12.00 per four-pack
       
Buskirk-Chumley Theater Shows

Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Enjoy live performances by the following artists:

  • Gin Blossoms
    • Date: Tuesday, November 2
    • Time: 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $45.00-$135.00 per ticket
       
  • The Weight Band
    • Date: Thursday, November 11
    • Time: 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $35.00-$45.00 per ticket
       
  • Adrianne Lenker
    • Date: Wednesday, November 17
    • Time: 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • Iron & Wine
    • Date: Friday, November 19
    • Time: 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $45.00-$60.00 per ticket
       
The Comedy Attic Shows

Location: The Comedy Attic

Enjoy live comedy performances by the following comedians:

  • Sam Jay
    • Date: Friday, November 19 through Saturday, November 20
    • Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm both days
    • Admission: $16.00-$20.00 per ticket


SPORTING EVENTS

basketball (IU Athletics)
Photo by IU Athletics

IU Men's Basketball
IU Football
IU Men's Soccer
IU Women's Volleyball
  • vs. Nebraska
    • Date: Sunday, November 14
    • Time: 2:00 pm
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: General admission is $10.00-$14.00 per ticket; youth ages 3-18 are $5.00-$7.00 per ticket; ages two & under are free.
       
  • vs. Illinois
    • Date: Friday, November 19
    • Time: 7:00 pm
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: General admission is $10.00-$14.00 per ticket; youth ages 3-18 are $5.00-$7.00 per ticket; ages two & under are free.
       
  • vs. Iowa
    • Date: Sunday, November 21
    • Time: 2:00 pm
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: General admission is $10.00-$14.00 per ticket; youth ages 3-18 are $5.00-$7.00 per ticket; ages two & under are free.


EXHIBITS & OTHER AREA HAPPENINGS

Various costumes on exhibit at the Glenn Close exhibition at the Eskenazi Museum of Art
Photo by Indiana University

First Thursdays at IU

Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
Location: Indiana University Fine Arts Plaza
Admission: Free

Enjoy an outdoor festival atmosphere and showcase of arts & humanities from the IU and Bloomington communities during First Thursdays.
 

Gallery Walk

Date: Friday, November 5
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. Ten downtown art galleries participate in the event — stroll through the heart of Bloomington as you admire various works at each location.
 

The Art of the Character: Highlights from the Glenn Close Costume Collection

Date: Every Thursday-Sunday through Monday, November 15
Time: 12:00-5:00 pm on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday; 12:00-7:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University
Admission: Free

Eight-time Academy Award-nominated and three-time Emmy- & Tony-winning actress, Glenn Close, has donated her collection of 800+ costume pieces from various roles she's played during her career, including Cruella de Vil in 101 and 102 Dalmatians, to the Eskenazi Museum of Art at IU. "The Art of the Character" exhibition explores the art of developing a character with a focus on the creativity and skills of the designers & makers, as well as the collaborative process between Close and the artists who help bring her characters to life. 
 


LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS IN NOVEMBER AND BEYOND? CHECK OUT THESE PAGES:
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Alyssa Davis

Alyssa Davis

Alyssa is the Digital Content Coordinator at Visit Bloomington. She's a proud Indiana University alumna, mom to four cats, and Formula 1 enthusiast. When she isn't at work, you can find Alyssa checking out the newest restaurants in the area with her husband, curled up at home with a great book, or planning her next trip to a destination near or far.

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