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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.

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Thursday, August 18, 2022

Top September Events

Categories: Festivals, Indiana University, Live Music, General, Arts & Culture, Events

There's always something going on in B-Town! Check out the top events happening in September 2022, and consider spending two or three days with us this season.

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


FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Indiana Balloon Festival
 

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.


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.
 

Fall Kickoff Weekend at Oliver Winery

Date: Saturday, September 17 through Sunday, September 18
Time: 11:00 am-8:00 pm on Saturday; 12:00-6:00 pm on Saturday
Location: Oliver Winery
Admission: Free

Celebrate the start of fall at Oliver Winery with complimentary tastes of Apple Pie wine for all guests, Apple Pie slushies, and pumpkins and squash available for purchase.
 

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! 


LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

Exterior of The Bluebird on a concert night

The Bluebird Shows

Location: The Bluebird

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

  • Magic City Hippies
    • Date: Thursday, September 1
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm
    • Admission: $20.00 per ticket
       
  • Read Southall Band
    • Date: Friday, September 2
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $6.00-$12.00 per ticket
       
  • Anna Vaus
    • Date: Thursday, September 8
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $10.00 per ticket
       
  • Eli Young Band
    • Date: Friday, September 9
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • The Mountain Goats
    • Date: Saturday, September 10
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $40.00 per ticket
       
  • Dinosaur Jr.
    • Date: Tuesday, September 13
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • Melt
    • Date: Tuesday, September 20
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 pm, show begins at 8:00 pm
    • Admission: $15.00 per ticket
       
  • Clayton Anderson
    • Date: Saturday, September 24
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm, show begins at 9:00 pm
    • Admission: $10.00-$15.00 per ticket
       
Buskirk-Chumley Theater Shows

Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

  • Petty Nicks
    • Date: Monday, September 19
    • Time: 7:30 pm
    • Admission: $43.00 per ticket
       
The Comedy Attic Shows

Location: The Comedy Attic

Enjoy live comedy performances by the following comedians:

  • Joe Mande
    • Date: Friday, September 9 & Saturday, September 10
    • Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm both days
    • Admission: $15.00-$20.00 per ticket
       
  • Jimmy Pardo
    • Date: Friday, September 16 & Saturday, September 17
    • Time: 7:00 pm & 9:15 pm both days
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket
       
  • Sam Jay
    • Date: Friday, September 30 & Saturday, October 1
    • Time: 8:00 pm on Thursday, 7:00 pm & 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday
    • Admission: $16.00-$20.00 per ticket
       
Happy Hour on the Lawn

Date: Friday, September 9
Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free

Enjoy live music by Will Scott at Switchyard Park — beer, wine, and cocktails available for purchase.


Sporting Events

Hoosiers celebrating a touchdown on the field

Bloomington Speedway Races

Enjoy an exciting night of motorsports at the Bloomington Speedway:

IU Football
IU Men's Soccer
IU Women's Soccer


EXHIBITS & OTHER AREA HAPPENINGS

Food trucks lined up at Switchyard Park for Food Truck Friday

Bloomington Food Truck Friday

Date: Every Friday through October 28
Time: 11:00 am-9:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free

Enjoy live music and local food at Switchyard Park during Food Truck Friday!
 

Gallery Walk

Date: Friday, September 2
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.
 

A Fair of the Arts

Date: Tuesday, September 7 & Friday, September 17
Time: 4:00-7:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free

Shop for handmade art & fine crafts by local & regional artists at A Fair of the Arts! Artwork categories include clay, drawing, painting, photography, fiber arts, jewelry, metalwork, woodwork, and more.
 

Zines: A Culture in Focus

Date: Thursday, June 28 through Saturday, October 22
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County History Center
Admission: Free

This exhibit features a collection of zines, short for magazines, created by Monroe County residents that are deeply personal reflections on life in our community.
 

Order Up! Restaurants of Monroe County

Date: Tuesday, August 2 through Saturday, November 5
Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location: Monroe County History Center
Admission: Free

This restaurant-themed exhibit highlights the important place that restaurants have in our community's history, from beloved places that have gone, such as Ladyman's and Pancho's Villa, as well as long-standing establishments that have become synonymous with Bloomington, such as Nick's English Hut and The Trojan Horse.

 


LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS IN September 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 also a proud Indiana University alumna, Millennial cat lady, and Formula 1 enthusiast. 

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