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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.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Top Winter Events

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

Check out the top Events happening at the start of 2023, and make a three-day getaway out of your trip!

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


FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS

 
Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market

Date: Recurring until Saturday, March 25
Time: Saturday's 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion
Admission: Free

Enjoy a Saturday morning with 30 vendors with products including fresh produce, local meat and poultry, and jams and sauces.

Freezefest

Date: Friday, January 20 to Saturday, January 21
Time: Different events at various times
Location: The Mill
Admission: Free

Experience a weekend full of winter fun with internationally known ice sculptors, an ice battle, and food trucks for the whole family.

2023 Freezefest Chilly Cook-Off

Date: Saturday, January 21
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: The Mill
Admission: $12, free for kids 10 & under

Devour delicious chili sampled from the best chili recipes in town. A scoop of ice cream will be provided by Chocolate Mousse with vegan options available.

Winter Hike in Hoosier National Forest

Date: Saturday, January 21
Time: 12:30 PM 
Location: Hardin Ridge Recreation Area — Amphitheater
Admission: Free — RSVP required

Immerse yourself in winter while taking a guided hike in Hoosier National Forest and learning to identify common trees by their bark.

Inside the Industry Featuring Leslie David Baker and Kate Flannery from The Office

Date: Monday, January 23
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: IU Auditorium
Admission: $40-$50

Enjoy the unique opportunity to hear from Leslie David Baker and Kate Flannery on their time in the entertainment industry and on The Office where they played Stanley and Meredith, respectively.

Eagles over Monroe

Date: Thursday, January 26 to Thursday, February 2
Time: Recurring on weekdays, different events at various times
Location: Monroe Lake
Admission: Price depending on event — registration may be required

Monroe Lake is hosting their annual event celebrating the Bald Eagle with several bird-themed activities for all ages. 

Puzzlefest

Date: Sunday, January 29
Time: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion
Admission: Free programming in afternoon, Team registration $60

Celebrate International Puzzle Day with a jigsaw competition for all ages. Each team can have up to four competitors of all ages, although there is a youth division. 


LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES

Band performing on stage at The Bluebird

 
The Back Door

Location: The Back Door

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Tia’s Treats: R&B / Hip Hop
    • Date: Saturday, January 14
    • Time: Bar opens at 7:00 PM, Show starts at 10:00 PM, Dance party starts at 12:00 AM
    • Admission: $10.00 per ticket with cash, $12.00 per ticket with card
  • BloodSisters
    • Date: Thursday, January 26
    • Time: Show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: TBD
  • Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives
    • Date: Tuesday, January 31
    • Time: Show begins at 7:00 PM
    • Admission: TBD
The Bishop 

Location: The Bishop

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Brenda’s Friend & Foredaze
    • Date: Wednesday, January 18
    • Time: Show begins at 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $7.00 per ticket
  • Momma with Mana
    • Date: Saturday, January 28
    • Time: Show begins at 9:30 PM
    • Admission: $13.00 if you purchase in advance, $15.00 on day of show
The Bluebird Shows

Location: The Bluebird

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Rod Tuffcurls
    • Date: Friday, January 20
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 PM, show begins at 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $12.00 per ticket
  • Back 2 Mac - Fleetwood Mac Tribute
    • Date: Saturday, January 28
    • Time: Doors open at 8:00 PM, show begins at 9:00 PM
    • Admission: $15.00 per single ticket, $12.00 for a pack of four tickets
  • Angel Olsen
    • Date: Sunday, January 29
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $35.00 per ticket 
  • Shane Smith and the Saints
    • Date: Friday, February 10
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $20.00 per ticket
  • Seaforth
    • Date: Thursday, February 16
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $10.00 per single ticket, $7.00 for a pack of four tickets
  • Hailey Whitters
    • Date: Thursday, February 23
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $15.00 per ticket
  • Wizard Fest
    • Date: Sunday, February 26
    • Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $15.00 per regular ticket, $55.00 per VIP ticket
Buskirk-Chumley 

Location: Buskirk-Chumley

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Celebration
    • Date: Monday, January 16
    • Time: Show begins at 6:00 PM
    • Admission: Free
  • Black Opry Revue
    • Date: Thursday, January 19
    • Time: Show begins at 7:30 PM
    • Admission: $35.00-45.00 per ticket
  • Hoosiers
    • Date: Sunday, January 29
    • Time: Show begins at 2:00 PM
    • Admission: $6.00-$8.00 per ticket 
  • The Room
    • Date: Saturday, February 11
    • Time: Show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: $12.00-$18.00 per ticket
  • An Evening with Jeff Day
    • Date: Saturday, February 18
    • Time: Show begins at 7:30 PM
    • Admission: $10.00-$20.00 per ticket
The Comedy Attic Shows

Location: The Comedy Attic

Enjoy live comedy performances by the following comedians:

 

  • Dwight Simmons Records His Debut Special: "Who's The Master?"
    • Date: Friday, January 20 & Saturday, January 21
    • Time: 8:00 PM on Thursday & 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM on Friday & Saturday
    • Admission: $13.00 per student ticket (any school), $16.00 per general admission ticket
  • An Evening With Laurie Kilmartin
    • Date: Friday, February 3 & Saturday, February 4
    • Time: 7:00 PM and 9:15 PM on Friday & Saturday
    • Admission: $13.00 per student ticket (any school), $16.00 per general admission ticket
  • The Miraculous Maria Bamford
    • Date: Thursday, February 9 to Saturday, February 11
    • Time: 8:00 PM on Thursday & 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM on Friday & Saturday
    • Admission: $25.00 per ticket on Thursday & $30.00 per ticket on Friday & Saturday
  • Mat Alano-Martin Returns To The Comedy Attic
    • Date: Friday, February 24
    • Time: 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM
    • Admission: $13.00 per student ticket (any school), $16.00 per general admission ticket
Indiana University Auditorium 

Location: Indiana University Auditorium

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Book of Mormon 
    • Date: Tuesday, January 17 to Thursday, January 19
    • Time: Show begins at 7:30 PM
    • Admission: Starting at $30.00 per ticket
  • John Mellencamp 
    • Date: Sunday, February 5 & Monday, February 6
    • Time: Show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: Starting at $49.50 per ticket
  • Fiddler on the Roof
    • Date: Wednesday, February 8 & Thursday, February 9
    • Time: Show begins at 7:30 PM
    • Admission: Starting at $30.00 per ticket
  • Black Violin
    • Date: Saturday, February 25
    • Time: Show begins at 8:00 PM
    • Admission: Starting at $29.00 per ticket
The Orbit Room

Location: The Orbit Room

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • The Timekeepers of Eternity 
    • Date: Thursday, January 19
    • Time: 7:30 PM & 10:00 PM
    • Admission: $5 per ticket
Ted Jones Playhouse

Location: Ted Jones Playhouse

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Deathtrap
    • Date: Various dates from Thursday, January 26 to Sunday, February 19
    • Time: Times vary, see website for details
    • Admission: Starting at $35.00 per ticket
Waldron Arts Center

Location: Waldron Arts Center

Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:

 

  • Clue
    • Date: Saturday, January 14
    • Time: Show starts at 7:30 PM
    • Admission: $8.00 per ticket if purchased in advance, $12.00 per ticket if purchased at the door


SPORTING EVENTS

IU Women's Basketball celebrating a win on-court at Assembly Hall
Photo by IU Athletics

IU Men's Basketball
IU Women's Basketball
  • vs. Wisconsin
    • Date: Sunday, January 15
    • Time: 2:00 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $1.00 per ticket (special promotion) 
  • vs. Ohio State
    • Date: Thursday, January 26
    • Time: 8:30 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $5.00 for youth & groups, $10.00 per ticket for general admission
       
  • vs. Rutgers
    • Date: Sunday, January 29
    • Time: 2:00 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $5.00 for youth & groups, $10.00 per ticket for general admission
  • vs. Iowa
    • Date: Thursday, February 9
    • Time: 6:30 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $5.00 for youth & groups, $10.00 per ticket for general admission
  • vs. Michigan
    • Date: Thursday, February 16
    • Time: 8:30 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $5.00 for youth & groups, $10.00 per ticket for general admission
  • vs. Purdue
    • Date: Sunday, February 19
    • Time: 12:00 PM
    • Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
    • Admission: $5.00 for youth & groups, $10.00 per ticket for general admission
IU Wrestling
  • vs. Rutgers
    • Date: Friday, January 13
    • Time: 7:00 PM
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: Free
  • vs. Minnesota 
    • Date: Friday, January 20
    • Time: 6:00 PM
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: Free
  • vs. Penn State
    • Date: Sunday, February 5
    • Time: 2:00 PM
    • Location: Wilkinson Hall
    • Admission: Free


EXHIBITS & OTHER AREA HAPPENINGS

Uptown Cafe on Kirkwood Avenue during winter

“Sunrise of Hope” (Art Gallery)

Date: Tuesday, January 10 to Thursday, January 23
Time: Recurring on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM — RSPV requested
Location: 1719 W 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
Admission: Free

Come visit this wonderful art gallery showing local art in our community. January & February's showcase is by Bloomington Watercolor Society's Rose Brenner. 

Anatomy of a Quilt

Date: Tuesday, January 17 to Saturday, April 17
Time: Tuesday-Saturday's, various times
Location: Monroe County History Center
Admission: Adults $2, Students $1, Free for members & under 5

View quilts created in 1880s Bloomington society and learn about their history, material, and more.

Two Centuries of Student Voices

Date: Monday, January 16 to Monday, May 15
Time: Recurring every week day 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Wells Library
Admission: Free

Come reflect on the Indiana Daily Student's history from the 1840s, when the publication began, to current day. This exhibit shows a small collection from the past two centuries. 


A Double Feature: The Observance of National Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Paintings of Sanlly Viera

Date: Thursday, January 12 to Wednesday, September 20
Time: Recurring every 30 days 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: The Venue Fine Art & Gifts
Admission: Free

The exhibit looks to calm its viewers from the mental health crisis in America by using the calming effects of water. The exhibit features the full collection of Cuban artist Sanlly Viera. 
 


LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS IN 2023? CHECK OUT THIS PAGE:
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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, watching Survivor, and is a pro tennis fanatic. 

 

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