As the leaves start changing throughout Southern Indiana, Bloomington comes alive with vibrant festivals and events to entertain spectators of all ages and interests. The beautiful scenery is enough of a reason to visit Bloomington in the fall, but these events are an added bonus you don't want to miss out on.
Monroe County Fall Festival
Date: Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12
Time: Thursday 5:00-9:00 pm, Friday 5:00-10:00 pm, Saturday 11:30 am-10:00 pm
Location: S. Park Street, near Marci Jane Lewis Park in Ellettsville
Admission: Free
Join us this year for an unforgettable and fun time. With 2 stages of free live music and local entertainment, many craft booths, a huge commercial tent, 15 yummy festival food vendors, a big flea market, many games for the kids, with Education Day on Friday.
Fowler Pumpkin Patch Opening Day
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 10:00 AM-7:00 pm
Location: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Admission: Free
Explore the farm and pick your pumpkins, try the corn maze, hayrides, beer flights, and more. Check out September and October hours to plan your visit this season.
Witch Fest - Harvest Market
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: Noon-7:00 pm
Location: Courthouse Lawn
Admission: Free
In typical Witch Fest Event fashion....Think The Craft meets Gilmore Girls. Gather and oak. will be taking over the downtown Courthouse lawn with artists of all kinds - handmade makers and crafters - along with astrological readers providing a variety of services from tarot to reiki to gris gris to reading bones.
Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival
Date: Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26
Time: 6:00-10:00 pm on Thursday & Friday; 10:00 am-11:00 pm on Saturday
Location: McGlockin Park in Stinesville
Admission: Free
Celebrating over 50 years at McGlocklin Park, Stinesville’s Stone Quarry Festival is the perfect way to get connected with Monroe County’s rich limestone history. Local bands, games for the family, dance companies, and food judging contests all ensure a variety of entertainment in this small-town favorite.
Bug Fest
Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Location: Karst Farm Park
Admission: Free
Learn all about amazing insects at Bloomington's 12th annual Bug Fest! Check out cool insects, make a craft, participate in bug-themed activities, and much more. Exhibitors will share and display their knowledge on a variety of buggy topics.
Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
Date: Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4
Time: Varying times — see the schedule
Location: Several downtown locations and venues
Admission: Several ticket packages are available — find ticket information
Indiana’s annual celebration of world music, arts, and culture. A four-day festival for people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds that is supported by countless community partners, sponsors, and volunteers. Join us for a weekend celebrating and exploring the diversity of the world’s cultures through music, art, food, dance, workshops, and fun for the whole family!
Hilly Hundred Bicycle Tour
Date: Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4
Time: 8:00–10:00 AM
Location: Ellettsville
Admission: Registration Required
The Hilly Hundred is a two-day, 100-mile bicycle tour through the area's beautiful, hilly landscape. Designed for the touring bicyclist and based in nearby Ellettsville, routes take riders throughout Monroe County and into neighboring counties. Join over 5,500 bicyclists from over 40 states and several countries across the globe.
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Location: Monroe County Courthouse lawn
Admission: Free
Every October, we celebrate the season with over 1,000 stunning blown glass pumpkins displayed for sale on the Bloomington Courthouse Lawn. The enchanting atmosphere, complete with crisp autumn air and glass sparkling in the sun on haybales, is one pumpkin spice latte away from a hallmark movie. Crafted by our talented glassblowing apprentices, each pumpkin is a unique masterpiece, hand-made with care and artistry.
Harrodsburg Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Harrodsburg Community Center
Admission: Free
This year we are offering a family friendly Costume Contest, Vendor Booth Decorating contest, pumpkins to decorate, Carmel Apples, food trucks and Trick-Or-Treating on the grounds.
Witch Faire
Date: Sunday, October 18
Time: 12:00-6:00 PM
Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds
Admission: Free
Something goes BUMP in the night. What could it be? It's the sound of local witches, ghouls and ghosties getting ready for the Witch Faire 2026! Join us at the Monroe County Fairgrounds for another spooky trade show featuring divination, vendors, food trucks and more. As usual we will have our yearly costume contest as well as trick-or-treating for the kiddos, so mark your calendars!
Science Fest
Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Owen Hall
Admission: See website for details
The mission of IU Science Fest is to celebrate and inspire curiosity among Hoosiers of all ages by providing exciting hands-on experiences with science, by promoting meaningful and direct exchanges with scientists, and by highlighting scientific research and teaching at IU.
Indiana University Homecoming Weekend
Date: Friday, October 30 through Saturday, October 31
Time: Friday, 5:30 pm & Saturday, 2 hours prior to kick-off
Location: Friday - Parade on Woodlawn Avenue, Saturday - Memorial Stadium
Admission: Varies
IU Homecoming Weekend allows alumni to reconnect with friends, relive their favorite college traditions, and show their kids their old stomping grounds. The Indiana University Alumni Association will host several events throughout the weekend, including a parade on Friday evening and the Hoosier Huddle, a members-only tailgate, on Saturday.
