FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Bloomington Music Expo
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: $2.00 per ticket
Browse thousands of new and pre-loved LPs, 45s, CDs, cassettes, music memorabilia, posters and record supplies. Whether you’re searching for a hard-to-find record, filling gaps in your collection or spending the day crate digging, there’s something for every music fan.
Howl at the Moon
Date: Friday, October 9
Time: 7:30-8:30 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
Grab your glow gear, leash up your pup, and join a free evening stroll through Switchyard Park! This fun, social walk is a great opportunity to meet fellow dog lovers, help your dog practice polite leash-walking around other dogs, and enjoy the park after dark in a festive atmosphere.
17th Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Location: Monroe County Courthouse
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.
Boozy Book Fair
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: WonderLab Museum
Admission: Member: $15.00 Non-members, Access pass: $8.00
Join WonderLab and Morgenstern Books for our annual Boozy Book Fair. Pick up a new (banned!) book, play at WonderLab, dive into hands-on activities run by local professionals and hobbyists. Enjoy drinks from local bars and light snacks from WonderLab.
An Afternoon in the Park
Date: Sunday, October 11
Time: 1:00-4:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
All are invited to stop by Switchyard Park Pavilion for a fun afternoon in the park sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul serving Monroe County! Enjoy this free community event with live music by the Justin Case Band, face painting, and indoor and outdoor games. Food trucks will offer items for purchase as well as a Silent Auction and a raffle for themed baskets.
Geology Spooktacular
Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Location: Indiana Geological and Water Survey
Admission: Free
Wear your favorite geo-costume and explore spooky specimens of Indiana’s oddest fossils and minerals in this family-friendly event.
Harrodsburg Fall Festival
Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: 1002 W. Popcorn Road
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.
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.
IU Homecoming Weekend & Parade
Date: Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31
Time: Parade starts at 5:30 PM on Friday
Location: Woodlawn Avenue
Admission: Free
We might be biased, but Homecoming weekend in Bloomington is one of the best times of the year—it’s a chance to reconnect with friends and relive your favorite IU traditions. The IUAA hosts events throughout the weekend, including the parade on Friday evening and a tailgate on Saturday. Join us Oct. 30-31 for IU Homecoming 2026.
LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
Bloomington Boogies
Date: Saturday, October 10-Monday, October 12
Time: Various times
Location: Various locations
Admission: See website for details
The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival is an annual music and dance festival featuring the world's best blues and boogie-woogie piano players along with professional dancers, food, and drinks.
The 3 Jays
Date: Friday, October 16
Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
Location: Sleeper's Bar
Admission: Free
We're a cover band playing danceable classic rock tunes from the '60s and '70s, at Bloomington's coolest and most laid-back venue. No cover.
The Bluebird Shows
Location: The Bluebird
Enjoy the following live musical performances:
- 90's Country Night w/Jake Dodds
- Date: Saturday, October 10
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Admission: $14.51 per ticket
- The Brook and The Bluff
- Date: Thursday, October 22
- Time: 8:00 PM
- Admission: See website for details
Buskirk-Chumley Theater Shows
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Enjoy the following live musical performances:
- Paula Poundstone
- Date: Friday, October 9
- Time: 7:00-10:00 PM
- Admission: $38.00-$58.00 per ticket
- The Robert Cray Band
- Date: Friday, October 23
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Admission: $45.00-$50.00 per ticket
IU Auditorium Shows
Location: IU Auditorium
Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:
- An Evening with Sutton Foster
- Date: Tuesday, October 6
- Time: 7:30-9:30 PM
- Admission: See website for details
- A Conversation with Bill Nye
- Date: Thursday, October 15
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Admission: IUB Students Free, IU Faculty/Staff $15, General Public $25
SPORTING EVENTS
IU Football
- vs. Ohio State
- Date: Saturday, October 17
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- vs. UCLA (Homecoming)
- Date: Saturday, October 31
- Location: Memorial Stadium
RECURRING EVENTS
Bloomington Food Truck Friday
Date: Every Friday
Time: 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Cost of meal
Grab some delicious, locally-made food, enjoy the amenities at Switchyard Park, and experience live music & performances from local artists.
A Fair of the Arts
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM
Location: Fernandez Plaza
Admission: Free
Shop for handmade art and fine crafts! Bloomington Parks and Recreation hosts a celebration of art and community with the sales, demonstrations, and displays of art and fine crafts by local and regional artists.
Bloomington Community Farmers' Market
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM
Location: Showers Common
Admission: Free
Locally-grown produce, annual and perennial plants, and a variety of prepared foods are available.
People's Market
Date: Recurring weekly on Saturday
Time: Saturday's 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: First United Church in the Fellowship Hall
Admission: Free
We strive to work towards intersectional anti-racism, create space for food justice in our food system while cultivating liberation and equity, and ensure access to local food, art, and education.
Downtown Shop Night
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 4:00-7:00 PM
Location: Gather :handmade shoppe & co.:
Admission: Free
Every third Wednesday from April through October, our downtown shops are staying open a little later and making the night feel like something more. Expect small surprises, special offerings, and a reason to wander from one door to the next.
This is your invitation to slow down, shop local, and be part of what’s happening right here. Pop into your favorite spots, discover somewhere new, and run into people you know (or want to).
