FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Monroe Lake 60th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Throughout August-October
Time: Various times
Location: Monroe Lake
Admission: Varies, depending on program
On October 24, 1964, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dedicated Monroe Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the state of Indiana. Designed as a flood mitigation and low-flow augmentation project, the reservoir also serves as the water supply for the City of Bloomington, attracts over 1 million recreational users each year, and supports the habitat needs of numerous species, including the iconic Bald Eagle. In 2024, we celebrate the reservoir’s 60th anniversary, with a variety of events hosted by our partners throughout the summer and fall!
31st Annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
Date: Thursday, October 3 through Sunday, October 6
Time: Various times
Admission: See website for ticketing information
Lotus Festival 2024 will showcase over 25 different artists and groups from around the globe where you can expect unique opportunities and experiences that may broaden your worldview through the arts.
Annual Hilly Hundred Bicycle Tour
Date: Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6
Location: 601 Edgewood Drive, Ellettsville, IN 47429
Admission: See website for registration details
If you like a bicycling challenge that includes entertainment and fellowship with more than 5,000 cyclists from over 40 states and several foreign countries, the Hilly is for you. This three day event (with two days of riding approximately 50 miles each day) is held in the scenic hills of southern Indiana. There is no on-site registration.
Lotus in the Park
Date: Saturday, October 5
Time: 12:00-4:00 PM
Location: Waldron, Hill & Buskirk Park
Admission: Free
Enjoy an afternoon filled with free outdoor performances by Lotus Festival artists, and family fun including interactive visual arts activities and local food truck offerings. Bring a folding chair or a blanket, and prepare to have fun! Visit the Lotus activity table and learn about featured festival artist, Carina Leiva.
Science Fest
Date: Saturday, October 5
Time: 9:00 AM-3:00 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.
Makevention
Date: Saturday, October 12
Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
Makevention is an exhibit and celebration of the maker spirit in Bloomington. Come see the inventive and creative passions of your community! Maker culture includes a wide range of activities, including 3D printing, textiles, woodworking, and games. It unites people from various backgrounds, from home-based inventors to production companies, who like to build things and embrace problem solving, transforming ideas into tangible forms.
BloominGrass Festival
Date: Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19
Time: 7:00 PM-9:30 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $39.00-$59.00 per ticket
BloominGrass is a new mini music festival taking place at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for one night only, featuring some of the most exciting music in contemporary folk and bluegrass. The Bloomingrass headliner is Sam Bush. Special guests can be viewed here.
Hoosier Hysteria
Date: Friday, October 18
Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
Admission: Free
Hoosier Hysteria Scrimmage presented by Smithville will begin with player introductions, two quarters of an intra-squad scrimmage from the women's team, a half of an intra-squad scrimmage from the men's team, and a message to the crowd from both head coaches. Following the scrimmages will be the opportunity to meet the team, takes photos, and get signatures from their favorite Hoosiers.
IU Homecoming Weekend
Date: Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19
Time: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Admission: $35.00-$50.00 per ticket
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. 18–19 for IU Homecoming 2024.
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Grand Opening
Date: Saturday, October 19
Location: 416 N Indiana Ave.
Admission: Free
Join us Saturday, October 19th from 12:30 to 5:30 P.M. to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and the opening of the William Mathers Gallery, which will feature two new exhibitions: Whispers from the Divide and Divine Adornment: Community Stories of Belonging.
LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
Live Music at the Hawaiian Hoosier
Date: Every Saturday of October
Location: Hawaiian Hoosier
Admission: Free
Join us at The Hawaiian Hoosier on Saturdays, from 2 PM to 4 PM for a relaxing afternoon of live acoustic music. Enjoy delicious snacks and great vibes while enjoying live music that sets the perfect backdrop for a chill weekend hangout. Come for the food, stay for the music, and embrace the aloha spirit!
Live Music at Butler Winery
Date: Every Sunday of October
Location: Butler Winery
Admission: Free
Join us for live music at Butler Winery every Sunday from 2 to 5pm. Enjoy the music of local artists while sipping wine at our vineyard location.
The Back Door
Location: The Back Door
Enjoy live performances by the following artists:
- Beyond the Binary
- Date: Friday, October 4
- Time: 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Admission: $10.00 cash or $12.00 card
The Bluebird Shows
Location: The Bluebird
Enjoy the following live musical performances:
- 6 Foot Blonde
- Date: Wednesday, October 2
- Time: 10:00 PM
- Admission: $10.00 per ticket
- Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band
- Date: Friday, October 11
- Time: 8:00 PM
- Admission: $35.00-$100.00 per ticket
The Comedy Attic Shows
Location: The Comedy Attic
Enjoy live comedy performances by the following comedians:
- One Night Only With Steven Rogers!
- Date: Thursday, October 3
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Admission: $16.00-$20.00 per ticket
IU Auditorium Shows
Location: IU Auditorium
Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:
- Speaking of Excellence Featuring Jesse Tyler Ferguson
- Date: Tuesday, October 15
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Admission: Free for IUB Students, $25.00 for public
The Orbit Room Shows
Location: The Orbit Room
Enjoy live musical performances by the following artists:
- Bark Culture
- Date: Friday, October 4
- Time: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Admission: $12.00 per ticket in advance, $15.00 day of show
SPORTING EVENTS
IU Men's Soccer
- vs. Washington
- Date: Friday, October 4 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Adults $10, Youth (Ages 3-18) $5
- vs. Kentucky
- Date: Tuesday, October 8 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Adults $10, Youth (Ages 3-18) $5
- vs. Penn State
- Date: Friday, October 11 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Adults $10, Youth (Ages 3-18) $5
- vs. Michigan State
- Date: Friday, October 18 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Adults $10, Youth (Ages 3-18) $5
- vs. Northwestern
- Date: Tuesday, October 29
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Adults $10, Youth (Ages 3-18) $5
IU Volleyball
- vs. Michigan State
- Date: Friday, October 4 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Wilkinson Hall
- Admission: Free
- vs. Ohio State
- Date: Sunday, October 6 at 1:00 PM
- Location: Wilkinson Hall
- Admission: Free
- vs. Penn State
- Date: Sunday, October 13 at 1:00 PM
- Location: Wilkinson Hall
- Admission: Free
- vs. Wisconsin
- Date: Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Wilkinson Hall
- Admission: Free
- vs. Northwestern
- Date: Sunday, October 27 at 7:30 PM
- Location: Wilkinson Hall
- Admission: Free
IU Women's Soccer
- vs. Purdue
- Date: Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Free
- vs. Wisconsin
- Date: Sunday, October 13 at 1:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Free
- vs. Illinois
- Date: Thursday, October 17 at 7:00 PM
- Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
- Admission: Free
IU Football
- vs. Nebraska
- Date: Saturday, October 19
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- vs. Washington
- Date: Saturday, October 26
- Location: Memorial Stadium
IU Women's Basketball
- vs. Maryville
- Date: Wednesday, October 30
- Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
EXHIBITS
Gallery Walk
Date: Friday, October 4
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Bloomington galleries
Admission: Free
Discover delightful surprises, inspiration, festivities, and original works of art for purchase. Explore each distinctive gallery in-person or online all year long at your own pace.
Juniper Art Gallery 1st Friday Celebrations
Date: Friday, October 4
Time: 5:00-8:00 PM
Location: Juniper Art Gallery
Admission: Free
Join us for First Friday Gallery Walk at Juniper Art Gallery on October 4th from 5-8pm! Not only will it be the opening reception for TWO brand new exhibits on display (all new artwork in Regional Gallery, and new Special Exhibit featuring Pamela Newell and Donna Shortt), we'll also have live music by ZABA from 6-7:30 to coincide with Lotus Festival and Juniper Art Gallery's SIXTH BIRTHDAY! Come celebrate with us, surrounded yourself with beautiful artwork and music, and enjoy some food or drinks for the evening.
RECURRING EVENTS
First Thursdays at IU
Date: Thursday, October 3
Time: 4:00-7:00 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.
Bloomington Food Truck Friday
Date: Every Friday
Time: 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Cost of your food
Every Friday from 11 am - 9 pm, enjoy Bloomington's best food trucks in one place: Switchyard Park!
People's Market
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Location: 2420 E 3rd St.
Admission: Free
Join us every week at First United Church in the Fellowship Hall.
Woolery Farmers' Market
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Location: Woolery Mill
Admission: Free
The Woolery Farmers' Market has a diversity of vendors and products. Enjoy fresh local produce, local meat and poultry, wild Alaskan salmon, dairy products including a wonderful selection of cheese, eggs, honey products, breads, baked goods, locally roasted coffee and specialty teas, beautiful flower bouquets, along with artisanal food and beverages from those small family businesses that you have grown to love.
LOOKING FOR MORE EVENTS IN OCTOBER AND BEYOND? CHECK OUT THESE PAGES:
- Bloomington's Best Fall Festivals
- Events Calendar
- Halloween Happenings in Bloomington
