Annual Events in Bloomington, IN

Freezefest features ice sculptures, ice sculpting demonstrations, interactive games, kids activities and more! Beat the winter doldrums by attending this free event! Freezefest happens in various locations around Bloomington January 6-11, 2020. Learn more

The Bloomington Music Expo is a day long celebration of music anchored by Bloomington's only public vinyl show. The 2020 event will take place at the Monroe Convention Center from 10:00am - 4:00pm on Saturday, February 8. For more information visit www.bloomingtonmusicexpo.com. Learn more

14 delicious days of three-course, value-priced meals! Devour Bloomington is February 24–March 8, 2020, at dozens of participating Bloomington restaurants. Learn more

Since 2003, PRIDE has been Bloomington's only film festival devoted to the LGBTQ+ communities. Brighten up your winter with two days of the best new queer film on February 28-29, 2020! Learn more

The Indiana Heritage Quilt Show brings together over 200 stunning examples of quilted works each year at the Monroe Convention Center. Attendees will find quilted works on display, workshops for all skill levels, a merchants' mall filled with sewing and quilting supplies and fabrics and several... Learn more

Sample hundreds of craft brews from 45+ Indiana and Midwest breweries at the historic Woolery Mill, a former limestone milling facility. The Bloomington Craft Beer Festival happens on Saturday, April 11, 2020. Learn more

A challenging race where participants will find 13.1 miles of relentless rolling hills, but be rewarded with amazing views of the IU campus, downtown Bloomington, and countless spring blooms. The 2020 event occurs on Saturday, April 18. Learn more

Made famous by the Academy Award-winning movie Breaking Away, the Little 500 is one of Indiana University's most loved traditions and is often referred to as "The World's Greatest College... Learn more

A weekend-long festival that celebrates the Harrodsburg community. Attendees will enjoy live music, great food, an arts and crafts show, a big parade and more. The 34th annual festival is centered near the Harrodsburg Community Center and will take place on May 15-16, 2020. Learn more

An annual series of concerts celebrating performances and workshops by local, regional, and national performers and scholars. The 2020 festival occurs in multiple venues around Bloomington May 17-25. Learn more

Limestone Comedy Festival brings today's biggest comedians and tomorrow's brightest stars to downtown Bloomington for "The Greatest Weekend Of Your Life, Vol. VIII" June 4-6, 2020. Learn more

Arts Fair on the Square is a juried art show featuring over 100 regional and national artists and craftspeople on the picturesque grounds surrounding the Monroe County Courthouse. The 40th annual event will take place on June 13, 2020 from 10 am - 5 pm. Learn more

The Taste of Bloomington is an annual celebration of Bloomington's wide variety of unique dining experiences. Over 40 restaurants are on site with specialties for you to sample, and local beer and wine products will also be available for... Learn more

The Fourth of July festivities in downtown Bloomington are a must-see if you're in the area. Enjoy a traditional Fourth of July parade through the downtown area, live music and more! Check our title="2019 Fireworks Festivities"... Learn more

Enjoy a traditional county fair, complete with 4-H projects and competitions, a rodeo, loads of food vendors, a demolition derby, carnival rides, games and more! The 2020 Monroe County Fair will occur June 29 - July 5. Learn more

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 5th annual Boogies Fest takes place August 7-10, 2020. Learn more

Bloomington Pridefest is a free celebration of LGBTQ people and allies in Bloomington. The festival occurs the last Saturday of August on Kirkwood Avenue and features live performances, music, food, drinks, educational workshops, and interactive activities. Pridefest occurs in 2019 on Saturday,... Learn more

A one-day festival celebrating pop culture new and old. Attendees will find amazing vendors from all over the Midwest, a cosplay contest, panels, and the only custom figure contest in Indiana. The 2020 Indiana Toy and Comic Expo is Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Monroe Convention Center! Learn more

The B’Town Jazz Fest celebrates Bloomington’s rich jazz heritage and showcases the area’s leading professional and collegiate artists. This free, all-day event will take place at the Monroe Convention Center on Saturday, September 5, 2020! Learn more

The Fourth Street Festival of the Arts is a two-day showcase of 120+ nationally and regionally recognized artists. This free event also features performance art and live music. The 2020 event will occur Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. Learn more

Bloomington GarlicFEST is a two-day fest featuring food, local artists, live music, kid zone and more. The 2020 festival will be held Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. Learn more

Immerse yourself in the world of hands-on bubble science! BubbleFest occurs on Saturday, September 5 - Monday, September 7, 2020. Learn more

The 8th Annual Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest highlights include balloon launches each morning and evening. The Night Glow, where balloons are tethered to the ground and illuminated for all to enjoy, is a festival favorite. This family-friendly, fun-filled weekend-long event takes place Friday,... Learn more

The Monroe County Fall Festival is a popular three-day event that attracts more than 50,000 people. It features a variety of exhibits, a spectacular parade, queen contest, kids' day, craft vendors, lots of great food and wholesome family entertainment. The 2020 event takes place September 17-19 at... Learn more

The Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival is a weekend-long celebration featuring great food, lots of live music, arts and crafts, a pie competition, antique tractor show, street dance, and a Saturday afternoon parade. The 2020 festival takes place September 24-26. Learn more

The 21st annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer is set to take place at IU Memorial Stadium on September 26, 2020. Join over 5,000 participants as they run and walk the 5k or family 1-mile course through Indiana University’s beautiful campus. For more information, visit HoosiersOutrunCancer.org. Learn more

The Lotus World Music and Arts Festival is one of the oldest world music festivals in the U.S. and the only festival of its kind in the state of Indiana. The 27th annual festival takes place September 24-27, 2020 in downtown Bloomington. Learn more

MidWay Music Festival showcases women-featured artists at a daytime outdoor festival and evening club fest. The fest strives to celebrate and connect women of all identities and non-binary people in music. Don't miss this event taking place on October 2-3, 2020. Learn more

Relive your favorite college traditions and celebrate the ultimate IU weekend. Make plans now to come back to Bloomington on October 9-10, 2020! Learn more

Choose from over 900 handmade blown-glass pumpkins at this iconic fall event. The 11th Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch will be held on the lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse on Saturday, October 10, 2020. Learn more

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... Learn more

Bloomington's three holiday guild shows: Local Clay Potters' Guild, Bloomington Spinners & Weavers Guild and Indiana Glass Guild are all together under one roof at the Monroe Convention Center for one of Bloomington biggest holiday art shows. The show features local and regional artists in the... Learn more

The Bloomington Handmade Market is an indie craft show featuring artists and crafters from all over the Midwest. This free public show is held at the Monroe Convention Center. Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 14, 2020 and plan to attend this event! Learn more

This iconic event serves as an official kick-off to the holiday season in Bloomington. Celebrate the holiday season as Santa flips the switch to transform downtown Bloomington into a sparkling winter wonderland, featuring several miles of lights. Canopy of Lights will occur Friday, November 27,... Learn more

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the final Bloomington Community Farmers' Market of the season magically transforms into the Holiday Market! Shop for locally grown farm products, and arts and fine crafts created by local artisans, all while listening to the music of the season. At Holiday Market,... Learn more

Krampus Rampage and Bazaar is a celebratory, performance art, night-time winter parade that promotes good behavior and discourages bad behavior. Bloomington's Krampus event is the largest in North America and strives to be historically accurate, accessible, visually striking, and engaging. The 2020... Learn more

First Thursdays are monthly festivals showcasing the diversity of arts and humanities on the IU campus and throughout the Bloomington community. On the first Thursday of September, October, November, April and May, the Council and its friends join together on the Arts Plaza (right in front of the IU... Learn more

Mark your calendar for the First Friday of every month when ten downtown galleries, conveniently located within walking distance of one another, stay open from 5pm-8pm for Gallery Walk Bloomington. For information on this year's dates, participating galleries, and downloadable maps visit... Learn more