Annual Events in Bloomington, IN

Since 2003, PRIDE has been Bloomington's only film festival devoted to issues and situations concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities (LGBTQ+). Brighten up your winter with two days of the best new queer film on February28-29, 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

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

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

Multi-day Kurt Vonnegut inspired celebration to kick off the summer arts season in Bloomington. The 2nd annual weekend long festival will take place May 9-11, 2019. 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

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 20, 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, carnival rides, games and more! 4-H projects are on display throughout the fair in a variety of subject areas and a large commercial exhibit building offers tons of booths and a great way... Learn more

A 10-day performance competition where the world's best harpists compete for a coveted Gold Medal. Nearly 400 harpists from 41 countries have participated in the triennial event, founded in 1989. The 2019 USA International Harp Competition will take place July 3-13, 2019. Learn more

The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival is an annual music and dance festival in Bloomington, Indiana featuring the world's best blues and boogie woogie piano players along with professional dancers, food and beverages. The 4th annual Boogies Fest takes place August 10-12, 2019. 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, August 31, 2019! Learn more

Immerse yourself in the world of hands-on bubble science! BubbleFest occurs on Saturday, August 31 - Monday, September 2, 2019. 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

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 2019 event will occur Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. Learn more

Bloomington GarlicFEST strives to bring the community together to offer all ages an opportunity to celebrate healthy lifestyle choices, support local artists and musicians, and participate in interactive areas of the festival. Bloomington GarlicFEST takes place outdoors, so bring sunglasses,... Learn more

The 7th 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 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 2019 event takes place September 19-21 at... Learn more

The annual Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival welcomes residents and visitors for a weekend 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 2019 festival takes place September 26-28,... Learn more

On Saturday, September 21, 2019, Upland Brewing Company's annual Oktoberfest at the Bloomington Tap Room will feature a variety of special German menu items served all day long, live music beginning at 11am, and more! Stop by to enjoy the atmosphere for lunch, dinner or just drinks. Learn more

One of the oldest world music festivals in the U.S. and the only festival of its kind in the state of Indiana, the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival attracts more than 12,000 people to downtown Bloomington annually each fall, for 4-5 days of music and arts from around the globe. The 26th annual... 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 2019 Indiana Toy and Comic Expo is Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Monroe Convention Center! Learn more

Each year, the IU Alumni Association goes all out to welcome Hoosiers back to Bloomington during Homecoming Weekend. There's nothing better than a fall weekend in Bloomington unless maybe it's a fall Homecoming Weekend! Special events include a parade on Friday evening, followed by a pep rally at... Learn more

Choose from over 900 handmade blown-glass pumpkins at this iconic fall event. The 10th Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch will be held on the lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse on Saturday, October 12, 2019. Learn more

The Annual Hilly Hundred Weekend, sponsored by the Central Indiana Bicycling Association (CIBA), is a classic bicycle event designed for the touring bicyclist. If you like a bicycling challenge that includes entertainment and fellowship with more than 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 annual, juried show. Artists and crafters are selected based on quality, unusual work of a type not normally seen in traditional craft fairs. Dozens of artists come from both Bloomington and around the Midwest to participate in this public show held at the... Learn more

Join downtown businesses in celebrating the holiday season as Santa flips the switch to transform downtown Bloomington into a sparkling winter wonderland, featuring several miles of lights. Many special open houses are held in the downtown area during the Canopy of Lights celebration. This iconic... 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 Night a celebratory, evening, winter parade. This Alpine cultural tradition promotes a playful and engaging morality tale of accountability, encouraging good behavior and discouraging bad behavior. The parade takes place in early December, along Morton Street (between 3rd and 7th... 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 thirteen 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