Annual Events in Bloomington, IN

Plan to experience Freezefest in January 2022. 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 each January. Learn more

Plan to experience the Bloomington Music Expo in February 2022. The Bloomington Music Expo is a day-long celebration of music anchored by Bloomington's only public vinyl show. For more information visit www.bloomingtonmusicexpo.com. 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 in February 2022! 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. Check back regularly for updates on dates for the 2021 Bloomington Craft Beer Festival. 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. Experience the Hoosier Half Marathon and 5K in April 2022. Learn more

One of Indiana University's most iconic annual events, Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Made famous by the Academy Award-winning movie Breaking Away, the 33rd annual women's and 70th annual men's races will occur with no spectators on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. Fans... 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 35th annual festival is centered near the Harrodsburg Community Center and will take place on May 21-22, 2021. Learn more

An annual series of concerts celebrating performances and workshops by local, regional, and national performers and scholars. The 2021 festival occurs virtually May 9-16. 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 2021 Monroe County Fair will occur Saturday, June 26 - Saturday, July 3. 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 in August 2021. Check back regularly for updates on this year's date. Learn more

Bloomington Pridefest is a free celebration of LGBTQ people and allies in Bloomington. The festival occurs on Kirkwood Avenue and features live performances, music, food, drinks, educational workshops, and interactive activities. Pridefest occurs in 2021 on Saturday, August 28! 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" September 2-4, 2021. 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 in September, 2021. Check back regularly for updates on this year's date. 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 2021 event will occur Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5. Learn more

Bloomington GarlicFEST is a two-day fest featuring food, local artists, live music, kid zone, and more. The 2021 festival will be held Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September 5. Learn more

Immerse yourself in the world of hands-on bubble science! BubbleFest occurs on Saturday, September 4 - Monday, September 6, 2021. Learn more

The 9th 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 2021 event takes place Thursday, September... 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, an antique tractor show, street dance, and a Saturday afternoon parade. The 2021 festival takes place September 23-25. Learn more

Join over 5,000 participants as they run and walk the 5k or family 1-mile course through Indiana University’s beautiful campus. The 22nd annual Hoosiers Outrun Cancer is set to take place on September 25, 2021. 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 28th annual festival takes place September 23-26, 2021 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 in October 2021. Check back regularly for updates on this... Learn more

Relive your favorite college traditions and celebrate the ultimate IU weekend. Make plans now to come back to Bloomington on October 15-16, 2021! Learn more

Choose from over 900 handmade blown-glass pumpkins at this iconic fall event. The 12th Annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch will be held on the lawn of the Monroe County Courthouse on Saturday, October 15, 2021. 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

Food lovers rejoice! From Monday, October 19 – Sunday, November 1, 2020, enjoy exclusive menus from your favorite Bloomington restaurants. Make plans now to indulge at your favorite spots and try new ones too – all while supporting the local restaurant and hospitality industry. Learn more

Bloomington's three guilds: 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 three mediums:... 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 13, 2021, 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 takes place Friday, November 26,... 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 2021... 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