Labor Day marks the start of Bloomington's most magical season.
The temperature begins to get chillier, the leaves start to change color, and the air becomes crisper. While many celebrate summer's last hurrah with a backyard barbeque and a final soak in the sun, Bloomington offers a wide array of fun events to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall — we've rounded up every festival and event you can expect to find during Labor Day weekend so you don't have to.
Use this navigation list to easily jump from section-to-section:
Festivals
LIMESTONE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Photo by TALL & small Photography
Date: Thursday, September 2 through Saturday, September 4
Time: Varying times — see the schedule here
Location: Multiple venues — see the schedule here
Admission: Tickets are available per show, as multi-day passes, and for the entire festival — see ticketing information here
Enjoy the annual Limestone Comedy Festival in which over 50 comedians from across the nation perform at The Comedy Attic and other Bloomington venues.
B'TOWN JAZZ FEST
Date: Saturday, September 4
Time: 12:00 pm-11:00 pm
Location: Woolery Mill
Admission: Free
Celebrate Bloomington's rich jazz community at B'Town Jazz Fest! Features include performances by the area's leading professional artists, as well as collegiate and high school performers, food & drinks, and select merchandise. The Jazz Fest's 2021 headliners include Randy Brecker (trumpet) and Ada Rovatti (saxophone).
FOURTH STREET FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS & CRAFTS
Date: Saturday, September 4 through Sunday, September 5
Time: 10:00 am-6:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am-5:00 pm on Sunday
Location: 4th Street, between Indiana and Grant Streets
Admission: Free
Enjoy the 45th annual Fourth Street Festival of the Arts & Crafts, with 80 booths of fine art and fine crafts created by local and regional artists.
Special Events
FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
Date: Friday, September 3
Time: 11:00 am-9:00 pm
Location: Switchyard Park
Admission: Free
Food Truck Friday takes place at Switchyard Park every Friday from June through October. Swing by anytime between 11:00 am-9:00 pm to grab some delicious, locally-made food, enjoy the amenities at Switchyard Park, and experience live music & performances from local artists.
Gallery Walk
Date: Friday, September 3
Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
Location: Various downtown art galleries
Admission: Free
Enjoy local & regional art and Bloomington's vibrant downtown scene during Gallery Walk. Ten downtown art galleries participate in the event — stroll through the heart of Bloomington as you admire various works at each location.
WEEKEND FARMERS' MARKETS
Photo by Woolery Farmer's Market
Date: Saturday, September 4
Time: Varying times — see all Saturday markets here
Location: Multiple venues — see all Saturday markets here
Admission: Free
Enjoy five different Bloomington farmers' markets during Labor Day weekend: the Bloomington Community Farmer's Market, People's Cooperative Market, Woolery Farmers' Market, Smithville Farmers' Market, and Goldleaf Farmers Market.
Live Music
The Bluebird
Enjoy live musical performances at The Bluebird by the following artists:
Artist: Rod Tuffcurls
Date: Friday, September 3
Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm; show starts at 9:00 pm
Admission: $20.00 per ticket
Artist: Magic City Hippies
Date: Saturday, September 4
Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm; show starts at 9:00 pm
Admission: $20.00 per ticket
Sporting Events
JOSH BURTON MEMORIAL RACE
Date: Friday, September 3
Time: Gates open at 5:00 pm; hot laps begin at 6:30 pm; race begins at 7:30 pm
Location: Bloomington Speedway
Admission: General admission is $25.00 per person; pit admission is $35.00 per person.
Celebrate the life of Josh Burton and enjoy a night of motorsport with Midwest Sprint Car Series Sprints, Modifieds, Super Stocks, and Midwest Mini Sprint Association racing.
IU Men's Soccer IU Credit Union/adidas Classic
Date: Friday, September 3 & Monday, September 6
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
Admission: General admission is $10.00 per ticket; youth ages 3-18 are $5.00 per ticket; ages two & under are free.
Enjoy the IU Men's Soccer IU Credit Union/adidas Classic against Creighton University on Friday and Xavier University on Monday.
Watch Parties for the IU Football Season Opener vs. Iowa
The following Bloomington restaurants are hosting watch parties for the IU Football season opener against Iowa on Saturday, September 4:
Location: Crazy Horse
Time: Restaurant opens at 11:00 am; kick-off is at 3:30 pm
Food & Drink Specials: $3.00 mimosas, Bloody Marys, and screwdrivers; $5.00 23-ounce domestic drafts and Wheatley & Smirnoff doubles; $10.00 champagne bottles
Location: Nick's English Hut
Time: Restaurant opens at 11:00 am; kick-off is at 3:30 pm
Food & Drink Specials: $2.00 Smirnoff shots, $2.50 PBRs, $3.00 Saltwater Woody & Cardinal Spirits shots; $4.00 24-ounce Coors Lights, and $5.00 Space Dust IPAs
Additional Information: Nick's will broadcast the game on over 30 TVs inside the restaurant, and the audio will be broadcasted for outdoor dining patrons.
IU Women's Soccer vs. Southeast Missouri State University
Date: Sunday, September 5
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Bill Armstrong Stadium
Admission: Free
Enjoy the IU Women's Soccer match against Southeast Missouri State University at Bill Armstrong Stadium.