Best events in
Bloomington

For events and things to do in Bloomington, IN, the city's calendar is a mix of Indiana University energy and a strong local community rhythm. The walkable downtown core, particularly around the Square and Kirkwood Avenue, serves as the main hub for entertainment. A lively arts scene thrives here, with gallery walks, craft fairs, and performances happening in historic venues.

Explore the downtown Bloomington Entertainment & Arts District (BEAD), where a short walk connects art galleries, performance spaces like the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and a variety of restaurants.
Catch stand-up comedy at a dedicated club like The Comedy Attic or find free weekly showcases at local pubs.
Experience major touring productions and concerts at the Indiana University Auditorium on the IU campus.

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Popular in Bloomington

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Richard Paul Evans on "Mercy's Child"

Wednesday • 6:00 PM

Morgenstern Books & Café

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Trivia Night at Poindexter at Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

Wednesday • 7:00 PM + 51 more

Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

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Forty Years of Starting Over: A Fireside for Bloomington Business Owners

Thursday • 4:30 PM

BRU Burger Bar

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Vibes in Soweto

Friday • 10:00 PM

Briscoe Quadrangle

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Bloomington Breakfast Club: THE ART OF BUILDING SOMETHING w/ Nathan Hunter

Friday • 9:00 AM

Dimension Mill

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(18+) THE BIGGEST F*#KING HALLOWEEN PARTY 10/31

Saturday • 9:00 PM

201 S College Ave

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2026 Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit

Mon, Nov 16 • 8:00 AM

Bloomington Convention Center

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IU Football Parking - November 28 vs. Purdue

Sat, Nov 28 • 7:00 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

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Richard Paul Evans on "Mercy's Child"

Wednesday • 6:00 PM

Morgenstern Books & Café

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Trivia Night at Poindexter at Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

Wednesday • 7:00 PM + 51 more

Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

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Forty Years of Starting Over: A Fireside for Bloomington Business Owners

Thursday • 4:30 PM

BRU Burger Bar

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Vibes in Soweto

Friday • 10:00 PM

Briscoe Quadrangle

Check ticket price on event

Bloomington Breakfast Club: THE ART OF BUILDING SOMETHING w/ Nathan Hunter

Friday • 9:00 AM

Dimension Mill

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(18+) THE BIGGEST F*#KING HALLOWEEN PARTY 10/31

Saturday • 9:00 PM

201 S College Ave

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2026 Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit

Mon, Nov 16 • 8:00 AM

Bloomington Convention Center

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IU Football Parking - November 28 vs. Purdue

Sat, Nov 28 • 7:00 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

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Online Events

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tomorrow • 11:30 AM EDT

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Turn Your Ideas Into Income

Wednesday • 10:00 AM EDT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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But That’s What They Said! Conceptual Accuracy Beyond the Words

Sat, Dec 19 • 10:00 AM PST

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tomorrow • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Turn Your Ideas Into Income

Wednesday • 10:00 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

Thu, Nov 12 • 7:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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But That’s What They Said! Conceptual Accuracy Beyond the Words

Sat, Dec 19 • 10:00 AM PST

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This Weekend

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Foodies + New Friends: Bloomington | Duos Edition

Friday • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

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Vibes in Soweto

Friday • 10:00 PM

Briscoe Quadrangle

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LEARN HOW TO BECOME A TRAVEL BUSINESS OWNER | Bloomington, IN

Friday • 8:55 PM

SpringHill Suites Bloomington

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(18+) THE BIGGEST F*#KING HALLOWEEN PARTY 10/31

Saturday • 9:00 PM

201 S College Ave

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Foodies + New Friends: Bloomington | Weekend Edition

Saturday • 7:00 PM + 1 more

Restaurant of the Week

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Bloomington Indiana Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Hopscotch Coffee & Kitchen

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Practical Approaches with Therapeutic Foot Massage

Sunday • 12:00 PM

205 N College Ave

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Fast and Testimony Meeting

Sunday • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Foodies + New Friends: Bloomington | Duos Edition

Friday • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Vibes in Soweto

Friday • 10:00 PM

Briscoe Quadrangle

Check ticket price on event

LEARN HOW TO BECOME A TRAVEL BUSINESS OWNER | Bloomington, IN

Friday • 8:55 PM

SpringHill Suites Bloomington

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(18+) THE BIGGEST F*#KING HALLOWEEN PARTY 10/31

Saturday • 9:00 PM

201 S College Ave

Check ticket price on event

Foodies + New Friends: Bloomington | Weekend Edition

Saturday • 7:00 PM + 1 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Bloomington Indiana Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Hopscotch Coffee & Kitchen

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Practical Approaches with Therapeutic Foot Massage

Sunday • 12:00 PM

205 N College Ave

Check ticket price on event

Fast and Testimony Meeting

Sunday • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Check ticket price on event

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Music events

Stake Personal Finances for Self-Reliance

Sun, Nov 1 • 4:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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A Musical Portrait of Iran

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

First United Church - Bloomington

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BST Bloomington

Sun, Nov 15 • 9:00 AM

Twin Lakes Recreation Center–City of Bloomington

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Sacrament Meeting

Sun, Nov 22 • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Stake Personal Finances for Self-Reliance

Sun, Nov 1 • 4:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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A Musical Portrait of Iran

Sat, Nov 7 • 7:00 PM

First United Church - Bloomington

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BST Bloomington

Sun, Nov 15 • 9:00 AM

Twin Lakes Recreation Center–City of Bloomington

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Sacrament Meeting

Sun, Nov 22 • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Points of Interest near Bloomington

Wonderlab Science Museum

Wylie House Museum

Frequently asked questions about Bloomington

Where are the best spots for comedy shows in Bloomington?

The Comedy Attic is the city's dedicated club for stand-up comedy. It hosts national acts and local talent, and other venues like The Orbit Room and Hoppy Wobbles Pub also feature monthly or weekly comedy events.

What are some free events happening in Bloomington?

Yes, several venues host free recurring events, such as weekly comedy nights. The Monthly Gallery Walk is another free activity, with local art galleries holding opening receptions across the Bloomington Entertainment & Arts District.

Which venues host live music events in Bloomington?

The Bluebird is a well-known spot for concerts downtown. For a different experience, the historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater hosts a diverse range of musical performances, and the Indiana University Auditorium attracts major touring artists.

How can I experience the art scene in Bloomington?

The Monthly Gallery Walk offers a great way to see local art each month. During warmer months, you can also explore A Fair of the Arts, a monthly juried market held alongside the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market.

What's a good family-friendly activity in Bloomington?

The Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is a popular all-ages outing. It runs on Saturday mornings from spring through fall, offering local produce, food vendors, and live music in a lively community atmosphere at Showers Common.

Any ideas for a date night in downtown Bloomington?

A classic downtown date can combine dinner and a show. Consider a pre-show meal on Fourth Street before seeing a film or performance at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, all within easy walking distance.

Where can I find food and drink events?

Look for the Food Truck Friday gatherings which run from spring through summer. For local produce and prepared foods, the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is a major weekly event with several seasonal iterations and locations.

What kind of recurring outdoor events does Bloomington have?

The city hosts several great outdoor markets and festivals. The Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts is an annual event over Labor Day weekend, and the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market is a weekly staple from April through October.