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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How Local Connections Strengthen Your Business

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream

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Day of Formation for Parish Leaders

Wednesday • 8:30 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

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Reset - Guided Meditation, Reiki, & Sound Healing

Wednesday • 6:30 PM + 3 more

2565 S Breaking A Wy

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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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Cafe Con Perreo | Daytime Dance Party

Sunday • 2:00 PM

Pictura Gallery at FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

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Release Party for "I'll Believe In Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry"

Tue, Oct 13 • 9:30 PM

Morgenstern Books & Café

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IU Football Parking - October 31 vs. Minnesota

Sat, Oct 31 • 7:00 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

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2026 Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit

Mon, Nov 16 • 8:00 AM

Bloomington Convention Center

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How Local Connections Strengthen Your Business

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream

Check ticket price on event

Day of Formation for Parish Leaders

Wednesday • 8:30 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

Check ticket price on event

Reset - Guided Meditation, Reiki, & Sound Healing

Wednesday • 6:30 PM + 3 more

2565 S Breaking A Wy

Check ticket price on event

Trivia Night at Poindexter at Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

Wednesday • 7:00 PM + 51 more

Graduate by Hilton Bloomington

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Cafe Con Perreo | Daytime Dance Party

Sunday • 2:00 PM

Pictura Gallery at FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

Check ticket price on event

Release Party for "I'll Believe In Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry"

Tue, Oct 13 • 9:30 PM

Morgenstern Books & Café

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IU Football Parking - October 31 vs. Minnesota

Sat, Oct 31 • 7:00 AM

St. Paul Catholic Center

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2026 Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit

Mon, Nov 16 • 8:00 AM

Bloomington Convention Center

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Online Events

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wed, Oct 14 • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Today's RDH Virtual Dental Continuing Education (CE) Event - Oct. 17, 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 9:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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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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Bloomington Indiana Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Hopscotch Coffee & Kitchen

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Cafe Con Perreo | Daytime Dance Party

Sunday • 2:00 PM

Pictura Gallery at FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

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Sacrament Meeting

Sunday • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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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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Bloomington Indiana Scavenger Hunt

Saturday • 11:00 AM + 3 more

Hopscotch Coffee & Kitchen

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Cafe Con Perreo | Daytime Dance Party

Sunday • 2:00 PM

Pictura Gallery at FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

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Sacrament Meeting

Sunday • 11:30 AM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Business & Professional events

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How Local Connections Strengthen Your Business

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream

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Fall 2026 Bloomington Connect Mixer

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:30 PM

Fountain Square Ballroom

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

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:30 PM

BRU Burger Bar

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2027 IANS Convention – Pre-Nursing, Nursing Student & Faculty Registration

Sat, Feb 6 • 10:00 AM

Indiana Memorial Union

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How Local Connections Strengthen Your Business

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream

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Fall 2026 Bloomington Connect Mixer

Wed, Oct 28 • 5:30 PM

Fountain Square Ballroom

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

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:30 PM

BRU Burger Bar

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2027 IANS Convention – Pre-Nursing, Nursing Student & Faculty Registration

Sat, Feb 6 • 10:00 AM

Indiana Memorial Union

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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.