Fall is festival season in Indiana! Bloomington is one of the most beautiful places to be in the fall, with unmatched fall foliage and vibrant festivals and events to entertain all visitors. Whether you're looking for music, great food, comedy, or unique experiences, Bloomington has you covered. You will not want to miss these 8 Bloomington festivals this September!
Bloomington Festivals in September
Click here to see all of Bloomington's fall festivals
Photo by: TALL & small Photography
Limestone Comedy Festival
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.
Photo by: Courtesy Photo
Fiesta del Otoño and Black y Brown Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, September 8 Time: 10:00 am Location: Bryan Park Admission: Free
Enjoy a visual arts exhibition, performance showcase, and food trucks at the Fiesta del Otoño and Black y Brown Arts Festival! The celebration seeks to raise and expand art appreciation, create space that affirms persons of color in the community, and enhance Bloomington’s spirit of inclusion.
Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival
Date: Friday, September 10 through Sunday, September 12 Time: 3:00 - 10:00 pm on Friday, 7:00 am - 10:00 pm on Saturday, and 7:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds Admission: Tickets are available per day and for the entire weekend, with varying prices for preorders and day-of purchases. Visit this page for more information.
Enjoy hot air balloon launches, helicopter rides, pyrotechnic skydivers, fireworks, a wine & beer garden, food & commercial vendors, and other entertainment at the Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival!
Bloomington Birdfest
Date: Saturday, September 18 Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Location: Switchyard Park Admission: Free
Bloomington Birdfest is an interactive educational celebration of bird biology, ecology, and conservation — experience hands-on activities, bird walks, speakers, live birds, nature crafts, falconry demonstrations, food trucks, raffle prizes, and more!
Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival
Date: Thursday, September 23 through Saturday, September 25 Time: TBD Location: McGlockin Park in Stinesville Admission: Free
Enjoy craft vendors, food booths, live music, a pie competition, an antique tractor show, a parade, and more at the annual Stinesville Stone Quarry Festival. Festival times are to be determined — check back frequently for updates.
Lotus World Music & Arts Festival
Date: Thursday, September 23 through Sunday, September 26 Time: Varying times – see the schedule here. Location: Multiple venues – see the venues here. Admission: Tickets are available for single-night, weekend-passes, and for the entire festival – see ticketing information here.
Celebrate the diversity, beauty, and joy of music and arts from around the world at the 28th annual Lotus World Music & Arts Festival. Event time and location are to be determined — check back frequently for updates.
Bloomington Festivals in October
Click here to see all of Bloomington's fall festivals
Science Fest
Date: Saturday, October 9 Time: TBD Location: Multiple locations across the Indiana University campus Admission: TBD
Participate in over 150 hands-on science activities, demonstrations, and talks at Science Fest. Event times and admission are to be determined — check back frequently for updates.
Indiana University Homecoming Weekend
Date: Friday, October 15 through Sunday, October 17 Time: All-day Location: Various locations on the IU campus Admission: Free
IU Homecoming Weekend allows alumni to reconnect with friends, relive their favorite college traditions, and show their kids their old stomping grounds. The Indiana University Alumni Association will host several events throughout the weekend, including a parade on Friday evening and the Hoosier Huddle, a members-only tailgate, on Saturday.
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Date: Saturday, October 16 Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Location: Monroe County Courthouse Lawn Admission: Free
Pick out your own homemade blown glass pumpkin or simply admire the display of over 900 glass pumpkins at the 12th annual Great Glass Pumpkin Patch! All pumpkins are made by members of the Bloomington Creative Glass Center. Proceeds from the pumpkin sales support educational arts programming throughout the year.
Hoosier Hysteria
Date: TBD Time: TBD Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall Admission: TBD
Get excited for the Indiana University basketball season at Hoosier Hysteria! Features include skills competitions, a dunk contest, and a brief scrimmage with both the men's and women's teams.
