As the warm weather makes its way back into Bloomington for the spring and summer, locals and tourists alike can look forward to these Bloomington festivals and events.
Revolution & Reflection: Campus Experiences in Art, History, and Ideas
Currently running until July 31, “Revolution & Reflection: Campus Experiences in Art, History, and Ideas” is part of IU’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Composed of three parts located in and around the Fine Arts Plaza, this is a free, self-guided tour that examines the United States and its founding principles.
“The Declaration of Independence: The Motives, The Moment” at the Lilly Library examines the Declaration of Independence through books, letters, newspapers and other documents from the library's archives.
At the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, attendees will find George Washington’s portrait, painted by American portraitist Gilbert Stuart around 1796.
Finally, the IU Auditorium is displaying “The Social History of Indiana,” a collection of murals by Thomas Hart Benton. While every location has separate operating hours, all three should be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday through Friday.
In Light Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
The In Light Human Rights Documentary Film Festival will be held from April 9-11. The film festival will hold a series of screenings that discuss a broad range of human rights concerns, typically followed by a Q&A and roundtable discussion.
Every screening is free to attend, but tickets should be reserved online ahead of time. The location and time will vary depending on the time and day, but further information can be found on their website, as well as their Instagram or Facebook page.
Earth Day 2026
The City of Bloomington will hold its fourth annual Earth Day celebration from noon to 3:30 p.m. on April 18 at Switchyard Park. This event is free for anyone looking to celebrate Earth Day with live music, local vendors, food, drinks and more. The event will also feature artwork by Bloomington students and residents as part of the Eco-Heroes Art Contest, and the winners of the contest will be announced at the event.
Granfalloon: A Kurt Vonnegut Convergence
Presented by the IU Arts and Humanities Council, Granfalloon: A Kurt Vonnegut Convergence is a festival inspired by the life and work of Indiana native author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. that will run from early April to September. Like past years, this summer’s festival will include a concert series and plenty of activities for attendees to enjoy. More information about the festival schedule and tickets will be announced on their website and Instagram soon.
The Bloomington Handmade Market
The Bloomington Handmade Market will be coming back this summer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 6 at the courthouse square. The free event boasts over 100 local indie artists from around the Midwest and will also feature food for purchase and live music.
The Monroe County Fair
The Monroe County Fair will take place this year from June 27 to July 5 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The fair has been a beloved tradition since October 1855 when the Monroe County Agricultural Society hosted the first annual Monroe County Fair. This year’s fair will have all the traditional activities that attendees look forward to, including a rodeo, demolition derby, carnival rides, food and 4-H projects and competitions.
Ticket prices will vary depending on what you are looking to attend, whether that’s a grandstand or fair event. But a specific breakdown of prices, along with an official schedule, can be found on their website.
The Taste of Bloomington
If you are looking for good food, Bloomington residents and visitors can look forward to the Taste of Bloomington on Aug. 1. The free festival will span across Kirkwood Avenue with all food costing $5 or less.
Like past years, the event will feature plenty of live music, with the Buskirk-Chumley Theater joining in this year as an indoor stage, alongside the festival’s usual outdoor stages. More updates are still to come surrounding the festival and its participating restaurants, but those interested can look to their website or Facebook page for this information.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's spring 2026 Source Campus Visitor's Guide.
