8 Things To Do In Bloomington, IN This Holiday Season

By Kylie Fife on November 24, 2015

The holidays are a great time to be together with family and friends no matter where you live!

But if you happen to live in or around Bloomington, Indiana, or go to Indiana University, here are just a few of the exciting things going on in Bloomington during the holiday season that you can use to get yourself psyched up for the holidays–and some things that would be fun to do in any season.

Image via https://flic.kr/p/dzC9

1)   Chimes of Christmas

This family-friendly performance is coming back to Bloomington on December 5 at Indiana University Auditorium. It features performances by some of the best Jacob School of Music ensembles, and is led by the Singing Hoosiers, IU’s Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble. People of all ages have loved Chimes of Christmas for generations, and it’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. To learn more, go here.

2)   REO Speedwagon at Indiana University Auditorium

REO Speedwagon is coming to the IU Auditorium on December 11 after another year of successful touring. The band was formed in 1967, and has since gone straight to the top of the charts with 22 million albums sold just in the U.S. Learn more about the concert here.

3)   Straight No Chaser 20th Anniversary Concert

Straight No Chaser began as an a cappella group formed at Indiana University but has since gone on to become international superstars with a huge fan base, lots of YouTube views, and multiple records. On December 17, get ready to be entranced by their great vocals and loose humor as they return to IU once again to perform holiday favorites and new arrangements of classic pop songs.

Go here for more information.

4)   Bloomington’s Canopy of Lights

Image via flickr.com

In case you live in Bloomington and don’t have any plans on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28), Bloomington is ringing in the holiday season with their annual lighting of downtown Bloomington. Featuring 27 miles of lights, this event is Bloomington’s official start to the holiday season. You can find out more here.

5)   Bloomington Holiday Market

Also happening on the Saturday after thanksgiving, Bloomington will be having its last Community Farmers’ Market of the season. This Holiday Market will be a great place to find gift ideas, holiday decorations, and locally grown holiday trees. There will even be great live music! More information can be found here.

6)   The Nutcracker at the IU Opera and Ballet Theater

Image via https://flic.kr/p/5LYiCN

This holiday favorite has brought joy and magic to the Christmas season for over 100 years. The Nutcracker is one of the world’s most-known ballets, and a can’t-miss opportunity. You can see it on December 3, 4, 5, or 6. Find out more about the ballet here.

7)   Antigone at Indiana University’s Wells-Metz Theater

For multiple nights in early to mid-Decemeber, audiences will be swept away by this 1944 version of the Sophocles tragedy Antigone, which picks up right after the end of Oedipus at Colonus, another of Sophocles’ tragedies.

Antigone, the daughter of ill-fated Oedipus, and her sister return to Thebes hoping to help their brothers, but instead find out that their uncle Creon has betrayed their family. Now Antigone must take it upon herself to right some of the wrongs that have been caused by him. Learn more about the production here.

8)   Frank Southern Ice Arena

Have fun skating on the ice while listening to top hits from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and today. The ice arena is open now until February 28 and it welcomes skaters of all ages, sizes, and ability levels.

There is also Lunar skating, which involves the use of strobe lights and other special effects, and Night Owl Skating. Learn more about the Frank Southern Ice Arena here.

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