What's Happening in Bloomington This Week? November 9-15, 2026

This week in Bloomington starts with free big band jazz at the Buskirk-Chumley on Monday. IU basketball plays at home on Thursday, the musical SIX opens at IU Auditorium the same night, and on Saturday IU football hosts USC at Memorial Stadium. Wednesday is Veterans Day.

Lesa Miller is a REALTOR® and broker in Bloomington, Indiana, who helps buyers and sellers in Bloomington, Bedford, Martinsville and the surrounding towns. Here's what caught my eye this week.

When does IU play this week?

• Monday, Nov. 9: IU men's basketball vs. Syracuse, 6:30 p.m., in Indianapolis, on FS1.

• Thursday, Nov. 12: IU men's basketball vs. Tennessee Tech, 6:30 p.m., at home in Bloomington, on BTN.

• Saturday, Nov. 14: IU football vs. USC, 3:30 p.m., at Memorial Stadium, on CBS.

Times and TV are from IU's men's basketball schedule and football schedule. Saturday will be a busy day in town, so give yourself extra time to get around. If you live near campus or are thinking about it, IU Football Is Back: What Game Days Mean for Property Near Campus covers what game days are like.

What's on at the Buskirk-Chumley?

• Monday, Nov. 9: Natalie Boeyink Jazz Ensemble. Doors 7 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. The theater says "This event is free! No tickets are needed for entry."

• Sunday, Nov. 15: Audrey Rose: Hometown Debut, an 18-year-old local singer-songwriter. Doors 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m. All ages.

The theater is at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Details are on the Buskirk-Chumley's events page.

What's on at IU Auditorium?

SIX, Thursday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Nov. 15. Shows are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are on IU Auditorium's SIX page.

Is the farmers' market open this Saturday?

Yes. Saturday, Nov. 14: Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St. The city says it runs rain or shine in November. See the city's market page.

What's there for kids this week?

• Monday, Nov. 9, 5 p.m.: Family Movie Night, Monroe County Public Library, downtown.

• Weekdays and Saturday: WonderLab programs, 308 W. 4th St., including Science Story Time (ages 2-6) Thursday at 10 a.m. and STEM Saturday (ages 5 and up) at 3 p.m. See WonderLab's events page.

• Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15: R.L. Stine's Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium, Constellation Stage & Screen's final weekend at the Waldron Auditorium. Constellation calls it "Spooky fun for the whole family!" Sunday's 4 p.m. show is sensory-friendly. Times are on Constellation's show page.

The library program is from the B Square Bulletin's community calendar, which lists many more, including storytimes at every library branch.

Is there anything for Veterans Day?

Wednesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day. The Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St., has an exhibit called Join or Die: Revolutionary War Veterans Buried in Monroe County. The History Center says it tells "the stories of the American Revolutionary War veterans who later settled in Monroe County." It's open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See the History Center's America 250 page.

If you served and are thinking about buying here, What Makes a VA Loan Different is a good place to start.

Where's a good day trip?

McCormick's Creek State Park, near Spencer. The park has programs all weekend:

• Friday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.: Wolf Cave Hike, from the Nature Center.

• Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.: Lovely Lichen, Friendly Shelter.

• Sunday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.: Turtle Feeding, Canyon Inn lobby, and 2 p.m.: Cold Blooded Buffet, Nature Center.

See the park's event calendar. Park entry fees apply.

For more ideas, see A Local's Guide to Fall in Bloomington and Bedford.

Before you go

Event details change. Check each organizer's page for times, tickets and weather updates before you head out.

Frequently asked questions

When does IU football play USC in 2026?

Saturday, Nov. 14, at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, on CBS.

When is SIX at IU Auditorium?

Thursday, Nov. 12, through Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. Shows are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Is the Bloomington farmers' market open in November?

Yes. It runs Saturdays, Nov. 7, 14 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St., rain or shine.

Thinking about living in Bloomington? Call or text (812) 360-3863, or visit LesaMillerRealEstate.com/Links.