What's Happening in Bloomington This Week? October 19-25, 2026

This is a Halloween-heavy week in Bloomington. There's a free ghost-story night in Bryan Park, a downtown trick-or-treat walk, Halloween at IU Auditorium, and one of the last outdoor Saturdays of the farmers' market season. If you want to get out of town, Brown County State Park is one of Indiana's best-known fall color drives.

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

What's happening midweek?

Wednesday, Oct. 21: Dennis James Hosts Halloween, IU Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. IU Auditorium lists it on its events page.

What's happening Friday?

• Downtown trick-or-treat walk on the square, 5-8 p.m.

• Festival of Ghost Stories in Bryan Park, 7-8:30 p.m. It's free and presented by the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild.

Both are from WFIU's roundup of Halloween events in town, which lists even more, including trunk-or-treats.

What's happening Saturday?

• Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Showers Common, 401 N. Morton St. The city says the market is outdoors there through October and moves indoors to the Switchyard Park Pavilion in November, so this is one of the last outdoor Saturdays of the year.

• Bloomington Pumpkin Launch, Monroe County Fairgrounds, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $10 per car, per WFIU's roundup.

• My Hero Academia Live in Concert, IU Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Where's a good fall day trip?

Brown County State Park, east of Bloomington on State Road 46 near Nashville. Indiana DNR calls it "Indiana's largest park" and "a traditional fall color hot spot," with nearly 20 miles of tree-lined roads, scenic overlooks and a 90-foot fire tower. It's nicknamed the "Little Smokies." Check the DNR page for entrance fees before you go.

For more fall ideas around here, 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

What's happening in Bloomington the week of October 19, 2026?

Halloween at IU Auditorium on Wednesday, a downtown trick-or-treat walk and the Festival of Ghost Stories on Friday, and the farmers' market, the Pumpkin Launch and My Hero Academia Live in Concert on Saturday.

When is the Bloomington farmers' market in October?

Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Showers Common, 401 N. Morton St. It moves indoors to the Switchyard Park Pavilion in November.

Is Brown County State Park good for fall colors?

Indiana DNR calls it "a traditional fall color hot spot," with nearly 20 miles of tree-lined roads and scenic overlooks.

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