November Programs and Events

Bloomington is a vibrant community filled with activity. Each month there are numerous opportunities to enjoy and engage, socially and civically. The City will provide monthly updates on what is happening in and with the City and you will discover that no matter your interests or inclinations, there is something for everyone.

 

 

EVENTS 

 

Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

Date: Saturdays, November 4, 11 and 18

Time: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S. Rogers St 

Find a wide assortment of goods locally grown in farm and field, including fruits and vegetables, eggs, meats and cheeses, honey, seasonal flowers and annual and perennial plants. Food and beverage artisans provide a tasteful variety of satisfying breads, drinks, pastries and savory dishes. bloomington.in.gov/farmers-market

 

Veterans 5K and 1-Mile Walk

Date: Saturday, November 11

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Cost: $30/person, $25 /military and first responders

Location: Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St.

Run, ruck, roll or walk your way through Switchyard Park in honor of our nation's veterans! bloomington.in.gov/node/3656

 

Canopy of Lights

Date: Friday, November 24

Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Cost: Free
Location: South side of the courthouse lawn along Kirkwood Avenue

Watch as Santa flips the switch for The Canopy of Lights Downtown Lighting Ceremony.  A sparkling holiday tradition that includes the Bloomington Brass Band, Windfall Dancers, Constellation “Matilda” Singers, and various other activities is free for all ages.  More event information can be found at visitbloomington.com/events/

 

Holiday Market

Date: Saturday, November 25

Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Location: Fernandez Plaza, City Hall, 401 N Morton St

The annual Holiday Market features local farmers and growers with fresh, locally grown and produced food for your holiday table, along with food and beverage artisans with delicious treats, and local artisans with unique arts and fine crafts. There is live music throughout the day, visits with St. Nick, and horse-drawn carriage rides for a fee.  

bloomington.in.gov/farmers-market/holiday-market

 

PROGRAMS

 

Adopt a Senior Pet Month

Date: November 1 - November 30

Time: M/T/Th/F 12-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12-3 p.m.

Location: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S Walnut St.

National Adopt a Senior Pet Month is celebrated during November, which reminds people of older cats and dogs that are in shelters and waiting to be adopted. Pets are the easiest way to bring warmth into your life. So if you are thinking about getting a pet, consider opening your heart to a senior animal. In honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, the Bloomington Animal Shelter will reduce adoption fees for all animals 5 and up to just $20 with fees waived in full for animals 10 years and older. 

 

Bloomington Trivia Championship Series

Date: Friday, November 3

Time: 7 p.m.

Cost: $30/team

Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S Rogers St 

Prizes are awarded each night to the top three teams. Pre-registration is required! Food, soda, beer and wine are available for purchase on site. bloomington.in.gov/parks/events/trivia-championship

 

Night Owl Hike

Date: Saturday, November 4; register by November 1

Time: 9-10:30 p.m.

Cost: $5/Bloomington residents, $6/out-of-city residents

Location: Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, 3400 N Headley Rd

Listen for and spot common Indiana owls! bloomington.in.gov/recreation/programs/12157

 

Young Women's Leadership Summit: Our Voice, Our Choice, Our Rejoice!

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023; register by Monday, November 6 at 5 p.m.

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 N Morton St

Price: Free

The 2024 Young Women's Leadership Summit is presented by the City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Program. This year's theme, "Our Voice, Our Choice, Our Rejoice!" is more than just a theme; it's a commitment to empowering girls to find their voices, make informed choices, and celebrate every step of their journey, turning every challenge into an opportunity for growth and rejoicing in their unique paths to success. The Young Women's Leadership Summit is dedicated to championing fairness and empowering, enhancing, and nurturing children and youth through community engagement. More broadly, the Summit's goals are to provide space and opportunity for students of color to express themselves, learn and make memorable connections, and highlight young women of color in our community who have skills and information to offer to our youth. The Summit also seeks to support students of color by coordinating and delivering resources and information specifically addressing the needs and concerns of this traditionally underrepresented group. Although focused on African American and Latino female-identifying students, the Summit is open to middle and high school aged female-identifying students of all races and backgrounds. 

For more information, contact Marissa Parr-Scott at marissa.parrscott@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3468. form.jotform.com/CFRDForms/2023-young-womens-leadership-summit

 

Clear Creek Culvert Reconstruction Info Meeting

Date: Thursday, November 9

Time: 10 a.m.

Cost: Free
Location: Trinity Episcopal Church, 111 S Grant St

City of Bloomington Utilities will be presenting a project update on the Clear Creek Culvert Reconstruction - Dunn St to Indiana Ave project at the Kirkwood Business regular monthly meeting. All are welcome to attend.

 

HAND Home Buyers Club

Date & Time: Saturday, November 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, November 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost: Free

Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 401 N Morton St

The Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department's Home Buyers Club offers participants a chance to explore the possibility of affordable home ownership. The goal of the class is to help first-time home buyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in purchasing their first home and what to expect after buying a home. You will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to discuss any potential obstacles in achieving your goal. Income eligible graduates may qualify for up to $10,000 in Down Payment Closing Cost Assistance from HAND. Registration is required. Learn more and register at bton.in/lTDXk

 

Home for the Holidays

Date: November 13 - December 24

Time: M/T/Th/F 12-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 12-3 p.m.

Location: City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, 3410 S Walnut St

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Find your next family member at the Bloomington Animal Shelter and help them find their forever home in time for the holidays. Adoption fees for dogs and cats under 5 years old will have reduced adoption fees of $40 and dogs and cats 5 and up will have reduced adoption fees of $20 throughout the promotion. Adoptable animals may be viewed at bloomington.in.gov/animal-shelter/animals

 

Community Zoo by You!

Date: Tuesday, November 14

Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $3/person
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S Rogers St

Learn about exotic animals through crafts, games, and other fun activities. Earn honorary Zookeeper status when you attend multiple events in this miniseries that meets the second Tuesday of the month at Switchyard Park. This month's featured animal is the orangutan! 

 

Contractor’s Workshop 

Date: Wednesday, November 15

Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon

Cost: Free
Location: Lampkin Hall, Ivy Tech, 200 Daniels Way

The City of Bloomington and Monroe County invite contractors and designers to learn about soil health, karst features, and post-construction BMP installation. Email stormwater@bloomington.in.gov to be added to the email list. 

 

Well Check

Date: Thursday, November 16

Time: 8-11 a.m.

Cost: Free
Location: Banneker Community Center, 930 W 7th St

Flu and COVID vaccinations, plus screenings for blood pressure, lipid panels and hemoglobin (blood sugar-A1C) are available at no cost for adults 18 yrs. and up.

bloomington.in.gov/recreation/programs/12092

 

Oddly Observed Holidays: National Absurdity Day

Date: Monday, November 20

Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

Cost: $1/person
Location: Switchyard Park Pavilion, 1601 S Rogers St

Get silly and celebrate obscure holidays on the third Monday of the month! Dress up for the theme and enjoy crafts, games, and more!

 

 

SHOUTOUTS 

 

Three long-time Parks and Recreation staff members retire

Parks and Recreation Department Administrator Paula McDevitt, whose career with the department spanned 35 years, retired October 16. Operations Coordinator Barb Dunbar will retire November 1 after a 39-year career with Parks and Recreation, and Operations Crew Leader Rob Turpin will also retire November 1 after 41 years of service to the department. The entire City of Bloomington wishes our colleagues well!

 

Bloomington Parks and Recreation invites musicians to apply for the 2024 Performing Arts Series

Musicians from Bloomington and the surrounding region are invited to apply to perform live music outside in city parks throughout Bloomington as part of Bloomington Parks and Recreation's annual Performing Arts Series. To apply to be a part of the 2024 Performing Arts Series, fill out the online application form by Friday, January 19 at 5 p.m. EDT.

 

 

OPERATING HOURS 

 

Animal Shelter Adoption Center

3410 S Walnut St

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from noon-4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday from noon-3 p.m.

 

Banneker Community Center

930 W 7th St

Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

City of Bloomington 

401 N Morton St

City Hall is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday except during holidays. 

This month City Hall will be closed on: 

Tuesday, November 7, Election Day; 

Friday, November 10, Veteran’s Day (observed); 

Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24, Thanksgiving,

Non-holiday City Hall closings are announced on the City’s home page and social media. City services can always be accessed online at bloomington.in.gov/services.

 

Frank Southern Ice Arena

2100 S Henderson St

The ice arena is open for general admission public ice skating daily, during scheduled times only. Admission is $6 + $3 for skate rental.

Monday through Friday: noon-2:30 p.m.

Friday: 7-9 p.m.

Saturday: 1:30-3 p.m., 7-9 p.m. and 9:15-11 p.m.

Sunday: 3-5 p.m.

 

Griffy Lake Nature Preserve

3400 N Headley Rd

The Griffy Lake boathouse is closed for the season. The lake remains open for use by private watercraft (boat motors limited to electric trolling motors only); no launch fees.

 

Continuing its efforts to protect plant diversity at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, the Parks and Recreation Department is holding controlled deer hunts during two weekends this year: November 18 and 19, and December 2 and 3. The nature preserve will be closed to the public on these weekends, beginning at 11 p.m. the Friday before the hunt through 5 a.m. the Monday after the hunt. Only hunters who applied and were selected to participate in the hunt are permitted to hunt at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve. The nature preserve remains closed to public hunting.

 

Twin Lakes Recreation Center Hours of Operation

1700 W Bloomfield Rd

Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. 

Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Daily non-member admission $8

Twin Lakes Recreation Center (TLRC) is a sports, fitness and recreation facility with a ⅛ mile indoor track, cardio equipment, free weights and weight machines, functional fitness area and five hardwood courts. Courts are open for pickleball Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Learn more about TLRC memberships and group exercise classes at twinlakesrecreation.com

 

Bloomington is a diverse, active, and vibrant community with many monthly events and programs. This list is only representative of City and city-related happenings. For a more comprehensive list, please visit the events calendar of Visit Bloomington at  visitbloomington.com/events/.