BLOOMINGTON — Summer and fall entertainment in Bloomington just got a lot brighter—and it won’t cost a dime. Bloomington Parks and Recreation has officially unveiled its highly anticipated lineup for the annual Performing Arts Series and Movies in the Parks, running from May through October.
The seasonal series offers a diverse, completely free calendar of live music and outdoor cinema. Community members can enjoy local and regional artists alongside a vibrant selection of films ranging from nostalgic blockbusters to brand-new family favorites. Because events take place at various parks and times throughout the city, residents are encouraged to mark their calendars.
To help you plan your community outings, here is the complete, detailed schedule for July, August, September, and October.
July Schedule
| Day/Date | Performance / Movie Title | Music Style / Film Rating | Venue | Time |
| Su, July 5 | Big Dog Jason Wells Band | R&B, blues, funk blues rock | Bryan Park | 5:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, July 7 | Tuesday Tunes: Alexander LeRoy McQueen | honky tonk | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| F, July 10 | Happy Hours on the Lawn: Sound Weasel Opener: SUSTAYN | rock band female-fronted high-octane rock | Switchyard Park, Pavilion Lawn | 6:00–8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, July 14 | Tuesday Tunes: Splattertones | funky post-bop jazz | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| F, July 17 | Movie in the Park: Zootopia 2 | PG (2025) | Bryan Park | 9:15 p.m. |
| Su, July 19 | Step Twins Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters | alterna-power-pop twangy Hoosier music | Bryan Park | 5:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, July 21 | Tuesday Tunes: Connor Lovelass | acoustic current sound | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Sa, July 25 | Movie in the Pool: Mamma Mia! | PG-13 (2008) | Bryan Park Pool | 8:15 p.m. (Pool opens) 9:00 p.m. (Movie) |
| Su, July 26 | Hammer and the Hatchet Deep Country Dream | bluegrass-inspired Americana cosmic folk rock | Bryan Park | 5:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, July 28 | Tuesday Tunes: Cottonpatch | acoustic folk, American roots | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
August Schedule
| Day/Date | Performance / Movie Title | Music Style / Film Rating | Venue | Time |
| Tu, Aug. 4 | Tuesday Tunes: Emma Richards | acoustic folk/pop/rock | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Su, Aug. 9 | Reggae Union Kingly T | reggae reggae/pop | Bryan Park | 5:30–8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, Aug. 11 | Tuesday Tunes: Claire Pendreigh & the Blue Ribbons | indie folk singer-songwriter | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| F, Aug. 14 | Happy Hours on the Lawn: Jeff Shew & The Late-Night Crew Opener: Jordan Wilson Coalition | original blues, klezmer, Americana alt-blues rock ‘n roll | Switchyard Park, Pavilion Lawn | 6:00–8:30 p.m. |
| Su, Aug. 16 | Bloomington Jazz Orchestra & Swing Time Big Band | jazz & swing | Switchyard Park, Main Stage | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tu, Aug. 18 | Tuesday Tunes: The Burning Daylights | blues, R&B, jazz, originals | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Sa, Aug. 22 | Movie in the Park: Arco | PG (2025) | Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park | 8:30 p.m. |
| Tu, Aug. 25 | Tuesday Tunes: Bill Vincent | yacht rock | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Su, Aug. 30 | Evening with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra | Orchestral | Switchyard Park, Main Stage | 7:00 p.m. |
September Schedule
| Day/Date | Performance / Movie Title | Music Style / Film Rating | Venue | Time |
| Tu, Sept. 1 | Tuesday Tunes: Limestone Nomad | contemporary bluegrass | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Sa, Sept. 5 | Movie in the Park: Shrek | PG (2001) | Switchyard Park | 8:15 p.m. |
| Tu, Sept. 8 | Tuesday Tunes: Tarpaper Shack | classic rock & originals | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| F, Sept. 11 | Happy Hours on the Lawn: The Katatonics Opener: The Predictas | midwestern surf dance surf/instrumental music | Switchyard Park, Pavilion Lawn | 6:00–8:30 p.m. |
| Su, Sept. 13 | An Evening with the IU Jacobs School of Music Symphony Orchestra | Orchestral | Switchyard Park, Main Stage | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tu, Sept. 15 | Tuesday Tunes: Heritage Hall Ramblers | traditional Dixieland music | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Su, Sept. 20 | Evening with the Bloomington Community Band | Community Band | Switchyard Park, Main Stage | 6:00 p.m. |
| Tu, Sept. 22 | Tuesday Tunes: Dicky James Trio | rocking blues and soul | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
| Tu, Sept. 29 | Tuesday Tunes: The Lazy Susan Stringband | old-time string band | Hopewell Commons | 5:00–6:30 p.m. |
October Schedule
| Day/Date | Performance / Movie Title | Music Style / Film Rating | Venue | Time |
| Sa, Oct. 3 | Movie in the Park: Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island | G (1998) | Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park | 7:30 p.m. |
Weather and Event Updates
Outdoor events are subject to weather changes. For real-time, weather-related cancellations or location updates, community members should call the Community Events Hotline at 812-349-3754 before heading out.
Attendees are encouraged to pack their own lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to stay comfortable during the performances. Come out, support local artists, and enjoy the best of Bloomington’s parks this season!
