Canopy of Lights, Holiday Market usher in holiday season in Bloomington
The weekend after Thanksgiving Bloomington's holiday Christmas season comes alive. After the downtown Canopy of Lights ceremony on Friday night, the hustle and bustle moves toward City Hall, both outside and indoors at 401 N. Morton St. for the Holiday Market — open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Canopy of Lights Friday includes music, dancing and performances
Santa will be flipping the switch for Canopy of Lights to light up the downtown courthouse square through the holiday season. Bloomington Brass Band, Windfall Dancers and scenes from Constellation's “Matilda” will be performed, along with some sing-along songs. Hot chocolate and snacks will be available at various shops and kids are welcome to drop off letters to Santa in the atrium of Fountain Square Mall. The Monroe County History Center, 202 E. Sixth St., will be open 5-9 p.m. Friday for people who want to warm up, play some games or make some holiday crafts.
Food, crafts and carriage rides at Holiday Market on Saturday
The Holiday Market is the last day vendors from the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market will sell their goods for the 2023 season. Local farmers and growers will have locally grown and produced food for your holiday table, along with food and beverage artisans with 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. Go to bloomington.in.gov/farmers-market/holiday-market for a complete list of participating vendors.
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More holiday music Friday by Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra for a festive evening to kick off the season, side-by-side with the Bridges Youth Orchestra at 5 and 8 p.m. Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
The orchestras will present a wintry musical adventure with waltzes, traditional holiday tunes to some surprises for the whole family. Get ready for Lucia Walker singing and some rock tunes with musicians from Don't Call Me Betty. The 5 p.m. show gets out in time for everyone to attend the Canopy of Lights. Tickets are $25 for adults, $12 for students and $5 for youth age 18 and younger.
For others, Busman's Holiday at the Orbit Room on Friday night may be the ticket
Busman's Holiday will perform twice on Friday at the Orbit Room, 107 N. College Ave., Suite 1 (downstairs). The first, at 5:30 p.m. is an all-ages show with kids younger than age 5 getting to listen for free. Tickets are $15 ($1 service charge). Front-table reservations are $25 with up to four people on one reservation. The second, 21-plus show begins at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8.
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band performs Saturday at BCT
One of the best front-porch blues bands, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band will perform Saturday along with Hooten Hallers at 8 p.m. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the three-hour, reserved seating show. Tickets are $24-$44 and are available the the BCT box office, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., or online at https://buskirkchumley.org/.
Don't Wannas at the Bluebird this Sunday
For people who want the music to continue, the Don't Wannas will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday at The Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Doors for the 21-plus show open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 with a $3.57 service fee.
Looking to Light Up the Night on Nov. 30 at IU
Light Up The Night will be 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Indiana Memorial Union on the Indiana University Bloomington campus. The annual lighting of the IMU candles will have the usual countdown as well as an outdoor ice skating rink, live entertainment and a winter market selling art, jewelry, apparel and more.
Reach Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Things to do to kick off the holiday season in Bloomington, Indiana
