Are you looking for something to do in the Evansville/Tri-State area the weekend before the eclipse? Check out our list of events and activities.

Thursday

Family Free Night

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., cMoe-Family Children's Museum of Evansville, 22 SE Fifth St. Free.

CMoe is hosting a free admission day for families to explore the museum. The last admission is at 7:30 p.m.

cMoe's Countdown to Totality

March 5-April 7, cMoe-Koch Family Children's Museum, 22 SE Fifth St. Cost is included in admission.

This is a month-long lineup of science-focused events and celestial experiences for all family members. These events will feature local storytellers, Evansville's NASA ambassador Mandy Scurry, Mr. Science from "Hooked on Science," themed programming, pop-up activities and more. Check out the museum's website for more information.

Shadow and Light

Through April 12, Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, 212 Main St.

The Arts Council is hosting a shadow-and-light-themed art exhibit commemorating the upcoming solar eclipse by featuring shadow and light 2D artwork and media.

Etta May & The Southern Fried Chicks

7:30 p.m., Victory Theatre, 600 Main St. Tickets range from $12 to $32.

Known as the "Queen of Southern Sass" and "Polyester Princess," comedian Etta May is stopping in Evansville with appearances by Sonya White and Jodi White.

Lauren Daigle

7 p.m. Ford Center, 1 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tickets range from $26 to $116.

Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle is coming to Evansville with special guest Blessing Offor.

Friday

A Day in the Dark at the Dome

April 5-9, Monastery Immaculate Conception, 802 E. 10th St., Ferdinand, Indiana. Admission is $10.

This four-day weekend is full of special activities and community events that lead up to a silent observation of the total eclipse. Each attendee will get a wristband, water bottle, and glasses. Meals will be available from noon-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Eclipse Solar-bration

April 5-7, Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Old National Events Plaza, 715 Locust St. Free.

This three-day celebration leading up to the eclipse has a little bit of everything with daily Starbucks service starting at 8 a.m., lunch and dinner service, and bar service. Friday will include Bingo and Singo, Saturday will feature live music and cosmic karaoke and Sunday will include live music and trivia.

Gibson County Eclipse Celebration

April 5-8, Gibson County Fairgrounds, 712 N. Embree St. Friday events are free but weekend events are $5.

This includes four days of celebration with a student art and science fair, live local bands, carnival rides, food trucks, fireworks, eclipse presentations, a beer garden, and a concert featuring "Resurrection – A Journey Tribute" and the Eagles tribute band Hotel California.

Merry Eclipsmas

April 5-8, Santa Claus Museum and Village, 69 Indiana 245, Santa Claus, Indiana. Free.

The Santa Claus Museum and Village will be open for museum tours, writing letters to Santa, visits with Santa, and reindeer games.

More: Solar eclipse 2024: Here's a list of related things to do in the Evansville area

Evansville Thunderbolts

7 p.m., Ford Center, 1 SE Martin Luther King Drive. Tickets range from $16 to $35.

Join the Evansville Thunderbolts for Country Night as they take on the Birmingham Bulls. Wear your cowboy boots and flannels and show your country side. The first 500 in the building will receive a coupon for Donato's Pizza.

Saturday

Black Hole Sun Festival

April 6-8, Vanderburgh County 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road. Free.

This country vibe festival will feature live entertainment, free kids' games, a cornhole tournament, a beer garden, a craft and vendor show, and much more.

Total Solar Eclipse Community Weekend Tour Pass

April 6-7, 401 North Arthur St., New Harmony, Indiana. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-17, free for children under 5.

Nine sites across New Harmony are opening to visitors to maximize seeing the different utopian experiments there. Sites on the tour include the Atheneum Visitors Center, Double Log Cabin, 1830 Owen House, Lichtenberger Building, Community House No. 2, Thrall’s Opera House, Roofless Church, Rapp-Owen Granary, Working Men’s Institute.

Evansville Reptile and Exotics Show

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Vanderburgh 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road. Tickets are $5, free for kids 4 and under.

This family-friendly event showcases lizards, birds, spiders, turtles, and more. It's also a great place for people to stock up on feeders and supplies for their pets. The Hadi Shrine Clowns will provide balloon animals and entertainment for kids. Food and beverages will be available to purchase on-site.

Eclipse Storytelling with Susan Fowler

11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:15 p.m., Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, 411 SE Riverside Drive. Free.

Storyteller Susan E. Fowler is sharing eclipse-related stories and activities like crafts and singing.

Pre-Eclipse Extravaganza!

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, 411 SE Riverside Drive. Free.

Kick off the eclipse weekend with an event for the whole family with activities, live entertainment, and special guests.

More: Here are 13 ways to enjoy Eclipse Day food truck gatherings and restaurant specials

Solar Fair 2024

Noon to 4 p.m., Eastland Mall, 800 North Green River Road. Free.

Eastland Mall has partnered with Explore Evansville for a party for shoppers visiting the area before the big events that happening throughout the community.

Eclipse show

1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Koch Immersive Theater and Planetarium, 411 SE Riverside Drive. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth and members.

This eclipse-oriented planetarium show demonstrates a simulation of the conditions that produce a solar and lunar eclipse.

Louis Armstrong & Friends

7 p.m., Victory Theatre, 600 Main St, Tickets range $30 to $85

EPO is celebrating the great Louis Armstrong and his multi-collaborations with some of music's greatest artists. Vocalists Byron Stripling and Carmen Bradford will perform famous classics from the Great American Songbook and recreate the magical moments of the greatest legend of jazz.

Evansville Thunderbolts

7 p.m., Ford Center, 1 SE Martin Luther King Drive. Tickets range from $16 to $35.

Join the Evansville Thunderbolts for Fan Appreciation Night as they take on the Birmingham Bulls. There will be live music, food trucks and lots of giveaways for attendees.

Sunday

Bored Teachers Comedy Tour

7 p.m., Victory Theatre, 600 Main St, Tickets are $28 to $52

Bored Teachers Studios presents the funniest teacher-comedians and hilarious skits together on one stage.

'Breaking Barriers: An Astronaut’s Inspiring & Winding Road to Space'

7 p.m., USI Screaming Eagles Arena, 8600 University Blvd. Free.

Astronaut Joan Higginbotham's presentation focuses on her STS-116 shuttle mission to the International Space Station, key insights into her successful voyage into space and lessons learned in her inspiring journey.

From Eclipses to Magnetism: The Secret Life of the Sun

2 p.m., Eykamp Hall at 1800 Lincoln Ave. Free.

Astrophysicist and UE alum Maria Weber gives a keynote highlighting what to expect ahead of the phenomenon.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What is there fun to do this weekend in Evansville and Henderson?