Summer is speeding by — don't miss out on any of the festivals in the South Bend region

Cheryl Morey, South Bend Tribune
Updated ·13 min read

The Tribune's Festival Guide returns today to offer you and your family more fun festivals to take you through the rest of the summer and even into the fall and winter months.

JULY

• New Carlisle Hometown Days

July 28-30 │ Free;

Family-friendly fun, 3 to 9 p.m. Friday with fireworks; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Memorial Park, in the center of New Carlisle; schedule of events at hometowndays.net.

The Last Bohemians — Patrick Bickel, left, on bass and vocals; Jack Daly, guitar and vocals; Tommy Gravenor, guitar and vocals; and Rene Pynart, percussion, harmonica and vocals — perform at 1 p.m. July 29, 2023, as part of New Carlisle's Hometown Days festival, which takes place July 28-30 at Memorial Park in New Carlisle.
The Last Bohemians — Patrick Bickel, left, on bass and vocals; Jack Daly, guitar and vocals; Tommy Gravenor, guitar and vocals; and Rene Pynart, percussion, harmonica and vocals — perform at 1 p.m. July 29, 2023, as part of New Carlisle's Hometown Days festival, which takes place July 28-30 at Memorial Park in New Carlisle.

• SerbFest 2023

4 p.m. to midnight July 29 │Free;

Food, live music, dancing, cold drinks, bouncy house for kids; monetary donation to be collected to support Hope Ministries. Saints Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, 59238 Keria Trail, South Bend.

AUGUST

The Elkhart Police Department invites the community to a National Night Out with food, fun and demonstrations. Shown here is a past demonstration by the bomb squad. National Night Out is from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1.
The Elkhart Police Department invites the community to a National Night Out with food, fun and demonstrations. Shown here is a past demonstration by the bomb squad. National Night Out is from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1.

• National Night Out

5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 1 │ Free;

Elkhart Police Department invites community members for free food, inflatables, animal encounters, a K9 demonstration and more. Central Green, 300 S. Main St., Elkhart.

• Xinsurance Great Lakes Grand Prix

Aug. 2-6 │ $120-$20;

Free action-packed weekend boasts a boat parade, block party, live entertainment, family activities, festival food and drinks, meet the racers and team members, and power-boat racing. Washington Park, Michigan City; greatlakesgrandprix.com.

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• 61st Annual Arts, Crafts & Music Festival

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 3-4; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 5 │Admission charged;

Arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, entertainment. Outdoor concerts: 8 p.m. Aug. 3 – Steven Curtis Chapman, $65-$35 and 8 p.m. Aug. 4 – Diamond Rio, $50-$25 (purchase advance tickets online). The Barns at Nappanee, 1600 W. Market St., Nappanee; 574-773-4188; thebarnsatnappanee.com.

Diamond Rio will perform Aug. 4 at the 61st Annual Arts, Crafts & Music Festival at The Barns at Nappanee.
Diamond Rio will perform Aug. 4 at the 61st Annual Arts, Crafts & Music Festival at The Barns at Nappanee.

• BBQ & Brew Fest

4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5 │ $75-$20; 11 and under, free;

Presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County. Good food, craft beers, full-service bar, live music: Blammo and The 1985, Kid Zone with activities and a movie, and 2023 Grill Masters Burger Competition. Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746 D County Road 34, Goshen; purchase tickets at greatfutures.club/bbq.

• Nappanee Friday Fest

5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 11 │ Free;

Entertainment, food, shopping, car and motorcycle show, live music by Soul Shot. Rain date is Aug. 18. Downtown Nappanee, 201 W. Market St.; visitnappanee.com/nappanee-events.

• 39th Annual Osceola Music Festival

Aug. 11-13 │Free;

Bluegrass, rock, country music, food, vendors, kid’s activities, frog jumping competition, pancake breakfast, more. Fern Hunsberger Park, 202 N. Lamport, Osceola; osceolamusicfestival.com.

• Aviation Education Day

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12 │ Free;

General aviation and commercial aircraft display, airfield tours, career/job fair, games, arts and crafts, food trucks, ground school presentations, Young Eagles introductory flights for children, and much more. Family-friendly. South Bend International Airport, airfield at the Studebaker Hangar, west of the main terminal, 4817 Lincoln Way W., South Bend, 574-282-4590; facebook.com/events/907253803964037.

• 26th Annual EnviroFest

3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 12 │$5 per family;

Food vendors, booths, raffle, silent auction, live music, kid’s area and entertainment, beer and wine garden, and more. Island Park, North Main and East Sycamore streets, Elkhart; elkhartenvirofest.com.

Bluegrass, rock, and country bands will perform at the 39th Annual Osceola Music Festival Aug. 11 to 13 in Fern Hunsberger Park.
Bluegrass, rock, and country bands will perform at the 39th Annual Osceola Music Festival Aug. 11 to 13 in Fern Hunsberger Park.

• Rebel Art Fest 2023

Noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 │ Free;

Festival showcases local makers, artists and musicians. Enjoy live music, shop handcrafted goods, view art, food trucks, DIY project. Potawatomi Park, 2105 E. Mishawaka Ave., South Bend; rebelartfest.weebly.com.

• Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival

Hamlet 50/50

Aug. 15-27 (no show Aug. 21) │ $75-$10;

Weekday shows 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday shows 2 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday shows 2 to 5 p.m. DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame; Shakespeare.nd.edu for tickets.

• DTSB Art Beat 20th Anniversary

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 │Free;

Day-long celebration of our local artists with a variety of performing, visual and culinary artists. Jefferson Street Bridge, Howard Park and East Bank, South Bend; downtownsouthbend.com/art-beat.

DTSB Art Beat is Northern Indiana's largest single-day arts festival. Art Beat will be held Aug. 19, 2023 in South Bend.
DTSB Art Beat is Northern Indiana's largest single-day arts festival. Art Beat will be held Aug. 19, 2023 in South Bend.

• Round Barn Car, Bike, Truck & Tractor Show

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19 │Free;

Vehicle registration 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; fee charged. Music, food vendors, craft and vendor show. Fulton County Historical Society grounds, U.S. 31 and County Road 375 N., Rochester, 574-223-4436; fultoncountyhistory.org.

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• Southern Soul & Soul Music on The Greens

1 to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 │ Free admission;

The Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo will host the Leroy Robinson Southern Soul & Soul Music on The Greens. Family event with food trucks, vendors, and live music. Central Park (on the Plaza), 300 S. Main St., Elkhart.

• Lubeznik Arts Festival

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT Aug. 19-20 │$5-Free;

Artists, local food vendors, indoor exhibitions, family activities, live mural competition. The exhibition “Vivian Maier: In Color” on display. Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St., Michigan City, 219-874-4900; LubeznikCenter.org.

The Lubeznik Arts Festival will be held in August at Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St., Michigan City.
The Lubeznik Arts Festival will be held in August at Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W. Second St., Michigan City.

• Yellowstone Trail Fest

Aug. 19-20 │ Free;

This year’s theme, “Bootlegging on the Yellowstone Trail,” includes food trucks, vendors, daring acts, competitions, RC races, car show, fireworks, and more. Starke County Fairgrounds, 400 S. Division St., Hamlet; yellowstonetrailfest.com.

• Community Scandinavian Festival

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 26 │ Free;

Historical and cultural displays, crafts, games, Nordic dancers, Nyckelharpa player, pretzels and ice cream. Augustana Lutheran Church, 1133 Kilbourn St., Elkhart.

• Tasting Odyssey

5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 26 │ $65;

Wine, beer, spirits, live/silent auction, Greek hors d’oeuvres, music. Must be 21+. St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, 52455 N. Ironwood Road, South Bend; givegrove.com/odyssey.

• St. Patrick Summer Festival

Noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 26 │Free;

Variety of foods, kid’s games, live music from CMR Band. St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 309 S. Scott St., South Bend.

2022 Food Truck and Tailgate Party held on Central Green in Elkhart. This year's event will be held Aug. 26 to watch the Notre Dame vs Navy game.
2022 Food Truck and Tailgate Party held on Central Green in Elkhart. This year's event will be held Aug. 26 to watch the Notre Dame vs Navy game.

• 3rd Annual Food Truck and Tailgate Party

Time: TBD Aug. 26 │ Free;

Family event to watch Notre Dame vs Navy game on big screen, food trucks, activities for kids. Central Green, 300 S. Main St., Elkhart; Elkhart Parks Department 574-295-7275.

• New Carlisle 10th Annual Beer & Wine Walk

5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26 │$30; $15 for designated driver;

Taste a variety of wines and beers while strolling in downtown New Carlisle, purchase tickets at New Carlisle Fire Station, 204 E. Michigan St; discovernewcarlisle.com.

• 11th Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 26-27 │ $12-Free;

Fun and educational activities for the whole family, rain or shine, bring canned food item and receive $1 off ticket price (maximum $2 off per ticket). St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, 5117 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend; michianarenfest.com.

• 57th Annual Blueberry Festival

Aug. 31 – Sept. 4 │Free;

Crafts, vendors, food, carnival rides, balloon glow, sport tournaments, garden tractor pull, car show, live music and entertainment, more; no pets allowed. Centennial Park, 1660 N. Michigan St., Plymouth; blueberryfestival.org.

SEPTEMBER

• Michigan City Oktoberfest

Sept. 1-4 │ Free;

Multiple live music stages, food vendors, arts/crafts/merchandise vendors. Washington Park, Michigan City; emichigancity.com search for Oktoberfest.

• St. Casimir Festival

1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 3 │ Free;

A festival to celebrate the parish and its rich Polish and Latino heritage. St. Casimir Roman Catholic Church, 1308 W. Dunham St., South Bend.

• LaPorte County Draft Horse Association 2023 Show

Sept. 7-9 │Free;

Hitch teams from across the Midwest, farm team, youth, halter competitions; bleacher seating or bring a chair, concessions or bring your own. LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 Indiana 2, LaPorte; full list events at laportecodrafthorse.org/laporte-county-show.

The LaPorte County Fairgrounds will host the LaPorte County Draft Horse Association 2023 Show on Sept. 7-9.
The LaPorte County Fairgrounds will host the LaPorte County Draft Horse Association 2023 Show on Sept. 7-9.

• Middlebury Fall Festival 2023

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8-9 │Free;

Homegrown vegetables and fruits, pumpkins, gourds, mums, woodcarvers in action, pottery and Amish art, Bluegrass and gospel music in Bandshell in Memorial Park; bring lawn chairs. Downtown Middlebury, Memorial Park, 105 N. Main St.

• Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival

Sept. 8-10 │Free; some events charge a fee;

Tastings and tours, 5K grape stomping, kayak race, contests, entertainment, carnival rides, fireworks, parade. Downtown Paw Paw, Michigan; wineandharvestfestival.com.

• Niles Scream Park

8 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 8-30;

7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 6-28;

7 to 10 p.m. Sundays Oct. 8-29;

Black Out 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 3-4;

44 acres of blood-curdling fear and fun. Pricing is online only, $31-$10 (price is more at gate). Niles Scream Park, 855 Mayflower Road, Niles, 269-687-FEAR; haunted.org.

Inside Niles Scream Park’s attractions on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Niles.
Inside Niles Scream Park’s attractions on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, in Niles.

• Fusion Fest

10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 9; noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 10 │ Free;

The South Bend Ethnic Festival reimagined to bring together the rich cultures from around the world that make up our region, food vendors, music, demonstrations and artisans, 219 S. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend.

• Apple Fest Art and Craft Show

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CDT) Sept. 9-10 │ Free;

Crafts, arts, jewelry, ornamentals, u-pick produce (fee), food, horse and tractor drawn wagon rides, and more. Garwood Orchards, 5911 W. 50 South, LaPorte.

• Door Village Harvest Festival

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) Sept. 9-10 │Free, $3 parking;

Scipio Township Park, 3501 W. Joliet Road, LaPorte; panoramanow.com/events or Facebook.com/doorvillageharvestfestival.

Dancers perform at Fusion Fest 2022. Fusion Fest 2023 will be held Sept. 9-10 in South Bend.
Dancers perform at Fusion Fest 2022. Fusion Fest 2023 will be held Sept. 9-10 in South Bend.

• 47th Annual Nappanee Apple Festival

Sept. 14-17 │Free;

7-foot baked apple pie, vendors, crafts, games, food, music, rides, contests, more. Downtown Nappanee; nappaneeapplefestival.org.

• Trail of Courage Living History Festival

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 │ $10-Free;

Historic encampments; Chippeway Village; food; crafts; period music and dance; skits, more; no pets. Fulton County Historical Society grounds, 37 East 375 North, Rochester, 574-223-4436; fultoncountyhistory.org.

• 2023 Fall Fest

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 │Free;

Family-friendly, critter barn, balloon twisters, Great Pumpkin festival and more. Lake Bluff Park, 269-520-598 Lake Blvd., St. Joseph; stjoetoday.com/fall.

• 24th Annual Sunflower Fair

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CDT) Sept. 16 │Free;

100 crafts and vendors, entertainment, food, kid’s activities, more. Michigan Avenue, downtown LaPorte; sunflowerfair.com.

• 28th Annual Wanatah Scarecrow Festival

Sept. 22-24 │ Free;

Arts and crafts, pork chop dinner, pancake breakfast, parade, scarecrow sculpting, fun runs, music, variety of entertainment, car show, bingo and more. North Main and East High streets, Wanatah; scarecrowfest.org.

Everything apple can be found at the Nappanee Apple Festival Sept. 14-17 and at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Sept. 28-Oct. 1.
Everything apple can be found at the Nappanee Apple Festival Sept. 14-17 and at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Sept. 28-Oct. 1.

• Four Flags Area Apple Festival

3 to 10 p.m. Sept. 28; 3 to 11 p.m. Sept. 29; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 30; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 │Free, $5 parking donation;

Parade, vendors, crafts, food, music, rides, games and everything apple. 1740 Lake St., Niles, 269-683-8870; fourflagsapplefestival.org.

• Oktoberfest

Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 │ Fee;

Craft brews, live music, German-inspired menu. Wear your lederhosen. The Beer Garden at the Public House, Round Barn Winery and Estate, 9151 First St., Baroda, 269-326-7059; roundbarn.com/events.

• Falloween 2023

Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1 │ Free;

Food, games, special events and activities, live music, carnival rides (fee), proceeds benefit JGHS scholarship fund. John Glenn High School, 201 John Glenn Drive, Walkerton; falloweenfest.com.

OCTOBER

• Near Northwest Neighborhood Arts Café 2023

Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 │Free;

Local artists with variety of artistic, musical and culinary talents, house tours. Rain or shine, fun for all ages. Corner of California and Portage avenues, South Bend; nearnorthwest.org.

• Under the Harvest Moon Festival

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14 │ Free;

Vintage farm tractors, music, food, antiques and collectibles, vendors, kid’s activities, fall produce. Downtown Dowagiac; dowagiacchamber.com.

• Niles Piecemakers Quilt Club Quilt Show

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 │ $10;

Quilts, vendors, gift boutique, silent auction, lunch by Apothica Tea. Hope United Methodist Church, 69941 Elkhart Road, Edwardsburg; nilespiecemakers.com.

The Fusion Fest brings together cultures from around the world that make up our Michiana region. This year's festival will be held Sept. 9-10 in South Bend.
The Fusion Fest brings together cultures from around the world that make up our Michiana region. This year's festival will be held Sept. 9-10 in South Bend.

• 18th Annual Haunted Woods Trail

7:30 to 11 p.m. Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28 │$8-Free;

Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Concessions available. Handicap accessible. Fulton County Historical Society grounds, 37 East 375 North, Rochester; fultoncountyhistory.org.

• Michiana Festival of Beers

2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 21 │ $50-$5;

$50 VIP early entry at 2 p.m. Entrance at Gate D. Commemorative 5 oz. sample mug and unlimited samples. Live music. Must be 21 and older. Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium, 501 W. South St., South Bend; festivalofbeers.us.

• Antiques & Collectibles Show and Sale

4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct 28 │$4;

Appraisals: $5 first item, $2 each additional item. Something for everyone. Fulton County Historical Society grounds, 37 East 375 North, Rochester; fultoncountyhistory.org.

• Unity Gardens SPOOKTACULAR Haunted Trail

5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 │ Free;

Unity Gardens transforms into a haunted farm full of frights, hot chocolate, popcorn, live music, food trucks and local chefs. For all ages. The Unity Garden, 3701 Prast Blvd., South Bend, 574-222-2266; theunitygardens.org.

• Fall 2023 South Bend Artisan Market

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 │$5 at door and $5 parking at Century Center;

140 vendors including local makers, artists, bakers, boutiques, trick-or-treating, costume contests, more. Kids 12 and younger are free. Century Center, 120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend; southbendartisanmarket.com.

DECEMBER

• Elkhart Winterfest 2023

6 p.m. Dec. 1 │ Free;

Winterfest Parade along Main Street in Elkhart, tree lighting at Central Green, 300 S. Main St., Elkhart, from 6 to 7 p.m. Then ice skate at NIBCO Water and Ice Park, 301 Nibco Parkway, Elkhart. Activities for everyone.

The Elkhart Winterfest parade along Main Street in 2022.
The Elkhart Winterfest parade along Main Street in 2022.

• Mishawaka Winterfest 2023

5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2 │ Free;

Lighted parade, tree lighting, free ice skating, hot cocoa, ice carving, horse-drawn carriage rides, visit with Santa, more. Ironworks Plaza, 235 Ironworks Ave., Mishawaka; mishawaka.in.gov/parksandrecreation.

FEBRUARY 2024

• Ice Time Festival

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 3 │ Free, some items a fee;

Ice carvers, campfire, restaurant samples in Chili Crawl, s’mores. Dowagiac’s Central Business District downtown; dowagiacchamber.com.

• For the Love of Art Fair

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 17; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 18 │ $10 good for both days;

50 artists, music, food, fine wine. Kids 12 and younger admitted free with adult; parking fee. Century Center, S. 120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend; fortheloveofartfair.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Festivals in the South Bend area will keep families busy