BloNo Digest.
This Weekend Around
Bloomington-Normal
Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18
Spooky season (and events) are creeping up around town! See the bottom section for those!
Sat, Oct 17 · Doors 5:45pm; Puck drop 7pm
Opening Night: Bloomington Bison vs. Kalamazoo Wings
Grossinger Motors Arena · Tix starting $27
The Bison kick off their season against Kalamazoo with a Pregame Fan Fest (3:30–5:30 PM) featuring giveaways — every fan gets a rally towel — and game-night energy to start the season. Great for local hockey fans!
| Friday, October 16 |
10-10:30am · Bloomington Public Library · Free!
Thirty-minute Friday mornings of songs, movement, and read-alouds for kids and caregivers in the library’s Children’s Program Room. Expect lively music, simple movement, and short stories geared to a wide range of ages.
ARTlings with Illinois Art Station
10-11am · Normal Public Library
A caregiver-and-child art session for ages 2–5 that starts with a storybook read-aloud, then moves into a guided, hands-on art project led by an Illinois Art Station educator—great for toddlers who like exploring materials and making something together. Registration required; space is limited.
12-1pm · ISU Fell Hall
A relaxed, drop-in coffee-shop-style gathering for international and domestic students to chat, play board games, try German snacks, and do simple crafts or stress-relief activities.
Concerts at the Crib: Back in the Saddle
Doors 6pm; Show 7pm · Normal CornBelters · $25
A Chris Stapleton tribute band will play a night of country covers at the Corn Crib, tossing out Stapleton-style vocals and arrangements of his bigger hits—good for folks who want a rootsy, singalong country night with friends.
7-9pm · Casper Brewing Company, Bloomington · Free!
Music bingo at Casper Brewing — callers play songs instead of numbers while you mark your card. It’s free to play, with gift-card prizes and a casual brewery atmosphere, good for friends looking for a low-key game night.
Doors 6:30pm; Show 7:30pm · The Castle Theatre · $50
Hard-rock vets Drowning Pool and Saliva hit the stage for a night of high-energy, riff-driven rock — expect singalong hits like Saliva’s “Click Click Boom” alongside Drowning Pool’s early-2000s staples. Good if you want loud, nostalgia-leaning modern rock.
Eric Johanson - The Open Bayou Tour
8-11pm · Jazz UpFront · $25
Eric Johanson blends modern blues-rock with New Orleans soul in a guitar-forward set built for groove and grit. Expect soulful vocals, soaring guitar work, and a mix of originals and gritty covers—good if you like powerful playing and rootsy vibes.
| Saturday, October 17 |
Dungeon Crawl Classics: Terror in the Whispering Wood
12:45–4:15pm · Bloomington Public Library
A beginner-friendly tabletop RPG session set in a creepy forest where your premade, inexperienced characters explore the notorious Whispering Wood—expect dangerous monsters, risky magic, and old superstitions coming to life. Dice, pencils, and characters are provided.
Downtown Bloomington Outdoor Farmers’ Market
7:30am-12pm · Downtown Bloomington · Free!
The outdoor farmers’ market returns to the square with vendors selling fresh produce, plant starts, meats, baked goods, honey, eggs and artisan items. Expect local musicians most weekends, and kids’ activities!
12-3pm · Subaru of Bloomington Normal
Subaru of Bloomington Normal is partnering with the ASPCA this October to fund Wish Bone Canine Rescue and will donate $30 to the ASPCA for each qualifying Subaru pet accessory bought through their parts site; they’re also highlighting National Make A Dog’s Day (Oct. 22) and encouraging adoption, fostering, or support for older and disabled dogs.
Artgasm: Surrender to the Night
6:15-10pm · Bloomington Center For The Performing Arts · Tix starting $99
A fantasy-formal gala with a silent auction, wine pull, local art on display, and performances by Community Players Theater — an evening of music and fundraising at the BCPA that highlights local artists and theater.
6:30pm · Urban Warfare Paintball & Laser Tag · $60/person
Paintball played after dark with glow-in-the-dark paint under UV lights — you’ll see glowing splatters fly across an outdoor hyperball field as shots hit. A gimmicky, visually striking twist on regular paintball for folks who want something different.
Cabaret 1900: A Century of Music, Mirth and Memory
7:30pm · McLean County Arts Center · $5-$25
A four-person revue traces the 20th century through songs, satire, and storytelling — from turn-of-the-century tunes to wartime wit and later reflections — all in an intimate, fast-paced performance blending music and comic drama.
10:30am · Parke Regency Hotel & Conference Center · Early bird $20; Regular $25
A pop-up market featuring local boutiques, handmade goods, jewelry, skincare, baked treats, and wellness vendors under one roof—VIP ticket gets you early access. Good for browsing unique gifts, snacks, and local services from a long vendor list.
Malört vs Bloomington Fire Hockey
2pm · Grossinger Motors Arena
The Malört and Savior Hockey Club plays its home opener against Bloomington Fire Hockey! The Bloomington Bison’s home opener follows later that evening. It’s a full day of local hockey for fans who want both casual pickup action and the official game.
8am · VFW, Bloomington
Walk a 7.6-mile route with short regroup breaks at local stops while carrying an optional backpack (they suggest bringing food donations) to raise awareness of veteran suicide and funds for service-dog training for local vets. Open to veterans and community members; proceeds benefit Devildog Canine.
7pm · Red Raccoon Games, Bloomington
A casual meetup for LGBTQ+ gamers to play board and card games from the library or ones you bring, with food and folks happy to teach new titles. Expect a relaxed, social night where attendees sometimes organize mini-tournaments or other activities.
The Get Together: Celebrating the Music of Todd Snider
Doors 7pm; Show 8pm · The Castle Theatre · $19.34 (incl. fees)
Musicians gather to play the songs of Todd Snider, with performers like Ernie Hendrickson, Dave Zollo, Gerald Dowd, Adam Gardner, and Brian Wilkie sharing vocals and instruments on one bill. Good if you like singer‑songwriter storytelling and collaborative tribute shows.
| Sunday, October 18 |
2-4pm · Bloomington Public Library · Free!
Bring the kids to the library’s Children’s Department for an afternoon of board games, card games, and puzzles, with game masters from Red Raccoon Games on hand to teach a selection of family-friendly titles. It’s a low-key chance to try new games together.
1-3pm · Tipton Park (South) · Free!
A family-friendly afternoon of short guided bike rides, kids’ safety activities, interactive games and info on local cycling resources — all aimed at helping riders of every age improve skills and have fun on two wheels. Helmets required.
3pm · Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts · Tix starting $55
Four women bond at a lingerie sale and riff on hot flashes, mood swings, memory lapses and other midlife moments to pop-music hits from the ’60s–’80s. If you want a music-driven comedy about friendship and “the change,” this keeps the jokes front and center.
8am-4pm · Interstate Center, Bloomington · $7; 13 & Under Free!
A long-running flea market with hundreds of Midwest dealers selling antiques, vintage decor, retro clothing, artisan crafts, and repurposed finds — good for treasure hunters, collectors, or anyone who likes browsing ever-changing booths and seasonal themes.
1-3pm · Vrooman Mansion, Bloomington · $45
Spend an afternoon in the Vrooman Mansion sampling a self‑serve tea buffet of sweet and savory seasonal bites while a presenter walks you through the history and symbols of tasseography — tea‑leaf reading — and how to read your own cup. Costumes are encouraged.
The Central Illinois Aquarium Fish Swap
1-3pm · VFW, Bloomington
Hobbyists will buy, sell, and trade tropical fish and aquarium gear at a neighborhood-style swap hosted by local clubs — a good spot to find new tankmates, equipment, or to move excess stock. Ideal for aquarists comfortable handling live fish.
9:30am-12pm · Allerton Park & Retreat Center, Monticello · $35/person
A bit out of town, but I thought it sounded fun! A 2.5-hour guided hike that teaches how to find and ID hen-of-the-woods (maitake) and other fall mushrooms—life cycle, habitats, tree hosts, and how to tell edibles from toxic lookalikes—plus tips for preparing your harvest.
| 🎃 Halloweeny |
Halloween-type events as the holiday gets closer!
Friday, October 16
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Haunted Trail: Not-So-Scary Trail 6-8pm · Constitution Trail, Bloomington-Normal · $5/person - Cash only Walk a spooky stretch of the Constitution Trail between Vernon Ave. and the Connie Link Amphitheatre filled with haunt-themed scenes and actors; shuttles will bring you back to nearby parking. During Not‑So‑Scary Weekend, bring a canned food item for free admission. |
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7-11pm · Downs Haunted House, Downs · $16.15 (incl. fees) A long-running Halloween tradition in Downs: start at Dooley Park for concessions and merch, then hop a haunted hayrack ride to the Village’s haunted house for a guided scare walk. Runs Friday–Saturday nights in October; tickets sold at the pavilion or online. |
Saturday, October 17
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Haunted Trail: Not-So-Scary Trail 6-8pm · Constitution Trail, Bloomington-Normal · $5/person - Cash only The same fun as Friday! |
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Cars and Coffee / Trunk or Treat 3-6pm · BMW of Bloomington · Free! A family-friendly Cars & Coffee meets trunk-or-treat with decorated cars, candy for kids, face painting, bouncy houses, food, and Old Thyme homemade ice cream, all supporting the Promise Council’s education efforts — casual car participation OK whether or not you decorate. |
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Bloomington Parks & Recreation · Free! Bloomington Parks hides pumpkins decorated by SOAR volunteers across city parks all month. Find the sign and pumpkin, snap a photo, and post it to the event page for one entry. Two new clues are released every Friday, with the hunt running through October 29. Three prize baskets will be drawn on October 30. |
Sunday, October 18
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Horror Movie Trivia at Destihl Beer Hall! 5pm · DESTIHL Brewery · $5/person Put your horror-movie knowledge to the test with rounds covering slashers, supernatural scares, and modern hits—bring a team and answer questions on everything from masked killers to psychological thrillers. |
| 🎥 Movies 🍿 |
Spooky movie date nights! Many at the historic Normal Theater, and one outside at the mural downtown.
Friday, October 16
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9:30pm · Normal Theater, Uptown Normal · Adult $8; Student/Youth $6 A violent, stylized Japanese crime film following sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara as he hunts his missing boss and encounters Ichi, a repressed, psychotic killer capable of inflicting extreme pain. R; 129 minutes. |
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7pm · Normal Theater, Uptown Normal · Adult $8; Student/Youth $6 A recently deceased couple enlist a mischievous, not-quite-friendly spirit to scare out the obnoxious family that’s moved into their home — think ghostly revenge with a darkly comic edge. Runtime: 92 minutes; PG. |
Saturday, October 17
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Free Movies at the Mural - The Addams Family! 6:30pm · Outside Red Raccoon Games · Free! An outdoor screening of The Addams Family at the Red Raccoon mural on West Jefferson — movie begins around 6:30 p.m. once it’s dark enough. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for a spooky, family-friendly cartoon night. |
Sunday, October 18
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12pm · Normal Theater, Uptown Normal · Adult $8; Student/Youth $6 Animated family comedy where Dracula runs a monster-only resort and chaos ensues when a human guest shows up during his daughter’s 118th birthday weekend—think slapstick, heart, and monster cameos in a 91-minute PG romp. |
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7pm · Normal Theater, Uptown Normal · Adult $8; Student/Youth $6 A sleazy TV exec discovers a mysterious late-night show of graphic torture and, after his girlfriend disappears following an audition, digs into whether the violence is real — a hallucinatory, paranoid horror about media and control. |
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