Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts

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Carnival & ParadeBloomington

DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking

DurationAutumnEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forMasks, paradesThe festival's origin as an artist-organized

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type

The story

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts in Bloomington

The Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts fills Fourth Street in downtown Bloomington, Indiana every Labor Day weekend. Created in 1977 by local artists and craftspeople to showcase southern Indiana talent, the juried fair now draws exhibitors from across the country to a single closed-off downtown street near the Indiana University campus.

In 1977, a group of artists and craftspeople in and around Bloomington, Indiana decided the region needed a dedicated outdoor marketplace for locally made work.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The festival's origin as an artist-organized event, rather than a chamber of commerce or city-run promotion, still shapes its character: it was built specifically to give regional artists and craftspeople a dedicated marketplace, and that founding purpose remains visible in the mix of exhibitors even as the roster has expanded nationally

The mystery stays covered

Its compact footprint along a single downtown street keeps the fair walkable and community-scaled compared to sprawling regional art fairs, while its Labor Day weekend timing makes it one of the last outdoor art events of the Bloomington summer season

The city starts moving

The festival also shares its weekend with Bloomington Pridefest, and organizers coordinate shuttle service between the two events during the busiest Saturday hours

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival maintains its founding identity as an artist-run showcase through its jury selection process

Water and renewal

Living ritual

which vets exhibitors for craft quality rather than simply accepting all applicants

The sacred route

Living ritual

Its long-running placement on Labor Day weekend

The local code

Living ritual

alongside Bloomington Pridefest

Tradition 5

Living ritual

has become part of the city's late-summer rhythm

Tradition 6

Living ritual

with shuttle service between the two events reflecting an informal but real coordination between organizers

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, plan transport around the exact Bloomington venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor clothing suited to early September weather in southern Indiana, which can still run warm; comfortable walking shoes are important since the festival covers a full closed...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, stay near the part of Bloomington you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.84 N, 93.30 W Open in Google Maps

Bloomington, IN

Nearest airportMSP — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field

TransportFor Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, plan transport around the exact Bloomington venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts, stay near the part of Bloomington you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bloomington via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Bloomington, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare fares Festival gearCasual outdoor clothing suited to early September weather in southern Indiana, which can still run warm; comfortable walking shoes are important since the festival covers a full closed street of booths.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts?

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts take place?

The festival is listed in Bloomington, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bloomington, IN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfourthstreet.org

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts

Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts in Bloomington

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Tradition 6

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Bloomington, IN

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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