Looking for some fun things to do with your family? There are plenty of kids activities, concerts and theater, and family-friendly festivals to keep you busy through the last days of summer.
Keep the summer vibes going by checking out the 13 gloriously blooming Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail. Bring your friends and fill up Instagram with beautiful quilt patterns that will remind you of your childhood. The gardens and the accompanying Quilt Murals are all located in our downtowns and green spaces, so it’s convenient to grab a bite to eat or go for a bike ride or hike while on your adventures.
Enjoy a cozy afternoon English tea at an historic house museum. On Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m. in September and October, sip a cup of tea in the Ruthmere Museum’s garden, 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart. In case of inclement weather, retire to Ruthmere’s game room to enjoy your tea.
Shipshewana Labor Day Flea Market
The Labor Day holiday is the perfect opportunity for a day of shopping the artisan crafts and unique finds of the Shipshewana Flea Market, 345 S. Van Buren St. (State Road 5), Shipshewana. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, September 3-4, the market is a shoppers’ paradise.
Best-selling author Janette Oke’s “Love Comes Softly” comes to life in a brand-new musical exclusively on the Round Barn Theatre stage at The Barns at Nappanee, 1600 W. Market St, Nappanee. Performances continue through September 21. Showtimes and dates vary.
Goshen First Fridays: Savor Summer Showcase
Musical and dance performances, games and kids activities, great food, and a fashion show are a great way to bask in the last days of summer at Goshen First Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, September 6, in downtown Goshen.
Homemade treats, games and craft vendors are among the ways that the Middlebury Fall Festival is a perfect way to welcome the autumn season. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 6-7, the festival fun can be found at Memorial Park downtown and don’t miss the fireworks show on the Das Dutchman Essenhaus campus on Friday night.
It’s a duel of wits at the Bristol Opera House as the mystery “Prescription: Murder” takes the stage as presented by the Elkhart Civic Theatre. Even if you can’t solve the case yourself, you’ll be amazed by the theatrical talent in Elkhart County. Performances are September 13, 14, and 20-22. Showtimes vary.
Goshen Hispanic Heritage Festival
Celebrate the immense contributions of the Elkhart County area’s Hispanic community with the Goshen Hispanic Heritage Festival. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, September 14, at Powerhouse Park off West Washington Street. Sample a variety of Latin American foods while enjoying live music, folk dances and a melding of cultures.
From Indiana’s largest apple pie at 7-feet to a weekend of family fun, the Nappanee Apple Festival from September 19-22 is a can’t-miss event for the entire family. Find a good spot for the parade, then stroll downtown Nappanee trying other apple treats or sinking your teeth into savory bites. Live entertainment, music and craft vendors make it a full day!
Get the weekend off to a great start with a free Curbside Concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, September 20, at the Elkhart Public Library’s downtown branch, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart. Making their debut performance is local band nine2K. Top off your nighttime entertainment with some great food and beverages from local vendors.
Christian metal band Stryper brings their show to the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren St, Shipshewana, at 8 p.m. Saturday, September 21.
The weekly Classic Car Cruise-in at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, 240 U.S. 20, Middlebury, welcomes hot rods, convertibles, sports cars and classic cars of all types. Stroll the beautiful, manicured grounds of Essenhaus from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 26, for the last cruise-in of the season.
Calling all ‘Dancing Queens’! Come out for this month’s ArtWalk where all of Downtown Elkhart — from the shops to the restaurants to the Civic Green — are getting in the disco spirit! Jive down the street, slide into some deals, and catch a FREE concert handcrafted to get you out of your lawn chair and into the disco fever! Get there early and stay late for everything Downtown Elkhart has to offer during Elkhart ArtWalk from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 26.
The incredible artistry of handmade quilts will be on full display at the annual Mennonite Relief Sale from September 27-29 at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds. Browse other artisan crafts on sale while enjoying the many food booths and kids activities.
Discover why northern Indiana is a hub for clay artists at the annual Michiana Pottery Tour. Over two days, September 28-29, find your way to more than 40 artists at locations throughout Elkhart County for that perfect vase, coffee mug, bowl or sculpture. You’ll never know what you’ll find.