The Eclipse is just around the corner and events are planned across the entire county! From 5Ks in Mill Race Park, and fire performers at Eclipsing the Renaissance, there is truly something for everyone.

Don’t let this historic moment be memorable just on April 8th at 3:04 pm, the whole weekend is filled with events where you can make lasting memories!

Check out all the events and plan your spectacular Total Solar Eclipse weekend.

Toilet Eclipse of the Heart 

Mon Apr 1st – Mon 8th (EDT) 

kidscommons
309 Washington St, Columbus, IN 

Kidscommons has a variety of free activities and programming in the Museum all weekend long! Enjoy space themed games and a visit from our animal ambassador, Totti!  

Here Comes the Moon: An Eclipse Guide in Totality 

Fri Apr 5th 4:00pm – 5:00pm 

Sat Apr 6th 10:30am – 11:30am 

YES Cinema
328 Jackson Street, Columbus, IN 

Maria Schwartzman Webb teaches computer science at DePauw University and is a photographer specializing in landscape, nightscape, and travel photography.  She will teach how to watch and photograph the eclipse without harming your eyes or cameras, and why eclipses have captivated humanity for thousands of years. 

Total Solarbration 

Sat Apr 6th 10:00am – 10:00pm

Sun 7th 10:00am – 4:00pm

Downtown Columbus
4th St & Washington St, Columbus, IN 

This two-day festival will be the biggest event in downtown! Bring the whole family and stroll the vendor market, eat at the food trucks, grab your drinks, and enjoy live music! The Kids’ Zone will be jumping with bounce houses, face painting, a magic show, scavenger hunt & tons of FUN from kidscommons & Bartholomew County Public Library!

View the full list of activities and the music schedule.  

Comic-Con: Eclipse and All Things Science Fiction 

Sat Apr 6th 9:00am – 5:00pm 

Ivy Tech Community College, Moravec Hall
4475 Central Ave, Columbus, IN 

This free event will focus on the eclipse and all things science fiction. Watch an eclipse presentation by Professor Cyrus Screwvalathe. And do not miss the food, music, comic books, all kinds of vendors, cosplaying and even more!

Hope Town Square during Heritage Days

Total Eclipse of the Hope 

Sat Apr 6th 10:00am – Tue 9th 10:00am (EDT) 

Hope, Indiana, Jackson St, Hope, IN 

Enjoy warm hospitality in the surprising little town of Hope, Indiana. This lively and engaging three-day festival will include art, science projects, games, live entertainment , food, and merchandise vendors. Take a tour of the Yellow Trail Museum on the town square.  

 

Lunar Fest 

Sat Apr 6th 8:00pm – 11:00pm 

White Diamond Lavender Farms 

9415 East County Road 800 North, Hope, IN 

Grab a seat, a drink, and a few tacos from the TaColumbus’ food truck and settle in for some lively entertainment.

Jam with Madison’s premier party band, Rusty Bladen and the Livin’ Daylights. With nine albums released and music featured in the MGM Major Motion Picture, “Madison,” this band knows how to entertain a crowd and get a party going with original music and well-known cover songs. Show starts: 8:00 pm, Doors open: 7:00 pm

 

Solar Soiree at The Inn at Irwin Gardens  

Sat April 6th 7:30pm-9:30pm 

The Inn at Irwin Gardens
608 5th Street, Columbus, IN 

This exclusive experience within the walls of The Inn at Irwin Gardens will have live jazz from musician Alex Farrar, Cosmic Cocktails to sip on, and bites from Gourmet Grazing Boards.  

This event is 21+, attire is semi-formal, and tickets are required. 

Tripp’s Eclipse Pawty

Sun Apr 7th 4:00pm – 8:30pm

Monday April 8th 8:00am – 11:00am

Hotel Indigo 
400 Brown St, Columbus, IN 

What better way to prepare for the solar eclipse than with everybody’s favorite downtown dog, Tripp, from Hotel Indigo! Join Tripp for live music, food trucks and lots of fun the evening before and the morning of what we are all waiting for – the 2024 solar eclipse!  

Great American Eclipse Solarbration 

Sun Apr 7th – Mon 8th 

450 North Brewing Company 
8111 E 450 N, Columbus, IN 

Hang out at the viewing party and sit in the path of totality for the solar eclipse. Meanwhile you can enjoy food trucks, live music, a special beer release, wine, and spirits in the garden! Performances on Sunday, April 7th from 6:00 to 9:00pm and performances on Monday, April 8th from 11:00am to 6:00pm

Pre-Eclipse Huey Flights 

Sun Apr 7th 10:00am – 5:00pm 

Columbus Municipal Airport Main Terminal
4770 Ray Boll Blvd, Columbus, IN 

Take a ride in the iconic Bell UH1 (HUEY) helicopter! Helicopter rides will require the purchase of a membership. If you are a WWII or Korean veteran, you will receive a free ride.  

Shelby Community Band: From the Earth to the Moon

Sun Apr 7th 2:00pm

The Commons, Nugent-Custer Performance Hall
300 Washington St, Columbus, IN

Come celebrate  a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse with a free spring concert. Expect some out of this world music, including a medley of Star Wars, Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey, the music of Doctor Who, the special world premiere of Peter Felice’s Totality,composed to commemorate the first total solar eclipse in 800 years!  

Total Eclipse of the Parks

Sun Apr 7th 7:00pm – Mon 8th 10:00am

Mill Race Park
Carl Miske Drive, Columbus, IN

Run, walk, skip, or jump through these untimed 5Ks. After the Lunar 5K on Sunday, meet back at Hotel Indigo to enjoy food trucks as the sun goes down. Come back Monday morning for the Solar 5K, and then head back to Hotel Indigo to enjoy brunch food trucks from 8am to 11am.

Complete both 5Ks to receive a commemorative medal. Choose from the interlocking sun and moon medal or the eclipse medal. Register by Wednesday, April 3, 2024

 

Eclipsing the Renaissance

Mon Apr 8th 12:00pm – 4:30pm

AirPark Columbus
4444 Kelly St, Columbus, IN

Enjoy a full afternoon of fun and excitement with performers, vendors, and activities at Columbus’ first renaissance faire! Be entertained by jousting demonstrations, armored combat, falconry, and performances by the Cincinnati Circus Fire Performers. Renaissance attire is welcomed!

Total Eclipse of the Farm

Mon Apr 8th 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Historic Henry Breeding Farm
13730 N 100 W, Edinburgh, IN

Featuring “Eclipsarmonia: A Historic Spectacle” with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. The day will include make-and-take activities, Silly Safari with a variety of animals, and traditional farm activities likeblacksmithing, steam engine rides, corn shelling, hit-and-miss engine demonstrations, hay climbing structure, and wagon rides.

Local brewer Hog Molly is releasing a celestial, sparkling beer to mark the occasion, and food trucks will provide a variety of offerings throughout the event.

Inn at Irwin Gardens, from east

Totality in the Gardens

Mon Apr 8th 1:30pm – 4:30pm

The Inn at Irwin Gardens
608 5th Street, Columbus, IN

Witness the 2024 Solar Eclipse within the walls of the Irwin Gardens in Historic Downtown Columbus. Listen to live music from the Third Street Band and grab an Eclipse-themed cocktail from the bar. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and get comfortable for the big moment!

Spaces limited; ticket purchase required for entry.

YOU’LL NEED TO PROTECT YOUR EYES; DO YOU HAVE GLASSES?   

If you are staying in a Bartholomew County hotel, eclipse glasses will be provided upon check-in. Glasses will also be distributed at most special events during the weekend festivities.  

Need them today? Grab your glasses today at the Columbus Area Visitors Center!

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