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Bloomington news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Bloomington, IL
40Events this week
19Free things to do
92New spots
96New stories

● Checked this morning, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Bloomington

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 40 events, day by day →

2FlightsDown

Friday 7pm · Connie Link Amphitheatre

Friday Night Music Bingo

Friday 7pm · Casper Brewing Company · Free

Friday Night Frenzy at Altitude Trampoline Park

Friday 7pm · Bloomington

2026 St. Jude Walk

Saturday 7am · Illinois Wesleyan Tucci Stadium · Free

Keith Adams Memorial Turning Saturday

Saturday 8:30am · YouthBuild McLean

New in Bloomington

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

Annie's Eats BBQ And Catering

Restaurants

Line up early: Annie's Eats BBQ And Catering serves competition-style, award-winning BBQ, with carry-out or catering only.

annieseatsblono.com ↗

Cruisin with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center and Gift Shop

Arts & Culture

Abe on Route 66: Whether you need a quick brain-reboot between errands or an excuse to linger downtown, Cruisin' with Lincoln on 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop packs bite-size exhibits on travel and Lincoln, self-guided walking tours, a photo op with Abe, and a gift shop stocked with Beer Nuts, Fun…

cruisinwithlincolnon66.org ↗

Elevation the Salon

Beauty

Hair therapy, unlocked: Elevation the Salon leans into that “welcome to your therapy session...

elevationthesalon.com ↗

Bloomington’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Bloomington’s best →

Most read in Bloomington

The five stories Bloomington readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. Federal court tosses out lawsuit by Bloomington couple accused of medical spa theft

    A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit by a Bloomington couple, Cassandra and Jadeyn Lacey, alleging that the City of Bloomington violated civil rights during a 2023 theft investigation.

    Full story at wglt.org ↗

  2. The Hoefer family begins on the road to recovery after home explosion

    Two members of the Hoefer family have been released from the hospital following an explosion that destroyed their home in west Bloomington, Illinois.

    Full story at centralillinoisproud.com ↗

  3. Bloomington chicken shop gets new name and management

    Pop-Up Chicken Shop in Bloomington, Illinois, has changed its name and management after the previous owner stepped down due to controversy.

    Full story at yahoo.com ↗

  4. 50th for Tony and Carol Cable

    Tony and Carol Cable of Bloomington celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an extended family luncheon at Biaggi's.

    Full story at pantagraph.com ↗

  5. Car hits Bloomington firefighter at crash scene; driver later arrested

    Jentry Robbins, a 23-year-old Bloomington man, has been arrested for allegedly intentionally hitting a Bloomington firefighter who was working at the scene of a motor vehicle crash.

    Full story at yahoo.com ↗

Explore Bloomington

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.

Bloomington eventsAll 40 events this week, day by dayThis weekend in BloomingtonThe 14 things worth your weekendFree things to do19 free events happening this weekRead the latest editionSee exactly what lands in your inboxPekin34 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalPeoria34 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalDecatur45 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalChampaign47 miles away — nearby on BaseLocal