Events in Elkhart County today

Discover local birds on a guided walk at Wellfield led by Mary Kauffmann-Kennel, a Wellfield volunteer and Audubon Society member. All ages are welcome, and minors must be accompanied by a parent. The outing typically lasts about 60 to 90 minutes. This is an outdoor program that proceeds in any weather, so dress for the conditions. If severe weather prompts a cancellation, updates will be shared on the Wellfield Facebook page or by calling 574-266-2006 x105. There is no additional fee beyond admission.

Seasonal Mom Walks at Abshire Park in Goshen offer an easy way to get outdoors, move your body, and connect with other mothers in a friendly setting. All moms are welcome, including those who are pregnant or postpartum. Children are encouraged to come along, and participants can bring a stroller, snacks, and anything else that helps them feel comfortable. There is no set agenda or pressure. The focus is simple community and unhurried time together during a casual walk.

Supported by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Elkhart County residents receive complimentary garden admission every Tuesday, up to a $10 value per person. Please bring proof of residency to receive free entry. Those who are not residents, or who do not provide proof, are subject to admission fees. You are welcome to arrive any time during open hours, with last admission taking place 30 minutes before closing. If you prefer not to register in advance and want to save on tickets to events and classes, a membership is available and can also provide free visits to other gardens. Staff can share current membership options. Thank you for supporting Wellfield.

This gathering offers relaxed Pokémon play and friendly matches. It is free to participate. Attendees who sign in with a Player ID receive promotional packs as a thank you for showing up.

This playful storytime is for children ages 2 to 4 and builds the earliest literacy skills through talking, reading, writing, singing, and play. The program is tailored to early learners and focuses on developing very beginning reading readiness. No registration required.

Explore yoga at a comfortable pace with Erin, focusing on easing common discomforts such as tight hips, knee sensitivity, or back pain. This welcoming session suits every level, from newcomers and seniors to those with limited mobility or desk bound adults seeking a gentle stretch. The one hour class concludes with a calming savasana. Chairs are available. Bring a mat if you want to practice on the floor, and wear loose, comfortable clothing. The group meets in the Cottage Classroom or the Woodland Pavilion, depending on weather and space. Registration is recommended, with walk ins accepted as space allows. The class is non refundable, and registrations may be transferred to a friend by contacting Wellfield at (574) 266-2006. Registration includes access to the Gardens, making it easy to enjoy a peaceful stroll after class.

Set out on a guided bike ride along the Elkhart River, exploring its natural and cultural history and the wildlife that depend on it. The route spans roughly three miles out and back on the River Greenway Trail between the Elkhart Environmental Center and Studebaker Park, with a treat waiting at the midway point. All ages are welcome. Bring a helmet and water bottle. The fee is $5 per person, and children riding in bike trailers participate for free. Meet at the River Greenway Trailhead at the Elkhart Environmental Center. Presented in partnership with the Elkhart Environmental Center.

Enjoy a hot yoga session led by Yogi Erin in the Cottage Classroom, warmed to 90 degrees to support relaxation and deeper stretching while encouraging a cleansing sweat. The practice can boost flexibility, cardiovascular health, calorie burn, and stress relief, and it welcomes everyone from first-timers to seasoned practitioners. Bring a mat if you have one or use one provided, and a towel for your mat is strongly recommended. The class is non-refundable. If plans change, registration may be transferred to a friend by contacting Wellfield at (574) 266-2006.

Elkhart Art Walk expands with Art Walk After Hours, a lively concert series on Central Green that keeps the evening going with a soundtrack that travels across decades. Each performance spotlights a different era, featuring favorites from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and today. Built around community participation, the series celebrates the local music scene and gives fans a say in the experience. Presented in collaboration with the City of Elkhart, Elkhart County CVB, Downtown Elkhart, Elkhart Parks & Recreation, Friends of The Lerner, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, and Elkhart Music Town. Visitors can explore the traditional Art Walk downtown, then make their way to Central Green for the after-hours concerts. Admission is free.

After a brief delay to allow more items to come in, the next gun consignment auction at Tackle Shack is being expanded. Consignments are now open for guns and sporting goods, and the auction will feature both used and new items in collaboration with Bright Star Real Estate Services. For details or to consign, call 574-825-0802.

The Bristol Farmers Market celebrates the close of a memorable season with its final market day. Pick up favorite items one last time this year and support the vendors who made it possible. Thank you for shopping local, and look for the market again next season.

During this public meeting, Goshen’s Board of Public Works and Safety addresses the practical work of running the city. The Mayor and four appointed members consider bids and contracts, evaluate street closure requests and staffing matters, and oversee stormwater facilities along with the municipal water and sewer utilities. Community members are welcome to observe, and the proceedings are recorded and available via live stream. To request that an item be added to the agenda, contact the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office at clerktreasurer@goshencity.com or 574-533-8625. Time is also set aside for public comments during privilege of the floor.

As night settles over River Preserve County Park at Benton Dam, the landscape transforms and the spotlight turns to one of the park’s most active nocturnal residents. This guided night hike centers on spiders, offering a chance to watch them at work after dark while naturalists help identify species and share insights into their remarkable behaviors. Expect a 2-mile hike on park trails. Suggested gear includes sturdy hiking shoes, a flashlight or headlamp, and extra layers if the evening is cool. The program is free with no registration required and is designed for participants ages 12 and up. This activity is weather dependent, and updates are posted on the event page.

Explore how water has shaped Elkhart County from the earliest Indigenous creation stories through the era of Edward Bonney and into the 21st century. The program begins at the Elkhart County Historical Museum with an immersive exhibit focused on local waterways, followed by time along the banks of the Saint Joseph River. It continues with a tour of the 1830s Bonneyville Mill, a functioning water-powered flour mill located a short drive away. Participants engage their senses, learn how water has influenced communities and daily life, sample baked goods made with Bonneyville flour, and take home a souvenir water bottle and a bag of freshly ground cornmeal. Portions of the experience take place outdoors and include both paved paths and uneven ground, and participants are responsible for their own transportation between sites. Cost is $20 per person with a limit of 20 participants, and all ages are welcome. Meet at the Elkhart County Historical Museum.

At The Electric Brew, an in person Q&A on homeownership features Cressy & Everett alongside bilingual realtor Erzebeth Gallegos and Prosperity Home Mortgage bilingual lender Carla Murillo. Attendees can ask questions about how to purchase a home, talk through ways to gauge what a home may be worth, learn practical steps to prepare to buy or sell, and get clarity on how preapproval works. The conversation offers a chance to meet the professionals, make connections, and receive guidance aimed at moving closer to homeownership.

Catch The Erly at Elkhart Public Library (Downtown) as part of the Curbside Concerts series. This free performance was rescheduled after a previous rainout. Food and drinks will be for sale. Bring a chair, a blanket, or your dancing shoes. The series spotlights local talent and is presented with support from the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Comedy Improv Night at Funny Pharm Comedy Club in Goshen features Austin & Leb, a clean sketch and improv duo from Knoxville. Look for quick-paced scenes, keen observational jokes, and chemistry that keeps the laughs coming without crossing the line. Their credits include two features on Nateland Live and two appearances on the Huckabee show, plus international performances that have included Australia. They have also performed alongside Johnny W., Bob Smiley, and Joey Ilo. The host is Mia Albert, a nurse and podcaster who found her way into stand-up and is a local favorite.

Market Under the Lights turns The Mill into a dreamy evening marketplace with live music, a curated mix of handmade, boutique, and vintage vendors from the area, and a range of food truck options. Admission requires a ticket that includes the ability to shop more than 40 outdoor vendors, a 15% discount on total purchases at Joyfully Said, Gathered Goods, and The Mustard Seed Marketplace, and access to an outdoor concert space to enjoy throughout the evening. Tickets are $5, and children 12 and under are free. The musician schedule and food truck lineup will be announced later. Only two vendor spots remain. Interested vendors should reach out by text at (814) 388-9451 or by email at vfapply@gmail.com rather than using Facebook Messenger due to scammers.

The event features a morning of canine-centered activities, including a best of dog fun show with awards for standout pups. Dog owners may register their pets to take part, and spectators are welcome to watch. Food and treats will be available for purchase, and a "Smooch your Pooch" photo booth offers a memorable photo opportunity. Attendees can pick up training and obedience tips from Kasten's Dog Training and listen to a presentation about the role of support and service dogs. Canine-focused vendors will be on site with a range of products and services. For the safety of everyone, all dogs must be registered before entering the venue.

A community 5K run and walk pairs with a 1 mile Kids Fun Run, with all proceeds supporting Passionately Purple: The Sarah Crane Foundation and its work assisting local families who have a loved one battling cancer. The atmosphere is family friendly, strollers are welcome on the course, and dogs are not permitted. The Kids Fun Run follows paths through Bicentennial and Island Park, then the 5K sets out on a flat, fast route downtown along the riverwalk. Recognition includes medals for the top three finishers in each age division and awards for the top three overall women and men. The day honors the legacy of Sarah Crane, an Elkhart Memorial High School student-athlete whose strength during treatment for stage 4 colon cancer inspired the SARAHSTRONG mantra. Purple represents both her favorite color and the broader fight against cancer, and the foundation’s efforts include fundraising for scholarships at Elkhart High School along with supplies, counseling, and other support for local families facing cancer.

Set in Kardzhali Park in downtown Elkhart, this seasonal farmers market highlights local agriculture and small businesses. Browse a wide mix of farmers, food producers, makers, and local vendors while enjoying live music and a welcoming community atmosphere. Find fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods, specialty foods, and rotating seasonal offerings. Whether stocking up for the week, grabbing breakfast, or taking a relaxed stroll with a coffee, the market provides a friendly stop in downtown Elkhart. Vendor lineups and special features change from week to week throughout the season.

Connect with other mothers balancing careers and family in a welcoming setting focused on encouragement, conversation, and shared experiences. This informal gathering offers a chance to trade tips, ask questions, and build community with those in similar situations. No advance sign-up is required, and children are invited to come along.

Two accomplished multi-instrumentalists from Michiana, Brady Koz and Wyatt Marshall, deliver a set of well-loved songs. Their versatility across instruments and upbeat approach create an easygoing atmosphere with music that welcomes all listeners.

Austin and LeB headline a night of clean, high-energy improv and sketch comedy at Funny Pharm Comedy Club. Originating from Knoxville, this duo pairs sharp observational humor with lightning-fast improvisation and easy onstage chemistry to show that big laughs do not require crossing the line. Their credits include two features on Nateland Live and two appearances on the Huckabee show. They have performed internationally, including a tour in Australia, and have shared the stage with Johnny W., Bob Smiley, and Joey Ilo. Hosting is Mia Albert, a nurse and podcaster who became a comedian and is a hometown favorite.

This event features a wide-ranging mix of music, bringing together Top 40 hits, dance, classic rock, pop, disco, and country.

The 6th Annual Waggin' in the Woods brings families and their furry pals to the Elkhart Environmental Center for a day of pet-friendly fun. Enjoy activities for all ages and dogs, browse vendors, sample offerings from food trucks, and cheer on the pooch parade. Admission is free with a donation of any pet supplies or other support for Tracking in the Shadows. Attendees should bring a leash for their furry friend. Additional details, activities, and sponsors will be shared as they are confirmed.