Things to Do this August in South Bend & Mishawaka
In South Bend, Mishawaka, and the surrounding communities, summer's energy is still in full swing!
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, August offers a fun mix of outdoor festivals, major shows, and family-friendly adventures. Get ready to make the most of the last days of summer in The Bend.
Summer Restaurant Weeks
Eat. Drink. Downtown South Bend’s Summer Restaurant Weeks are back and tastier than ever. Don’t miss this one, running through the first week of August. Local restaurants will feature special menus that give you a true taste of what South Bend has to offer. Enjoy some of their most notable handcrafted dishes on specially priced breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
Midwest Rodeo Invitational
Location: St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds | 5117 S Ironwood Rd
The Midwest Invitational Rodeo is a touring event honoring Black cowboy and cowgirl culture. Its mission is to showcase top-tier competition, spotlight professional athletes, and share the often untold story of the African American cowboy with audiences across the country.
SBVPA Summer Concert Series
The South Bend Venues Parks & Arts Summer Concert Series runs from June through September at different downtown locations. It's a great way to check out new and different parks throughout the region and hear the best local talent on a perfect late-summer evening.
Potawatomi Park | Sundays | 6-8pm
August 2 | The Resurrection Blues Band
August 9 | Now & Then
August 16 | SBSO Summer Concert Series
August 23 | Paul Sulas
August 30 | Soul Discovery
Seitz Park | Sundays | 3-5pm
August 2 | Alligator Blackbird
August 9 | Michiana String Collective
August 16 | Kennedy Kitchen
August 23 | Corey Ronell
August 30 | Ray Davis
Howard Park | Thursdays | 6-8pm
August 13 | Happy Campers
August 27 | The Resurrection Blues Band
First Fridays
Also put on by the SBVPA, the First Fridays program runs each month. August's program is Abbie Thomas performing at Seitz Park on August 7 from 6-8pm.
Mishawaka's Summer Concert Series
Location: Battell Park | 500 W Mishawaka Ave
The Mishawaka Summer Concert Series takes place all summer long. Don't miss the final performances of the summer in August.
Battell Park Bandshell | Mondays | 7-8:30pm
August 3 | Playback
August 10 | The Valleyaires
Ballband Biergarten | Wednesdays | 7-9pm
August 5 | Tanya Zickefoose
August 12 | Joe Baughman & The Righteous Few
Kamm Island Stage | Thursdays | 7-9pm
August 6 | Trailer Swift
August 20 | Paul Erdman
Note: In case a show is rained out, there are designated rain make-up dates on August 13, 17, and 19.
South Bend Cubs Baseball
Location: Four Winds Field | 501 W South St
There are plenty of opportunities to catch some baseball at one of the best stadiums in the Minor Leagues. The South Bend Cubs have home stands at Four Winds Field on August 4-9 and August 18-23. You can expect fun for the whole family, delicious food, and great promotions like Thirsty Thursday and Fantastic Friday Fireworks.
Osceola Music Festival
Location: Fern Hunsberger Park | 202 N Lamport St
This free music festival in Osceola is celebrating its 42nd anniversary! Family-friendly and full of local flavor, the festival features live music from talented regional musicians, artisan vendors, food trucks, and a beer garden.
Fridays by the Fountain
Location: Morris Performing Arts Center | 211 N Michigan St
Fridays by the Fountain at Jon R. Hunt Plaza brings together food trucks, live music, and free community fun in the heart of downtown.
Held each Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., these midday concerts are free to attend. Now in its 26th year, Fridays by the Fountain features regional bands playing a variety of genres, including blues, jazz, rock, R&B, pop, folk, and Irish music.
August 7 | PT and The Cruisers
August 14 | David Hilliker Trio
August 21 | High Life
August 28 | Kennedy’s Kitchen
August Wine Walk
Sign up for an unforgettable Wine Walk through Downtown South Bend’s best locally owned restaurants and bars. At each stop, chefs will serve perfectly paired bites to complement your wine samples. Enjoy an evening of exploring new wines and delicious flavors together.
See a map of participating restaurants and sign up for your Wine Walk pass with EatDrinkDTSB.
Nitro Circus 2.0
Location: Four Winds Field | 501 W South St
Nitro Circus 2.0 is a high-octane action sports spectacular where world-class FMX, BMX, scooter, and other athletes perform jaw-dropping stunts, world-first tricks, and outrageous contraptions off massive ramps, with add-on VIP experiences for behind-the-scenes access and athlete meet-and-greets.
Boots on the Bend
Location: St. Joseph County Fairgrounds | 5117 S Ironwood Rd
The inaugural Boots On The Bend festival arrives at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, bringing two full days of live music, excitement, and perfect Midwest summer vibes.
Headliners Eric Church and HARDY top a stacked country lineup, joined by favorites and rising artists including Brandon Lake, Flatland Cavalry, Chase Rice, Ashley McBryde, Graham Barham, Maddie Font, The Jack Wharff Band, Emily Ann Roberts, Lakeview, Eddie & The Getaway, Will Moseley, McCoy Moore, Joe Stamm Band, and more.
Celebrate two days of country music, community, and laid-back Midwest lifestyle. With multiple stages, food and drink vendors, and a scenic fairgrounds setting, Boots On The Bend blends modern country, classic hits, and easygoing summer festival fun. So dust off your boots! South Bend’s biggest country party is just around the corner!
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Running Wild: 5K Trail Run & 3K Fun Walk
Location: St. Patrick's County Park: Red Barn | 50651 Laurel Road
Celebrate 15 years of Running Wild at Bendix Woods! The chip-timed 5K Run winds through wooded trails, fields, park roads, grass, and gravel, with awards for the top three finishers in each age group and special anniversary surprises.
Prefer something lighter? The 3K Wacky Scavenger Hunt Walk follows similar, mostly flat terrain and is great for all ages. After the races, enjoy an egg bake breakfast, fresh fruit, and homemade granola cookies, and stick around for door prizes, including special 15th-anniversary giveaways.
Art Beat
Location: Jefferson Bridge and the East Bank | Downtown South Bend
Explore downtown South Bend from 11am - 7pm during this free, family-friendly celebration of local creativity. Browse hand-crafted work from potters, photographers, painters, weavers, jewelers, sketchers, woodcarvers, crocheters, and filmmakers.
Enjoy a soundtrack of acoustic tunes, African drumming, soulful jazz, rock, and more. Sample regional flavors, fresh local produce, and chef-crafted bites, then get hands-on with instruments and materials to create your own artwork in one of the community art projects.
14th Annual Michiana Renaissance Festival
Location: St. Joseph County Fairgrounds | 5117 S Ironwood Rd
It's time to grab your garb again and head back in time: The Michiana Renaissance Festival is back! This year's event takes place August 29-30 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. There will be multiple re-enactment areas, vendors, food, and affordable fun for the whole family.
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