20 Springtime Events in The Bend
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MARCH/APRIL

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

MARCH 28 – APRIL 8 | Times Vary | Morris Performing Arts Center
Based on the 1910 novel, this musical tells the story of love and jealousy. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award®-nominated score features classic songs like “Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” and “Masquerade.” With new choreography and the most iconic mask in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera will be the Morris Performing Arts Center’s can’t-miss show of the year!

DYNGUS DAY

APRIL 2 | All Day | South Bend Area
Experience the annual Polish tradition with live polka music, Polish feasts, cold brews, and an unforgettable time in The Bend. For some, it’s just another Monday. It is Easter Monday for others. For South Bend, it is Dyngus Day, and we wouldn’t want it any other way!

SOUTH BEND CUBS OPENING NIGHT

APRIL 7 | 7:05pm | Four Winds Field
Spring is always important to any sports fan because it means baseball is back. Now you can cheer for the Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs in downtown South Bend. Four Winds Field was recently voted the Best Single-A Ballpark in the Country and now you can see why. From the Tiki Hut bar in left field to the splash pad, and performance center in right field, there is plenty to do and see while you are enjoying the game. Couple that with giveaways, a post-game fireworks show, and a chance to win a flat screen television and you are set for a fun time at the ballpark.

CELTIC WOMEN: HOMECOMING TOUR

APRIL 20 | 7:30 – 9:00pm | Morris Performing Arts Center
Since its debut, global musical sensation Celtic Woman’s concerts continue to touch the hearts of a huge audience that spans the globe. This musical show celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage with some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians.

IDEA WEEK

APRIL 20 – 29 | All Day Long | South Bend / Elkhart Region
Highlighting the strides being made in innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, IDEA Week will seek to inspire and celebrate creative energy for future success. This week-long festival will feature interactive workshops, engaging speakers like Tony Hsieh of Zappos and Daymond John of FUBU, networking opportunities, and plenty of fun to create a one-of-a-kind festival!

BLUE GOLD GAME

APRIL 21 | 12:30pm | Notre Dame Stadium
Just because football season doesn’t start for a few more months, that doesn’t mean you have to wait until then to cheer on one of the most storied college football programs in the country.  The 89th annual spring scrimmage provides fans their first look at the blue and gold on the gridiron. The band, cheerleaders, leprechaun, coaches, and players are all going to be there— will you?

GABRIEL IGLESIAS: ONE SHOW FITS ALL

APRIL 23 | 7:00 – 9:00pm | Morris Performing Arts Center
Gabriel Iglesias is one of America’s most successful stand-up comedians performing to sold-out concerts around the world. He is also one of the most watched comedians on YouTube with over 300,000,000 views. Uncontrollable laughter will fill the air in downtown South Bend as Iglesias takes center stage at the Morris Performing Arts Center.

THE CHAINSMOKERS

APRIL 27 | 8:00 – 11:00pm | Purcell Pavilion
The Chainsmokers have evolved into a dominating musical force with a diverse repertoire of songs that has led them to become one of music’s hottest recording artists. Now you have the chance to see them perform live as they play all their hits, including the chart-topping song, “Closer.”

SOUTH BEND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: MUSIC OF THE PIANO MAN

APRIL 28 | 7:30 – 9:30pm | Morris Performing Arts Center
Listen in as a collection of music’s greatest hits featuring the piano are performed, including songs from Elton John, Ray Charles, John Lennon, and Billy Joel.

THE ILLUSIONISTS

APRIL 29 | 6:30 – 9:00pm | Morris Performing Arts Center
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best selling magic show is coming to South Bend. Featuring the jaw-dropping talents of five of the most incredible illusionists in the world, this non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

MAY/JUNE

KINKY BOOTS

MAY 4 – 6 | Times Vary | Morris Performing Arts Center
Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit comes to life with songs by Grammy® and Tony-winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper. This joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

THE NERD

MAY 4 – 13 | Times Vary | South Bend Civic Theatre
Willum’s birthday party is about to get a jolt of excitement. After coming home from war where a fellow soldier saved his life, Willum is visited by the soldier who saved his life in combat. However, when Willum hears the soldier never plans to leave, he hatches an outrageous plan to get rid of him.

WEDNESDAY WINE WALK

MAY 9 | 5:00 – 9:00pm | Downtown South Bend
Choose your starting point and enjoy your stroll through downtown South Bend. With your ticket, you will receive three wine tastings and three complimentary food tastings at each participating restaurant.

FISCHOFF NATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION

MAY 11 – 13 | All Weekend Long | DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
As the nation’s largest chamber music competition and America’s premier educational music competition, Fischoff fills the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center with some of the most talented musicians in the country and provides free, innovative music programs for children interested in music.

BEST. WEEK. EVER. 2018

MAY 28 – JUNE 3 | All Week Long | South Bend Area
Celebrating South Bend’s culture, progress, and creativity as a community, Best. Week. Ever. is an invitation to residents and visitors to enjoy a week-long collection of activities and events throughout South Bend. From athletic events to firework shows, community parades to outdoor concerts, there will be tons of opportunities to experience new things, ideas, and concepts from the variety of signature events.

35TH ANNUAL SUNBURST RACES

JUNE 2 | 6:30am | Four Winds Field
The 35th annual Sunburst Races will begin at Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, and will finish on the 50-yard line inside Notre Dame Stadium, allowing participants the thrill of running onto the field through the same tunnel used by Notre Dame Football. The Sunburst Races include a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Run, and 5K Walk.

2018 LPGA SYMETRA TOUR: FOUR WINDS INVITATIONAL

JUNE 8 – 10 | All Weekend Long | Blackthorn Golf Club
See the future stars of the LPGA compete in the Four Winds Invitational. There are a host of community of events for everyone to take part in and the entire weekend of golf helps raise money for Beacon Children’s Hospital.

SKYLIGHT

JUNE 8 – 17 | Times Vary | South Bend Civic Theatre
On a chilly night in East London, schoolteacher Kyra Hollis receives an unexpected visit from Tom Sergeant, Kyra’s former boss and longtime lover. Tom and Kyra revisit their relationship, moving between tender passion and vicious political polemics as the lines between past and present begin to blur.

DTSB OUTDOOR FILM SERIES

JUNE 9 | 7:00pm | The Gridiron
Enjoy the warm weather on a Saturday evening with a free outdoor movie. Residents and visitors are invited to bring their picnic blankets, chairs, and snacks for a fun, inexpensive evening in downtown South Bend.

51ST ANNUAL LEEPER PARK ART FAIR

JUNE 16 – 17 | 10:00am – 6:00pm (Saturday); 10:00am – 5:00pm (Sunday) | Leeper Park
Ranked the No. 30 Best Fine Art Show in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s 100 Best Shows of 2016, the Leeper Park Art Fair brings out more than 1,000 artists from all over the country to sell their creations over the weekend. Food vendors will be on site with jazz music filling the air on both days.

Download the electronic version or request a print version of our 2018 Guide to South Bend Mishawaka and start planning your trip to The Bend today.