Spring offers many activities and concerts in South Bend and surrounding communities. Gather your family or friends, get in the car and attend one, or all, of these exciting events scheduled for the week of April 20-26, 2026.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR — Lest We Forget of Southwest Michigan is hosting Fred Johnson, professor at Hope College, as he presents “Creating an American Way of War” from 7 to 9 p.m. April 21 at Lake Michigan College, Room D-105, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. Johnson’s presentation will include a rousing account of Trenton, Saratoga and Valley Forge.
IVY TECH DAY CARNIVAL — Attendees can enjoy interactive tabletop carnival games, a 360-degree photo booth and enter a drawing at Ivy Tech South Bend Campus, 220 Dean Johnson Blvd., South Bend, from noon to 4 p.m. April 21. All money raised impacts scholarships, programs and resources for Ivy Tech students. Admission is a minimum of $10.
DRAMA SHOWCASE — A fun evening of live performances featuring live improv, film shorts, dramatic scenes and monologues. Something for everyone from 6 to 8 p.m. April 21 at Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts, Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor. Free event; no ticket required.
VICKERS THEATRE CINEMA — Vickers Theatre, 6 N. Elm St., Three Oaks, will offer the following films this week. For tickets and more information on each movie, go to vickerstheatre.com. Tickets: adults, $12; seniors/students, $10.
• April 21 at 7 p.m.: Project Hail Mary (2026) Rated PG-13.
• April 24, 25, 26, May 1, 2, 3, at 4 p.m.; April 24, 25, 28, May 1, 2, 5 at 7 p.m.; April 26 and May 3 at 1 p.m.: Michael (2026), Rated PG-13.
FREE WEDNESDAY MUSIC SERIES — presents The Dawg from 7 to 9 p.m. April 22 at Goshen Brewing Company, 315 W. Washington St., Goshen. The Dawg brings acoustic rockin’ folk music, Americana old and new to the stage.
INDY 500 PORCH PARTY AT TIRE RACK — Join Indianapolis Motor Speedway at Tire Rack, 7101 Vorden Parkway, South Bend, for the excitement of the Indy 500 brought local. The party will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 22. The evening features IMS president Doug Boles, the 2026 Corvette ZR1X Pace Car and Indy 500 commemorative milk bottle presentation. There will also be a photo booth, yard games, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, food and more. Attendees are asked to donate new, unopened women’s underwear, sizes 6-11 (any size and gender is welcome) to help support St. Margaret’s House Undie 500.
FACULTY PIANO RECITAL — Pianist Siwon Kim, adjunct professor of music at Bethel University, will celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary with a recital of American masterworks. This free concert is at 7 p.m. on April 22 in the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium on Bethel’s campus in Mishawaka. Enjoy some Gershwin, Barber and a variety of American music that is vibrant and expressive.
ZOO LUMINATE — This year’s Zoo Luminate, a Chinese lantern experience, will be held April 22 through June 28 from 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. This year’s theme is “Sea to Believe” with dozens of lanterns depicting undersea animals, habitats, aquatic scenery and more. Admission: $22-$18, Zoo members receive a discount. Children 2 and younger are free. Weather permitting, the train and carousel will be open at $3 per person. Concessions are available and the gift shop will be open. Purchase tickets at potawatomizoo.org/zooluminate/#.
DEBARTOLO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER — University of Notre Dame, will offer the following films this week in Browning Cinema. For tickets and more information on each movie, go to performingarts.nd.edu/event/:
• April 22, 7:30 p.m.: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982), Rated R, $7 adult, $5 senior (65+), free student/child.
• April 23, 6:30 p.m.: Atlantics (2019), Rated PG-13, $7 adult, $5 senior (65+), free student/child.
• April 24, 2 p.m.: 2000 Meters to Andriivka (2025), Not Rated, Free but ticketed event.
• April 24, 7 p.m.: In Time: Donal Lunny (2025), Not Rated, Free but ticketed event.
• April 25, 3 p.m.: Barry Lyndon (1975), Rated PG, Free but ticketed event.
• April 25, 7 p.m.: Froggie (2024), Not Rated, Free but ticketed event.
• April 26, 1 p.m.: The Breadwinner (2017), Rated PG-13, All tickets $1.
• April 26, 4 p.m.: That They May Face the Rising Sun (2023), Not Rated, Free but ticketed event.
• April 26, 7 p.m.: Belonging 2026 (2026), Not Rated, Free but ticketed event.
SPRING CONCERT SERIES — Ruthmere, 302 E. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, presents violinist Mailyn Iribar in concert at 7 p.m. April 23 in the Game Room. Tickets: $50; Ruthmere.org.
2026 ALUMNA EXHIBITION AT MOREAU GALLERY — Saint Mary’s College alumna Mary Ann Roach Butkovich, 1964, work will be on display from April 23 to June 6. The exhibit is titled “You Paint Too Pretty — My Art Journey.” The opening reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. with an in-gallery talk at 5 p.m. Moreau Gallery, Moreau Center for the Arts, Saint Mary’s College, South Bend.
RHETT WALKER — 7 p.m. April 23 at Blue Gate Music Hall, 175 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Tickets $39.95 plus fees at thebluegate.com.
THORNTON WILDER’S “OUR TOWN” — The GhostLight Theatre, 101 Hinkley St., Benton Harbor, presents “Our Town” at 7:30 p.m. April 23-25 and at 3 p.m. April 26. Three-act play written by Thornton Wilder in 1938 about the small town of Grover’s Corners. The play follows the lives of its citizens between 1901 and 1913, revealing the beauty and fragility of ordinary moments. Tickets are $32-$20 at ghostlightbh.com.
JO DEE MESSINA — 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Tickets at thebluegate.com, $89.95-$44.95.
63RD ANNUAL PANCAKE DAY — The Salvation Army of Goshen will host its Pancake Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 24 at the Salvation Army, 1013 N. Main St., Goshen. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online at salarmy.us/pancakeday or at the store in Goshen.
“ROCKNE: MOLDER OF MEN” — Author and Rockne historian Jim Lefebvre will explore what made Knute Rockne such an influential leader during his presentation “Rockne: Molder of Men” at 2 p.m. April 24 at The History Museum, 897 W. Thomas St., South Bend. There will also be a guided tour of the exhibit “Rockne: Life & Legacy.” Admission is free. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 574-235-9664, ext. 6256.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S “THE UNEXPECTED GUEST” — The Beckwith Theatre Company presents this murder mystery favorite. Lost in the fog, a stranger seeks refuge in a nearby house, only to find a man shot dead and his wife standing over him with a smoking gun. Christie weaves a tangled web of lies secrets and motives. Performances April 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.; April 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15; beckwiththeatre.com/box-office. Beckwith Theatre Company, 100 New York Ave., Dowagiac.
WAKARUSA MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL — A weekend of mouthwatering food, entertainment, artisan vendors, food trucks and more. April 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; April 25 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and April 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Wakarusa.
“IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU” — South Bend Civic Theatre presents this hilarious wedding day musical where anything that can go wrong does. The story has quite a cast of characters that you will enjoy getting to know. Performances will be at South Bend Civic Theatre, 403 N. Main St., South Bend. Evening showtimes are April 24, 25, 30, May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are April 26, May 3, 10 at 2 p.m. Purchase tickets $35-$27 at sbct.org or by calling the box office at 574-234-1112.
JOHN WAITE — 7:30 p.m. April 24 at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Tickets at thebluegate.com, $59.95-$19.95.
“THE SISTERS AND THE BANDIT KING!” — From disguises, cons and twists to betrayals and love quadrangles, this story has it all. Presented by AMP Theatre Company, The Well Coffee House, 2410 E. Mishawaka Ave., South Bend. Performances are on April 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door (cash only).
NASHVILLE NIGHT — Stockroom East, 625 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend. 3:30 p.m. April 24. Doors open at 3:03 p.m. Tickets: $12 in advance; $20 day of show; stockroomeast.com.
“HOME, I’M DARLING” — Twin City Players presents Laura Wade’s new dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife. Surprisingly funny, thought-provoking social comedy about the workings of a marriage. Performances are April 24, 25, May 1, 2 at 7:30 p.m. and May 3 at 2 p.m. at TCP Playhouse, 600 W. Glenlord Road, St. Joseph. Tickets are $20-$15 at twincityplayers.org or through the box office at 269-429-0400.
HARRIET QUIMBY WOMEN OF AVIATION FLY-IN — Southwest Michigan Regional Airport will host this event from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 25 at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, 1123 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor. This free event brings together pilots, aviation professionals, students and the community for a day centered on education, inspiration and hands-on experiences. Throughout the day, hear from women working across different sectors of aviation.
BAND OF HORSES — 7:30 p.m. April 25 at Blue Gate Performing Arts Center, 760 S. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Tickets at thebluegate.com, $79.95-$44.95.
POP UP EVENT — The Krasl Art Center is hosting a pop-up event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 in honor of Mother’s Day. Attendees can purchase three different size flowerpots handmade by Krasl Art Center Clay Artist Guild, from $40-$10. Stations include pre-made pots, decorate your own pot and pots with plants pre-potted in them. There will also be a silent auction, card making activity, and Ben’s Pretzel will be on site. Krasl Art Center is located at 707 Lake Blvd., St. Joseph.
BLUE-GOLD GAME — 95th edition of the Notre Dame Football Blue-Gold Game will begin at 2 p.m. April 25 in Notre Dame Stadium, 2010 Moose Krause Circle, Notre Dame. Admission is $10.
RICKY DILLARD & NEW G — Ricky Dillard, a Grammy-nominated gospel music pioneer whose career spans three decades will be performing at Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend, at 7 p.m. April 25. Opening acts include Turrell O’Neal & the BHF Mass Choir and Brent Easton. Purchase tickets, $83.75-$47.65, at morriscenter.org/event/ricky-dillard-new-g/.
BILLY ELTON – TRIBUTE TO BILLY JOEL & ELTON JOHN — Billy Elton features pianist and vocalist Reid Spears leading an eight-piece band performing legendary songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. April 25 at The Acorn, 107 Generations Drive, Three Oaks. Tickets are $70.50-$40.50 (additional $5 week of show); acornlive.org.
WORLD BALLET COMPANY: CINDERELLA — The beloved fairy tale comes alive in a Broadway-style production that will delight all ages, blending humor, romance and majesty of classical ballet at 7 p.m. April 25. Duration is 2 hours with 20-minute intermission. The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Tickets are $103.90-$54.90; thelerner.com/event.
MICHIANA VEGFEST — This festival promotes plant-based eating, compassionate living and environmental sustainability with food, education and inspiration. See presentations, cooking demonstrations with free samples, vendors, interactive Kids’ Corner. Keynote speaker is Dr. Michael Klaper speaking on plant-based nutrition and preventive medicine. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26 at the Gillespie Conference & Special Event Center, 53995 Indiana 933, South Bend. Admission is free; registration is recommended at Eventbrite.com.
SPECIAL CREATURES — Fire Arts Inc. will showcase the exhibit “Special Creatures” through May 29. The show features work done by Fire Arts studio artists and select members of the Michiana art community. Fire Arts Inc. is at 305 E. Colfax Ave., South Bend, and is open noon to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“A SIMPLE SANCTUARY – MYSTERY MUSICAL” — Based on a novel by Beverly and David Lewis about Melissa James, who is pursued and living on the run. She finds sanctuary and friendship in Amish country. Part suspense and part romance. April 16 to June 18, Blue Gate Music Hall, 175 N. Van Buren St., Shipshewana. Tickets, dates and times at thebluegate.com, $39.95.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What events are happening in the South Bend area from April 20 to 26?
Reporting by Cheryl Morey, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
