Spring is in full swing and so is the Region! This weekend is a time of celebration with Mother’s Day events to show your appreciation for the special women in your life and graduation commencements acknowledging a huge milestone in any life. There’s also a bevy of other fun activities, like concerts and nature tours, happening this weekend, so get out and enjoy everything Northwest Indiana has to offer.
Take a look at our list of 10 Fun Things To Do in Northwest Indiana and be sure to add some to your calendar!
Welcome Gladys Knight to the Four Winds’ Silver Creek Event Center
The legendary Empress of Soul is hitting the Four Winds Casinos’ Silver Creek Event Center this Friday for a concert you’re not going to want to miss. The concert starts at 9 p.m. Eastern, and if the drive home is getting you down, hotel rooms are available to reserve. Learn more here.
Shop ‘til you drop at the City of Portage’s Mother’s Day Madness craft show
Trying to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift that’s handmade with love but don’t have the time to make one yourself? The City of Portage has you covered at its Mother’s Day Madness spring crafts show this Saturday at 9 a.m. No entry fee, over 70 vendors, and a beautiful venue make this event a one-stop shop for all of your gift-giving needs. Learn more here.
Celebrate the graduates in your life at commencements across the Region
Three of the biggest colleges in the Region are celebrating their commencements this weekend, so get out there and show support for the academic achievements of the scholars of Northwest Indiana. Indiana University Northwest and Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso both have commencement ceremonies on Thursday, and Valparaiso University’s two-day commencement begins this Saturday!
Have a laugh at Memorial Opera House’s “Nunsense”
When the Little Sisters of Hoboken find themselves in desperate need of money, they take over the middle school auditorium to put on a variety show fundraiser, and shenanigans ensue. “Nunsense” is playing this weekend at Memorial Opera House, and the zany musical is sure to have you chuckling in your seat. Shows begin this Friday. Learn more here.
Connect with other homeschooled students at the City of Whiting’s Homeschool Hangout
One of the biggest struggles for homeschooled students can be getting ample opportunities to socialize. The City of Whiting is helping to solve this issue with its Homeschool Hangouts at the Mascot Hall of Fame. This Friday, explore the museum and enjoy STEM-based projects from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Take in some art with Lubeznik’s “Citizen” exhibit
“Citizen,” Lubeznik Center for the Arts’ new exhibit, features work from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and femme creatives that explores the complex relationship between marginalized communities and the world they find themselves in. Learn more here.
Spot some birds at the Indiana Dunes’ birding festival
The birdlife in the Region is beginning to migrate back following a cool winter, and the Indiana Dunes National Park rangers are inviting you to a fun, four-day festival beginning this Thursday to celebrate! With over 150 guided trips to spot our avian friends, be sure to check out this birding festival. Learn more here.
Hit the green at Briar Leaf Golf Club
With the weather warming up and the sun shining, it’s the perfect time to tee up and hit the green at Briar Leaf Golf Club. With 18 beautifully maintained holes, some of the best burgers in the Region, and friendly service to write home about, everyone has to take a swing at Briar Leaf. Learn more here.
Take a Wildflower Hike with PNW
Join the naturalists at Purdue University Northwest this Saturday at 2 p.m. for a walk through Gabis Arboretum to see what’s sprouted as spring rolls in! This month, some of the plants attendees will be looking to ID are wild ginger, bloodroot, trilliums, and more. Learn more here.
Get ready for college with a tour of Calumet College of St. Joseph
Deciding where to go to college is a big decision in any academic’s life, and Calumet College of St. Joseph is helping to make that decision a little easier with tour dates available this Thursday and Friday. Scheduling a tour is incredibly easy thanks to the online system the college has put in place. Learn more here.
