Scrambling to finalize your plans to celebrate the Great American Solar Eclipse? Don’t fret. Although the total eclipse happens at 2:02 p.m. on April 8, a myriad of activities is taking place throughout the Tri-State in the days leading up to the celestial main event. Prefer family-friendly fun, pop culture-tinged activities, or a festival-like atmosphere? We have got you covered. Read on to find the perfect place to celebrate the eclipse. Further information can be found at Explore Evansville.
Evansville
Children’s Museum of Evansville
April 4-7, 22 S.E. Fifth St.
cMoe’s “Countdown to Totality” includes hands-on activities that teach children about the sun, moon, and stars. Admission to the museum for non-members is $15.
Old National Events Plaza
April 5-7, 715 Locust St.
Enjoy relaxed dining at “Eclipse Solarbration” with live musical performances and special evening activities: April 5 features Bingo and Singo, April 6 is Cosmic Karaoke, and April 7 offers trivia.
Vanderburgh County 4-H Center
April 6-8, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road
Camp out for up to three days of cornhole, craft and vendor shows, a vintage camper rally, children’s games, live music, and a beer garden. General admission is $5.
Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science
11 a.m. April 6, 411 S.E. Riverside Drive
The museum offers free admission on April 6 and welcomes visitors to check out its eclipse exhibition and planetarium show. Storyteller Susan Fowler provides educational entertainment, and artist Sherry Groff hosts a painting workshop for teens and adults. April 8, the museum will host a private viewing party for ticketed, out-of-town tourists and members only.
Your Brothers Bookstore
10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 6, 504 Main St.
Little ones aged 0-5 can sit for an eclipse-themed story time and craft and the first 50 kids will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses.
Eastland Mall
noon-4 p.m. April 6, Center Court, 800 N. Green River Road
Visit with community organizations and Evansville Living to learn about eclipse events, safety, and more.
Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana
5:30-7 p.m. April 6, 212 Main St.
Attend a reception for this solar eclipse-themed exhibit featuring work by regional artists from the art show “Shadow and Light.”
STAGEtwo at 321
7 p.m. April 6, 321 N. Congress Ave.
“The Tapestry,” an encore audio-visual concert experience, pays tribute to Pink Floyd on the 51st anniversary of its landmark album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.”
7Mile Lounge
7-10 p.m. April 6, 915 Main St.
Enjoy a glow-in-the-dark paint party with charcuterie boards and drink specials for $30 per person.
University of Southern Indiana
8 a.m. April 8, 8600 University Blvd.
This “Solarpalooza” goes all out for the eclipse, with a full day of festivities including guest speakers, zoo animals, food trucks, student and faculty colloquiums, and live music on the quad. Admission is free. USI will host Joan Higginbotham, the third Black woman to travel to space, for a presentation and Q&A on April 7 at 7 p.m.
Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Garden
9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8, 1545 Mesker Park Drive
Although some animals will visit the University of Southern Indiana’s “Solarpalooza,” zookeepers will be available for chats at Mesker Park. Admission is $11 for those 13 and over, $10 for those 3-12, and children 2 and under get in for free. April 8 zoo guests must pre-purchase their tickets online.
Downtown Evansville
11 a.m-4 p.m. April 8, Riverside Drive
Several businesses, such as Hadi Shrine Temple, are opening their parking lots for spectators and hosting food trucks and activities. Riverside Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic from Cherry to Court streets starting at 8 a.m.
Friedman Park
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8, 2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh, Indiana
Party in the park with live music by Tailgate Revival, food trucks, a beer garden, a cornhole tournament, and a live art performance by Owensboro, Kentucky, artist Aaron Kizer. Admission is $10 per car.
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. April 8, 551 N. Boeke Road
The Evansville African American Museum, Wesselman Woods, Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, Latino Center, FIESTA Evansville, Haitian Center of Evansville, and the local Marshallese community partner for this multicultural festival on the former par-3 golf course. Included in the festivities are tai chi and a drum circle featuring artist and musician Billy Twymon and Evansville African American Museum Executive Director Kori Miller. Admission is free. Wesselman Woods’ main entrance off Boeke Road will be closed; traffic will need to enter the park along East Franklin Street near Swonder Ice Arena and Wesselman Park’s softball fields.
Marina Pointe and Nightclub
11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 8, 1801 Waterworks Road
Enjoy pulled pork sandwiches and potato salad plates plus drink specials on the river for a prime eclipse viewing spot.
Willard Public Library
11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 8, 21 First Ave.
Learn about the paranormal energies surrounding a total eclipse and watch eclipse-themed movies in the Browning Gallery. Enjoy yard games, vendors, crafts, and more. This event is free, but pre-reserved parking costs $10.
LST-325
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8, 610 N.W. Riverside Drive
Have a VIP experience with lunch from Pangea Pizzeria, a guided tour of the 81-year-old ship, and a private viewing area. Admission is $35-$50. The adjacent courtyard is open to the public for free.
Memorial Baptist Church
11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8, 605 Canal St./Connie Robinson Way
Send your kids off for a day of imagination with science and art, plus a Papa John’s pizza party. Pickup is at 927 Lincoln Ave. Admission costs $30, plus $15 for additional siblings.
University of Evansville
11 a.m. April 8, 1800 Lincoln Ave.
Before taking a seat at Arad McCutchan Stadium or the campus lawn for the watch party, enjoy corn hole, face painting, sand volleyball, space crafts, and more. Astrophysicist and UE alumna Maria Weber will deliver a presentation at 2 p.m. April 7.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site
12:30-3:30 p.m. April 8, 8215 Pollack Ave.
This Native American site is one of the largest viewing areas in Vanderburgh County — it is making space for 1,000 vehicles! Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for youth between ages 3-17. The visitors center remains closed for renovations.
Reitz Home Museum
1-4 p.m. April 8, 112 Chestnut St.
This “Total Eclipse Day” event features a full bar and appetizers offered by Entwined Wine and Cocktail Bar. Spectrum Sound and Terry Tunks will present the afternoon’s music. Stop in the photo booth to get pictures of this historic moment. Plus museum membership will be for sale for half off that day only.
Greater Indiana
Posey County
Historic New Harmony hosts family activities for the solar eclipse. Head to the Atheneum Visitors Center or Harmonie State Park for a watch party. Lowry Hollow hosts hula hoop contests, Jenga and Cornhole, a station to decorate eclipse glasses, and an eclipse-themed photography exhibit. The StumpGrinders will perform on 8 p.m. April 7 at the Murphy Auditorium. Camping and viewing are available at the Posey County Fairgrounds, while North Elementary School hosts Poseyville’s “Solarbration” festival on April 8 at 11 a.m. Mount Vernon also hosts live music at Riverbend Park.
Gibson County
Journey and Eagles tribute bands take the stage for a Sunday night concert at the Gibson County Fairgrounds. Return Monday for an art and science fair, live entertainment, food trucks, and carnival rides. Head to Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt for race cars on display, an inflatable obstacle course for kids, concessions, and camping. Located in Gibson and Pike counties, Azalea Path Gardens offers a blooming location in a natural setting.
Knox County
Gibson County’s neighbor to the north is making the most of its four minutes in the shadow of the moon. Visitors can enjoy a beer festival, NASA activities, live music, and more as well as the three-day “Dark Side of the Wabash” event in Vincennes.
Spencer County
Spend Sunday at Lincoln State Park for food trucks, family-friendly activities, and sun- and moon-themed live entertainment, or set up in the Legends parking lot at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari for a day of food trucks and music. Be sure to check out the Santa Claus Museum & Village for a “Merry Eclipsemass” weekend and the meteorite crater. Admission to all is free for eclipse weekend.
Dubois County
Take in the Total Eclipse of Dubois County for a weekend of fun across the region. Head to the Huntingburg Regional Airport, Ferdinand’s 18th Street Park, The Parklands of Jasper, and more locations for a weekend of activities, live music, markets, movies, food trucks, and more. The sisters at Ferdinand’s Monastery Immaculate Conception also host a four-day event, “A Day in the Dark at the Dome,” featuring special meals, souvenirs, merchandise, and camping options. Admission starts at $10.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Join NASA scientists at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the world’s largest 2024 total solar eclipse viewing site.
Bloomington, Indiana
The Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium will be a star-studded affair. “Star Trek” actor William Shatner will deliver a spoken word performance and will be joined by Grammy-nominated singer Janelle Monáe and former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison. Area attractions are getting in on the festivities, including film screenings and wine tastings at Butler Winery’s “Drinking in the Dark.”
Kentucky
Henderson, Kentucky
Take in the eclipse — and enjoy custom meals and drinks — from sites such as Boucherie Vineyards & Winery, Farmer & Frenchman Winery, and Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
Illinois
Southern Illinois
The southernmost part of the state enjoys an encore eclipse after being in 2017’s path of totality. Several cities, such as Carbondale and Makanda, plan multi-day festivals, while places like Bald Knob Cross and the Cache River offer observation spots embedded in nature.
