2026 Downtown Activation Program Launches with Outdoor Dining, Pop-ups, Events

The 2026 Downtown Activation Program is an ongoing City of Bloomington partnership, led by Downtown Bloomington Inc., that brings together outdoor dining, pop-ups, and seasonal events to support downtown activity. Outdoor dining, which begins today—Thursday, April 9, 2026—and runs through November 9, is the first seasonal activation to launch under the program. Kirkwood Avenue will continue to operate as a shared-street model, as called for in the Transportation Plan, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists to share access.

As part of the outdoor dining component, participating restaurants may install parklets. Parklets are small outdoor seating areas created from on-street parking spaces, expanding dining options while contributing to an active, welcoming streetscape. 

Participating parklet restaurants this year include:

• BuffaLouie’s at The Gables – 114 S. Indiana Ave.
• Crazy Horse – 214 W. Kirkwood Ave.
• Graduate by Hilton Bloomington – 210 E. Kirkwood Ave.
• Lennie’s Brewpub – 514 E. Kirkwood Ave.
• Nick’s English Hut – 423 E. Kirkwood Ave.
• The Orbit Room – 107 N. College Ave.

In addition to outdoor dining, the City and Downtown Business Inc. are working with local businesses and partners to support pop-up events to create regular opportunities for residents and visitors to gather and explore downtown.

Work in 2026 will include continued data collection and preparation for a study evaluating long-term design considerations of the Kirkwood Avenue corridor within the border downtown network.

The program remains subject to annual review as required by ordinance.

For more information, visit bton.in/KrkFeb26.