Events · Central Park Plaza
Downtown Valparaiso Events Calendar: What's On in 2026
The single best reason to stay in downtown Valparaiso instead of out by the highway: Central Park Plaza, the events hub that keeps this town busy all four seasons — and it's one block from our apartments. Here's the 2026 rhythm, season by season, so you can time your visit.
Spring & summer: market season
- The Valpo Market — Tuesdays & Saturdays in season, 9 AM–1 PM at Central Park Plaza (63 Lafayette St). Farm produce, bakery stands, flowers, lunch vendors, live music. A Saturday-morning ritual.
- Summer outdoor movies — free films on the big LED screen at the 1st Source Bank Amphitheater; pre-movie activities at 5:30 PM, showtime 7 PM.
- Amphitheater concerts — the Northwest Health Amphitheater stage brings touring acts through summer (Jay Sean with Iyaz plays August 22, 2026).
- SAND + STEEL Art Fest — June 26–28, 2026, kicking off with a South Shore Orchestra community concert at the plaza. Art, makers, and music across downtown.
Fall: festival season
- Valparaiso Popcorn Festival — Saturday, September 12, 2026. The big one: the 47th annual celebration of Orville Redenbacher's legacy with 300+ vendors, the Popcorn Panic 5-miler, and the nation's first popcorn parade. Read our complete Popcorn Fest guide.
- Valpo Brewfest — Saturday, September 26, 2026. The 16th annual craft beer festival takes over Central Park Plaza two weeks after Popcorn Fest. Stay downtown and nobody has to drive.
Winter: lights and ice
- Winter Fest & Tree Lighting — Saturday, November 28, 2026, 5–7 PM. The plaza lights up for the season.
- Ice skating at Central Park Plaza — the rink runs through winter, and bringing a receipt from a downtown restaurant earns discounted admission. Dinner, then skating, then a two-minute walk home: that's a Valpo winter date night.
For exact dates and additions through the year, the city keeps the official calendars at valparaisoevents.com and centralparkplazavalpo.com.
One block from every event on this page
Our apartments in the Eldorado and Saran buildings are a 2-minute walk from Central Park Plaza, with free onsite parking so you can leave the car all weekend. Book direct and pay about 10% less than the same units on Airbnb.
Check availability for your dates