WordPlay - Morning Edition at the Jazz Fest
2025-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
WordPlay is a poetry/spoken word experience in downtown Elkhart. Events are open to everyone and are a welcoming place for creative people to share stories, poems and words in a diverse environment.
These events honor the late John Homan and carry on his creative legacy. While most recent WordPlay open-mic nights have been at Jake Webster’s downtown studio, this special Elkhart Jazz Festival morning event will be on the library’s indoor stage.
WordPlay is free to attend.

Curbside Concerts: JR Clark Band wsg Dylan Tolbert (jazz fest special!)
2025-06-21 19:00 - 23:15 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Saturday night of festival weekend always fills us with the blues.

Dylan Tolbert brings some funk and soul to start us off at 7 p.m., and JR Clark Band returns to the roof for the 9 to 11 p.m. set.

Curbside Concerts are free and outdoors. Bands play on the rooftop stage, people watch from the parking lots below. Come hungry for the food, come thirsty for the beverages. Come smiling and we’ll protect that ready-for-the-weekend mood. More details here.

That Guys Gourmet Ribs will be cooking, and Tropicana will have your sweet treats.

Fun in the Sun
2025-06-23 15:30 - 17:00 | IN
Join us at each EPL branch for games, activities, snacks, the free Book Bus and more. These are rain or shine events.
June 2 – Osolo
June 9 – Pierre Moran
June 16 – Cleveland
June 23 – Dunlap

What to Watchlist
2025-06-26 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-07-31 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-08-28 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Share the latest on your favorite TV shows and movies. Discuss fan theories and hidden gems. Plus, we’ll watch trailers for what’s coming up.

Curbside Concerts: Duke Tumatoe
2025-06-27 19:00 - 21:45 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Duke Tumatoe brings the curtain down on the 2025 spring series of Curbside Concerts.

The guitarist and songwriters who’s gigged with everyone from Muddy Waters to BB King and John Fogerty to George Thorogood will be making his first appearance on the roof.

Shows are free and outdoors. Bands play on the rooftop stage, people watch from the parking lots below. Come hungry for the food, come thirsty for the beverages. Come smiling and we’ll protect that ready-for-the-weekend mood. More details here.

That Guys Gourmet Ribs will be cooking, and Tropicana will have your sweet treats.

Potawatomi Zoo
2025-06-30 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-06-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
See animals up close and learn more about them with the experts from Potawatomi Zoo. Two sessions are available to serve more families.

Butterflies
2025-07-01 17:30 - 18:30 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
With help from Elkhart County Parks Department, learn about the butterflies raised right here at the Dunlap Branch.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Blast
2025-07-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Bring your friends for all kinds of games based on Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We have prizes for winners. Dress for a mess.

Curbside Concerts: Nine2K
2025-07-03 19:00 - 21:45 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
As we first reported last fall … Nine2K is everything you want in a ’90s and alt rock band. We couldn’t wait to bring back this collab featuring members of High Gravity and Ultrafab.

Curbside Concerts are free and outdoors. Bands play on the rooftop stage, people watch from the parking lots below. Come hungry for the food, come thirsty for the beverages. Come smiling and we’ll protect that ready-for-the-weekend mood.

That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Loupa’s Chicken will be cooking, and Tropicana will have your sweet treats. More details here.

Music moves indoors in bad weather.

Second Annual Cupcake War
2025-07-08 16:30 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Test your decorating skills and creativity by decorating a cupcake with a variety of available ingredients. Plus, you’ll get to snack on the creations.

Buzzing World of Bugs
2025-07-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Get hands-on and meet live critters while learning about their unique life cycles and variety.
Investigue los insectos en acción y descubra su asombrosa diversidad y cicios vitales mediante actividades prácticas y encuentros cercanos con especies locales vivas.

Ox Bow Books and Boots
2025-07-11 13:00 - 15:00 | Dunlap Branch, 58485 C.R. 13 East, Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Miss Debbie from the Dunlap Branch and Miss Krista, an interpretive naturalist manager with the Elkhart County Parks, lead this book discussion at Ox Bow County Park’s Cottonwood Shelter. Books and Boots is for the whole family, but specifically geared to ages 8-12. Dress for the weather. In April, this club moves to second Fridays.

April 11 – “Better Together (Heartwood Hotel)” by Kallie George
May 9 – “The Sign of the Beaver” by Elizabeth George Speare
June 13 – “Rascal” by Sterling North
July 11 – “Home Again (Heartwood Hotel)” by Kallie George

Summer Reading Prize Party
2025-07-17 15:00 - 18:00 | IN
Join us at McNaughton Park to celebrate the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge presented by Ranger Distribution and Froggy 102.7.
We’ll have games, food, bounce houses and announce the prize winners at 5:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the party of the summer.

Stories and Songs
2025-07-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Songwriters and libraries have one thing in common — too many stories to tell. Experience the music of the area’s best creative talents and their friends in a new way. Different musicians every week. Beverages will be available for purchase, no cover charge.
This event is designated Well Crafted by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is supported by Pillars of Elkhart.
July 18 – Nekeisha Alayna Alexis
July 25 -Julia James
Aug. 1 – Abbie Thomas
Aug. 8 – Rafael Chávez y Moreno
Oct. 3 – Nate and Amber Butler
Nov. 7 – TBA

Lotería Back to School Edition
2025-08-07 16:30 - 18:30 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
This special lotería night gets you ready to return to the classroom with school supply prizes and drawings for a backpack. Plus, free snacks while we play. The Friends of the Elkhart Public Library supports this program.
Únase a nosotros en la Biblioteca Pierre Moran para un evento especial de lotería. Premios inclurián útiles escolares, y habrá sorteos de mochilas durante el juego. Distrute de deliciosos aperitivos mientras juega.

Stories and Songs
2025-08-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Songwriters and libraries have one thing in common — too many stories to tell. Experience the music of the area’s best creative talents and their friends in a new way. Different musicians every week. Beverages will be available for purchase, no cover charge.
This event is designated Well Crafted by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and is supported by Pillars of Elkhart.
July 18 – Nekeisha Alayna Alexis
July 25 -Julia James
Aug. 1 – Abbie Thomas
Aug. 8 – Rafael Chávez y Moreno
Oct. 3 – Nate and Amber Butler

Curbside Concerts: Abbie Thomas and the Crazy Hearts
2025-08-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Abbie Thomas returns to the roof to kick off the fall season of Curbside Concerts on Aug. 29.
Abbie is a two-time independent music Artist of the Year. Her music is sometimes soul, sometimes bluesy rock, and always delivered from the heart with a vibe reminiscent of the great ’70s songwriters.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Curbside Concerts: JAGALCHI
2025-09-05 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
On tour supporting their newest album, JAGALCHI returns to the Curbside Concerts roof on Sept. 5.
The self-proclaimed “Midwest Post Big-Band” project has strong Goshen roots. “You Will Know True Loss” is the band’s latest effort, following up on last year’s successful “Now There Are Only Stories.”
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Cut the Cord
2025-09-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Get informed on everything you should know before you return your cable box. From the best streaming platforms to internet speeds needed and more traditional cable alternatives.

Fiesta at the Mercado: Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off
2025-09-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Pierre Moran Branch, 2400 Benham Ave, Elkhart, IN, 46517, United States
Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with food trucks, vendors and activities for the whole family.

Curbside Concerts: Tumbleweed Jumpers
2025-09-12 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
The Tumbleweed Jumpers are making Curbside Concerts a stop on their comeback tour.
Everybody’s favorite feel-good band delivers funky Americana with a fabulous horn section, a sweet mandolin, an organ, some guitars … really every instrument ever invented, probably played by every musician Goshen has ever produced. Gonna be crowded up there on stage – don’t miss it.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Curbside Concerts: Jake Miller and the Midwest Heat
2025-09-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Jake Miller and his guys play the two best types of music: country and western. The Midwest Heat wraps up the 2025 season of Curbside Concerts on Sept. 19.
Graduates of Kansas Bible Co., Jake and friends are familiar to stages around Michiana. Just like his past rooftop performances, his supporting cast is exceptional – you never know who might sit in for a song or three.
Curbside Concerts are free to attend. Food and beverages are available for purchase – That Guys Gourmet Ribs and Tropicana Ice Cream Shop will be here with us. Bring a camp chair, bring a blanket, bring your ready-for-the-weekend mood.
The “Well Crafted” events have the support of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out MyEPL.org/curbside for all the series info.

Sonic the Hedgehog Back to School Party
2025-09-22 16:30 - 17:30 | Downtown Library, 300 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN, 46516, United States
Join us for Sonic-themed fun games, food and more.

Manhattan SHORT Film Festival
2025-09-26 18:30 - 22:00 | IN
You get to be the judge at this short film festival. Watch 10 movies from around the world and vote for a favorite. Movies are unrated but intended for an adult audience. Click here to find out more about each of the films.
Friday, Sept. 26 – Dunlap, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 27 – Downtown, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 1 – Pierre Moran, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 – Osolo, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Cleveland, 3 p.m.
