On Tap This Week: November 2–8

This week in Michiana, catch the David Bixler Trio Incognito at Merrimans' Playhouse on Wednesday, or head to Notre Dame for Men's Basketball against Mercyhurst on Thursday. If you're looking for something different, the 9th Annual Christmas Bonanza Craft Market takes place Saturday at St. Hedwigs Memorial Center in South Bend.

Editor's picks

• 9th Annual Christmas Bonanza Craft Market — 9 AM · St. Hedwigs Memorial Center, South Bend. A holiday craft market featuring handmade goods from local artisans and makers. Details
• David Bixler Trio Incognito — 7:30 PM · Merrimans’ Playhouse, South Bend. New York saxophonist and composer David Bixler performs with his trio at Merrimans' Playhouse. Details
• Notre Dame Men's Basketball vs. Mercyhurst — All day · Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish open their basketball season against Mercyhurst at Purcell Pavilion. Details
• Football Fridays at the Eck — 11 AM · Eck Visitors Center, Notre Dame. Gather with Notre Dame fans for live music and tailgate food before game day. Details
• Notre Dame Women's Basketball vs. Stonehill — 7 PM · Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame. Notre Dame women's basketball opens their season against Stonehill at Purcell Pavilion. Details

Monday, November 2

• Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda — All day · Pierre Moran Branch, Elkhart. Visit a community altar to honor departed loved ones by adding photos or names to tea lights. Details
• Heartfelt Holiday Card Drive for Seniors — All day · Pierre Moran Branch, Elkhart. Make holiday cards for residents at local senior care centers at Pierre Moran Branch or create one at home. Details
• Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda — 9 AM · Pierre Moran Branch, Elkhart. Visit a community altar to honor deceased loved ones with photos or names on tea lights. Details
• Tunes & Twirls for Tots — 10:30 AM · Pierre Moran Branch, Elkhart. A dance and play program for children and adults to connect together in a supportive setting. Details
• DIY Bookmarks — 4:30 PM · Downtown Library, Elkhart. Create and decorate a bookmark with watercolors, then have it laminated at the library. Details
• Homework Help – Downtown — 4:30 PM · Downtown Library, Elkhart. Free homework assistance from National Honor Society volunteers at Downtown Library on school days. Details

Tuesday, November 3

• Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda — 9 AM · Pierre Moran Branch, Elkhart. Visit a community altar to honor departed loved ones by adding photos or writing names on tea lights. Details
• Safe House by Lydia Stryk — 7:30 PM · Acting Ensemble on the Avenue, Mishawaka. A psychological drama about espionage, intimacy, and betrayal set in an unnamed city and country. Details

Wednesday, November 4

• Insights in History – Pokégnek Bodéwadmik — 1:30 PM · The History Museum, South Bend. Professor John Low discusses the history of the Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi and their impact on the region. Details
• David Bixler Trio Incognito — 7:30 PM · Merrimans’ Playhouse, South Bend. New York saxophonist and composer David Bixler performs with his trio at Merrimans' Playhouse. Details

Thursday, November 5

• Notre Dame Men's Basketball vs. Mercyhurst — All day · Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish open their basketball season against Mercyhurst at Purcell Pavilion. Details
• The Book Women — 7:30 PM · Little Theatre, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame. Saint Mary's Theatre presents Rachel Bublitz's play about women during the Great Depression. Details

Friday, November 6

• Football Fridays at the Eck — 11 AM · Eck Visitors Center, Notre Dame. Gather with Notre Dame fans for live music and tailgate food before game day. Details
• First Fridays at Goshen Theater — 5 PM · Goshen Theater Auditorium, Goshen. Evening community gathering at Goshen Theater featuring live entertainment and socializing. Details
• Big Jam 2026: Talent Showcase — 7 PM · The Lerner Theatre, Elkhart. A regional talent competition featuring singers, dancers, comedians, and performers across multiple disciplines. Details
• Notre Dame Women's Basketball vs. Stonehill — 7 PM · Purcell Pavilion, Notre Dame. Notre Dame women's basketball opens their season against Stonehill at Purcell Pavilion. Details
• Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — 7:30 PM · Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend. A theatrical adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story featuring music, dance, and holiday magic for all ages. Details
• Dakarai Barclay Quartet — 7:30 PM · Merrimans’ Playhouse, South Bend. Jazz trumpeter Dakarai Barclay performs original compositions inspired by jazz legends. Details
• Baby Boy Da Prince with DJ MacMane — 8 PM · Stockroom East, South Bend. Hip-hop artist Baby Boy Da Prince performs with DJ MacMane at Stockroom East. Details

Saturday, November 7

• 9th Annual Christmas Bonanza Craft Market — 9 AM · St. Hedwigs Memorial Center, South Bend. A holiday craft market featuring handmade goods from local artisans and makers. Details
• Christmas Tree and Angel Luminary Pottery Workshop — 10:15 AM · Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart. Create holiday clay luminaries with an Elkhart Art League instructor at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Details
• Planting a Legacy — 11 AM · Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart. An ISA Certified Arborist leads a guided walk through the gardens exploring tree planting in fall. Details
• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! National Broadway Tour — 12 PM · Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend. The Broadway musical adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic holiday story comes to South Bend. Details
• Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs Ballet — 4 PM · The Lerner Theatre, Elkhart. The United European Ballet Company performs a colorful ballet adaptation of the classic fairy tale at the Lerner Theatre. Details
• Notre Dame Football vs. Miami — 7:30 PM · Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame. College football game between Notre Dame and Miami at Notre Dame Stadium. Details
• Improv Comedy Show — 7:30 PM · Acting Ensemble on the Avenue, Mishawaka. The Improv Mill performs live improvisational comedy with audience participation and games. Details

Sunday, November 8

• Día de los Muertos with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra — 3 PM · Morris Performing Arts Center, South Bend. The South Bend Symphony Orchestra presents its annual concert celebrating Mexican culture. Details
• Bert Kreischer: Permission to Party — 7 PM · The Lerner Theatre, Elkhart. Stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer performs his comedy show at The Lerner Theatre. Details

Listings come from venues, organizers and public calendars. Dates, times and prices change; confirm with the venue before you go. Have something happening? Put it on tap.