This is your Thursday edition of NWI Explored, for March 5th, 2026. As of yesterday, March 4th, we have just recently crossed 4,000 subscribers! We are so lucky to have piqued the interest of so many of our neighbors and friends and it’s only getting bigger and better. Thank you all for supporting NWI Explored thus far! Our number one priority with NWI Explored is to build a sense of community: to restore some of that old-timey connection to this place that we all live in and adore. NWIE, as a newsletter, is just a part of that community building that we hope to expand upon in the future, but it starts with building an audience of people who want to be a part of that. That’s where you all have come in! Thanks again and, without further ado, here is your Thursday edition of NWI Explored.

March’s Events and Can’t Miss Destinations

What’s Happening Today in NWI

The Lowdown on Recent NWI News

First things first, huge shout out to some of you, the Explorers, for sending us emails to let us know your favorite spots all around NWI. We’re gonna give a special shout out to the businesses that were brought to our attention by you guys. Thanks again to Fred, Mick and Mary for reaching out to bring some spotlight to your favorite spots.

Check out these spots hand selected by Explorers just like you! If you’ve got a favorite spot in NWI that you think deserves a shout out, drop us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be sure to give them a plug in the next newsletter. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent in a hidden gem!

Anywho, here is your weather forecast for the weekend of March 5th, 2026. We’re getting into that incredibly strange period of weather in the late winter/early spring time where we bounce between great weather, inclement weather, and something entirely uncategorizable. Either way, just another reason NWI is inherently unique.

Every issue of NWI Explored comes with The Lowdown: a roundup of the most important news and happenings around the Region and Indiana writ large.

Crown Point sophomore Ceasar Salas won state in wrestling a few weeks ago and, in order to chase his dreams of competing in USA Wrestling’s U.S. Open Championships, his father set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs.

Congressman Frank J. Mrvan will be hosting two town hall events next week in NWI to listen to the needs and concerns of NWI locals.

BP has made what they are calling their “last and best contract offer” to the United Steelworkers Local 7-1 laborers who are currently on strike, holding out for workers protections and job retention at the BP Whiting Refinery.

Washington Township Elementary School teacher Crystal Lembke’s fifth-grade class got a surprise this past Tuesday when Indy Ignite volleyball mascot “Pepper” and star players Camryn Hannah and Lydia Martin joined their class for a visit.

Farmed and Forged, a producers-only market that has been serving parts of NWI since 2023, is expanding their operation in Hammond in the coming months.

A look at what’s happening in the world of local businesses all around NWI

Every issue of NWI Explored, we give you the best events and spots to check out during the current month.

In partnership with the NWI Ultimate League, we want to issue a special announcement about their spring leagues!

NWI Ultimate, with partnership of the Portage Parks Department, is the preeminent local ultimate frisbee league for NWI. Featuring COED divisions for all ages, these leagues are open to new players and seasoned experts. Find all the information at the link right here or in the infographic below.

Tuesday is Trivia day at White Rhino in Dyer. Find out more about this weekly event at the link here. Wednesday at White Rhino is Bingo night, starting at 6:30pm.

18th Street Brewery has its weekly Music Trivia and Karaoke night every Wednesday. Doors open at 4pm, with trivia starting at 6pm. Find out more here. On Thursday nights, they also host a weekly Line Dancing night with host Mizz Coco. Find out more here.

Shady Creek Winery hosts a weekly live music event each and every Sunday. Find a schedule of upcoming artists at the link here.

Anderson’s Winery in Valpo hosts weekly live music each and every weekend. Find a schedule of upcoming performances at the link right here.

Find out info about the classes and everything the Chesterton Art Center has going on here. The Center constantly has events for beginners, young artists, and apprentices alike, so anyone looking to build their skills and learn new ones should keep tabs on what the Chesterton Art Center has going on.

Off Square Brewing in Crown Point hosts a weekly Bingo Night on Thursdays, running from 7-9 pm each and every week. One lucky number can make you the big winner of the night! Find further info here. They also host a weekly Trivia Night on Wednesdays from 7pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville has regular specials all week, perfect for families and groups of friends. Monday is a bowling special, Tuesday is Laser Tag, Wednesday is Dark Rides, and Thursday is the Arcade. Find more info and the specific deals available each week right here.

Every Monday, from 7-9 pm, Journeyman Distillery in Valpo hosts a Trivia Night. Three rounds of trivia keep the night alive, with teams of up to six people fight to win the grand prize every week. Find more info right here.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake has a weekly wine special running through dinner service. Happy hour specials and heavily discounted bottles every single Wednesday!

Every second Saturday each month, Beale Pottery in Westville hosts a “Make Cool Stuff Club”. This is a group that meets to, well, make cool stuff in the form of pottery! Find more info about the spot and their events right here.

On the last Tuesday of every month, Downtown Highland hosts a restaurant crawl. This community event always features a bunch of the local spots offering specials and deals, so its a great way to spend an evening hopping from meal to meal. Find more info right here.

Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach has recurrent events every single week. Check out their page to find the full slate of events.

Marina Shores Yacht Club in Portage regularly hosts weekly events. Check out their website to find the full schedule, which includes dance classes, live music, parties and more!

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

La Porte Little Theatre, LaPorte - Info Here

4th Street Theater, Chesterton - Info Here

Beatniks on Conkey, Hammond - Info Here

Footlight Players, Inc, Michigan City - Info Here

Indiana Ballet Theatre Company - Info Here

Marian Theatre Guild, Whiting - Info Here

Towle Theater, Hammond - Info Here

Valpo University Theatre- Info Here

Ticket information and the full schedule can be found right here.

Friday, March 6th, the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City is holding the opening reception for a new exhibition, Cosmic Connections. From 5-8pm, enjoy food, a cash bar, chances to meet the artists and curator of the exhibit, and take in the new exhibition capturing the universe in an improvisational process. Find all the info right here.

March 6th sees the American English: Beatles Tribute grace the Theatre at the Center stage in Munster. This concert is in benefit of the Cancer Resource Center. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

March 6th will also see Marlon Wayans, legendary comedian and actor of such hits as White Chicks and Scary Movie, grace the stage at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. The show is 21+ and begins at 7pm. Find tickets at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting a dual tribute show to the works of U2 and R.E.M. on March 6th. Bands Without U2 and Driver 8 will be taking the stage to go through the hits from two of the most revered bands of the late 80s and early 90s. Find tickets at the link right here.

On March 7th, The Dig the Dunes Makers Trail begins! Six locations, six different projects, and a full day of crazy art-making fun. Spend the day exploring the Dunes, different local spots, and themed specials at local restaurants, all a part of the Makers Trail. Find more information at the link right here.

The legendary Boy George and Culture Club will be taking the stage at Hard Rock Casino in Gary on March 7th. Culture Club and Boy George have been responsible for some of the biggest hits of the 80s and are full-on icons of the new wave genre. Find tickets for the show at the link right here.

Bombers BBQ in Crown Point will be hosting a Friends themed trivia night on March 7th, from 6-8pm.

Schererville Parks will be bringing back their Lucky Leprechaun Glow Hunt on March 13th, at 7pm in the Schererville Community Center. This family event features pizza, dessert, drinks, St. Pat’s crafts, and prizes ahead of the actual hunt. Register for the event at schererville.org.

Courtesy of St. John Parks Department, March 7th will be the Luck of the Hunt in Prairie West Park: a day of family-friendly fun themed around St. Patricks Day. Hunt for gold in different age groups and celebrate the holiday with a bit of luck and a ton of fun. Find more information right here.

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm are hosting the 49th Annual Maple Sugar Time Festival the weekend of March 7th and 8th. Enjoy a tour of the sugaring operation at the historic farm with tons of other activities for the whole family. This event is also sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes. Find more information at the link right here.

Hard Rock Casino will be hosting Fey, one of the most influential figures in Spanish pop, on the stage on March 8th. Her 30 year career is one of the most successful in Latin American pop history, so this is sure to be a trip through some of the best the genre has to offer. Find tickets and further information at the link right here.

Four Corners Winery in Valpo will be hosting a Fused Glass Class on March 8th, starting at 1pm. Participants will be creating a fused glass poppy flower sun catcher. No prior experience is necessary. Find more info at the link right here.

Off-Square Brewing is hosting a Grown-Up Book Fair on March 8th from 1-4pm. This event is free to attend and will be chock full of books and bookish merch! Find more info right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be holding an Adam Sandler-themed trivia night on March 10th, starting at 6pm.

Up Your Alley in Schererville is hosting a Lucky Gnome Paint + Sip Event on March 10th, starting at 6pm.

Downtown Michigan City will be hopping with the spirit of the season on March 11th when the Paddywagon Bus Tour takes a trip around the town in celebration of St. Patricks Day. This event runs from 2-9pm with stops at a host of bars across the city. Find all the info in the below infographic.

Hobart Art Theater is hosting Classical Blast in Kilts on March 12th, featuring music from the best of Ireland and Scotland’s rock bands - plus, reinterpretations of traditional Celtic tunes, sea shanties, stories and more. Find tickets and more info at the link right here.

Asparagus in Merrillville is hosting a Spring Fling Martini Tasting on March 12th. Tickets to the event are available at the link right here. A ticket gets you three festive cocktails, accompanied by a paired appetizer of your choice.

Shady Creek Winery will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Irish Dinner on March 12th. Enjoy a 3-course dinner (with ticket) of traditional Irish grub, created and prepared by Executive Chef Brian Davis. Tickets and more info can be found right here.

Schererville Parks will be bringing back their Lucky Leprechaun Glow Hunt on March 13th, at 7pm in the Schererville Community Center. This family event features pizza, dessert, drinks, St. Pat’s crafts, and prizes ahead of the actual hunt. Register for the event at schererville.org.

Hard Rock Casino has a whole weekend slate of St. Patrick’s Day events and festivities, kicking off of March 13th with a free show from The Tossers - one of the most enduring bands of the Celtic Punk underground. All weekend long, there will be a St. Pat’s themed special menu item - an Irish Smash Burger - , exclusive cocktails and specialty drinks, and special events, games and prizes available for all patrons of the floor. Find out more about their special St. Patrick’s Day events and plans at the link right here.

Lake County Fairgrounds is hosting a Hometown Shamrock Indoor Market on March 13th and 14th. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and an early Spring with artisan vendors, handcrafted goods, food, live music, specialty drinks, kids activities and much more. Information about the event and tickets can be found right here.

The Dave Matthews Tribute Band will be performing at Hobart Art Theater on March 13th. Find tickets right here.

R&B Star Leela James will be taking the Horseshoe Casino stage on March 14th at 8pm. James is known for her dreamy sound and powerhouse voice, so this is sure to be show worth coming out for. Tickets and all the info can be found at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting MOCK STAR (with special guest Skyline Station) on March 14th, at 8pm. Tickets and more info can be found here.

Off Square Brewing in Crown Point will be hosting a St Paddy’s Day Celebration on March 14th, featuring a performance by Working Class Zero. Find more info right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be holding a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with food and drink specials. Find more info at this link.

Indiana Dunes State Park is hosting a Runnin with the Irish 5k Race for the holiday on March 14th. This is the 26th Annual running of the event through the scenic State Park. Find more information at the link right here.

Michigan City will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14th, starting at 1pm, north on Franklin St. Information can be found here.

Hessville’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on March 14th, starting at 1pm. Find more information here.

Griffith High School is holding a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on March 14th from 10am to Noon. Enjoy a family visit with the Easter Bunny at the link right here.

The 10th Annual Corkscrew and Brew will be taking place in Thomas Centennial Park on March 14th in Chesterton. This tasting event will feature wineries, breweries, live music, food, games and (most importantly) unlimited samples. Celebrate craft beverages and the reason for the season with the link right here.

Country Star Josh Turner will be headlining a show at La Porte Civic Auditorium on March 14th, at 6pm. Expect a run of timeless hits and all the charisma that made Turner a Nashville favorite. Find tickets and more information at the link right here.

Villa Cesare is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party on March 14th, starting at 6:30pm. Tickets grant you an open bar, DJ, raffles and a full menu of St. Patrick’s Day favorites. Further info can be found at the link right here.

Calling all Bar Crawlers: the Crown Point Square Bar Crawl for St. Patrick’s Day is returning once again. Sunday, March 15th, starting at noon, with Ramen District, One13North, Tavern on Main, Zombie Club, and Public Bar & Rec participating. Full info can be found on Tavern on Main’s Instagram page.

White Rhino in Dyer is hosting a St. Patty’s Pub Crawl on March 15th, starting at 2pm. Transportation is provided to all of the local participating pubs, with drink specials at each stop. More info can be found right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting the Ultimate Doors: A Tribute to the Music of the Doors on March 15th, at 6:30pm. Tickets and more info can be found here. They will also be hosting Down Rodeo - A Tribute to Rage Against the Machine on March 20th, at 7pm. Tickets for that can be found at this link. And, In The Flesh - Echoes of Pink Floyd will be taking place on March 21st at 7pm. Tickets for that show can be found here.

The Museum at Lassen’s Resort on Cedar Lake is hosting a Speaker Series with author Joey Lax-Salinas all about his forthcoming book, Fading Ads of Indiana. The event will be on March 15th at 2pm, and feature a chronicle of his year’s of documenting Indiana's disappearing "Ghost signs" and all the forgotten areas of the state we all call home. Find more information about Joey’s book, the event, and how to participate at the link right here.

March 17th will see Crown Point host it's Nighttime St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 7pm. Local food and retail vendors will set up on Joliet Street starting at 3pm, so go and enjoy the festivities: with Pipes and Drums players, Shamrock Lane, and a ton of great local food. Information can be found right here.

Horseshoe Casino will be hosting Los Tigres Del Norte on March 20th and 21st. Find tickets for either show at the link right here.

On March 20th and 21st, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Lake County Vintage and Antique Market will be taking place. Shop vendors from all over with goods of all kinds, all inside the historic Industrial building. The show runs from 4-9pm on Friday, and 9am-4pm on Saturday. Find more information at the link right here.

Hoosier Theater in Whiting will be hosting a Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks tribute show on March 21st at 7pm. Find tickets and information at the link right here.

Humane Indiana’s Annual Gala will be taking place on March 21st at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary, starting at 5pm. The event is a high-energy celebration of everything that the Humane organization does: with complimentary dinner and drinks, adoptable pets on site, silent auctions, and a program of presentations celebrating the hope and life-saving work the organization does. Find info at the link right here.

On March 21st and 22nd, Shipshewana on the Road will be taking over the Porter County Expo Center. Tickets are $5, and gets you in to browse the wide variety of gifts, crafts, food and fun on site. Find all the information at the link right here.

Byway Brewing in Hammond will be hosting another entry in their Byway Comedy Series on March 26th - with headliner Sonal Aggarwal, plus Matt Torres, Lyssa Laird, Alan Ford and Sharup Karim. Tickets are $10 and can be found at the link here.

Journeyman Distillery in Valpo’s Comedy on the Rocks series is continuing on March 27th, with headliner Katie Meiner, opener Stone Norment, and host Jeff Webb. Doors are at 7pm and tickets are $22, which can be bought at the link right here.

Hobart Art Theater will be hosting JUMP - the Ultimate Van Halen Experience on March 27th. Tickets and more info can be found right here.'

Four Corners Winery in Valpo welcomes all to their Adult Easter Egg Hunt on March 28th. Grab some friends and sip some wine while hunting for eggs, backdropped by live music and all the fun. Prizes are to be won as well. More info can be found right here.

Theatre at the Center in Munster will be hosting two shows of a Ben-Hur Live Radio Play on March 28th. Tickets for both the early and late show, as well as all the info you need, can be found on their site right here.

Comedy legend Chris Tucker will be taking the stage at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary on March 28th. Tickets and more information can be found at the link right here.

The Hoosier Home and Hobby Show will be coming to Villa Cesare in Schererville on March 28th, starting at 9am. This is an event for hobbyists and homeowners, featuring local businesses, memorabilia collectors and athlete guest signers. Food trucks will be on site as well. Find more info at the link right here.

More Events to Come…