Every Event Happening the Remainder of May

The NWI Explored Weekly Community Poll

What’s In, What’s Out Rundown

Garage Sales, Farmers Markets, and Recurrent Events All Across NWI

A Lowdown on NWI and Indiana News

Every week, we will be cycling in a new poll for the Explorers to answer about NWI. Favorite spots, underrated meals, hidden gems and a whole bunch else will be covered. These polls will help us to build the definitive NWI Explored guide to the Northwest Indiana, completely based on input from all of you! So, make your voices heard and answer our weekly poll!

Polls will switch out on each week’s Thursday edition, so you’ve got a full week to respond!

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

The Porter County Museum, located in downtown Valpo, will be opening an exhibit that retells the history of the Porter County Fair. The first Porter County fair took place in 1851, so the exhibit will be charting a long and storied history - all for free and completely open to the public. Speaking as someone who loves history and (obviously) the place we all live in, I will definitely be checking this one out. Let us know if you all would like a special report or Instagram content centered around this exhibit!

Gallery 1882, a contemporary art gallery from Timothy and Ellen Kollar (who have galleries in Chicago, Detroit and Santa Fe), will be opening up this weekend at 115 Broadway Ave in Chesterton. They will be exhibiting art from creatives all across the country, bringing urban art of all kinds to the Indiana Dunes. They will be holding an opening ceremony starting at 5pm on Saturday, celebrating the opening of the gallery and their first exhibit, titled “Flowers”. Learn more about what Gallery 1882 is all about right here.

Since March, more than 800 BP Whiting Refinery workers have been locked out of their workplace, as contract negotiations between the energy company and USW Local 7-1 laborers hit a stalemate. The two sides returned to the bargaining table this past Monday and will be doing so again this Friday - hopefully getting closer to an agreement that respects the wishes of the laborers and gets these people back to work as soon as possible. Up until now, the two sides have been at a complete impasse - with the union asking BP to lift the lockout while talks continue and the company refusing, among other core disagreements.

In less than three weeks, a sudden hike in gas prices could take place once the suspension of the state’s gas taxes lapses. Republican Gov. Mike Braun would have to convene a special session of the Indiana General Assembly in order to continue this suspension, which has helped to alleviate some of the burn of spiking fuel costs as a result of President Trump’s war in Iran. Braun accomplished this effort by declaring a statewide energy emergency - an act that has a 60-day limit - and would have to seek legislative authorization to continue the suspension for another 60-day period. Should nothing come to pass, Hoosiers and Region residents can expect a spike in gas prices by at least 62 cents a gallon in around three weeks. We will keep you all posted on how this story develops.

Hammond Community Garden and Just Transition Northwest Indiana have announced a partnership with United Steelworkers Local 7-1 that will organize a food drive for workers affected by the BP Whiting Refinery Lockout and who haven’t been paid since March. Local businesses across NWI are accepting donations of nonperishable foods, infant formula, soap and hygiene products, with a list of solicited food items that can be found here. Participating businesses in this food drive can be found below. If you can help out in any way, seek out some of these businesses and contribute what you can!

LaPorte town leaders have given final approval to annex the land necessary for Microsoft to triple the size of its planned $1 billion data center project within city limits. Residents remain in unbroken opposition to the project, but the council has approved the project and annexation of the land unanimously. The site of the future data center - which won’t see completion of any individual buildings until spring of 2029 at the earliest - will be located west of U.S. 35 and north of E 250. See the planned construction site below.

Gary Common Council has decided to unify its zoning code, allowing for a more streamlined development process within city limits. A unified development ordinance will be created, with standards around landscaping, lighting and parking that previously were nowhere to be found in old zoning laws and control ordinances. Gary Director of Zoning Corrie Sharp said that this move would allow the city to become more efficient with developments across the city and allow for greater communication, regulation and standards. There are huge plans on the table for redefining and rebuilding the city of Gary, so this refresh of their zoning laws should help to make the process a little bit smoother.

Midwest Aerospace has opened up a new helicopter blade repair facility in Lowell, at 10653 W 181st Ave. This new facility will expand the company’s ability to meet worldwide demand for helicopter rotor blade repair.

Republican Governor Mike Braun made comments about the potential of Hammond becoming the new home of the Chicago Bears, saying that the organization has everything to gain moving across state lines to Indiana. He cited Illinois legislature’s lack of movement on a proposal to the Bears as another reason to jump ship, pointing to the newly passed stadium funding law as proof of Indiana’s dedication to making the deal happen. We’re still waiting to hear explicit word on what will become of the plans for the “Hammond Bears”, so we will keep you posted on what happens here.

15 different legislative committees will meet this summer and fall to consider possible legislative action on a variety of topics for the 2027 Indiana General Assembly. 97 study requests were submitted by the 100 state representatives and 50 state senators, whittled down to an undisclosed number that the legislation views as more fitting of an election year. Some of the subjects that will be deliberated upon for potential legislative actions are: property tax assessments; sexual assault reporting procedures; likeness rights for high-school student-athletes; electronic driver’s licenses; changes to the Department of Agriculture; workers compensation benefits; regulation of private credit investment funds; Medicaid spending; and many many more.

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

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 has Live Music Thursdays every 3rd Thursday of the Month! Find more info right here about lineups and performances.

Sip Coffee House in Highland has a Wednesday Game Night every single week from 6-9pm. In partnership with the Northwest Indiana Board Game Association.

Valparaiso Pathways Committee holds Free community rides once a month during the warmer months. Click here to look at their schedule of group rides across the city.

Conway Observatory in Lowell hosts open houses once a month for all ages to come in and take a look into the deep stretches of space. Totally free and with different focuses at each open house, you can learn about a host of cool space topics across the year. Find their schedule at the link right here.

Getting into photography or a seasoned vet looking to get out there and shoot more? Lake County Parks Photo Club has regular meetings every 2nd Wednesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course, with regular field trips out in the NWI expanse. Find more info and the full schedule at the link right here.

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve in Hammond holds a weekly Hike through nature every Wednesday. Find their full schedule right here. Pre-registration is required.

Miller Beach Arts and Creative District holds a free community yoga session every Sunday, beginning at 10am at the District building. Find info and other event listings here.

For all the fellow writers out there, Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach holds a weekly writing group each and every Saturday, starting at 10:15am. Sometimes all it takes to spark inspiration is being around fellow creatives. Find more info about the group right here

Coffee Creek Farmers Market will be running every single Wednesday from April 8th to October 28th, 3-7pm at the Coffee Creek Pavilion Parking Lot. Find full info about the market right here.

The Dig the Dunes Beer Run & Wine Walk will be starting up on April 23rd, running once a month through the summer and early fall. A new spot in the Dunes area will be selected each month, with a 2-3 mile walk/run taking place before the group kicks back to enjoy a drink along the lakeshore. Find full information at the link right here and find the schedule right below.

Starting on April 25th, and running every Saturday through August, Indiana Dunes National Park’s 1966 Hiking Challenge begins! 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of the Dunes Park trails, celebrating the foundation of the park in 1966. Every Saturday at 8:00 am, hokes will take place in different areas of the park ranging from 1-7 miles. Complete them all and you earn a free 1966 Hiking Challenge sticker to show off to the world. For more details and specifics, click here.

Whiting Cruise Night runs every month on the 3rd Wednesday, starting on May 20th and running through the summer. Find more information about the event right here.

Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso - info here

Memorial Opera House, Valparaiso - info here

Canterbury Theatre, Michigan City - 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.

Byway Brewing will be hosting a Comedy Night on May 21st, beginning at 5 pm. The show will be headlined by Vic Pandya, with sets from Ron Hexagon, Luiz Arevalo, Aubrey Wilson and Des Mulrooney.

Celebrate the Home Opener of the Gary Railcats on May 22nd and check out their various May promos in the image below!

Deep River Waterpark will be celebrating its opening weekend and opening for the season from May 22nd to May 25th.

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is holding Ice Cream Train Rides open to all ages starting on May 23rd. Enjoy a refreshing local treat from Sallie’s Small Batch Ice Creams and take a leisurely trip through the NWI countryside.

Indiana Dunes State Park is holding a Wildflower Wander Hike on May 23rd, starting at 10am. This is a FREE event for all ages, exploring a few different ecosystems in search of those early spring blooms. On the 24th, they will be holding another FREE all-ages event, known as Salamander Gander, where participants will be meeting some little amphibian friends and then going out into the state park to find some of their own.

Byway Brewing and 18th Street Brewing’s NWI Bike-N-Brew will begin it’s summer run on May 23rd, starting at noon. This is a fun, laid-back trek through Highland and Hammond - capped off with a relaxing afternoon of beer and food. Find more information about the rides and what they’re all about at the link right here.

Taking place in Washington Park on May 23rd and 24th, Michigan City’s Food + Music Fest is returning. Two days packed with live music, tons of food from local food trucks and all the fun you can muster.

Hesston Steam Museum in LaPorte will be holding their opening weekend festivities for the season soon, beginning on May 23rd and running through that weekend. Find more information about the museum and what they’ll be doing to celebrate this summer season at the link right here.

Valparaiso’s 20th Annual Memorial Day Concert will be taking place once again on May 25th at the Memorial Opera House. This FREE concert will be in support of the Christian Food Pantry of Valpo, of which attendees can bring non-perishable food items with to donate. Honor the day with this inspiring afternoon of music and history.

Crown Point Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will also be taking place on May 25th at the Civil War Trail (347 Maple Lane). City officials, members of American Legion Post 20, Crown Point High School Choir and local Boy and Girl Scout Troops will be in attendance to honor the day and recognize those who fought for our freedoms and sacrificed it all.

Members from Munster VFW Post 2697 and American Legion Post 16 will be holding a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 25th at the Community Veterans Memorial in Munster. All can gather here to stand in recognition of American armed forces lost in combat.

Honor the heroes we’ve lost this Memorial Day at Main Square Park in Highland for their Memorial Day Ceremony on May 25th.

Sandy Oak Ranch will be holding a Red, White and Wild! family event in honor of Memorial Day on May 25th. Recognize the day of remembrance, take in some wildlife, and spread some family fun in the process.

May 27th will be the Home Opener of the Lake County Corn Dogs Baseball Team, Crown Point’s pre-professional, independent baseball team. The game will be played at Center Ross Park starting at 7pm.

Barker Mansion is hosting a Mansion After Hours Cocktail Tasting and Tour Experience on May 27th, offering an immersive touring and tasting experience to patrons. Sample classic cocktails inspired by the 19th & 20th centuries, with small bites and a cash bar.

Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake will be holding a Patio Kick-off Party on May 27th, starting at 5pm. Celebrate the reopening of their patio and the official start to summer with lakeside cocktails, live music, fireworks and a smattering of inspired tapas. This is an early taste of everything patio season has to offer.

Taking place in Bulldog Park on May 29th and 30th, Crossroads Northwest Indiana Chamber will be holding their Annual Corn Roast. Delicious roasted corn on the cob, food from local vendors and food trucks, and live entertainment for the entire family, this is sure to be a wonderful weekend of fun and summer joy.

Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City will be hosting a FREE Family Day for the public on May 30th, starting at 1pm. This drop-in event allows kids of all ages to create their own art and take in some of the great pieces in the Center’s current exhibition, ‘Cosmic Connections’. For further information about this event, click here.

Indiana Dunes State Park will be holding an event on May 30th that will highlight the intersection between arts, history and film at the historic Indiana Dunes. This FREE event is sure to be an interesting one, tracing the history of Lake Michigan and the Dunes’ relevance to art and film in the 20th century.

Centennial Park’s Bark in the Park event will be taking place on May 30th, starting at noon. This is a dog-friendly event that is the best opportunity for you and your four-legged pals to discover new dog products, treats, services and fun! Demonstrations and samples will be provided by local organizations and vendors as well.

Journeyman Distillery’s Dirty Boots Country Line Dancing Night is making its return on May 30th, beginning at 6pm. An evening of cocktails, live music, dancing and big ole cowboy boots, this is sure to be a hit. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, line dancing lessons and all the live entertainment you can handle for the night.

The Dunes Dash 5K in support of Save the Dunes will be taking place on May 30th. This annual run allows participants to explore the scenic West Beach of Indiana Dunes National Park and support the continued advocacy for preservation and conservation surrounding the Lake Michigan lakeshore.

South Shore Roller Derby’s Off Track Art Festival is rolling into the Promise You Art House in Highland on May 30th. This event will be in support of the South Shore Roller Derby League, with attendees able to purchase art from local artists, participate in a silent auction, peruse a local bake sale, food trucks and enjoy live entertainment along the way.

Fuzzyline Brewing’s Pups and Pints Event is taking place on May 31st, starting at 11 am. Bring your furry friends and sip on some cold, local brews at this dog-centric hangout and adoption event, in partnership with Hydrant Pet Center. Music will be provided by DJ Downtown Jeremy Brown, vendors will be present and there will be more cute puppies in need of a home than you can count.

June Events will begin to be spotlighted on the upcoming newsletters during the last full week of May.