2 Past Events at Canan Commons & Throughout Downtown Muncie

Help us kickoff the holiday season with our annual Light Up DWNTWN event on First Thursday, December 5 from 5-8 pm.  

Starting at 5 pm, enjoy performances, a kiddie train, and even a visit from Santa all at Canan Commons! Embrace the Christmas spirit by counting down the lighting of the community Christmas tree at 6 pm.

Explore the rest of DWNTWN for specialty holiday festivities:

- Holiday Gift Market  

- First Thursday Gallery Walk  

- Storefront Holiday Window Display Contest 

Packed with engaging activities and attractions for the whole family, Fire Up DWNTWN is the can’t-miss, over-the-top-hot event of the season! With a mixture of hot air balloons, spicy foods, smokin’ ribs, live music, games, contests, and more, the summer’s peak extravaganza can’t come soon enough! 🔥

Special Shape Hot Air Balloons, Glow Show & Balloon Baskets

Meet larger-than-life hot air balloon characters, sponsored by Clubhouse Bar & Grill, MadSweets, Woof Boom Radio, and 3Rivers FCU, and watch as they glow in an exciting evening show, sponsored by MITS. Experience the heat up close as you pull the trigger on the flames of a hot air balloon basket, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County and NASH FM.

Hot Air Balloon Tethered Rides

Purchase your ticket and reach for the sky! Take a tethered hot air balloon ride and get a one-of-a-kind view of the festivities.

NEW! Remote Control Hot Air Balloons

Get close to the action with four 20-foot-tall remote control hot air balloons, sponsored by Wealth Strategies, Inc. Watch with excitement as a “Cloudhopper” balloon attempts a dramatic ascent above the crowd.

Sizzlin’ Spectacles

Don’t miss the Liquid Fire Iron Pour, sponsored by Destination: Muncie, materials provided by Grede, as metals artisans practice their ancient craft. Check out the Just Jeepin’ Cruise-In, sponsored by Lamar Advertising, and motorcycle, and van shows. Enjoy plenty of fun activities for kids and adults alike. Finish off the night by taking in the fireworks finale.

Live Music & Entertainment

Enjoy local and regional music acts, the DWNTWN IDOL Round 2 performance, performance sponsored by First Merchants Bank, and more exciting events. Cardinal Community Stage sponsored by Ball State University, Canan Commons Stage sponsored by Ivy Tech Muncie.

Taste the Heat

Looking for some spice? We’ll have several food vendors serving up delectable ribs, delicious BBQ, and many more unique treats. Need to cool off? Stop in at one of our many fantastic restaurants DWNTWN and sample our local fare.

And So Much More…

Fire Up DWNTWN is the biggest event of the year. Shop with local vendors, get your thrill on the euro bungee and rock wall, and enjoy a variety of performances. Check out the Kid’s HotSpot and the Red Hot Children’s Express train, sponsored by The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County.