Beyond your typical weekend away, there’s plenty to enjoy all year round with arts events and activities in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Book your seat in advance and fill your weekend with an itinerary that suits your arts interests!

No need to take an extra day off work. Make a quick trip to Fort Wayne and get away just for the weekend!

Couple at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Fort Wayne, Indiana

36 Hour Arts Getaway to Fort Wayne, Indiana

FRIDAY PM

Arrive in Fort Wayne, Indiana on a Friday night and get settled into a great Fort Wayne hotel! If you have time, start your weekend off right with dinner or just cocktails at Club Soda. Club Soda is a cool industrial-style restaurant that features some of the best cocktails in Fort Wayne and live Jazz music almost every weekend. Pull up a seat at the bar, or book a reservation to dine on their patio in the summer or in their warm dining room in the cooler months.

view from a balcony showing a busy pedestrian street with outdoor dining

Or, check out The Landing, a cool historic neighborhood in downtown Fort Wayne that is home to amazing local restaurants including Tolon, Mercado, Marquee, Nawa, Papi's Pizza, and more!

SATURDAY AM

It’s the weekend and you get to choose whether you catch up on sleep or rise with the sun and get a jump start on your day. Either way is a good choice!

Father, mother, and daughter walking past a mural and the Porch off Calhoun in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana.

If you’re an early riser, start your day with a quiet walk around downtown Fort Wayne. Discover murals covering the sides of buildings or keep an eye out for sculptures that double as bike racks.

Dulce de Leche French Toast at Proximo in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Brunch

If you’ve opted to sleep in, catch up with brunch at Proximo. You can’t go wrong with breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Proximo. If you’re looking for a light breakfast, enjoy the oatmeal or opt for a crowd favorite including their Dulce de Leche French Toast or the Carnita Benedict. Discover other amazing brunch spots in our Best of Brunch list.

Next up, make plans to visit one of Fort Wayne's many Farmers Markets, many of which take place year round.

SATURDAY MIDDAY

FWMoA - Repose in Amber

Once you're full, discover the newest exhibits at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art from their collection of beautiful glass art, including Repose in Amber, a 40-glass element sculpture, or in their impressive wing dedicated entirely to glass. Make sure to check out their calendar of events for special lectures, tours, and events that offer an opportunity to discover magnificent art in a new way!

Ready for more? Check out our Calendar of Events to see what other exhibits or activities are taking place during your stay.

Shopping

Pick out a souvenir to remember your weekend away at one of Fort Wayne’s great boutiques dotted around the city. Of course, many of our museums offer gift shops with items like handcrafted bowls at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art’s Paradigm Gallery! Or pick up a treasure at artist shops like The Hedge or Aaron’s Oriental Rug Gallery.

DINNER AND A SHOW

Romeo and Juliet at the Fort Wayne Ballet

SATURDAY PM

Now for the headliner of your weekend! From national touring concerts, comedy shows, and Broadway productions to Fort Wayne Ballet performances and Fort Wayne Civic Theatre plays and musicals, there is something for everyone’s interest.

Fort Wayne’s arts community flourishes with performances almost every weekend. Check out our Calendar of Events to plan your arts weekend. 

Dinner

From immaculate dining and décor at Ruth’s Chris, to a locally sourced meal at Copper Spoon or Tolon, downtown Fort Wayne is filled with restaurants that won't disappoint. Or, reserve a table at Umi for some of Fort Wayne’s finest sushi and seafood, one of the best dining experiences at BakerStreet Steakhouse, or the local favorite Cork N’ Cleaver.

Aerial View of Arts United Campus

SUNDAY

Before you make your way back home, take a tour of downtown Fort Wayne’s unique and varied architecture. Two of our greatest jewels are on display at Concordia Seminary, the secluded campus designed by Eero Saarinen, and at the Arts United Center, the only Louis Kahn-designed theatre in the world, located on our Arts Campus.

If you want to sneak in another stop at some of Fort Wayne’s other art galleries including Northside Galleries, five galleries at the University of Saint Francis, the Purdue Fort Wayne gallery, or the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery located in the Allen County Public Library’s downtown main library.

LODGING

Fort Wayne is filled with dozens of great hotels awaiting your visit. Discover seasonal packages or book your stay online.

All you need to start your arts and entertainment weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana is an open weekend, an empty stomach, and a love for the arts!

This post was originally published in January 2019 and has been updated. Last revised June 2024.