VonnegutFest

Overview

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) will present VonnegutFest, a multi-day celebration of Indianapolis native and acclaimed author Kurt Vonnegut. The festival features a diverse lineup of cultural, literary, and community events, including Emmy Award-winning comedian Jordan Klepper receiving the Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award, the release of the 15th annual So It Goes Journal, author discussions, a live piano performance, wellness programming, and the grand opening of a new immersive Slaughterhouse-Five exhibit. VonnegutFest brings together readers, writers, artists, and community members to celebrate Vonnegut’s enduring influence, his distinctive blend of humor and social commentary, and his commitment to free expression and common decency.

Highlights:

• NIGHT OF VONNEGUT WITH JORDAN KLEPPER
  Saturday, November 7 at 7 pm
  Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer, producer, and The Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper will receive the 2026 Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award during KVML’s signature fundraising gala. The award recognized individuals whose wit, satire, and storytelling reflect Vonnegut’s spirit and the role of humor in confronting difficult subjects.
• 15TH ANNUAL SO IT GOES JOURNAL RELEASE PARTY
  Sunday, November 8 at 1 pm
  Celebrate the release of the latest issue of KVML’s annual journal, which continues the museum’s work of sharing writing and ideas inspired by Vonnegut’s legacy.
• BOYS, JUST BOYS: BIOGRAPHY OF A WWII INFANTRY REGIMENT BOOK DISCUSSION
  Sunday, November 8 at 2:30 pm
  Author Brian Welke will discuss his book examining the World War II infantry regiment in which Vonnegut served, offering attendees an opportunity to explore this chapter of the author’s life and experiences.
• CRISTIANA PEGORARO PERFORMS ROMANZA: ITALIAN LOVE, AMERICAN DREAM
  Sunday, November 8 at 6 pm at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202
  Internationally acclaimed pianist, composer, and storyteller Cristiana Pegoraro brings an intimate musical journey to the Indiana Landmarks Center. Honoring America250 and KVML’s Year of Love, the performance blends Italian opera, classical masterpieces and beloved American melodies through Pegoraro’s virtuosic piano transcriptions.
• ALREADY LOVEABLE: A YIN YOGA PRACTICE OF SELF ACCEPTANCE
  Tuesday, November 10 at 4 pm
  Led by KVML Founder and CEO Julia Whitehead, this wellness program invites participants to explore self-acceptance through a Yin Yoga practice.
• LOVEABILITY BOOK DISCUSSION
  Tuesday, November 10 at 5:30 pm
  CEO Julia Whitehead will lead a discussion of Robert Holden’s book Loveability, exploring themes of love, self-acceptance and personal growth in connection with KVML’s Year of Love.
• TRALFAMADORE: SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE GRAND OPENING
  Wednesday, November 11 at 10 am
  Created through a partnership between KVML and Purdue University’s EPICS program, the new exhibit transforms the fictional world of Tralfamadore into a walk-through experience blending literature, art, and engineering. Visitors will explore themes of time, memory, and moral imagination inspired by Vonnegut’s acclaimed novel.
• KURT VONNEGUT YOUTH WRITING PROGRAM
  Wednesday, November 11 at 11 am
  The festival also features a youth-focused writing program at the Student Salon designed to encourage young writers to develop their voices, share their ideas and engage with the power of storytelling.