Kurt Vonnegut’s imagination will take center stage in Indianapolis this November as VonnegutFest brings together comedy, literature, music and community conversation. Presented by the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library, the festival runs November 7–11, 2026, celebrating the Indianapolis native’s enduring influence and his commitment to free expression and common decency.
This year’s lineup includes a visit from The Daily Show correspondent Jordan Klepper, the release of KVML’s annual literary journal and the debut of a walk-through exhibit inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five. Programming also explores love and self-acceptance, connecting the museum’s Year of Love theme with opportunities for reflection and creative expression.
The festivities begin Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. with Night of Vonnegut, KVML’s signature fundraising gala. Emmy Award-winning comedian, writer and producer Jordan Klepper will receive the 2026 Kurt Vonnegut Humor Award, which recognizes individuals whose wit, satire and storytelling reflect Vonnegut’s spirit. Klepper’s work confronting difficult subjects through comedy makes the evening a fitting introduction to a festival honoring an author who used humor to challenge readers’ assumptions.
Sunday, November 8, offers a full afternoon and evening of literary and musical programming. At 1 p.m., the museum will celebrate the release of the 15th annual So It Goes Journal, continuing its tradition of sharing writing and ideas inspired by Vonnegut’s legacy.
At 2:30 p.m., author Brian Welke will discuss Boys, Just Boys: Biography of a WWII Infantry Regiment. The book examines the regiment in which Vonnegut served, offering readers a closer look at the wartime experiences that helped shape his life and writing.
That evening, the festival moves to the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, for a 6 p.m. performance by internationally acclaimed pianist, composer and storyteller Cristiana Pegoraro. Her program, Romanza: Italian Love, American Dream, blends Italian opera, classical masterpieces and beloved American melodies through her own piano transcriptions. Honoring America250 and KVML’s Year of Love, the performance adds a musical dimension to the festival’s exploration of creativity and connection.
On Tuesday, November 10, the focus turns inward. KVML Founder and CEO Julia Whitehead will lead Already Loveable: A Yin Yoga Practice of Self Acceptance at 4 p.m., inviting participants to explore self-acceptance through movement and reflection. At 5:30 p.m., she will lead a discussion of Robert Holden’s Loveability, examining themes of love, personal growth and acceptance.
The festival’s final day brings one of its most anticipated additions: the grand opening of Tralfamadore: Slaughterhouse-Five Immersive Experience on Wednesday, November 11, at 10 a.m.
Developed through a partnership between KVML and Purdue University’s EPICS program, the exhibit transforms Vonnegut’s fictional world of Tralfamadore into a walk-through environment. Blending literature, art and engineering, the installation invites visitors to explore ideas about time, memory and moral imagination drawn from the novel.
At 11 a.m., the Kurt Vonnegut Youth Writing Program at the Student Salon will turn attention toward the next generation of storytellers. The program encourages young writers to develop their voices, exchange ideas and discover the possibilities of creative expression.
Together, the events offer several ways to connect with Vonnegut’s legacy—through a comedian’s pointed observations, a conversation about history, an evening at the piano or a step inside one of his fictional worlds.
The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is located at 543 Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis. The Cristiana Pegoraro performance takes place at the Indiana Landmarks Center. For individual event details, tickets and registration, visit the VonnegutFest registration page.
