Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Shipshewana concert and show tickets?

  • Use Official Blue Gate Box Office Only!
  • Tickets to all Blue Gate's Shipshewana performances are available exclusively through Blue Gate Theatre’s Box Office or online at www.thebluegate.com, which is hosted through a certified ticketing platform called Center Stage Ticketing. When buying tickets online, Ticket Scalpers purchase tickets the same way that you can purchase them yourself, and then they generally charge exorbitant mark ups. Buying from Ticket brokers or the secondary market does not necessarily give you better seating or a better deal, even when they’re following federal regulations.
  • In addition to paying much more than necessary, if there is a problem with your order (such as counterfeit tickets or lack of ticket arrival), and you purchased tickets from any site other than www.thebluegate.com, Blue Gate Theatre cannot help you. Furthermore, in the event of show time changes, cancellations, etc., BGT will not be able to notify you of any important show-related items that may occur. If you have questions about purchasing tickets please call the BGT Box Office at 1-260-768-4725.

Notice to Guests

  • Blue Gate Theatre venues are all NON SMOKING facilities.
  • For security purposes, patrons will not be permitted to leave and re-enter the venue without a valid show ticket.
  • No outside food or beverages allowed in our venues. Concessions are available.
  • No backpacks, large totes or duffel bags of any sort are allowed in our venues.
  • For safety and efficiency, we recommend entering without a purse or bag at both of our venues. If essential items are needed, we encourage guests to bring them in a small, clear purse. All non-clear purses will be searched, and this will be enforced upon entry at our Performing Arts Center.
    • Exemption being medical/prescription bags, affixed bags on wheelchairs and/or scooters, and diapers bags for small children, which will still be subject to search prior to entry.
    • All bags, purses or prohibited items found that do not meet our standards will have to be discarded or returned to your vehicle and you will lose your place in line. We are not responsible for holding them for you until the end of the show.
    • In any case, all belongings are always subject to search by staff or security if deemed necessary.
  • In case of emergency, follow instructions from staff or emergency personnel
  • Thank you for your patience when exiting our parking lot. As a reminder, please be respectful and follow the directions of our parking lot staff when leaving the property

Guest Code of Conduct

The Blue Gate Theatre is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable entertainment experience for all of our patrons. Guests have a right to expect an environment where:

  • Guests will be treated in a consistent, professional, and courteous manner by all Theatre personnel.
  • Guests will assist in creating a safe and enjoyable environment by reporting inappropriate behavior to an Usher, Security Officer, or Venue Manager.
  • Guests will comply with requests from venue staff and security regarding facility operations and emergency response procedures.
  • Guests will sit only in their ticketed seats and show their tickets when requested.
  • Guests will consume alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner and in compliance with the law.
  • Guests who engage in fighting, throwing objects, using foul/abusive language or gestures, attempting to enter restricted areas or engaging in other behavior detrimental to the experience of other guests will be immediately ejected from the venue.
  • Guests will not interfere with the event or performers in any way.
  • Guests will not smoke/vape anywhere inside the Theatre at any time.
  • Guests will wear a shirt, shoes, and lower garments at all times.
  • Guests will be considerate and respectful of others, including staff and fellow guests.

    • Your ticket is a revocable license exclusively valid for the event listed on the ticket and is additionally subject to full terms and conditions found here:[Refund Policy] and additional terms that are listed on our FAQ page. Theatre Management reserves the right to revoke this license without refund for non-compliance with any of our Theatre terms and policies, as determined in the sole discretion of Theatre personnel.
    Theatre staff may intervene where necessary to help ensure that the above expectations are met, and guests are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest usher, security guard, or staff member. Guests who choose not to adhere to these provisions may be subject to ejection without refund and, to the extent their conduct constitutes a violation of the law, may be subject to arrest and prosecution.

Prohibited Items

  • Outside Food, Candy and Beverage - including alcohol
  • Weapons - guns, knives, pepper spray, mace, projectiles of any kind, or any other item that could be used to inflict harm
  • Replicas of any type of weapon are NOT permitted
  • Flammable liquids
  • Drugs or drug paraphernalia, no illegal substances of any kind
  • Tobacco products, including vapes
  • Fireworks, pyrotechnics, flares, or incendiary devices
  • Over-sized purses (exceeds 14”Hx14”W), tote bags and duffel bags
  • Backpacks
  • Laser pointers
  • Professional cameras, audio or video recording devices/equipment – including detachable lenses, tripods, zooms, or commercial use rigs
  • Glass
  • Air horns
  • Banners, posters, signs, flags
  • Gifts
  • Noisemakers
  • Laptops/Tablets/iPads
  • Pets, including comfort or emotional support animals - (service dogs exempt and screened)

Guests with prohibited articles will be turned away at the entrances to return items to their vehicle or to dispose of them. No storage or “check-in area” will be provided. Unattended items left outside venue doors will be discarded to ensure guest safety.
*This list is not all-inclusive and may change or be updated at any time without notice at the discretion of venue management. Venue management reserves the right to deny any item it deems to be a safety hazard or distraction for guests.
BGT takes the safety of all our guests, volunteers, staff, and artists very seriously. Many of our fellow performing arts centers across the U.S. have also instituted these practices. Additionally, more and more of our artists now require venues to implement enhanced security practices for the protection of their audiences and performers. While BGT respects your Constitutional right to bear arms, we ask that you respect BGT’s right to restrict the presence of weapons on BGT property.


What are the Blue Gate Theatre box office hours?

  • By Phone: Mon-Sat: 10:00am – 7:00pm | 260.768.4725
  • Sunday: Closed
  • ONLINE SALES: 24hrs a day 7 days a week www.TheBlueGate.com

On days where there is an evening show, the box office will remain open until the close of the show.


Do you offer Gift Cards to Shipshewana Concerts?

Yes! Blue Gate Hospitality Gift Cards are the perfect choice for anyone who loves Shipshewana, great food, music and shows.  They can be purchased in any denomination, never expire, and can be used toward any Blue Gate Concert or Musical tickets.  They can also be used in any of our other Riegsecker businesses including the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery, Blue Gate Theatre, Blue Gate Garden Inn, and all the Riegsecker Retail Stores. You can purchase Gift Cards at the box office, over the phone, or online by clicking here.  Gift Cards can be redeemed in person or over the phone.


Do you have Shipshewana Restaurant, Hotel, and Shopping Info?

The Blue Gate can provide you with a complete Shipshewana experience including meals, hotel, and your entertainment. We offer many price discounts and special packages if you do choose to eat and stay with us. As with the Blue Gate Theatre, we work very hard to provide you with the best experience possible in all our businesses.

You can find out more about the Blue Gate Restaurant's Menu by clicking here.

Find out about the newest hotel in Shipshewana the Blue Gate Garden Inn by clicking here.

Find out about the other outstanding Blue Gate Stores here.

There are over 110 stores in Shipshewana, and we're also the home to the Midwest's largest Flea Market. You can found out about many of these businesses as well as upcoming special events online at www.Shipshewana.com.


What is available for those with special needs at the Blue Gate Theatre?

  • For guests who require accessible seating, ADA seats are located for convenient and easy access. If you do require accessible seating, please request it at the time of your purchase.
  • Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired, a small deposit is required when receiving the device but is refunded in full at it's return.
  • Service dogs, as designated and outlined by ADA guidelines and Indiana Law, are permitted and will be screened before allowed entry. Once permitted after screening, handler must have complete control of animal at all times while within our facilities. Service dogs must not be placed in seats or on handler’s lap, as these are working animals, and due to requirements of health and safety regulations. All other animals – pets, emotional support, comfort or therapy animals - are not permitted and Blue Gate reserves the right under the law to exclude them.

What is the Blue Gate Theatre photo/recording policy?

Non-professional, non-flash, still photography is permitted at most events.  However, for some events, at the request of the artist/performer, photography of any type may be prohibited.  On show days, any adjusted policy will be announced at the start of the show.

Video and audio recording devices, flash photography, and professional photography equipment are not permitted without express written consent.  Cell phone cameras are permitted, however, video recording using a cell phone camera or any type of mobile device is prohibited.

The Blue Gate Theatre reserves the right to confiscate any photo or recording device if policies are ignored.  Patrons found possessing professional equipment not expressly authorized will be asked to leave their cameras in their vehicles, or will otherwise be escorted from the venue.  This policy will be strictly enforced and management reserves the right to deny any electronic device at their discretion.


What is the Blue Gate Theatre snow policy?

Blue Gate Original Shows – On the slight chance we do cancel a show due to bad weather, ticket holders will be notified and a message will be posted on our website.  Ticket holders will have the option of exchanging their tickets for another date during the run of that same show.

Signature and Classic Concerts – If the artist/band arrives at the Blue Gate, the show will go on as scheduled and tickets will remain non-refundable and non-exchangeable.  If the artist/band is unable to make it, and we cancel or reschedule the show, ticket holders will be notified and a message will be posted on our website.


Does the Blue Gate have a snack bar, and can I take food into the Theatre?

We have a concession area that includes sodas, coffee and tea, candy, seasonal candy, nuts and dried fruit.  In addition, the bakery also offers homemade cookies and other goodies.  We welcome you to take your snacks with you into the show. We do ask that you only take beverage containers into the theatre that have lids. No outside food or beverage is allowed.


May I stand or dance at a Blue Gate concert?

Standing & Dancing during performance is not discouraged, and is often encouraged not only by us, but by the artists themselves. We, the venue, will not actively interfere with how guests choose to enjoy their concert experience, i.e., by making guests sit down or vice versa. However, we do ask all guests to please be considerate and respectful of others. If you choose to stand or dance for a duration of time while others around you are not, you may be asked to move off to the side, or the back of auditorium. Failure to do so after being warned, could result in removal.

In addition, any violation of house rules, as well as any behavior deemed by staff or security as disruptive, distracting, disrespectful, unruly, crude, or combative may also result in immediate removal.


When are the Shipshewana gift shops open?

Our retail shops are open all year long and individual store hours can be found by clicking here.


How long do Blue Gate shows run?

Our Original Shows typically run 2 hours and 30 minutes, and have an intermission about half way through. Our Signature and Classic concerts last anywhere from 75 minutes to 2 hours or more, depending on the artists preference. These shows occasionally include some type of break or intermission.


What is the Blue Gate Cancellation Policy?

All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. No exceptions.

For Musical Plays, Variety Shows or any other event playing over multiple dates or times, guest will be allowed a one-time transfer option to another date scheduled during the run of that same show, subject to availability. Guest would be responsible to pay any upgrade costs associated with this transfer. This option is not available day of show.

Single date shows and/or concerts are not eligible for this transfer exception.

BGT will only deal with the guest whose name and information are attached to the ticket account, no one else.


What is the Blue Gate Payment Policy?

Payment for tickets is at the point of sale. If a credit card isn't available, customers may call the Box Office and send a check (if it is received at least a week before show), but NO SEATS WILL BE RESERVED until payment has been received.

All sales are final and non-refundable. No exceptions. Blue Gate is not responsible for any duplicate transactions made by guests in error, particularly ticket sales purchased online. When looking for confirmations, be sure to check email spam folders. Should there be any question on whether a ticket sale went through or not, please call our Box Office before attempting to purchase again.


Can I exchange my tickets?

We do not refund tickets or exchange tickets for a different event.

However, if you see seats you prefer that are the same price or higher for your purchased event, call 260.768.4725 to exchange the ones you have and just pay the difference, if any. One exchange per person, per event.

BGT will only deal with the guest whose name and information are attached to the ticket account, no one else.


How do you handle refunds for canceled events?

We'll contact you at the phone number or email you provided and offer several options for the value of your tickets, including all fees (except shipping fees). Options often include upgrades to better seats for similar shows or multiple show tickets. Full refunds are always an option when a show is canceled, and issued to the original payment method, including all fees (except shipping fees). Processing can take up to 10-14 business days.


What do I do if my event is Rescheduled?

We'll contact you by email and/or phone number provided on account with the new date and time ASAP. Can't make it? Refer to the email sent or call us for your refund options. Refunds can only be requested during a 10-day grace period from date of the reschedule notice. After this period, all sales become final as before and normal cancellation policy back in place. Failure to respond to these notices within the 10-day grace period will be considered a confirmation to rescheduled date and sale will become final as before.

Exceptions to the Refund & Exchange Policy include VIP and other premium tickets; resale and auction tickets; tickets purchased with additional items or bundled products and tickets later discounted.


What is your Bad Weather Policy? (In the case of snow)

Blue Gate Original Shows – On the slight chance we do cancel a show due to bad weather, ticket holders will be notified and a message will be posted on our website.  Ticket holders will have the option of exchanging their tickets for another date during the run of that same show.

Signature and Classic Concerts – If the artist/band arrives at the Blue Gate, the show will go on as scheduled and tickets will remain non-refundable and non-exchangeable.  If the artist/band is unable to make it, and we cancel or reschedule the show, ticket holders will be notified and a message will be posted on our website.


I have a Blue Gate dining package, when do I eat?

Both Dinner-Theatre Package holders and walk-in customers are strongly encouraged to arrive to dine no later than 2 hours prior to show time or you may choose to eat after the show if you are attending a matinee. The Blue Gate Restaurant is on a first-come, first-serve basis, even for ticket holders. No reservations or call ahead are accepted. No refunds are given for any unused dining packages. Just save your tickets and use them for dining the next time you visit Shipshewana!

Blue Gate Information

More Shipshewana Info

Blue Gate Hospitality Info