Game On!
Friday, April 3, 2026
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About
Game On, South Bend! 🎲⚾
April First Fridays: Game On! will transform downtown into an interactive playground for all ages, featuring lawn games, Ultimate Frisbee, giant chess, and board games hosted inside local restaurants and businesses. Visitors are encouraged to explore the district and experience a wide variety of activities, retail, and dining throughout the evening.
Two outdoor activity hubs will anchor the event:
The Gridiron: Drop-in games including kicky sticky with Notre Dame women’s soccer players, golf with First Tee, and Ultimate Frisbee, with an introductory session led by South Bend Ultimate
Studebaker Plaza: Cornhole, giant chess, and Connect 4 for casual outdoor competition
In addition, downtown businesses will host board games and interactive experiences, creating opportunities for attendees to engage throughout multiple stops across the district.
Businesses hosting board games:
Chicory Cafe
Fiddlers’ Hearth
Griffon Games
Island Eleven
Ivy Alley
La Esperanza
L Street Kitchen/Punjabi Rasoi
South Bend Chocolate Cafe
DTSB is partnering with South Bend Ultimate to bring an interactive introduction to Ultimate Frisbee to the Gridiron. Open to all skill levels, participants can learn the fundamentals and jump into casual, drop-in gameplay throughout the evening. DTSB is also proud to partner with First Tee Indiana, which will provide hands-on opportunities for youth to learn the fundamentals of golf while building confidence and life skills. Additionally, members of the University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team will be giving pointers on kicking and passing.
Attendees are encouraged to make the most of the evening by creating a game-filled downtown itinerary starting with activities at the Gridiron and local businesses, enjoying dinner at one of our many downtown restaurants, and capping off the night with the South Bend Cubs game and fireworks.
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Enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card to the downtown restaurant of your choice by completing the official Game On! passport.
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FREE PARKING
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Parking (on-street and in City-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends. For full details on downtown parking options, click here.
First Fridays Promotions
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
A Healing Oasis invites you to attend their First Fridays Open House, which is all about you coming to find out what their practitioners have to offer. Healers share their "magic" by offering mini sessions. You will also have a chance to check out their retail space, group events, and what services are at A Healing Oasis.
333 S. Michigan St.
Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music by Lucas Miner and 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc​
121 S. Niles Ave.
Perry Vine - located inside the Emporium Building - will be doing tastings this First Fridays. Enjoy three free 1 oz. tastings, and additional for tastings $1.50. In partnership with Island Fusion guests may buy a meal and a glass and dine in the atrium area adjacent to our store — please note seats are limited. They will also have bottles for sale! Bring back your clean bottles and receive 10% off your next purchase!
218 Sycamore St.
They are located near Fire Arts and are a minority-owned studio that is seeking to build individual and community power through pole dance. They provide quality pole instruction and a welcoming atmosphere for all of their students.
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They will be featuring an Intro to Pole Class every First Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $22. Registration is required and can be done on their website.
WXYZ Bar at Aloft
111 N. Main St.
Buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off; plus monthly Cocktail for a Cause, with $1 from every cocktail sold donated to their featured charity of the month.
Plus Live @ Aloft with DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
Participating Vendors
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Applegate Cookie Co
AT&T
Black Nectar Luxury Candle Co.
BluEnvy
Denson Specialties
Designs By Lan
Edible Arrangements
Froggies Concessions
Girl Scouts
Lets Spoonfy
Little Dream Crochet
Loops By Sandy
Luka Stojanovic
Mariana Publishing
Mary Kay Consultant - Christie Menyard
Maya Beautherapy
Nappy Little Trees
ParisTreatsss
Puerto Vallarta Express food truck
Renewal by Andersen
Rhonda's Tasty Treats
Sippin’ Dirty
Saint Joseph County Public Library
Spooktackular Sips & Sweets / Carbonated Creations
Stitched with Love
Tako Loco & Tokyo
The Indiana Whiskey Co.
Tourquois Serene Escapes
Sponsors
