Game On!
Friday, April 5, 2024
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About
Downtown South Bend is celebrating sports and games this First Fridays with a "Game On!" theme. Enjoy free Behind the Scenes Tours at Four Winds Field in advance of their April 9 opening day, Pickleball beginner lessons and open play on Michigan Street, drop-in games on the Gridiron like badminton, cornhole, and more, plus drop-in board games at The Music Village and Chicory!
Our First Fridays block parties will be returning for the season in April, with live music, food and retail vendors plus Studebaker cars. And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more.
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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
FIRST FRIDAYS ROAD CLOSURES
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The 100 & 200 Blocks of S. Michigan St. (from Washington to Wayne) will be closed from Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for pickleball and the First Fridays Block Party.
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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.
Entertainment and Activities
Drop-in Games on the Gridiron
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Game Night at The Cat Lady Cafe
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Join The Cat Lady Cafe for a Game Night! Reserve your spot in the cat lounge to enjoy games with the cats! The cafe space is also open with a ton of cat-themed games as well as classics like Connect 4, UNO and lots of puzzles, too!
Guided Architectural Walking Tours of Downtown
101 N. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend landmark buildings, exploring their history and present day use.
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​This April edition is a special collaboration with the First Presbyterian Church of South Bend as part of its Living Matthew 25 series!
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The tours cover over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend. Tours are $10 per person (cash only) with reservations requested for each tour. Reservations can be made online here or by calling Downtown South Bend at 574-282-1110. Tours start at the American Trust Company clock, located at the corner of Washington St. and Michigan St., in front of Cafe Navarre.
Special Dinner Hours at PEGGS and Early Bird Eatery
various
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Downtown restaurants will be welcoming parents of admitted Notre Dame students this First Fridays as part of "The Rally" - an immersive experience introducing admitted ND students and their parents to Notre Dame and the community. As part of this special event, PEGGS and Early Bird Eatery will be open for dinner hours. Check out more info on The Rally and the participating Downtown Dining Association restaurants by clicking here.
Scholastic Show at South Bend Museum of Art
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the South Bend Museum of Art on First Fridays for extended hours and free admission! This month they will be featuring the 2025 Scholastics Art Awards Exhibition which will be on display through April 13.
Ultimate Frisbee on the Gridiron
211 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In 2023 we focused on soccer for our Game On First Fridays, and last year we did pickleball. This year we are highlighting Ultimate Frisbee, and partnering with South Bend Ultimate for intro lessons, demos, and exhibitions/open play on the Gridiron. Drop in between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and learn all about this fun sport! Notre Dame Ultimate Frisbee players will also be out to assist, teach, and play.
South Bend Ultimate (SBU) is a registered non-profit corporation looking to promote community building activities throughout the South Bend area through the vehicle of Ultimate Frisbee! They have been around for 29 years and have leagues and pickup games. Click here for more information.
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes to the event.
Board Games, Live Music, and Crab & Shrimp Boil at Chicory
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will have Giant Jenga, Checkers, Giant Uno, Connect 4 and other board games out as well as live music by Shiny Shiny Black from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free Beignets w/ purchase from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Chicory will also be having another one of their famous Crab & Shrimp Feasts for Two Carry-Out. Preorder is required. Each dinner will include a pound of snow crab, twelve gulf shrimp, four pieces of Andouille sausage, two pieces of corn on the cob, eight seasoned potatoes, garlic butter, and a crab shell cracker tool for $59.99 per order. The food will be hot on pick up, or you choose to get this meal cold and steam it yourself (they will provide instructions). Pre-order by 10:00 a.m. April 4.
Bunbury Gallery Open House
300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We welcome our newest First Fridays participant – Bunbury Gallery – located in the historic St. Joseph Station and featuring a mixture of regional, national and international artists. You’re encouraged to checkout this new addition to the downtown arts scene this First Fridays!
Broadway Musical Chicago at The Morris
211 N. Michigan St.
7:30 p.m.
Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show-stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.
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Broadway’s longest-running musical has been razzle dazzling audiences for 27 years, and after more than 10,000 performances, 6 Tony Awards®, 2 Olivier Awards, and a Grammy®, they’re just getting started.
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Catch Chicago at the Morris Performing Arts Center April 4-6.
Retail and Dining Specials
NOTE: First Fridays drink specials are available for anyone 21+ throughout the day on First Fridays, for the operating hours of participating businesses.
127 N. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Fiddler's Hearth- the Pickleball Social Headquarters - will be providing 10% off (excluding alcohol) this First Fridays for all pickleballers!
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory will be offering free beignets with purchase from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. plus $5 Hurricanes, $5 Blue Raspberry Long Islands, and $7 Hot Adult Coffee Drinks all day!
121 S. Niles Ave.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Perry Vine - located inside the Emporium Building - will be doing tastings this First Fridays, with one free tasting per customer. Additional tastings are $1.50. If you plan to buy a glass you’re welcomed to BYOM (bring your own meal) 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!
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
