Fire and Ice
Friday, February 2, 2024
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About
February’s “Fire & Ice” themed First Fridays will have live ice carvings (with some featuring a fire element), fire dancing, and a fireworks show! Plus warm up at downtown fireplaces located at The Cellar, Chicory Cafe, Fiddler's Hearth, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, and W Lounge at Woochi, and fire pits at The Gridiron, Howard Park, LaSalle Grill, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, Studebaker Plaza., and Woochi. A S'mores station will also be located at Studebaker Plaza.
Also, take advantage of value-priced menus at 30 downtown restaurants for Winter Restaurant Weeks. Check out all the details below.
FREE PARKING
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
Fireworks & Ice Carvings
The Gridiron
2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In keeping with the Fire & Ice theme of this month’s First Fridays, we will have live ice carvings taking place by MICA (Michiana Ice Carvers Artisans), and a special fireworks presentation taking place at 8:00 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from south end of Howard Park (that area will be closed off to pedestrians from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the setup, display, and removal of the fireworks. There will be a special choreographed River Lights display to coordinate with the fireworks. Fireworks viewing locations include Howard Park, Wayne Street Garage roof, and the Jefferson Bridge sidewalk, but the best place to watch both the fireworks and the River Lights show will be the Colfax Bridge sidewalk.
Live ice carvings will be taking place this First Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at various downtown locations including Cool Runnings, The Gridiron, Howard Park, Howard Park Public House, LaSalle Grill, Linden Grill, Madison Oyster Bar, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, Studebaker Plaza, and Woochi. Click here for a map of the carving locations.
The ice carvings are sponsored by the establishments hosting carvings, IDEA Week, Downtown South Bend, and the Downtown Dining Association.
111 N. Main St.
7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
La Cage aux Folles follows the story of couple Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction. Farcical adventures ensue when their son brings home his fiancée and future in-laws… including an ultra-conservative politician. La Cage aux Folles runs at South Bend Civic Theatre February 2-11 and has a 7:30 p.m. showtime February First Fridays.
A special First Fridays treat takes place after the February 2 opening night show! The South Bend Civic Theatre and The LGBTQ Center Present Drag Night at La Cage - late night drag in South Bend! The show will feature regional performers Kendyll Harding, Mia Cole, Bentley James, as well as local queens and drag bingo in the beautiful Wilson Auditorium starting at 10:30 p.m.
Bring those dollar bills, because they're bringing the heat on the set of Saint-Tropez! Grab a VIP ticket and enjoy prime seating w/bingo card included. VIP seating is limited!
Proceeds from this event will benefit The LGBTQ Center and The South Bend Civic Theatre.
218 Sycamore St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Soma Pole Studio! 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.
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.
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 two new exhibitions "The Continuation of the Potawatomi Culture" by David Martin & the Performing Media Festival. There will be an artist talk with David Martin at 6:30 p.m.
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Aloft Hotel and features amazing comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night! This First Fridays they will have headliner Jay Hollingsworth, featuring Marc LaVelle. DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night show.
Fire Dancing at Studebaker Plaza
Studebaker Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy free fire dancing performances at Studebaker Plaza by Dana with Wonderflow Hoop and April Sheree with Go Aerial Fitness.
S'mores and Warming Stations
Downtown
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Several warming stations will be located throughout downtown this First Fridays. You can find fire pits at The Gridiron, Howard Park, LaSalle Grill, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, Studebaker Plaza, and Woochi.
Studebaker Plaza's fire pit will also be featuring a S'mores station from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Snowball Fight
The Gridiron
4:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a good old-fashioned snowball fight on the Gridiron (fake snowballs will be used if there is no real snow.)
DTSB Valentine's Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
now through Valentine's Day
DTSB has set up a Valentine's Photo Op outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan St. Use #DTSBLove and share your photos! Special thanks to Ambassador Dan for bringing this beautiful photo op to life!
129 N. Michigan St.
9:30 p.m. to midnight
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Cool Runnings! They serve authentic Jamaican food and drinks with a fun Island vibe atmosphere. They will be featuring Dream Team Live this First Fridays. $10 Cover.
217 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Leave Couples Wheel for the couples and instead celebrate with your BFFs and clay! The clay party will last 1.5 hours class with drinks included! $65 per person includes materials, clay, drinks and treats with instruction and two firings. You'll make 3-4 bowls of various sizes--at least one large and a couple small.
111 N. Main St.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Live @ Aloft in the WXYZ bar will feature 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.
The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause sold donated to their featured charity of the month. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.
321 S. Main St.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Bring out your inner diva at South Bend Brew Werks with karaoke this First Fridays (and every Friday!)
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.
121 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Courtyard by Marriott Bistro will be featuring a Fire & Ice cocktail with blue curacao, grenadine, and lemon juice for $8. The glass will be rimmed and lit on fire! Also enjoy their usual First Fridays special of 15% off full bill at the Bistro, including both food and drinks (excluding Fire & Ice cocktail.)
First Fridays Food Vendors
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
AngLes on Wheels
El llanito #2
Ko-s port-a-pit
30 Downtown Restaurants
January 22 through February 4
Downtown South Bend Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to experience the variety of cuisine downtown South Bend has to offer from Italian to fine dining, New Orleans inspired to Japanese flavors. The menus include breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner options, plus carryout options. 30 Downtown South Bend restaurants will offer valued-priced menus (view menus here.) Approximately 10% of the proceeds from each meal purchased will be donated directly to the Beacon Children’s Hospital.
237 N. Main St.
5:00 p.m.
The Hideaway at the LaSalle will be doing an Indiana Whiskey tasting event this First Fridays at 5:00 p.m. (and an encore event at the same time February 4.) $30 includes food (Hideaway Restaurant Week menu), welcome cocktail and the full tasting of Indiana Whiskey’s current offerings. Reservations are required- call or text 312-671-1237 to reserve your spot.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
