
Kid's Night Out

About
Join us for the June First Fridays, where the theme will be "Kids' Night Out." We will have something for kids of all ages! We will be closing the 100 & 200 blocks of S. Michigan for a block party with dining in the street, face painters, balloon artist, caricaturist, vendors, a Studebaker Car Show, and the fourth annual DTSB Youth Talent Show!
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The Gridiron Kids' Fun Zone will be filled with activities for kids, St. Joe County Public Library will be hosting the Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party in their courtyard, SBMA will have kids' activities along with their Summer Opening Reception, South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a free Bike Valet at Key Bank Plaza, plus Architectural Walking Tours, Howard Park Concert Series, Movies at the Morris, Kids' Karaoke Party, food and drink specials for kids, 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!
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

Gridiron Kid's Fun Zone
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A family fun night filled with physical activity, games, and more! This event is FREE and open to everyone. Activities will include an inflatable soccer dart game, soccer activities, a giant parachute, and more!
First Fridays Block Party
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB will be bringing back the Michigan Street First Fridays Block Party for a 6th year, and closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan Street (between Jefferson & Wayne) for vendors, entertainment, outdoor dining, and more! These First Fridays block parties take place May through September and are open to visitors of all ages.
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery or from one of our food vendors and head to the block party where we will have a seating area in the street with beer and cocktails (hurricanes and white sangria) from Chicory, vendors, and free entertainment.
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Entertainment includes:
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5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Live Music by Brian Mach
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Live Music by the Van Dyke Revue
7:00 p.m. 7:10 p.m. - Dance Performance by Melanin Elite
7:10 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Youth Talent Show
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Live Music by Van Dyke Revue​
Disney Meet & Greets at Princess Plaza
Key Bank Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
We’re turning Key Bank Plaza (the one with the I Heart SB Statue) into Princess Plaza this First Fridays! Come visit withTiana, Rapunzel, Elsa, and Moana from Olivia Grace & Company!
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From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., meet your favorite Disney princesses for photos, autographs, and magical memories—plus:
-A beautifully decorated photo-op space
-A free picture frame craft station
-On-site photo printing to take home a keepsake
Whether you're 3 or 33 (we see you Disney adults), this experience is free, fabulous, and for everyone!
Studebaker Car Show
200 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have dozens of their cars on display this First Fridays on the 200 block of S. Michigan Street from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
122 S. Michigan St.
6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Magician Kevin Wilson from Abracadabra Magic will be performing a free magic show at 6:30 p.m. at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe, where they will also have hula hoops and sidewalk chalk out front. They will also be featuring the following food/drink specials:
$5 kids' meals
$4 kids' ice cream
$3 hot chocolate
2/$20 crunch/pretzels
Howard Park
6:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m.
VPA will be hosting free concerts in Howard Park this summer on First Fridays May through September. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket and carryout from a downtown eatery for a picnic in the park set to music! The June 6 band will be DreamTeam Live.
Opening Receptions 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 this First Fridays for an opening receptions for their two new receptions - City in a Garden and Irrepressible: A Pride Exhibition! Plus, catch their spring shows, Dustin Philipson: The Plinth Degree and Ramiro Rodriguez: Linaje a Línea (Lineage to Line), before they close!
Headliner James Fisher Jr. at The Drop
435 S. Michigan St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Rocki Button and features amazing comedy shows every weekend! This First Fridays they will have headliner James Fisher Jr. featuring Greg Winston
DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the First Fridays show.
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Jon Hunt Plaza
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Fridays by Fountain is a free outdoor lunchtime concert series, which takes place between the months of June, July, and August, with a variety of music from local blues, jazz, rock, folk, and country bands. Food vendors are available, offering a variety of lunchtime favorites or you may choose to bring your own.
This year Fridays by the Fountain is hitting the road and will visit Leeper Park in June, Howard Park in July, and Seitz Park in August. The June 6 concert will feature High Life.
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100 block of S. Michigan St.
7:10 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Downtown South Bend (DTSB) is hosting the Fourth Annual Youth Talent Show on the stage in the middle of the 100 S. Michigan St. Block Party as part of their June First Fridays: Kids' Night Out. Anyone under the age of 21 is invited to take part, and there are no participation fees, no judging - just fun! The public is invited to enjoy the performances, and a seating area will be available.
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Participants will be allowed up to 3 minutes on stage to perform in one of the following categories: Vocal, Instrumental, Dance, Tumbling, Clogging, or Novelty/Miscellaneous. Participants can register online at this link.
Walk-ups will be permitted if there is still space available.
201 S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Kids are invited to belt out their favorite tunes at the Kid's Karaoke Party with DJ Chris in Studebaker Plaza from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
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The Spotlight Performers will be doing a baton twirling performance directly following, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Library Courtyard and 300 block of S. Michigan St.
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party is expanding this year, and will be taking over the 300 block of S. Michigan Street in addition to the courtyard at Main Library! Come enjoy food, fun, and browse their selection of hundreds of titles to pick from as a free gift for signing up for Summer Reading Club.
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4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Interactive Drum Circle with The Music Village
5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - DJ Gino J
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. - IUSB Kick and Tap Line
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - DJ Gino J
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Los Hermanos Bueno
302 W. Washington 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. ​Tour guide Steve Szaday will lead the evening tours.
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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.
Shrimp Boil, Live Music, Printmaking, Food & Drink Specials at Chicory
103 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will be getting in on the Kids' Night Out fun with Giant Jenga, bubbles, board games, and a chance to make your very own original print with the South Bend Museum of Art!
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They will also be having one of their famous Shrimp Boils, live music by Buddy Pearson from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., free beignets with purchase from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and $5 Hurricane and Blue Long Island specials!
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The Shrimp Boil will take place 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Each $20 entree will include Gulf shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, Andouille sausage, and garlic butter. Available while supplies last. Preorders encouraged but not required, and can be made by calling 574-234-1141.
Swing Dancing in Studebaker Plaza
201 S. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
We are excited to host Vintage Swing South Bend for our first ever First Fridays Swing Dance! They will have a lesson at 7:00 p.m. with open dancing to follow from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dance under the stars and try something new! Cost is just $5 for the lesson and dance (cash or Venmo/Paypal only), and no partner or experience is required.
214 S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be performing under the State Theater Marquee from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Transpo Summer Travel Bus
Studebaker plaza
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Stop by Studebaker Plaza this First Fridays to learn about the Transpo Summer Travel Program, which provides free travel for all K-12 students the months of June, July & August. They will have one of their CNG buses parked by Studebaker Plaza.
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.

122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
South Bend Chocolate Cafe will have their cotton candy, popcorn, candy, pop, and water for sale outside their storefront, plus $3 kids' ice cream, $5 kids' meals, $3 lattes, $10 BBQ chicken melt with a side, and their regular First Fridays special of 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
439 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Highland Gallery will be celebrating their one-year anniversary this First Fridays with snacks & refreshments, pop-up artists Laura Sanders and Haley Crowley, and will be offering 10% off all pots!
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. 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!
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions

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.
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every First Fridays!