Fall in Love with Downtown
October 4, 2024
2023 info appears below. 2024 info coming soon!
Downtown South Bend will be embracing the season this First Fridays with a Fall Frolic!
About
Downtown South Bend will be celebrating both fall and its love of downtown with this "'Fall' in Love with Downtown" theme, closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan Street for an Oktoberfest Block Party with live polka music by Will Smaka's Music Connection, German food from Weiss' Gasthaus, a beer garden, a fall photo op, vendors, and more!
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Over the Edge will be back downtown for its sixth year of raising funds for Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County, and there will be a block party on Jefferson Street to watch participants rappel off the Robertson's Building.​
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Pumpkin Palooza is back at South Bend Chocolate Cafe, we will have an EV Car display, the Yeah, Totally Vintage Market on the Gridiron, a Nosferatu film screening with a live score, and much more is in store! Check out full 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.
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ROAD CLOSURES
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South Michigan Street will be closed between Washington and Jefferson from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Jefferson will be closed from the Leighton Parking Garage entrance to Michigan Street from 1:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Entertainment and Activities
Over the Edge
Studebaker Plaza
2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Over the Edge is a fundraiser for Youth Service Bureau in which amazing people sign up to raise $1,000 or more to help homeless youth in our community. Each participant who reaches this goal will have the opportunity to rappel down the side of the Robertson's Building this first Fridays. Click here to donate.
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Come out and watch these fearless philanthropists scale down the building. A physically-distanced viewing area will be set up on Jefferson between the Leighton Parking Garage entrance and Michigan Street by Studebaker Plaza with a beer garden provided by South Bend Brew Werks.
Oktoberfest Block Party on Michigan Street
100 Block of South Michigan S.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB will be repeating the Michigan Street Block Party and closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan Street for an Oktoberfest Block Party!
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery and head to the 100 block of S. Michigan St. (between Washington and Jefferson) where we will have a seating area in the street with beer from Chicory, German food from Weiss' Gasthaus, vendors, Studebaker cars, a free polka concert by Will Smaka's Music Connection from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and more! The seating areas will be open to people of all ages.
Pumpkin Palooza at South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The first 200 visitors to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe this First Fridays will receive a free pumpkin to carve, with a donation to a local family in need, such as household items, cold weather items, or monetary donations. Carving tools and table space will be available. 50 small pumpkins will also be available for the younger kids to decorate.
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Carved pumpkins can be taken home, or left to be displayed on Michigan Street that evening as luminaries, and will be available to take home after that. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special: 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Stop by the DTSB info booth for a free fall craft and contest.
DTSB Fall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with a mum wall, pumpkins, and hay bales, right outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan. The photo area will remain up for the month of October. Take some fun photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun. Special thanks to Matthys Farm Market for helping supply the fall items!
100 Block of South Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on Michigan Street from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
435 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Head to the Rocki Button this First Fridays for an evening of art, music, food & craft beer!
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Jeff Nawrocki will be displaying all new art as well as designing the collaborative glass release between The Rocki Button & Hoplore Brewing. This will be the 6th Collaborative glass release Nawrocki has done.
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Hoplore Brewing will be in the flesh, pouring up brews, including a special brew made exclusive for the night, called "Aliens in the Basement." A Bite With Mee, will also be in the building serving up some Mexican/Korean styled flavor! And Dj Shardik & Dj Que will be serving up some hits on the 1's and 2's.
812 E. Jefferson Blvd.
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Calvin D. Johnson State Farm Insurance Agency will host their 35th anniversary/community appreciation tailgate from noon to 7:00 p.m. There will be a ribbon cutting, vendors, free food, games, a D.J., dancing, and the community is invited.
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 October 6. 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 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.
Th Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We are totally excited for to collaborate with Yeah, Totally to host them on the Gridiron for a vintage market this First Fridays. There will be over 25 vintage vendors plus DJ Chuck Fry spinning hits in the center of the Gridiron.
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join the South Bend Office of Sustainability, Michiana Area Council of Governments, and Drive Clean Indiana as they host an Electric Vehicle Display at the Gridiron for National Drive Electric Week!
Get behind the wheel and experience an electric vehicle first hand! Hear from electric vehicle drivers about their experience. Learn what electric vehicles are available locally (both new and used), how and where to find electric vehicle charging stations, what purchasing incentives are available, and more!
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Electric vehicle owners are welcome & encouraged to bring their electric vehicles to the event! Test drives may be available from dealerships, pending availability. Learn more at this link.
Studebaker Plaza
8:15 p.m. to 10:15 pm.
Start your Spooky Season right this First Fridays as The Music Village, in partnership with the University of Notre Dame's Browning Cinema and DTSB, Inc., present the 1922 silent classic, "Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror"—with a live, hard rock film-score by Kevin Joiner, Vincenzo Carrasco, & Jason Richmond.
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The event begins at 8:15 p.m. as special guest Matt Kirkland, creator of the Dracula Daily Substack newsletter, gives an introductory talk before the film. He'll also be signing copies of his new Dracula Daily book.
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Highlights include a Vampire Costume Contest (prizes for best Vampire, Victim, Familiar, Hunter, and Best Overall), a raffle for original horror art prints by Alan Hughes, and seasonal beer from South Bend Brew Werks!
Michigan St., Gridiron, Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The following vendors/organizations will be at the October First Fridays:
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Amy Feil
The Arty People
Cathy Bingham
Clay Church
Denson's Specialties
HardNorth & Company
Healthy U Rx
Heavenly Sent Sea Moss
Homes for Tracy, INC
IU South Bend Office of Admissions
Joyería Nice&Bella by Elena Barriga
Kolours Designed For Divas, LLC
Michiana Face painting
Mixxture Company
Neighborhood Cup Dealers
PetsConnect! Inc
Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Rescue Release Repeat
Salon Nouveau
Seek Joy Travel LLC
SJCPL
Salvation Army Kroc Center
United Way of St. Joseph County
ZULA and Co
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What are the innovative forms, ideas, and themes happening right now in artistic creation in the Midwest? The South Bend Museum of Art’s Biennial 32 will present contemporary artwork in all media. Biennial 32 will feature 10 exciting and groundbreaking artists: Juan Correa, José Santiago Perez, Jenie Gao, Lisa Marie Barber, Sophia Brueckner, Anna Campbell, Tatsuki Hakoyama, Jeffrey Augustine Songco, Emily Leglietner and Cathy Jacobs.
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Come celebrate these innovative artists. Mix and mingle with attending artists and your creative community.
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fall has begun and it's time to think about winding down. A great time for self care! Stop by A Healing Oasis and see what the practitioners have to share!
Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - The Kroc Center! They will be at our First Fridays Block Party with a Scary Sticker Station - paper pumpkins, stickers, crayons, and markers for you to create your own fall craft!
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!)
217 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Get into the seasonal spirit during the special First Fridays class !
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Remember the Poltergeist Tree? This one is much nicer, and will be a statement piece in your home decor!
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13" tall and 10" wide, it's just as big as The Pigeon & The Hen's famous Vintage Light-Up Christmas Trees. A truly unique and brand new light up!
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They will teach you how to paint it with specialty glazes and techniques! $88 per tree Includes specialty glazes, materials, and firing, and will be ready to light up in 2-3 weeks!
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Registration is required as space is limited. Register by October 5 at this link.
50% off October Specialty Drinks at St. Joe Coffee Co.
305 S. Michigan St.
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The St. Joe Coffee Company – located in the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Main Branch (the entrance at Wayne and Michigan) – will be featuring 50% off their October specialty drink this First Fridays: the "Sweet Treat" - pumpkin pie syrup and white chocolate sauce with spooky sprinkles.
October First Fridays Food Vendors
Michigan St., Gridiron, Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
AngLes on Wheels
Dena’s Kitchen & Catering LLC
Dixon's Specialty Popcorn
El llanito #2
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Jetta’s sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
Keys kitchen
Ko-s port-a-pit
L’s BBQ
New Creation Praise and Worship Center
Sprinkle Express
Tony’s Kitchen
Weiss' Gasthaus German Restaurant
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Fall into Autumn at Chicory Cafe with their special fall drink selections - Great Pumpkin Chai, Sugar & Spice Latte, Caramel Apple Cider, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Iced Coffee with Pumpkin Cold Foam. Also enjoy their usual First Fridays specials - 16 oz. Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands for $5​.
101 N. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Cafe Navarre will be featuring their fall drink Perennials with rum, simple syrup, lemon juice, and apple cider.
713 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Barnaby's will be featuring $4 pints of Oktoberfest craft beer this First Fridays.
Specials on Retail and Dining
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
Courtyard by Marriott Bistro
121 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
15% off full bill at the bistro First Fridays, including both food and drinks.
SPONSORS
