February 5
February’s “Fire & Ice” themed First Fridays will have live ice carvings (with some featuring a fire element), fire dancers, and a fireworks show! Plus warm up at downtown fireplaces located at Chicory Cafe, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, and Fiddler’s Hearth, and fire pits at Howard Park, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, and Studebaker Plaza.
Also enjoy live music, fiery and icy food & drink specials, and much more! Check out all the details below.
NOTE - For the safety of all attendees, guests are asked to maintain social distancing and to wear masks in areas where adequate social distancing is not possible.
FREE PARKING
Parking (on-street and in DTSB-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends. For full details on downtown parking options, click here.
Entertainment & Activities
Fireworks & Ice Carvings
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In keeping with the Fire & Ice theme of this month’s First Fridays, we will have ten 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 9:30 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 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 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at various downtown locations including:
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Studebaker Plaza
The ice carvings are sponsored by the establishments listed above plus Downtown South Bend. Click here for a downloadable map of this year's ice carving locations!
Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition
Noon to 5:00 p.m.
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition returns to the South Bend Museum of Art on February 5th and runs through March 13th. Due to COVID-19, the annual Meet Me in the Gallery event to mark the show's opening will not be taking place, but the public is encouraged to visit the exhibition during regular museum hours, Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, located in the Warner and Jerome J. Crowley Community Galleries, showcases the talent of the region’s award-winning middle and high school artists. Suggested Donation: Adults $5, under age 12 free. (SBMA & WVPE members admitted free.)
A virtual awards ceremony will take place Sunday, February 7th at noon on the South Bend Museum of Art's website and Facebook page, as well as a virtual tour of the exhibition.
Fire Dancing Performance at Studebaker Plaza
7:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Enjoy a free 20-minute fire dancing performance by Crimson Pulse Fire + Flow at 7:00 p.m.
Live Music at Studebaker Plaza
5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a Calloused Acoustic Performance at Studebaker Plaza from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
11:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
219 S. St. Louis Blvd.
Howard Park’s 16,000 square foot ice trail and pond is a premier winter destination for the South Bend region. The ice trail features rolling hills and soft curves that provide skaters with a diverse terrain when making their way around the loop. Plus, Fridays through February are DJ Skate Nights from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Due to COVID-19, reservations are required for ice skating, whether you bring your own skates or rent them. Click here for more details and to reserve your spot.
Transforming South Bend: First Fridays Innovation Conversations
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For the past four years, the Center for a Sustainable Future has held a series of 8-12 weeks of individual talks in the Sustainability & Innovation Series. They are now being held on the First Fridays of each month, a perfect tie-in to DTSB First Fridays activities and great fuel for First Fridays conversations!
Throughout the 2020-2021 academic year, the Center will showcase incredible local sustainability and innovation leaders to share how and why they are working to transform South Bend and the greater region into an innovative and sustainable place.
The theme of the talks is “Seeing Systems,” which invites speakers to make and share connections between social justice, sustainability, community building, peace building efforts, and more.
Join in on First Friday Innovation Conversations each First Friday from noon to 12:30 p.m. Listen in and share comments and questions on YouTube to join the conversations every first Friday at noon from wherever you are that day!
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February 5 “The Ways We Use Urban Landscapes” by Dr. Deb Marr, IU South Bend
Specials on Retail & Services
Vintage Valentine Sales from South Bend Civic Theatre
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
The South Bend Civic Theatre will be selling vintage Valentine's Day postcards this First Fridays in Studebaker Plaza. Proceeds will support the Civic Theatre. You can also order online by clicking here. The postcard sales are also tied to their upcoming live-stream play, Postcards.
25% off Romance Novels at Idle Hours Bookshop
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
212 S. Michigan St.
Idle Hours Bookshop will feature 25% off romance novels this First Fridays to get you in the Valentine's Day spirit!
Friends of the Library Book Sale
12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
333 S. Michigan St.
The Friends of the Library Book Sale is back open! Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. To protect the community, the following safety measures will be in place:
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Masks will be required.
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Capacity is limited to ten people at a time, and their time will be limited to 30 minutes.
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Be prepared to wait outside.
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Hand sanitizer and wipes will be available to clean carts and baskets.
Food & Drink Specials
Valentine's Prix Fixe Menu at Woochi
February 5th through February 14th
119 N. Michigan St.
Woochi will be featuring a special prix fixe menu for Valentine's Day, which will become available this First Fridays, February 5th, through February 14th. This multi-course set menu includes soup, salad, sushi, Japanese & South Asian entrées, desserts, and optional Champagne. View the menu by clicking here.
Approximately 10% of the profit from the menu will be donated to Beacon Children's Hospital. Additionally, guests will receive a homemade surprise gift.
Upland Naked Barrel Hard Seltzer Release Party at Ironhand
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
1025 Northside Blvd.
Transport yourself to warmer weather with the Upland Naked Barrel Hard Seltzer Release Party at Ironhand Wine Bar! They will be featuring Cherry Lime, Grapefruit Hibiscus & Tangerine, as well as some tropical themed wine cocktails.
In addition to providing an all-natural flavor, fresh fruit creates a colorful, vibrant appearance to the final product.
The foundation of the effervescent beverage is a unique blend of naturally fermented hard seltzer with oak-aged wild ale.
Fiery Food at Fatbird
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
103 W. Colfax Ave.
Fatbird - one of downtown South Bend's newest eateries - will be featuring their Nashville Hot Sandwich, as well as their Ranch Water cocktail of Topo Chico and tequila.
Outdoor Winter Dining in Downtown
Outdoor dining has been extremely popular this year as it provides a much safer experience to reduce the spread of COVID-19 transmission. Many of our downtown restaurants are extending their outdoor dining season and providing fun and creative solutions to staying warm while dining outdoors in the winter. Click here to view our blog post listing the various forms of outdoor dining available in downtown South Bend.
Plus...
123 N. St. Joseph St.
Buy one appetizer, get one 50% off.
713 E. Jefferson Blvd.
$4 pints every First Fridays; also featuring a First Saturdays special each month: any large 2 topping pizza, an order of breadsticks, and a pitcher of pop (or a 2 liter on carry out orders) for only $22 plus tax.
131 S. Michigan St.
Get one 14″ 1-topping pizza for $12
428 Lincoln Way West
Get an 18" 2-topping pizza, garlic cheese bread, and a 2 liter of soda for just $24
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
$1 cookies (while supplies last), and 16 oz. Hurricanes for $6
123 S. Michigan St.
50% off a box of dipped fruit (pick-up)
602 Lincoln Way East
20% off for new guests and 10% off all retail
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music, 20% off bottles of Henri
216 S. Michigan St.
New seasonal beer release
122 S. Michigan St.
2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo
Tippecanoe Place/Sudebaker Grill
620 W. Washington St.
1/2 price appetizers In the Studebaker Lounge
122 S. Michigan St.
50% off the entire store
111 N. Main St.
$5 IPA beer special
SPONSORS
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