February 5, 2021
2020 First Fridays information appears below. 2021 information coming soon!
February’s “Fire & Ice” themed First Fridays will have live ice carvings (with some featuring a fire element), fire dancers, marshmallow roasting, and a fireworks show!
Also enjoy amazing Winter Restaurant Week deals, Meet Me in the Gallery at the South Bend Museum of Art, live music, fiery and icy food & drink specials, and much more! Check out all the details below.
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.
FREE TRANSPO SHUTTLE
As always, Transpo will be offering FREE shuttle rides on one of their new CNG buses from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Click here for a map of the new 2020 shuttle route. Transpo shuttle service will pass each stop approximately every 15 minutes.
The shuttle service now has First Fridays Tour Guides! They will tell you all about the different activities and promotions taking place downtown at First Fridays, as well as give general info about the downtown businesses, mixed with historical tidbits and fun facts. Grab a seat on the new First Fridays Transpo Tour, and enjoy the informative ride!
As a special treat, The Music Village Jammers will be performing on the First Fridays shuttle from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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 eight live ice carvings taking place by MICA (Michiana Ice Carvers Artisans), and a special fireworks presentation taking place at 9:00 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from south end of Howard Park (that area will be closed off to pedestrians from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for the setup, display, and removal of the fireworks.The best places for viewing the show will be on the Jefferson Bridge sidewalk, Howard Park, Colfax Bridge sidewalk, and in the Great Hall at the Century Center.
Live ice carvings will be taking place this First Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at various downtown locations including:
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Studebaker Plaza
The ice carvings are sponsored by the establishments listed above plus the Studebaker National Museum, Downtown South Bend, and the Downtown Dining Alliance. Click here for a downloadable map of this year's ice carving locations!
Meet Me in the Gallery
5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Come in from the cold and warm up inside the South Bend Museum of Art at Meet Me in the Gallery, featuring incredible live music by Rhymer/Educator. Be inspired by the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, showcasing the talent of the region’s award-winning middle and high school artists. $5 at the door; children 12 and under free. Members will receive tickets in the mail. Food concessions available and cash bar provided by the Century Center. Presented by SBMA and 88.1 WVPE Public Radio with support from Century Center.
Fire Dancing Performances at Studebaker Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Enjoy free fire dancing performances by WonderFlow Hoop Co. (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and southbend firebenders (6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
219 S. St. Louis Blvd.
Welcome to our newest First Fridays location - Howard Park! Enjoy ice skating at the newly renovated Howard Park Ice Trail & Pond from 5:00 p.m to 10:00 p.m. Plus, Fridays through February are DJ Skate Nights from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more info on Howard Park Ice Skating and other activities there, click here.
Information Night at Therapeutic Indulgence
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
903 E Jefferson Blvd.
Therapeutic Indulgence is opening a Massage Academy! Come stop by Therapeutic Indulgence to see the facility and is offered to those interested in learning message therapy. Class will begin at the end of March.
Laura Whidden at South Bend Chocolate Cafe
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
122 S. Michigan St.
Laura Whidden will be performing a free concert at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special: 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
Randall J. Clark Exhibit at Fire Arts
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
305 E. Colfax Ave.
Fire Arts will be featuring a retrospective exhibit of work by New Carlisle artist Randall J. Clark. His work includes leather sculpture, alabaster, and bronze sculptures.
Kennedy’s Kitchen at Fiddler’s Hearth
9:00 p.m. to midnight
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy free live music at Fiddler’s Hearth by local Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen from 9:00 p.m. to midnight every First Fridays!
Dream Team Live at Vegetable Buddies
10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
129 N. Michigan St.
Dream Team Live will be performing at Vegetable Buddies this First Fridays. 21+, $10 cover.
Specials on Retail & Services
Try It Night at The Pigeon & The Hen
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
217 S. Michigan St.
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will be hosting a Try It Night on the Potters Wheel for this First Fridays.
Attendees will receive step-by-step instructions from the Hen on the Potters Wheel. You will be given a 20-minute session to create something for $20. For an extra $5 your masterpiece can be glazed and fired. Registration is required; please sign up here.
25% Off at Ali on the Boulevard
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
722 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Ali on the Boulevard will be having a 25% off store-wide sale this First Fridays (excluding Ali handmade jewelry.)
Poetry Book Sale at Idle Hours Bookshop
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
212 S. Michigan St.
Idle Hours Bookshop will feature a sale on poetry books (a great Valentine's Day gift!) this First Fridays.
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 in their newly renovated space – with extended hours. Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Food & Drink Specials
Winter Restaurant Week
19 Downtown Restaurants
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. 19 Downtown South Bend restaurants will offer valued-priced menus at $11, $22, or $33 (view menus here.) Approximately 10% of the proceeds from each meal purchased will be donated directly to the Memorial Children’s Hospital.
Enjoy Winter Restaurant Week Fireworks this First Fridays shortly after 9:00 p.m.!
Marshmallow Roasting
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy free marshmallow roasting at the outdoor fire pits located at South Bend Chocolate Cafe, Spirited, and Studebaker Plaza.
Fire & Ice Mixer at The Ivy at Berlin Place
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
415 S. Lafayette Blvd.
The Ivy at Berlin Place will be hosting a Fire & Ice Mixer in their clubhouse this First Fridays, with a hot chocolate bar, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and property tours. Everyone is welcome to come warm up at The Ivy and check out their great new residential space!
Fire & Ice Specials at Cafe Navarre
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
101 N. Michigan St.
Cafe Navarre will be featuring the Mother of Dragons cocktail for the Fire & Ice theme, with tequila, lime, triple sec, and chili liqueur. Enjoy it paired with dueling (East and West Coast) oysters with chili lime snow.
Food and Drink Specials at Linden Grill
5:00 pm to 9:00 p.m.
119 S. Michigan St.
Linden Grill will be featuring an $8 perch dinner with fries and drink, $4 Fireball shots, and additional food and drink specials all day long.
6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
127 S. Michigan St.
Check out the newly renovated space at PEGGS! The bar area, juice bar, and Keli Case is now open until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The dining room will be open for regular hours - from 6:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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 $19.69 plus tax.
122 S. Michigan St.
3 pretzels for $10 (not including sauce).
131 S. Michigan St.
Get one 14″ 1-topping pizza for $12
428 Lincoln Way West
Get one 18" 1-topping pizza for $15
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Live music, $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 & Madeleine
216 S. Michigan St.
New seasonal beer release
122 S. Michigan St.
2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo
620 W. Washington St.
1/2 price appetizers In the Studebaker Lounge
122 S. Michigan St.
50% off the entire store
SPONSORS
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