Backyard BBQ
Friday, July 4 2025
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About
Join us for the July First Fridays, where the theme will be "Backyard BBQ." We are celebrating the simple joys of summer - picnics, BBQ, time outdoors with friends and family, live music, yard games, and more!
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We will be closing the 100 of S. Michigan for our First Fridays Block Party with dining in the street, a free concert by the Phat Tuesday Dixieland Band, vendors and more. Plus the 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-off!
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This year's July First Fridays is extra special, as it falls on the 4th of July and we will be celebrating Independence Day downtown with not just one, but two fireworks shows!
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The South Bend Cubs are at home and will have a show following their game, and VPA will have a full day of family fun at Howard Park followed by a fireworks display!
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Plus, enjoy a free "Salute to Freedom" South Bend Symphony concert at the Morris, a 4th of July photo op, a fireworks craft at the DTSB tent, Latin Dance Party at Studebaker Plaza, Architectural Walking Tours, and 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.
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ROAD CLOSURES
Michigan Street will be closed from Washington to Wayne this First Fridays for the festivities, as well as the area in front of Studebaker Plaza.
Entertainment, Activities, & Dining Specials for July
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 Washington & Jefferson) 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 grab something from one of our food vendors and head to the block party where we will have a seating area in the street, vendors, and free entertainment.
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For the July First Fridays we will have a free concert by the Phat Tuesday Dixieland Band from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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Howard Park
1:00 pm. to 9:45 p.m.
Join VPA at Howard Park for a festive and family-friendly 4th of July Celebration filled with live music, outdoor fun, delicious food, and a spectacular fireworks display.
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In honor of SB160, the first 160 guests will receive a free American flag.
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Event Schedule:
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Free Family Activities - Tie Dye, Crafts, Coloring, & Yard Games. Guests are encouraged to bring their own items to tie dye, but limited, white cotton bags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Concert Series featuring Size Matters
8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Outdoor Movie – Shrek (Sponsored by: Visit South Bend Mishawaka)
Post-Movie: Fireworks Display
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Starting at 6:00 p.m., food vendors from a variety of local food vendors will be available, including Froggies Concessions, Cultural Bites, M.E.X. Snack Cart, and Memo’s Mexican Grill.
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The best location to watch the fireworks show is right at Howard Park, Seitz Park, or Colfax Bridge. It’s recommended to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets to relax and enjoy the show with family and friends.
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Due to a lack of shade at Howard Park, attendees are encouraged to bring tents or umbrellas; however, staking tents into the ground is not allowed.
July First Fridays Vendors
Gridiron and 100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The following vendors and organizations will be at the June First Fridays:
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Angel's Collection
Autumn Rose Designs
BluEnvy
Butcher's Bounty Pet Treats
Cambodian Thai Restaurant
Carbonated Creations
D’Sweet Spot
Dena's Kitchen
Denson Specialties
Devoted Health
Divine Denims by GMB
Dixon's Specialty Popcorn
Dulceria VM LAND Candy shop
El llanito #2
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Froggies Concessions
King of the kettle
Ko-s port-a-pit
L’S BARBEQUE
Loopsbysandy
Mariana Publishing
mi tierra taqueria
Mimis Catery
Motha Earth Health & Beauty LLC
Ninja Rolls
Punjabi Rasoi
Red Monster Crafts
Renewal by Anderson
Rhonda's Tasty Treats
SJCPL
So Fresh & So Clean King
South Bend Career Academy
Southern Aroma
Sweet Seduction LLC
Tazty Treatz & More
Temet Jewelry
The Puzzled Pup
Travelin' Tom's
Turquoise Serene Escapes
Latin Dance Party
Studebaker Plaza
8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is returning to Studebaker Plaza for their First Fridays Latin Dance Parties! This event is open to all ages and skill levels, and includes a half-hour lesson at 8:30 p.m., followed by open dancing until 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.
Studebaker Car Show
200 Block of S. 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 the 200 block of S. Michigan Street from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Businesses Closed for the 4th of July
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The following downtown First Fridays businesses will be closed this First Fridays for the 4th of July holiday:
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A Healing Oasis
Cinco 5
Fiddler's Hearth
Ironhand Wine Bar
PEGGS
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
South Bend Museum of Art
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy drop-in games on the Gridiron - downtown's backyard - like you'd find at a backyard BBQ plus other favorites! Badminton, cornhole, giant Connect 4, Kicky Sticky, giant parachute, and more!
211 N. Michigan St.
7:30 p.m.
Celebrate Independence Day with the South Bend Symphony at their annual Shein Trust Community Series concert "Salute to Freedom", a patriotic celebration that honors our nation’s independence with moving American favorites such as “American Salute”, “God Bless America”, 1812 Overture, and more with guest soloist Jennie Sophia and guest narrator Muffet McGraw, former Notre Dame women’s basketball coach!
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This concert is free and open to the public! Tickets are required and can be acquired online at this link.
BBQ Cookoff
100 Block of S. Michigan St. and Gridiron Parking Lot
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will have several BBQ food vendors and downtown businesses this First Fridays competing in our 3rd Annual BBQ Cook-off. Purchase food from one of the following BBQ vendors at the Block Party/Gridiron area or a participating downtown business and vote for your favorite at the DTSB info booth!
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Dena's Kitchen & Catering
Fitzgerald's Smokehouse BBQ
Ko's Port-a-Pit
L's BBQ
Southern Aroma​
South Bend Cubs Home Game with Fireworks Finale
501 W. South St.
7:05 p.m.
Guided Architectural Walking Tours of Historic West Washington District
302 W Washington St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
We're switching up our normal historic walking tour that takes place during the summer First Fridays. This time we're touring the beautiful West Washington Street area, a National Register District showcasing an exemplary and eclectic blend of architectural styles and structures. Once home to influential citizens, titans of industry, civic leaders, and other prominent families; West Washington Street is now replete with businesses and residents that value and preserve the fine architectural legacy left in their care by those that preceded them.
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Tour guide Steve Szaday will lead the evening tours. Cost for these 90-minute tours are just $10/person (cash only.) Reservations can be made by clicking here or by calling 574-282-1110. This tour will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the historic Ambassadors for Christ Church, 302 W. Washington St. (the southwest corner of Washington and Lafayette.)
Food & Drink Specials at South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The South Bend Chocolate Cafe will have the following food and drink specials this First Fridays:
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$15 Cheeseburgers with a side
$12 BBQ Pulled Pork sliders with a side
$3 bottled beers (normally $4)
$5 kids' meals
$4 kids' ice cream
$3 hot chocolate
2/$20 crunch/pretzel
Coffee Shop Rave at the Cat Lady Cafe
401 E. Colfax Ave.
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join the Cat Lady Cafe for the most fun you can have during the day - a Rave on the Catio! DJ music, delicious coffee and snacks and of course, cat cuddles if you want. Cat lounge reservations are separate from the rave and can be made on their website. Stop by for a coffee and to check out the fun!
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.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
121 S. Niles Ave.
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!
218 Sycamore St.
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.
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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.
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.
SPONSORS
