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 third 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, basketball, 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 5th 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 October 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 with beer from Chicory, vendors, and free entertainment.
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Entertainment includes:
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5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Interactive Music Program with Melinda Wesolowski from The Music Village: an hour of fun, interactive music for all ages!
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6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Youth Talent Show (see info above)
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7:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
Kids' Karaoke with DJ Chris!
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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 Michigan Street near the State Theater 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, giant Jenga, food & drink specials (see below), and staff will be dressed as cartoon characters!
211 N. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m.
Movies at the Morris Presents: “Singin’ In the Rain.” Tickets are required for this free event, and can be reserved by clicking here.
A silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.
Howard Park
6:30 pm. to 8:30 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 7 band will be Marriani.
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 an opening reception for their four summer exhibitions! This opening is a culmination of the abundant creativity in our community. Established and new artists will be present to mingle amongst fellow creatives and art admirers.
Upstairs studios 1,2 & 3 will have a garden-themed activity for kids to make and submit their artwork to the Garden Walk! All materials provided! Open to kids 3-12.
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Aloft Hotel and features amazing comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night! This First Fridays they will have headliner Brad Sativa, featuring Eddie Ortiz.
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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435 S. Michigan St.
8:00 p.m. to midnight
The Rocki Button will be featuring live music by Firetruck Save the Day and Rebel Noire & The Accomplices. $5 cover.
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. Tables are set in and around the plaza to give concertgoers a space to eat or bring a blanket and relax on the lawn. The June 7 concert will feature Kennedy's Kitchen.
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218 Sycamore st.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Soma Pole Studio! 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.
100 block of S. Michigan St.
6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Downtown South Bend (DTSB) is hosting the Third 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.
Various locations throughout downtown
5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
We are excited to partner with First Student, Inc. to bring back a FREE First Fridays shuttle to connect all of the amazing activities happening throughout downtown on First Fridays. CLICK HERE for shuttle map.
Main Library Courtyard
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Club in the courtyard at Main Library! Enjoy activities, food trucks and live performances by Los Hermanos Bueno and Nicole Williams while you sign up for summer reading.
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The St. Joe County Public Library will fun activities for the whole family:
Dance to music provided by DJ Gino J
Take a picture in a 360° photo booth provided by TDC Entertainment
Enjoy soccer tricks with Futboleros
Cool off with a free popsicle
Grab a bite from Rico Suave and the Real Grille food trucks!
210 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome our new First Fridays Sponsor Notre Dame Federal Credit Union! They will be having activities in front of their downtown branch including a chalk drawing contest and bubbles, and will be handing popsicles, water, NDFCU swag, and will have a drawing for a gift card!
Bike Valet Provided by SB Bicycle Garage
Key Bank Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a First Fridays Bike Valet which will allow you to ride to the event without having to worry about locking up your bike. They will provide a free, secure, manned area at Key Bank Plaza (by the I Heart SB statue) where your bike will be put on a rack until you return to pick it up. Your helmet can also be stored with your bike.
The South Bend Bike Garage will also offer to clean your bike while you enjoy the festivities. Cleaning will consist of wiping down the bike, cleaning & lubricating the drive train, and making minor adjustments so the bike is clean and ready to roll safely when you pick it up. They will also have maps of local trails and safety information available.
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 with the City of South Bend, in conjunction with Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, 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.)
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Healing Oasis invites you to attend their First Fridays Open House, which is all about you coming to find out what their practitioners have to offer. Healers share their "magic" by offering mini sessions. You will also have a chance to check out their retail space, group events, and what services are at A Healing Oasis.
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. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
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The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause 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.
Studebaker Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be performing in Studebaker Plaza from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Double Tree Hotel
7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is kicking off the 1st Friday season at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown South Bend. They'll be grooving to all the usual salsa, bachata, and more in the indoor Atrium of this beautiful space.
Culture Cafe
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Culture Cafe will be having gelato for kids! Also, there will be a concert at Merriman's Playhouse.
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.
127 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PEGGS will be open for special dinner hours this First Fridays! Enjoy a special menu of select items on their patio, right by the First Fridays Block Party!
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!
131 S. Lafayette Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Did you know that L Street Kitchen is also open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday? We welcome them as one of our newest First Fridays participants! For June, they will be offering one free kids' meal with every adult meal ordered!
401 E. Colfax Ave.
3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - River Valley Farmers' Market! They are located in the Commerce Center and feature about 20 vendors selling fresh produce and other products.
This First Fridays they will have extended hours and will be offering kids the chance to get $1 off anything in the market. They will also be baking with strawberries on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to noon for their Kids' Cooking Class.
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!
SPONSORS
