June 2, 2023
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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, a beer garden, face painters, balloon artist, caricaturist, vendors, a Studebaker Car Show, and the second annual DTSB Youth Talent Show!
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, South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a free Bike Valet at Key Bank Plaza, plus Architectural Walking Tours, Howard Park Concert Series, and much more.
And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
FREE PARKING
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. More detailscoming soon!
The Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome our newest First Fridays sponsor - Fetch! Pet Care! Visit the Fetch! Pet Care tent at the Gridiron to pick up some free pet swag and talk with their highly-trained and certified sitters. And while you're there, take your dog through their doggy obstacle course.
Fetch! Pet Care of Michiana is a locally-owned full-service pet care provider for all your furry, feathered, and scaled friends. Their goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to schedule and receive pet care.
They offer a variety of services, all tailored to fit your needs. From in-home pet sitting to dog walking, overnight care, medication administration, and pet taxi services, they have you covered. They understand that each pet is unique and requires special attention, so they take the time to get to know each pet and build a relationship with them and you.
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 4th 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.
Studebaker Car Show
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays by the Gridiron from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Howard Park
7:00 pm. to 9:00 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 2 band will be Size Matters.
Opening Reception at South Bend Museum of Art
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 Conversation Series: Accumulation + Revelation by artist Julie Tourtillotte and Nicole Havecost and their College Residency Exhibition.
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 Vikram Balaji along with Cody Tiano
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.
127 N. Main St.
8:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen this First Fridays.
200 block of S. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Downtown South Bend (DTSB) is hosting the Second Annual Youth Talent Show on the stage in the middle of the 200 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.
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 https://forms.gle/L4GXbTpqtTvQQvVz7.
Walk-ups will be permitted if there is still space available.
Main Library Courtyard
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Club in the courtyard at Main Library! Enjoy activities, food trucks and live performances by Jim Gill and Lalo Cura while you sign up for summer reading.
The St. Joe County Public Library will fun activities for the whole family:
Jim Gill | Ballroom 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Lalo Cura | Courtyard 7-8 p.m.
Dance to music provided by Mix 106
Take a picture in a 360° photo booth from TDC Entertainment, LLC
Enjoy soccer tricks with Futboleros
Grab a bite from Junbuggies, The Beard & The Boss and Kona Ice food trucks!
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.
101 N. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend landmark buildings, exploring their history and present day use.
The tours cover over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend. Tours are $10 per person (cash only) with reservations requested for each tour. Reservations can be made online here or by calling Downtown South Bend at 574-282-1110. Tours start at the American Trust Company clock, located at the corner of Washington St. and Michigan St., in front of Cafe Navarre.
First Fridays Vendors
Gridiron and Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will have a variety of vendors and sponsors at the June First Fridays!
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!)
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.
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.
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.
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will be offering the following this First Fridays:
-Glitter face painting $5-10
-Pottery and canvas to-go kits $10-15
-Try the Wheel Sessions (the wheels will be outside) $20 for 15 minutes
-Paint your own pottery inside or outside of the store!
-Hosting the crazy cookie company from Goshen!
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will be having another one of its famous Shrimp Boils this First Fridays! Each $21 order will receive gulf shrimp (boiled right in front of you), potatoes, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, and garlic butter. Enjoy it there or take it to go! While supplies last. THey will also have outdoor activities for kids such as giant bubbles and sidewalk chalk.
121 S. Niles Ave.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Perry Vine! They recently opened inside the Emporium Building and will be doing tastings this First Fridays, with one free tasting per customer. Additional tastings are $1.50. If you plan to buy a glass you’re welcomed to BYOM (bring your own meal) 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!
231 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participants - Dainty Maid Co. Food Hall! They will have special extended hours for dinner on weekend nights including First Fridays, with dining options from Oak + Ash, The Beard & The Boss, Smashed, Propaganda Pizza, Hall Pass, and a Roaster Called Revenant.
321 S. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participant - Salon Nouveau - located in side the Hibberd Building across from the library in downtown. They will be offering special discounts this First Fridays, including 10% off Aveda products, 30% off Disney wet brushes, and will have some coloring books.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
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