June 2
2022 info appears below
2023 info coming soon!
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 once again be closing the 200 block of S. Michigan for distanced dining in the street, a beer garden, wagon rides, a face painter, balloon artist, caricaturist, vendors, a Studebaker Car Show, and the first ever DTSB Youth Talent Show! A second stage will be located in Studebaker Plaza with entertainment by and for kids.
ROC UR BODY will be filled with activities for kids on the Gridiron, St. Joe County Public Library will be hosting the Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party in their new courtyard, South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a free Bike Valet at Key Bank Plaza, Meet Me on the Island returns, 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.
Entertainment & Activities
Children's Entertainment Stage
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Enjoy free entertainment by and for children at Studebaker Plaza:
5:00 p.m. - Kids' Dance Party
6:00 p.m. - Spotlight Performers
6:30 p.m. - Interactive Children's Concert by Wendy Daly from The Music Village
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Reducing Obesity Coalition of St. Joseph County presents ROC UR BODY - a family fun night filled with physical activity, games, dancing, and more! This event is FREE and open to everyone. More details including a stage schedule is coming soon!
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
200 Block of S. Michigan St.
DTSB is hosting a Youth Talent Show on the stage in the middle of the 200 block of Michigan Street as part of the First Fridays Block Party. Anyone under the age of 21 is invited to take part, and there are no participation fees. 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. No judging will take place. Participants can register online here by May 31. Late registrations and walk-ups will be permitted if there is still space available.
Any St. Joseph County resident in the eligible age range of 7-21 who performs in the DTSB Youth Talent Show will be automatically qualified to participate in the St. Joseph County 4-H Fair Youth Talent Show on Tuesday, July 5th at 6 pm. Participants are not required to advance to the 4-H Fair Youth Talent Show, and we will accept residents form any county or age under 21 at the DTSB Youth Talent Show.
SJCPL Summer Reading Club Kickoff Party
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
305 S. Michigan St.
Celebrate the start of the St. Joe County Public Library Summer Reading Club in the courtyard at Main Library this First Fridays. Enjoy games, activities, live music, giveaways, a Zumba class with Carlitos, and much more while you sign up for summer reading! Click here for more info.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
by Chocolate Cafe
Take a "Rockin' Wagon Ride" around town with Dream Coach Carriages. Rides are $4 per person, excluding infants. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets will be sold just before 6:00 p.m. and pick-up/drop-off is across from the Gridiron on Michigan Street. Don’t forget your camera!
Guided Architectural Walking Tours of Downtown
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
101 N. Michigan St.
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 $5 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.
Studebaker Car Show
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
313 S. Michigan St.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have dozens of their cars on display this First Fridays on Michigan Street near Studebaker Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Urban Picnic on Michigan Street
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
200 Block of South Michigan Street
DTSB will be repeating the Urban Picnic that took place for for last summer's First Fridays, and closing down a block of Michigan Street for a block party.
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery and head to the 200 block of S. Michigan St. (between Jefferson and Wayne) where we will have a physically-distanced seating areas in the street with beer from Chicory Cafe, vendors, Studebaker cars, the DTSB Youth Talent Show, and more! The seating areas will be open to people of all ages, and will be located in the south end of the block.
Balloon Twisting with Fun by the Yard
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Face Painting with Michiana Facepainting
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
First Fridays Vendors
We will have a variety of vendors and sponsors at the June First Fridays!
Studebaker Plaza Booths/Vendors
1st Source Lounge
Acceptance Insurance
Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana
Kona Ice
Key Bank Plaza Booths/Vendors
Ammie's Ice Cream
DTSB
Junbuggies
U93
Michigan Street Vendors
(in and near the fenced-in area on the south end of the S. 200 block)
ACS Relay for Life
Aussie Heeler Creations
Caricacures by Dave Blodgett
Chicory Beer Garden
Costco
IU South Bend
JRMIDWESTERNART
Laconic Blu
Land & Sea Catering
Paparazzi New & Used Goods
The Villages
Women's Rugby
Bike Valet provided by SB Bicycle Garage
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Key Bank Plaza
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. Preregistration can be found on their website, specifically at this link.
Check in will be done via an app that will provide you with a text claim number on your phone, or they can give you a claim ticket if you don't want to use your phone.
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.
Transpo Summer Travel Program Bus
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Stop by Studebaker Plaza this First Fridays to learn about the Transpo Summer Travel Program, which provides free travel for all K-12 students the months of June, July & August (providing a record-setting 31K+ rides pre-COVID). They will have one of their CNG buses parked by the plaza and will have prizes and giveaways for kids. They will also be sharing info on their CONNECT Transit Plan.
Ticket Giveaway Contest for ANASTASIA
5:00 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday
ANASTASIA comes to the Morris Performing Arts Center June 24-26 and now is your chance to win a pair of tickets to the opening night show!
The giveaway opens at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evening. Click here for the entry link.
5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Meet Me On The Island is back! Enjoy art, food, drink, dancing, conversation, and live music by the band Motown Machine! Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at this link.
Harry Tonchev Trio at Merrimans'
7:00 p.m.
401 E. Colfax Ave.
The Harry Tonchev Trio will be performing at Merrimans' Playhouse this First Fridays. Harry Tonchev's high energy trio focuses on improvisational music by exploring a mixture of originals and standards from the Great American Songbook. His conversational approach to improvised music keeps audiences engaged. Tickets can be purchased online here and are $10 General/$5 Student. End time is not set.
Dustin Chafin at The Drop Comedy Club
9:00 p.m.
111 N. Main St.
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 Dustin Chafin as the headliner, along with other comedians including Jenni Rodriguez. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at this link. DTSB will be having a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets!
Live @ ALoft with DJ Outlaw
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
111 N. Main St.
Live @ Aloft in the WXYZ bar will feature DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes on June 3rd. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
They WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail 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.
Hand Print-a-thon at The Tree House
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
217 N. Main St.
Welcome to our newest First Fridays participant - The Tree House - a new gender resource center and community space provided by TREES (Transgender Resource, Education & Enrichment Services). They will be holding a Hand Print-a-thon this First Fridays, to create
handprint art to decorate the Tree House. They will be using washable paint on canvas to use as door covers inside the space. Bring the kids by to add their hands to this unique art project. This is a free, family friendly event.
Pottery Painting & Wheel Throwing at The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
217 S. Michigan St.
The Pigeon and The Hen Pottery will have many ways to get creative this First Fridays! Make a bowl on the potter's wheel, get festive with body glitter, paint pottery inside or outside with new fun summer arrivals! Make a reservation to paint inside or purchase your pottery wheel try-it session online at this link. The last potter must arrive by 7:30 p.m. and the last reservation to paint will be at 7:00 p.m.
Student Faculty Exhibition at SBMA
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
120 S. Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd.
Featuring artwork created by South Bend Museum of Art students and faculty from the past year, the annual Student/Faculty exhibition showcases the variety of class offerings at the museum and highlights the talents of its wonderful community. Register for free at this link.
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Jon Hunt R. Plaza
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 3rd concert will feature Kennedy's Kitchen.
AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN at The Morris
7:00 p.m.
211 N. Michigan St.
Based on the Oscar-winning film, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN is the timeless love story that celebrates triumph over adversity. The new musical featuring an iconic score will be at the Morris Performing Arts Center
June 3 -5.
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
219 S. St. Louis Blvd.
This outdoor event welcomes all levels of dance, all abilities, and all ages, for an evening of all fun. Your $5 admission includes the beginner's lesson at 7:00 p.m., and open dancing follows. They will still get some salsa & cumbia in, but look for more bachata and kizomba and even some good ol' R&B or whatever requests you might have. In short, anything goes!
Specials on Food, Drink, & Retail
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
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! You can also pre-order this Shrimp Boil thru Dine In Delivery and get it delivered!
While supplies last.
Sober Bar Pop-up at Stockroom East
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
625 E. Jefferson Blvd.
Stop by Stockroom East this First Fridays (enter behind Michiana Lock & Key) for downtown's first Sober Bar Pop-up, featuring DJ PB and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. They welcome all in recovery, sober, sober-curious or just passing by to join them in building alcohol-free connections! Sponsored by Well Connected LLC; follow @wellconnectedSB on insta for more details.
Friday BBQ at Mikarri's Bistro
noon to 9:00 p.m.
401 E. Colfax Ave.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participant - Mikarri's Bistro! They are located inside the Commerce Center and serve breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They will have special evening hours this First Fridays until 9:00 p.m. and will be featuring BBQ menu items.
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.
TakeOut 25 Downtown South Bend
Join the TakeOut 25 Downtown South Bend Facebook Group to discover new dishes and restaurants downtown. We encourage you to join the group post pictures of your downtown carryout and in-person dining experiences.
NOTE: First Fridays drink specials are available for anyone 21+ throughout the day on First Fridays, for the operating hours of participating businesses.
Plus...
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 $15
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.
16 oz. Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands for $5
207 W. Colfax Ave.
50% off on online booking all day
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music, 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc
Java Cafe
201 S. Main St.
Extended hours until 8:00 p.m. and offering $1 off their cocktails
122 S. Michigan St.
2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo
Tippecanoe Place/Studebaker 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.
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.
PRESENTED BY
ADDITIONAL SPONSORS
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