November 3, 2022
2022 info appears below
2023 info coming soon!
Downtown South Bend will be embracing the season this First Fridays with a Football Fridays theme!
About
This is a two-in-one event! We're combining First Fridays with Football Fridays!
Football Fridays is a FREE family-friendly tailgate party on the Gridiron taking place the Friday before select Notre Dame home football game, with live music, a cash bar, food vendors, yard games, and a seating area to enjoy downtown carryout!
The public is encouraged to wear their ND apparel, grab carryout from a downtown eatery or food vendor, and enjoy it at an all ages seating area that will be set up on the Gridiron. The November 4 Football Fridays event will feature live music by The Erly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and a cash bar provided by the Courtyard by Marriott South Bend Downtown.
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
Football Fridays
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Football Fridays is a FREE family-friendly tailgate party on the Gridiron which takes place the Fridays before select Notre Dame home football game, with live music, a cash bar, yard games, food vendors, and a seating area to enjoy downtown carryout!
Football Fridays is hosted by the Courtyard by Marriott South Bend Downtown, in partnership with Downtown South Bend, Inc. and Visit South Bend Mishawaka.
The public is encouraged to wear their ND apparel, grab carryout from a downtown eatery or from one of the Football Fridays food vendors, and enjoy it at an all-ages seating area that will be set up on the Gridiron. This Football Fridays event will feature live music by The Erly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and a cash bar provided by the Courtyard by Marriott South Bend Downtown.
Football Fridays food vendors include Land & Sea Catering, Dixon's Popcorn, and Angels on Wheels.
Additional Football Fridays vendors/sponsors/ organizations include Acceptance Insurance, The Arty People, Bglam LLC, JRMIDWESTART, MJ's Unica Bracelets, Pose 4 Me 360, Relay for Life, Resurrection Lutheran Academy, and U93.
Coloring Contest at
South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The South Bend Chocolate Cafe will host a coloring contest from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All supplies will be provided. DTSB will also allow entries to be colored at the Gridiron. The entries will be displayed in the hallway throughout November for public voting, and the winner will get the chance to help Santa light the Christmas Tree at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2.
Keith Hall Trio at Merrimans' Playhouse
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Keith Hall Trio will be performing at Merrimans' Playhouse this First Fridays with Andrew Rathbun and Robert Hurst. They will be celebrating the record release of "Made in Kalamazoo - Duos and Trios." Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) and can be purchased at this link.
Headliner Kristen Toomey at The Drop Comedy Club
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 Kristen Toomey, featuring Jackie Linn. DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night show.
Live @ ALoft with DJ Outlaw
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 November 4. 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 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.
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!)
5:00 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday
COME FROM AWAY comes to the Morris Performing Arts Center November 29 through December 4, and now is your chance to win two tickets to the opening night show! Grab some friends and come see Broadway’s award-winning musical. Enter to win by clicking the link below.
The giveaway opens at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evening. DTSB will contact the winner next week.
DTSB Fall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with hay bales, mums, pumpkins and corn stalks right outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan. The photo area will remain up through November 6th. Take some fun photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun. Special thanks to Matthys Farm Market for helping supply the fall items!
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.
Vintage Christmas Tree Class
217 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Learn how to paint a Vintage Christmas Tree like your grandma had! Step-by-step instructions will be provided in this small super interactive class. Only 10 spots are available and the cost is $85. The ceramic Christmas tree comes with a light kit consisting of a base, a light bulb, multi-color mini pegs, and a yellow star topper. Trees will be ready in a minimum of three weeks.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
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