"Fall" in Love with Downtown
October 3, 2025
Downtown South Bend will be celebrating both fall and its love of downtown with this "'Fall' in Love with Downtown" theme!
About
Downtown South Bend will be celebrating both fall and its love of downtown with this "'Fall' in Love with Downtown" theme!
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The October First Fridays will feature a variety of events including an Oktoberfest Celebration, Pumpkin Palooza pumpkin carving at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe, a fall photo op, the last architectural walking tour of 2025, soccer activities on the Gridiron for South Bend Global Cup kickoff, Fire Prevention Week hands-on activities like a Touch-a-Truck, vendors, and more!
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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
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Michigan Street between Washington and Wayne:
1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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Entertainment, Activities, & Dining Specials for October
Oktoberfest Celebration
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB will be hosting an Oktoberfest Celebration at the First Fridays Block Party! Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery or food from one of our First Fridays food vendors, and head to the 100 block of S. Michigan St. where we will have a seating area, German food from Weiss' Gasthaus, a beer garden from Chicory Cafe, food and retail vendors, and a free polka concert by the Will Smaka Band from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.! The Oktoberfest Celebration is free and open to all ages.
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First Fridays Food Vendors for October
Burrito Mafia
Cambodian Thai Restaurant
Carbonated Creations
Denson Specialties
Dixon's Specialty Popcorn
Dulceria VM LAND Candy shop
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Froggies Concessions
Ko-s port-a-pit
L’S BARBEQUE
Mimis.catery
Pour Sumor
Pretty Dirty Soda’s
Punjabi Rasoi
Rhonda's Tasty Treats
Sprinkle Express
StarrPower
Weiss' Gasthaus
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Additional First Fridays Vendors for October
ACLU of Indiana
Angel McCall
AT&T
BluEnvy
Castillo creations
Community Green farm
Essence Royal LLC
Evil Industries
Fancy Schmancy Face Painting
For You By Jay
Herbal Godmother
IU South Bend
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Loops By Sandy
Mariana Publishing
Momin Mirza - Author
Motha Earth Health & Beauty LLC
Nice&Bella by Elena Barriga
Renewal by Anderson
Retech Displays
SJCPL
Spartan Dynamics
St. Joseph County Prosecutor - Child Support Division
T-Crylics
Temet Jewelry
The Cathedral of Saint James
The Indiana Whiskey Company
Turkey Stampede
Turquoise Serene Escapes
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South Bend Global Cup Kickoff
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DTSB is partnering with the City of South Bend to kickoff the South Bend Global Cup taking place on October 4 at Boehm Park, with a preview event on the Gridiron this First Fridays in celebration of soccer! The Northern Indiana Football Club as well as soccer programs from Bethel and Holy Cross will be doing soccer activities on the Gridiron. We will also have our "kicky sticky" inflatable soccer game out for anyone to come try their soccer skills!
There will be a procession at 6:00 p.m. starting from the Gridiron, making a loop through the 100 and 200 blocks of S. Michigan St., and ending at the Gridiron.
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South Bend Global Cup is a one-day soccer tournament that celebrates the universality of sports and the diverse heritage of South Bend.
DTSB Fall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with a mum wall, pumpkins, and hay bales, right outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan. The photo area will remain up for the month of October. Take some fun photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun. Special thanks to Ambassador Dan for his artistic vision!
Guided Architectural Walking Tour of Downtown South Bend
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.
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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.
DJ Dance Party and Games at Studebaker Plaza
201 S. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
DJ UP2DATEMUZIK will be spinning in Studebaker Plaza this First Fridays and all are welcome to come listen and even break out in dance if the rhythm so moves you! We will also have giant chess, Connect 4, and Corhnhole out for open play.
High School Musical at SB Civic
403 N. Main St.
7:30 p.m.
Disney Channel's smash hit musical is coming to the South Bend Civic Theatre stage, with opening night on October First Fridays! Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities. This musical is fun for every member of the family.
Fire Prevention Week Activities with SBFD
200 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fire Prevention Week is in October and we are partnering with the South Bend Fire Department to get the word out! They will be on the 200 block of S. Michigan St. this First Fridays with a Touch-a-Truck event and many other activities. It’s hands-on, family-friendly, and the perfect way to celebrate Fire Prevention Week downtown!
Pumpkin Palooza at South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The first 200 visitors to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe this First Fridays will receive a free pumpkin to carve, with a donation to those in need, such as household items, cold weather items, or monetary donations. Carving tools and table space will be available. 50 small pumpkins will also be available for the younger kids to decorate.
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Carved pumpkins can be taken home, or left to be displayed on Michigan Street that evening as luminaries, and will be available to take home after that. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special: 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
Opening Receptions at SBMA
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Join the South Bend Museum of Art to celebrate contemporary art and artists from across Michiana and the Midwest! This reception celebrates the opening of two large group exhibitions: Biennial 33: Tensile, featuring work by twelve artists from seven Midwest states, and Hear Our Voices, a showcase of recent work by members of the Indiana Women’s Caucus for Art. This is also your last chance to catch their summer exhibitions Alain Helfrich and Timothy Tinker’s In Here Life Is Beautiful and ev Leto’s Memory and Endurance before they close. All ages welcome, free!
Surprise Show at the Drop
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Rocki Button and features amazing comedy shows every weekend!
The weekend of October 3&4 they are pleased to welcome SHHHH!!!! It's a Surprise Comedy Show!
Will it be one of their favorite show styles, A Club Takeover of straight killer comics from a neighboring (much larger) scene, such as Chicago, Indy, or Cleveland? Possibly.
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Will it be a nationally touring headliner with an unexpected open weekend and a love for The Drop? Perhaps.
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Or will they come up with a brand new show concept that is gonna blow your mind? The sky is the limit baby!
Fall into Fitness at the YMCA
111 W. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The YMCA will be open to the community all day this First Fridays, and will also be offering free Les Mills fitness classes! Whether you're looking for strength, intensity, or balance - they've got a class for you!
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5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Bodypump with Kim & Heather
6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m - GRIT with Heather & Rian
6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m - Bodybalance with Rian & Karin
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Heirloom at Merrimans' Playhouse
401 E. Colfax Ave.
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Heirloom is one of Milwaukee’s most innovative and sought after jazz bands. Their unique sound captivates audiences through soaring melodies, intriguing rhythms, and magnetic attention to detail
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Tickets are $15 General/$6 Student and can be purchased at this link. Head to the show early for food and drinks at the Culture Cafe!
Studebaker Car Show
100 block of W. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on Jefferson by Studebaker Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
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.
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every First Fridays!
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music by Lucas Miner and 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc​
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
