DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
September 5, 2025
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.​
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About
Downtown South Bend will be going to the dogs for the September First Fridays, as we celebrate the "Dog Days of Summer." Bring your furry friend downtown for a fun night out!
We will have booths with animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods and services for animals, as well as the opportunity to dine with your dog at one of our over 20 downtown pet-friendly patios. Also, if you want to dress your up your pup in a costume or outfit, we will be handing out prizes to the best dressed dogs!
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We will be once again be closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan St. for our First Fridays Block Party, encouraging people to grab some takeout from their favorite downtown eatery or First Fridays food vendor and enjoy it at the seating area in the street, where we also have vendors and live music by The Starving Artists.
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Plus Over the Edge returns to Studebaker Plaza, with fearless philanthropists rappelling over the edge of the Robertson's Apartment Building to raise money for Youth Service Bureau (YSB.)
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We will also have an EV Display near the State Theater, the South Bend Music Festival, plus lots of other fun happenings throughout downtown!
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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
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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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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.
Dog Days of Summer Booths
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Several animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods & services to animals will be located on the Gridiron this First Fridays:
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American Greyhound
Butcher's Bounty Pet Treats
Canine Hooligans
Dog Tales LLC
Humane Society of St. Joseph County
Ireland Animal Clinic
Jamie’s Dog Training & Behavior Modification
Ookami Draws Paws
Pet Refuge, Inc
PetsConnect
Resale to the Rescue
Rescue Release Repeat
Sheltie Rescue Central Indiana
South Bend Animal Resource Center
South Bend Lost and Found Pets
White Dog Books
Dog Trick Demo and Lessons
The Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Carla and her Canine Hooligans will be demonstrating dog tricks on the Gridiron from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with demos on the half hour. She will also be teaching pet owners some simple tricks on the 15 and 45 minute marks!
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 Washington & Jefferson) 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 vendors, a cash bar provided by Chicory, and free entertainment.
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For the September First Fridays, the entertainment will be a free concert by The Starving Artists from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We will also have ballon twisting from Balloons by Ken and face painting by The Arty People.
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Doggy Photo Booth and Doggy Crafts at DTSB Info Booth
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
DTSB will have costumes and accessories at their Info Booth for your furry friend to get all glammed up for a picture! They will also have a game with dog-themed prizes you can win.
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A second Dog Days of Summer photo op is located right outside the DTSB offices at 217 S. Michigan St., brought to you by Ambassador Dan!
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DTSB staff will also be roaming the crowds handing out prizes to the best dressed dogs!
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Plus they will have two free dog crafts at the info booth- draw and color a picture of your dog and/or do dog paw print making!
Over the Edge
Studebaker Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Over the Edge is a fundraiser for Youth Service Bureau in which amazing people sign up to raise $1,000 or more to help homeless youth in our community. Each participant who reaches this goal will have the opportunity to rappel down the side of the Robertson's Building this first Fridays. Click here to donate.
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Come out and watch these fearless philanthropists scale down the building. A viewing area will be set up on Jefferson between the Leighton Parking Garage entrance and Michigan Street by Studebaker Plaza where you can also purchase drinks from the Chicory cash bar and enjoy food from vendors and downtown restaurants at the tables and chairs provided.
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! This First Fridays they will be having a specialty weekend with Kill Tony Golden Ticket Winner Martin Phillips.
DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of VIP free tickets to the First Fridays show or the Saturday encore performance.
Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be performing on the Gridiron from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
403 N. Main St.
7:30 pm.
The fifth play in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle, Seven Guitars is part elegy, part mystery, and all Blues. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Wilson's freewheeling comedy takes an intimate look at seven friends and the events leading up to the untimely death of an up-and-coming blues musician. Who or what killed Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton?
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Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1948, this tale of star-crossed stardom, told in flashback, follows Floyd's last days, as his determination for a better future slams against life's harsh realities.
Electric Vehicle Display
The Gridiron Parking Lot
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Join the South Bend Office of Sustainability, Michiana Area Council of Governments, and Drive Clean Indiana as they host an Electric Vehicle Display at the Gridiron for National Drive Electric Week!
Hear from electric vehicle drivers about their experience. Learn what electric vehicles are available locally (both new and used), how and where to find electric vehicle charging stations, what purchasing incentives are available, and more! Click here for more info.
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Electric vehicle owners are welcome & encouraged to bring their electric vehicles to the event!
Additional September First Fridays Vendors
100 Block of S. Michigan St. & The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
AT&T
Author - Momin Mirza
Balloons by Ken
Big Mike’s Lunchbox
BluEnvy
Castillo creations
Creativi T
City of South Bend
Designs By Lan
Dulceria VM LAND Candy shop
Electric Energy
Essence Royal LLC
For you by Jay
LeafFilter Gutter Protection
Loops By Sandy
Mariana Publishing
Red Monster Crafts
Renewal by Anderson
Retech Displays
Sea Moss for Life
Shen Studio
SJCPL
South Bend Career Academy
Temet Jewelry
The Arty People
The Book Cottage
The Indiana Whiskey Company
Tuff Shed, Inc.
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.)
South Bend Music Festival
South end of 200 block
5:00 p.m. 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 August 1 band will be Day Train.
Howard Park Summer Concert Series
Howard Park
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy a free concert on the south end of the 200 block of South Michigan Street (near CJ's).
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5:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. - Josh Ingle, Jr.
5:20 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. - Mr. Mota
6:40 pm. to 7:40 p.m. - Danny Lerman
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. - High Vizz
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Car Show with Studebakers and Mustangs
200 block of S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Members of the Studebaker Drivers Club and Michiana Mustangs will have their cars on display this First Fridays. Admission is free.
Paul Hecht's Pyrography Quintet at Merrimans' Playhouse
401 E. Colfax Ave.
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Following the April release of Pyrography (ears&eyes), pianist and composer Paul Hecht went back to the studio with James Davis on trumpet, Ben Dillinger on bass, and Gustavo Cortiñas on drums, but this time including versatile alto saxophonist Michael Hudson-Casanova, for a new record planned for release in 2026. This evening’s concert presents music from both recordings.
Catch them at Merrimans' Playhouse this First Fridays! 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!
Entertainment & Activities for September
Retail & Dining Specials for September
Pet-Friendly Patios
Various locations
Dine with your furry friend downtown! Here is a list of our downtown pet-friendly patios:
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103 E. Jefferson Blvd.
4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Chicory's famous Shrimp Boil is back! Each order will receive Gulf shrimp (boiled right in front of you), potatoes, corn on the cob, and Andouille sausage for just $20. Enjoy it there or take it to go. While supplies last.
122 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
South Bend Chocolate Cafe will have water for dogs and free dog bones and pup cups. They will also be featuring the following food/drink specials:
$5 kids' meals
$4 kids' ice cream
$3 hot chocolate
2/$20 crunch/pretzels
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Bring your pup to The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery to celebrate Dog Days of Summer with a memorable dog paw print keepsake ornament with their name included. The ornament takes about five minutes to make by pressing the dog paw on the wet clay, and is then available to pick up four weeks later with a red ribbon. It's a forever memory personalized, painted and fired for only $20 per print.
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September First Fridays Food Vendors
100 block of S. Michigan St. & Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The following food and beverage vendors will be at the September First Fridays:
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Big Mike’s Lunchbox
Burrito Mafia
Cambodian Thai Restaurant
Carbonated Creations
Dena's Kitchen
Denson Specialties
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Froggies Inflatables and concessions
Kate’s kitchen
Ko-s port-a-pit
Kona Ice
L’S BARBEQUE
Meetstop by SteMartaen
mi tierra taqueria
Mimis.catery
Ninja Rolls
Pretty Dirty Soda’s
Punjabi Rasoi
Sprinkle Express
StarrPower
Taste of Caribbean and Beyond
Travelin’ Toms
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
