September 1
2022 info appears below
2023 info coming soon!
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 19 downtown pet-friendly patios.
We will be once again be closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan St. for a block party, encouraging people to grab some takeout from their favorite downtown eatery and enjoy it at the seating area in the street, where we also have vendors, a Studebaker Car show, beer from Chicory, and live music by The Erly. Also taking place - a Chicory Shrimp Boil, Meet Me on the Island, First Fridays Bicycle Valet from South Bend Bike Garage, and 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.
ROAD CLOSURES
The 200 block of S. Michigan Street will be closed between Jefferson Wayne from noon to 10:30 p.m. to allow for seating areas, booths, entertainment, and more.
Entertainment & Activities
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gridiron and Studebaker Plaza
Several animal rescue groups and organizations who provide goods & services to animals will be located in Studebaker Plaza and at the Gridiron
Click for Map of Gridiron and Map of the Studebaker Plaza
free pup cups
make your own leash hook, play a treat toss game, and get some more info about them
Clean Paws
free poo bags and giving away a free month of service to new customers
Gordons Grooming/Gordons Feline Exclusive Boarding and Grooming Salon
handmade pet beds & toys for sale plus free dog toys
Humane Society of St. Joseph County
adoption information, possibly a few adoptable pets, items for sale, educational and fun materials for kids
adoptable dogs and dog trick contest
advertising services, training, grooming
Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana, Northern Division
free dog scarves and raffle prizes
South Bend Animal Resource Center
raffle, an adoptable dog to meet, bandannas for sale
South Bend Lost and Found Pets
promo merchandise
selling handmade pet bandanas
Block Party on Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
200 Block of South Michigan Street
DTSB will be repeating the Michigan Street Block Party and closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan Street for pet-friendly dining areas and entertainment once again for the September First Fridays!
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 seating area in the street with beer from Chicory, vendors, a concert by The Erly (6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), Studebaker cars, and more! The seating areas will be open to people of all ages, and will be located in the south end of the block.
Giveaways at 1st Source Bank Lounge
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Studebaker Plaza
Visit the 1st Source Bank Lounge at Studebaker Plaza for giveaways for dogs including bandannas and dog treats this First Fridays. We welcome 1st Source Bank as the new presenting sponsor for First Fridays!
Freeze Pops, & Stone Temple Pilots Concert Raffle at DTSB Booth
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Key Bank Plaza
Stop by the DTSB booth at Key Bank Plaza for free freeze pops, giveaways, and enter to win a pair of tickets to the Stone Temple Pilots & Everclear concert at Four Winds Field September 16! Also - be on the lookout for Buzzy the DTSBee!
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 tour covers over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend.
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 $5/person (cash only.) Reservations can be made by clicking here or by calling 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.
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.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
200 Block of South Michigan Street
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.
Visualizing Innovation Reception at SBMA
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
The South Bend Museum of Art is thrilled to invite you to one of their biggest events of the year - a free, public reception for "Visualizing Innovation" - taking place this First Fridays. The event will feature five local muralists, New Industry Dance, the St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society, performances by local musicians HeyZeus and Reminisce X, and a cash bar.
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 Shake 'N Chill! Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at this link.
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 Sepetmber 2. 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.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
305 E. Colfax Ave.
Fire Arts will be hosting PetsConnect Rescue who will have some canine buddies needing forever homes. Also check out Cynthia Cooper's ceramics show and a Raku firing demonstration in the rear of the building.
Additional First Fridays Vendors
Studebaker Plaza, Key Bank Plaza, 200 Block of S. Michigan St.
A List Accessories
Acceptance Insurance
Ammie's Ice Cream
BluEnvy
Carla Moratino Art
Chicory Café
City of South Bend Build the Budget
Dave Blodgett
DTSB
Endless Comics LLC
Floor Coverings Michiana
Foster Fun Station
JRMIDWESTART
Kona Ice
Land & Sea Catering
Laundry on the Way SB
MAARPR
MJ's Unica Bracelets
Nala~Nani Inspired Designs LLC
Paparazzi new n used goods
PRLCreative
Resurrection Lutheran Academy
SB Bike Garage
The Arty People
US 12 Vintage Station
U93
Food & Drink Specials
Pet-Friendly Patios
Dine with your furry friend at one of these 18 downtown pet-friendly patios:
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gridiron
Vegan Corner is back at Dog Days of Summer First Fridays for a fifth year! In keeping with the theme of animal love, vegan food vendor SteMartaen will be the featured culinary vendor at Vegan Corner.
Hot Dogs, Dog Treats, & Photo Op at Fiddler's Hearth
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
217 N. Main St.
Fiddler's Hearth will have a hot dog cart out front, treats for dogs, sidewalk chalk, as well as photo props for dog. Looking forward to a doggone good time!
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.
Specials on Retail & Services
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
217 S. Michigan St.
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 three and a half weeks later with a red ribbon. It's a forever memory personalized, painted and fired for only $15 per print. This activity will take place in front of their store.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
333 S. Michigan St.
Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults at The Friends of the Library Book Sale 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.
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 Brewing Co.
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 one flatbread pizza and get a second 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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