October First Fridays: Fall In Love With Downtown

October First Fridays is bringing Fire Prevention Week to downtown with hands-on activities, fire safety education, and a special Touch-a-Truck experience! Meet local firefighters, explore emergency vehicles up close, and learn more about fire safety while enjoying an evening downtown.

The night will also feature an Oktoberfest celebration, Pumpkin Palooza pumpkin carving at South Bend Chocolate Café, a fall photo op, the final architectural walking tour of 2026, vendors, and more!

Learn More

Movies on The Gridiron: A Minecraft Movie

POSTPONED to Sept. 11
The Gridiron Downtown

Color Minecraft coloring pages, play themed games, and grab a free popsicle before the movie starts. Join Steve on his journey through the world of Minecraft and discover the tales behind the beloved game.

LEARN MORE

October First Fridays: Fall in Love with Downtown

October 2
Downtown South Bend

Downtown South Bend will be celebrating both fall and its love of downtown with this "'Fall' in Love with Downtown" theme!

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 2026, Fire Prevention Week hands-on activities like a Touch-a-Truck, vendors, and more!

LEARN MORE

November First Fridays: YesVember

September 4
Downtown South Bend

This month's First Fridays theme is "YESvember" and we we are encouraging people to say “yes” to something new!

We have created a menu of experiences and opportunities for you to say "yes" to, including saying "yes" to fitness at the YMCA FREE Fitness Fest Friday, saying "yes" to trying something new like holistic offerings at Healing Oasis, a new downtown restaurant, new entertainment offerings like a live jazz show at Merrimans' Playhouse, or live music at various other downtown businesses like Ironhand, The Rocki Button, Chicory, and Fiddler's Hearth.

LEARN MORE

Keep Up with What's Happening Downtown

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on First Fridays, Wine Walk, Art Beat, and more events happening Downtown.

Parking

Downtown South Bend offers a variety of convenient public parking options, including free 2-hour parking in city-owned garages and on most downtown streets. Use the resources below to find the best place to park and get where you’re going with ease.

LEARN MORE

Calendar

Explore what’s happening in Downtown South Bend. Our calendar features upcoming events, activities, and experiences so you can plan your visit and never miss the fun.

LEARN MORE

Art Beat

LEARN MORE

First Fridays

LEARN MORE

Mural Mania

LEARN MORE

Holidays

LEARN MORE

St. Patrick's

LEARN MORE

Our Mission

To enhance and advance the cultural and economic heart of our city.

Our Vision

Downtown South Bend is a vital, vibrant, and irreplaceable Midwest city center that is both a beacon and boon to all of South Bend and the surrounding region.

LEARN MORE