SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Starting Friday, Downtown South Bend (DTSB) will be hosting the February First Fridays with a “Fire & Ice” theme that will include live ice carvings (with some featuring a fire element), fire dancing, and a fireworks show.

To combat the frigid temperatures, downtown fireplaces will be located at The Cellar, Chicory Cafe, Fiddler's Hearth, and South Bend Chocolate Cafe. Also, fire pits will be lit at Howard Park, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, and Studebaker Plaza.

"A S'mores station and First Fridays block party will also be located by Studebaker Plaza," organizers said. "Also, take advantage of value-priced menus at 30 downtown restaurants for Winter Restaurant Weeks. And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more."

Downtown Businesses First Fridays’ Activities:

• A Healing Oasis (714 E. Jefferson Blvd.) invites you to their First Fridays Open House! Meet the practitioners, experience mini healing sessions, and explore their unique retail space. Learn about group events and services designed to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
• Baker's (123 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) will be offering 15% off to any of their guests who mention First Fridays!
• Barnaby's (713 E. Jefferson Blvd.) $5 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.
• Bunbury Gallery (300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.) We welcome our newest First Fridays participant – Bunbury Gallery – located in the historic St. Joseph Station and featuring a mixture of regional, national and international artists. You’re encouraged to checkout this new addition to the downtown arts scene this Frist Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Bruno's (131 S. Michigan St.) Get one 14ʺ 1-topping pizza for $15
• Chicory Cafe (105 E. Jefferson Blvd.) Free beignets with purchase! Plus live music, 16 oz. Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands for $5. They will also be having another of their famous seafood boils. Each dinner will include: Snow Crab, 1 lb., Gulf Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Corn on the Cob, Seasoned Potatoes, Garlic Butter, and Crab Shell Cracker Tool.
• Courtyard by Marriott Bistro (121 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.) 15% off full bill at the bistro First Fridays, including both food and drinks.
• The Drop Comedy Club (111 N. Main St.) will have headliner JP McAllister, featuring Max Sorich. DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night show. (9 p.m.)
• DTSB Valentine's Photo Op (217 S. Michigan St.) DTSB has set up a Valentine's Photo Op outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan St. Use #DTSBLove and share your photos! Special thanks to Ambassador Dan for bringing this beautiful photo op to life!
• February First Fridays Food & Beverage Vendors (Studebaker Plaza) Bair Country Coffee Co., Cambodian Thai, Froggies Concessions, King of the Kettle, Indiana Whiskey Co., and YadaYada Empanada (5 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Fiddler’s Hearth (127 N. Main St.) will have free live music by local Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen this First Fridays! (8 pm. to 11 p.m.)
• Fire Dancing at Studebaker Plaza (Studebaker Plaza) Enjoy free fire dancing performances at Studebaker Plaza by Dana with Wonderflow Hoop Co. and April Sheree with Go Aerial Fitness. (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Fireworks & Ice Carvings (Throughout Downtown) In keeping with the Fire & Ice theme of this month’s First Fridays, we will have live ice carvings taking place by MICA (Michiana Ice Carvers Artisans), and a special fireworks presentation taking place at 8:00 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from the Leighton Garage roof, and the best place to view them will be the First Fridays Block Party/Studebaker Plaza area.
• Live ice carvings will be taking place this First Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at various downtown locations including Howard Park, Howard Park Public House, Linden Grill, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, Studebaker Plaza, and Woochi. A map of the carving locations is coming soon! The ice carvings are sponsored by the establishments hosting carvings, Downtown South Bend, and the Downtown Dining Association.
• Friends of the Library Book Sale (333 S. Michigan St.) will have bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Ice Skating at Howard Park (219 S. St. Louis Blvd.) Enjoy ice skating at the Howard Park Ice Trail & Pond from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. plus a DJ Skate Night at 8 p.m.
• Ironhand Wine Bar (1025 Northside Blvd.) will be having live music by Lucas Miner and their First Fridays wine special— 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc.
• Perry Vine (121 S. Niles Ave.) 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!
• The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery (217 S. Michigan St.) A hug that's captured in clay turned to stone and lasts a lifetime! The world needs more hugs so show them your beautiful moment captured in clay and stamped with your initials and date. (5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
• S'mores and Warming Stations (Downtown) Several warming stations will be located throughout downtown this First Fridays. You can find fire pits at Howard Park, South Bend Chocolate Cafe, and Studebaker Plaza. Studebaker Plaza's fire pit will also be featuring a S'mores station from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Soma Pole Studio (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. (6 p.m. to 7 pm).
• South Bend Brew Werks (321 S. Main St.) Bring out your inner diva at South Bend Brew Werks with karaoke First Fridays from (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
• South Bend Chocolate Cafe (122 S. Michigan St.) 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.
• South Bend Museum of Art (120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.) Visit the South Bend Museum of Art on First Fridays for extended hours and free admission! This month they will be featuring a sneak peek of the 2025 Scholastic Art Awards! The Scholastic Art Awards represents the most comprehensive national annual assessment of the creative spirit among American teens. (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
• St. Joe Coffee Co. (305 S. Michigan St.) $1 off January specialty drinks. (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)
• Tippecanoe Place/Studebaker Grill (620 W. Washington St.) 1/2 price appetizers In the Studebaker Lounge.
• Winter Restaurant Weeks (30 Downtown Restaurants) Downtown South Bend Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to experience the variety of cuisine downtown South Bend has to offer from Italian to fine dining, New Orleans inspired to Japanese flavors. The menus include breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner options, plus carryout options. 30 Downtown South Bend restaurants will offer valued-priced menus (view menus here.) Approximately 10% of the proceeds from each meal purchased will be donated directly to the Beacon Children’s Hospital. (Jan. 24 through Feb. 9).
• WXYZ Bar at Aloft South Bend (111 N. Main St.) Live @ Aloft with DJ Outlaw (8 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and will have "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause sold donated to their featured charity of the month. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy one flatbread pizza and get a second flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.