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First Friday

September 1, 2023 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Experience the cool vibe of downtown State College during our monthly First Friday events. A casual atmosphere features art, people-watching, mingling with friends, shopping, and dining at the diverse and delectable State College restaurants.
First Friday goers will experience after-hours access to galleries and shops, free bites and beverages, live music, retail and restaurant specials, and more. And there’s free parking in the Pugh, Fraser and Beaver garages with validations from participating merchants.

New this year: Sidewalk Sales!

Participating downtown stores are hosting sidewalk sales all day on First Friday! Click here for more info!

First Friday Market Jam with Eric Ian Farmer
Downtown State College Farmers Market on Locust Lane
12-2pm

In coordination with the Downtown Farmers Market, we are sponsoring live, local music at the market on Locust Lane on First Fridays from May through September. Stop by the Downtown Farmers Market between noon and 2pm and enjoy live music as you peruse the locally produced items! This month’s performer is Eric Ian Farmer!

OK Otter in the MLK Plaza
127 S Fraser St
5:30-8pm

 

Enjoy the music of OK Otter live on the MLK Plaza from 5:30-8pm! Many thanks to The Band Junkies for their booking, photography and promotional skills!

First Friday at the DID Office
127 S Fraser St
5-8pm

Art of Emily Decker on display as part of the Art Alliance Outreach Program! Light refreshments provided!

First Friday at Harpers
224 E College Ave
5-6:30pm

Come see the works of Kathleen Muffie-Witt at Harpers from 5-8pm and enjoy a complimentary beverage!

First Friday at Master Goblin Games
234 E College Ave, Suite D
5-10pm

Master Goblin Games is hosting an Open Game Night, starting at 5pm! Come bring your friends! Come bring your games! Come meet new friends! Come learn new games!

First Friday at Juana’s
129 S Fraser St
5-8pm

Mention “First Fridays” for a 10% discount!

First Friday at Appalachian Outdoors
131 S Allen St
5-8pm

Stop into Appalachian Outdoors for beer & wine (2 drink limit) and light refreshements, as well as the chance to enter an in-store raffle!

First Friday at Woskob Family Gallery
146 S Allen St
5-8pm

Visit the gallery to unwind and recharge from 5-8pm. Experience Melissa Forkner Lesher’s installation High Strung. Join for the Printmaking Workshop from 5-7pm.

Experience the joy of creative play through experimental printmaking where objects are pressed onto paper or fabric, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces. Unleash your imagination on paper by selecting materials, colors, and papers to craft your unique prints. This inclusive series of workshops welcomes all creative individuals, regardless of experience. Collaborate with makers from diverse backgrounds and ages to create your own piece and contribute to a collective installation. All necessary materials and guidance will be provided. Led by Ryan Kough.

First Friday at The Nittany Quill
111 S Fraser St
5-8pm

The Nittany Quill offers light refreshments during First Friday! Snack while you shop! 5-8pm

Vinyl Concentrate at 3 Dots
137 E Beaver Ave
5-8pm

Dance to an all-vinyl set by Gorinto Productions’ DJ Elbow Knee Knee and enjoy performances by guests every First Friday at 3 Dots! Beer, wine, and drinks by SoBar

First Friday at Growing Tree Toys
202 S Allen St
5-8pm

Please join us outside Growing Tree Toys for First Friday Snacks & Doodles. We will have a back to school inspired snack to share and awesome Autumn activity sheets to color with some of our favorite art supplies. 5-8pm. This is a free event.

First Friday at Kish Bank
114 S Allen St
5:30-7:30pm

Kish and the Art Alliance of Central PA present Harmony in Stillness and Motion: Paintings and Photographs by Marica Tacconi. Embark on a visual journey that explores the captivating interplay between tranquility and movement. From peaceful landscapes that evoke a sense of serene calm to dynamic compositions that burst with vibrant energy, the exhibition invites the viewer to escape into a visual world that celebrates color, texture, and mood.
Stop by The Expect More Store on Friday, September 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to view Tacconi’s artwork; chat with Kish’s featured business client, 3 Dots Downtown; and enjoy cheeses, wine, and beer!
This event is FREE and open to the public.

First Friday at The Makery
123 S Fraser St
6-8pm

Join us at The Makery to kick off the school year in style by making these awesome back pack charms! We will also be partnering with The YMCA of Centre County and their Backpack Program. Bring some approved food items (click here for list of approved items) to donate and learn more about their Backpack Program. You can also visit their Travelin’ Table Mobile Feeding Bus that will be parked outside! This is a free, family friendly event.

First Friday at Tempest Studios
140 Kelly Aly (behind the Fraser Street Garage)
6-8:30pm

Pop-up Playtime
6-7:30pm
It’s playtime – we’ve got juggling scarves, dancing ribbons, puppets, masks, wings, storybook corners, and much, much more.
We’ll put on some music, add some drumming, and just play. It’s Family Time in Tempest Studios – come play with us!
Free, all ages

Shakespeare Aloud
7:30-8:30pm
Speak the speech with witty insults and loving words with the Bard’s most famous speeches, characters, and sonnets. Come as we play with the language, emotion, and physicality of the Bard’s work. Age 14 & up. For after all, all the world’s a stage.

First Friday at A’s Pub in McLanahan’s
114 S Allen St
6-9pm

Enjoy half-price happy hour from 6-8pm and live music from 7-9pm!

First Friday at the Blue Brick Theatre
209 W Calder Way
show starts at 7pm

Happy Valley Improv presents a special discounted improv comedy performance! Join us at 7 pm at the Blue Brick Theatre, located at 209 W Calder Way. To celebrate First Friday, guests will receive 20% off of tickets with the promo code “FIRSTFRIDAY” at checkout. Come out to the Blue Brick Theatre this First Friday for an evening of roaring laughs! Click here for tickets!

Pulp Fiction (Rated R) at The State Theatre
130 W College Ave
starts at 8pm

End your night at The State Theatre with a showing of Pulp Fiction (Rated R) at 8pm!

Free Rides with Vamos! Lion Chariot
6-8pm

Keep an eye out for Vamos! Lion Chariot from 6-8pm and enjoy a free ride on us!

 

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