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First Friday

October 6, 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.

First Friday Map

New this year: Sidewalk Sales!

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

Latin Fest Pre-Party in the MLK Plaza
127 S Fraser St
5-8pm

Happy Valley Latin Festival takes over the MLK Plaza and Fraser St on Saturday, Oct 7. Get the party started early with a DJ and live music in the MLK Plaza during First Friday from 5-8pm!

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

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

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

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 Growing Tree Toys
202 S Allen St
5-8pm

Kick off this year’s Downtown Bat Hunt at Growing Tree Toys on First Friday!

Click here to learn more about the Bat Hunt and to find a full list of participating businesses!

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!

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 Harpers
224 E College Ave
5-8pm

Check out the women’s Kinross trunk show at Harpers (trunk show runs Oct 5-Oct 8) and enjoy a complimentary beverage while you shop from 5-8pm during First Friday!

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

Mention “First Fridays” for a 10% discount!

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

Kish and the Art Alliance of Central PA present photography from the State College Photo Club and from high school students whose work was accepted at the national Photographic Society of America Youth Showcase. Stop by The Expect More Store on Friday, October 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to view the photographs; chat with Kish’s featured business client, Calibre Inc.; 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

Come down to MLK Plaza for the Latin Fest Pre-Party THIS First Friday!

Pop into the studio to decorate umbrellas that will be hung outside for a Latin Fest art installation! This is a free event for all ages.

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

Pop-up Playtime and Fall Stories!
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 – Sword Fighting!
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.

Central PA Dance Workshop at Schlow Library
211 S Allen St (outside)
starting at 6:15pm

Join us as dancers from the Central PA Dance Workshop perform a variety of folk dances from Ireland, Greece, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, including chances for audience participation.

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!

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