Click here to submit your own community event!

Event Series: First Friday

First Friday

May 2 @ 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

First Friday Market Jam with Forrester Grey
Downtown Farmers Market on Locust Lane
12-2pm

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 Forrester Grey!

Shallow 9 in the MLK Plaza
127 S Fraser St
5:30-8pm

Enjoy the music of Shallow 9 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 DSCID Office
127 S Fraser St
5-8pm

Art of Ariel Oki on display as part of the Art Alliance Outreach Program! Light refreshments provided!

First Friday at Kitchen Kaboodle
108 W Beaver Ave
5-7pm

Kitchen Kaboodle is demonstrating their latest new product during First Friday. Come hear the “Songbird Bottle Pourer” sing while you sip on something refreshing!

First Friday at Growing Tree Toys
202 S Allen St
5-7pm

Join us to decorate a seed starter pot and plant wildflowers – makes a great Mother’s Day gift! Free while supplies last, one per child

First Friday at Duck Donuts
125 S Fraser St
5-8pm

Mention “First Fridays” for a Buy One Get One donut deal!

First Friday at Drip Studios
148 E Calder Way, 4th Floor
5-8pm

Stop by Drip Studios during First Friday and enjoy a discount of 20% on piercings and 10% on jewelry purchases!

First Friday at Town Pride
240 E Calder Way
5-8pm

Stop in to Town Pride during First Friday, and enjoy light refreshments for kiddos and grown-ups!

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

Collaborative dance workshops with Michele Dunleavy
6-6:30pm & 6:30-7pm

Participants will be guided through a series of low impact physical activities designed to stimulate creativity and build community. Physical rhymes are moments of accidental synchronicity that occur during group improvisation. Using a variety of techniques and prompts, these workshops will create a space for physical rhymes to emerge.

No experience necessary. Free.

Michele Dunleavy, professor of dance and 2024-25 Penn State Laureate will be offering a series of collaborative dance workshops and public performances April 14 through May 3 at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center.

On Display
5-8pm

Incident & Accident: Daily Drawings by Cathy Braasch & Hands-on History: The Experience of Braiding a Lost Inca Rope by Kyle Marini

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

Mention “First Fridays” for a 10% discount!

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 3 Dots
137 E Beaver Ave
5-8pm

View 6 Years of 3 Dots: A Spring Retrospective Exhibit during extended open hours 5-8 PM, and enjoy light refreshments!

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

Stop into Appalachian Outdoors for refreshements, the chance to enter an in-store raffle, yard games, and puzzles! Join in a community activity for the Jana Marie Foundation Art with a Theme project to help decorate Appalachian Outoor’s snail to be displayed for Mental Health Awareness Month!

First Friday at Bhakti Yoga Center
322 E College Ave
5-8pm

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times

First Friday at the Bhakti Yoga Center

Join us at the Bhakti Yoga Center on May 2rd for a vibrant First Friday celebration: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times!

Explore the timeless practices of yoga, meditation, and philosophy in a welcoming and joyful atmosphere.

If you’re new to yoga or curious about meditation and ancient wisdom, this is the ideal opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the warmth of our community.

Everyone is welcome — bring a friend and discover practical tools for peace, purpose, and happiness in today’s world.

We can’t wait to meet you!

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

Kish and the Art Alliance of Central PA present Part 1* of the Art Alliance Members Show.
Stop by The Expect More Store on Friday, May 2 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. to view the show and enjoy refreshments, wine, and beer!
This event is FREE and open to the public.
Can’t make it during First Friday? The exhibit will be on display during May—stop by anytime during banking hours to take a peek.
*With so many talented artists, the show is split into two parts. Part 2 will be on display during June. Be sure to visit both months to see the entire show!

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

Join us at The Makery this Friday from 6pm-8pm to make Sharpie Tie Dye Pouches! This is a free, family friendly event!

First Friday at McLanahan’s
116 S Allen St
6-9pm

6-8pm – Happy Hour
7-9pm – Live Music

First Friday at Tempest Studios
140 Kelly Aly
6:30-8pm

Join us for music, poetry, and refreshments 6:30-8pm

Music with Jim Colbert 6:30-7:15pm

Poetry with Nicole Myashiro and Mary Rohrer-Dann 7:30-8pm

Free event

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!

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!

Related Events