Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa's Arrival

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The Gridiron



The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the Gridiron with entertainment starting at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy live music by The Erly, holiday photo ops, a Santa letter station, giveaways, games, and roving costumed characters like The Grinch, Rudolph, Louie the Lightning Bug, Stu, and Swoop. Additional entertainment will be provided by the IU South Bend Kickline and some surprise guests. Santa is expected to arrive a little after 6:00 pm to light the tree, and afterwards fireworks will fill the sky.

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Visits with Santa

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Gridiron



Santa's House will open up for visitors directly following the fireworks show, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Bring your camera for free photos with Santa in his red house by the South Bend Chocolate Cafe. If the line is long on the night of the Tree Lighting, and you want to go do other First Fridays activities instead, don't worry - you will have chances to visit Santa throughout the month of December (see hours below.)

Fridays – Dec. 6, 13, 20 • 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(with 6:30 p.m. start time December 6)

Saturdays – Dec. 7, 14, 21 • 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sundays – Dec. 8, 15, 22 • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Monday – Dec. 23 • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday – Dec. 24 • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Free photos with the Grinch at South Bend Chocolate Cafe

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

122 S. Michigan St.



Visit the Grinch this First Fridays at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe and bring your camera for free photos. The Grinch and Rudolph will be at the Chocolate Cafe on alternating weekends throughout December, on the same schedule for Santa's House & Workshop (see above.)

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Laura Whidden will also be playing a free show from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Laura will be performing pop/rock selections mixed with her own song creations. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special of 2 for $20 any crunch/pretzel combo.

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Holiday in the Gallery

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Join the South Bend Museum of Art for an annual tradition of art, music, food and festivities to celebrate the season! Check out this year's Gingerbread Village Competition entries in The Dot Shop, where you can also shop for one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists.

Plus, enjoy free museum admission, giving you the opportunity to view the following exhibitions:

*The Korshak Collection: Illustrations of Imaginative Literature: 29 pioneering artists: 80 years of published science fiction, adventure and fantasy illustrations!

*WorldBuilders: Recent Artwork by Jeff Miracola, Michael Whelan, Donglu Yu and Kirsten Zirngibl

*Beyond: Video and Animations by Evan Mann and Julia Oldham

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Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides

6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Pick up & Drop off by Studebaker Plaza



Dream Coach Carriages will be offering 15-minute horse-drawn sleigh rides from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Studebaker Plaza. The cost is just $20 per 15 minute sleigh ride, which can accommodate up to four passengers.

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Festivus Celebration at Purple Porch Co-op

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

123 N. Hill St.

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Join Purple Porch Co-op for their inaugural A Festivus for The Rest of Us! event. Seinfeld fans can enjoy the following activities:

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Elaine Dancing

Seinfeld-themed Foods

Airing of Grievances

An Aluminum Pole

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It's a Festivus for the rest of us!

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TMV Holiday Benefit Concert

6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

333 S. Michigan St.

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Harp guitarist Muriel Anderson will be performing a holiday concert to benefit The Music Village. This casual-yet-elegant evening in TMV's main room will help support TMV community outreach programs.

Tickets for this holiday-themed benefit concert are $50 per person and include one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink and a wide variety of hors d'oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased online here.

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Double Dutch with the ND Jump Rope Team

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Gridiron

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Members of the ND Jump Rope Team will be doing double dutch in the parking lot west of the Gridiron for kids to join in!

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Snowman Make & Take at Therapeutic Indulgence

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

903 E. Jefferson Blvd.

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Stop in to Therapeutic Indulgence this First Fridays for a Make & Take Snowman Rice Sock! These will be assembled in the basement and all ages are welcome. Bring your kiddos to get creative, then take your new friend home, throw it in the microwave for a minute and enjoy some nice warm cuddles. $5

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Holiday Show at Fire Arts

5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

305 E. Colfax Ave.

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Fire Arts, Inc. will be holding a second reception for their holiday show. Join them for light refreshments and some holiday cheer. Also take advantage of their 10% discount on purchases of original artwork. This discount is valid through December 23rd.

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9:00 p.m. to midnight

127 N. Main St.



Enjoy free live music at Fiddler’s Hearth by local Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen from 9:00 p.m. to midnight every First Fridays!