First Friday is a celebration of Downtown York, PA shops, restaurants, cultural venues and nightlife hot spots. On Friday March 7 from 5-9pm, downtown shops and restaurants host special events, offer refreshments and promotions, and sponsor live entertainment. As you are enjoying the First Friday happenings with your family, share your photos on Instagram and Facebook, @downtownyorkpa, #ffyork. Events and activities in BOLD are made possible this month thanks to grants from our First Friday sponsor, WellSpan Health.
Events happening in the Market District
- Appell Center for the Performing Arts Jazz in the City- Two Bass Special. Join us for our monthly interactive quartet performing jazz standards and more, this month featuring two stellar bassists! Tickets are just $10 in advance, $15 day of, and students are free with ID. Show begins at 5:30pm in The Studio. Kirk Reese – piano, Steve Meashey – bass, Steve Varner – bass, & Jeff Stabley – drums
- Appell Center for the Performing Arts: First Friday Free Family Film feauturing WOLFWALKERS at 6:30pm in the Capitol Theatre. In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack.
- Gift Horse Brewing Company: Celebrate March with Craft Beer, Local Liquors, Delicious Food and LIVE music from Corty Byron!
- Keystone Kidspace: Parents’ Night Out! 5:30pm-8:30pm. Don’t worry about finding a sitter – Keystone Kidspace is hosting another “Parents Night Out”! Drop your kids off for a night of supervised fun while you hit the town. Evening includes fun maker activities, dinner and snacks. This is a drop off event for ages 6+. Pre-Registration is required!
- Marketview Arts: View and celebrate exhibitions featuring original work by local student artists! Video Game Exhibition: “Echoes of the Abyss” on the first floor features concept art for a new 2D video game project led by Powder Mill Foundation Arts Fellow Devon Tolbert. Community members will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design, build your own pixel art, and play games! And the YCASE Finalist Exhibition on the third floor features artwork by York-area high school students selected as finalists from the YCASE Art Walk. Also on display on the third floor is an exhibit of artwork by York Academy Senior IB Art students. Light refreshments will be provided.
- Martin Library: Instrument Petting Zoo with the YSSO 5-7pm Look AND touch at Martin Library’s March First Friday Instrument Petting Zoo with the York Youth Symphony Orchestra (YYSO)! – Touch and try violins, violas, and cellos – Get tips from members of the YSSO – Check out Martin Library’s music-related collection – Light refreshments Free; no registration.
- Refillism: 20% OFF Per Oz Lotions & FREE Sweet Treat While You Shop
- York County History Center: Free Admission! Sign in at the front desk for free entry and take an adventure through 300+ year of York County History as you explore the museum during First Friday.
Events happening in the Royal Square District
- Collusion: open 12 to 10pm, $20 flatbread & flights all day, launch of our beer- Shenanigans – a 5% dry Irish Stout. First time we’re offering it in cans to-go too!
- HIVE artspace – Join us on First Friday for the opening of the “Stories From The Sea” exhibit, enter a free raffle for a Daniele Serra print (thanks to a First Friday Grant from Downtown Inc), visit Wendy Lane Smith and a special guest in her 2nd floor studio, and visit Angel the Tortoise!
- Josh Johnson Creative Studio presents Daydream – Selected works by Amy Lehr Miller. Opening reception 6-10 pm. Runs through March.
- Noel’s Rock Shop: Open 5pm-9pm
- Venture explodes in color as we continue Ellen Engdahl Ehlenbeck’s floral painting show. Bright earrings, nature walk necklaces, paper daffodils in bud vases, and lots of birds bring a burst of Spring
Open First Friday 5pm-9pm
Events happening in WECO District
- March 7 is First Friday in the WeCo District of Downtown York, PA, and our little walkable micro-district has fun experiences for you to explore!
- Gather 256 will be open for First Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM. They’ll be serving a dedicated dinner menu, available after 4 PM, including $5 DIY pizzas for kids. The menu drops on Tuesday! They will also be featuring their March drink specials, including shamrock shakes and other St. Patrick’s Day themed beverages. During your visit you can still catch the artwork of West York High Students through York College of Pennsylvania‘s YCASE art walk. Gather 256 is BYOB, pet, and family friendly. They also provide complimentary beer and wine during dinner hours on First Friday.
- Gallery @227: Blake Gifford of York Architecture Illustrated will be exhibiting in Gallery @227 in March and April. Join us on First Friday in March for the opening reception from 5-9pm. Enjoy a beer, cup of wine, and assorted snacks while appreciating the work that Blake has on display. You may park in our lot after 5pm, so start and end your First Friday adventure at 227 W Market Street. Normal gallery hours are M-F 8am-6pm.
- Next, stop by Steph Holmes Artist Studio between noon and 8 PM and receive a mini art print postcard (while supplies last)! Grab your print and explore a studio filled with nature-inspired artwork. You can also watch Steph paint live at her easel during the evening. Located at 336 W Market St, Downtown York, PA.
Parking:
Parking is plentiful in Downtown York. There are 1,260 garage parking spaces and 350 on-street parking meters in our downtown area, and parking couldn’t be any easier for First Friday in Downtown York. On-street parking is free after 5pm and parking in one of the three downtown parking garages is free after 6:30pm. Click the links below for driving directions to the three parking garages:
Free parking is also available in the Royal Square District after 5pm at the following locations:
- Corner lot of E. Newton Ave and S. Duke Street
- E. King Street and S. Queen Street Lot (directly across from The Bond)
For more information on parking in Downtown York, click here.
For more information on First Friday and to stay up to date info on all the fun activities happening in Downtown York be sure to visit downtownyorkpa.com
