Merchant Center

First Friday

EVERYONE is invited to attend Downtown York’s monthly First Friday in Historically Edgy Downtown York on May 3, 2024, presented by WellSpan Health.

Don’t Miss Out!

First Friday is a celebration of Downtown York, PA shops, restaurants, cultural venues and nightlife hot spots. 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.

Interested in becoming a vendor on Beaver Street June-October? We’d love to have you! Fill out the form here.

 

arts

Anita Williams and Joey Tice Art Studio and Gallery: Open on the third floor above the Handsome Cab.

Creatives on King: April First Friday Birthday Bash! 6pm-8pm. Join us to celebrate our first year in business. Enjoy a mini dessert bar and party drinks in our classroom while you peruse the gallery and artist studios, as well as visit with animal guests from Reptile Smiles. All ages welcome from 6pm to 8pm!

Gallery VII (116 E King St) – 7-9pm. Join us at Gallery VII’s debut opening exhibition “keep it movin'” for drinks and works from Jeff Rose, Peter Danko, Dani Klebes, and more. RSVP required. (SOLD OUT)

HIVE artspace: Open 5-9pm. Join us for a free Veg Party AND the opening of All Creatures Great & Small, an animal-themed exhibit & fundraiser. A portion of ALL art sales on First Friday will be going to Animal Advocates of So Central PA’s & Peace Will Follow Animal Sanctuary’s Give Local York campaigns. These 2 organizations will be throwing a free Veg Party at Hive featuring vegan noms, prizes, games, give-aways, and some surprise animal friends, too! Plus Kate Rush Art will have her studio-shop open from 6-8pm with a buy-on-get-one-50%-off promo on jewelry.

King’s Courtyard Artists’ Collective: Open 5-8pm. See all the new work at King’s Courtyard Artists’Collective, sign up for a Channeled Tarot Reading with Liette Monic-10 card reading for $20, and meet our new artist/member Michele McDevitt! 

Marketview Arts:

OMG Studios: Open 5pm-9pm

Steph Holmes Artist Studio: May First Friday at Steph Holmes Artist Studio Ft. Valley Youth House! 5pm-8pm

Venture: Open 5pm-9pm. Parker James Hooker will energize the street with his music, Susan Davitti Darling will be present to chat about her new work, “sprout” giveaway for the kids, plus mocktails and nibbles. Fun! Fun! Fun! Come!

 

 

Shopping

Casta Cigars: We’re back! Come through for a damn fine cigar to enjoy on our back patio or take it home to enjoy later! Open 12pm-5pm, and maybe later if the weather is nice!

My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe: Girlfriends’ Give Day! Shop Local and Give Back on York County’s biggest GIVE DAY of the year! Thank you to My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe for partnering with the Junior League of York in support of GIVE LOCAL YORK 2024.
A portion of all sales (in person and online) at My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe on Give Day (Friday, May 3rd) will benefit the Junior League of York. Please join us for a day of shopping, friendship, and giving back!

Noel’s Rock Shop: 5-9pm. We want to blow out inventory before moving (don’t worry, just a couple of doors down!) The buy a guitar and amp, get the lesser valued item deal is BACK. You may work with a friend to qualify! Don’t need a guitar/amp combo? We may be inclined to make deals on guitar and amp purchases independently. 😉 Will also offer rock n roll themed pins and jewelry hand-crafted by Kate Rush. These pieces are available exclusively at Noel’s Rock Shop.

Refillsim: Come Refill & Shop with Us: A portion of Refillism’s sales will be donated to the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association! Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is dedicated to improving the ecological health of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. 10am-9pm. 

White Rose Tattoo Club: Join White Rose Tattoo Club during First Friday! Enjoy discounts on their wall and book flash filled with tons of newly added designs and discounts on piercings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining

Archetype Pizza: Open 11am-10pm for First Friday!

Collusion Tap Works: Open noon-10pm. Great bar food, 24 beers on tap.
 
Granfalloons Tavern: Open 12-10pm+. Friday Night Special – Half-Price Backside of the Food Menu! American bar fare, wings, burgers, steak.
 
World Grills: Open 11am-8pm. Asian-fusion. Vegetarian / vegan options available.
 
Yorktowne Hotel: The Rooftop Lounge is open from 4pm-11pm. Come out to the district for the main event from 5pm-9pm, then end the night enjoying some steller views and a nightcap!

 

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.

Parking Garages: King Street Garage, Market Street Garage, Philadelphia Street Garage.

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 and E. King Street and S. Queen Street Lot (directly across from The Bond). For Collusion Tapworks Customers, parking is available in the corner lot of S. Howard Street and E. Newton Avenue (directly behind the Bond)

WeCo: Free on-street parking on West Philadelphia Street and at the Foundry Park parking lot

​Ready for more fun?

​We have events year-round! Check out our calendar.