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Merchant Center

First Friday

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

📢📢📢IMPORTANT JULY FIRST FRIDAY UPDATE📢📢📢

First Friday is still happening this Friday, July 3, and there’s plenty to enjoy inside our amazing downtown businesses! From shopping and dining to live music, art, and special promotions, many of your favorite small businesses will be hosting First Friday experiences in comfortable, air-conditioned spaces. Due to the extreme heat forecast, Downtown Inc has made the difficult decision to cancel the Beaver Street First Friday Block Party. The safety of our vendors, attendees, and community is always our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding. We still encourage everyone to get out, stay cool, and support the small businesses that make Downtown York such a vibrant place. Be sure to check with your favorite spots for their First Friday specials and indoor activities! Thank you to WellSpan Health, the official sponsor of First Friday, for helping make this monthly celebration possible.

Sponsored by WellSpan Health, First Friday is your chance to experience the best of Downtown York’s shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and nightlife. From 5–9 p.m., businesses come alive with special events, promotions, refreshments, and live entertainment. As you explore, don’t forget to share your favorite moments on Instagram and Facebook by tagging @downtownyorkpa and using #ffyork.

Join the fun of First Fridays as a vendor during Downtown Inc’s series of block parties on North Beaver St.! Each will take place the First Friday of every month June, July (cancelled due to extreme heat as of 7/1), August, and September from 5:00pm – 8:30pm. Please carefully read the instructions below before applying.

Monthly Themes:

  • August – Farmers Fest
  • September – Future Neighbors and Friends
Become a Vendor
Market District Events
Royal Square District Events
WeCo District Events
Parking Options

Market district

Holy Hound Tap Room: The air conditioning is on and so it the World Cup! Check out happy hour specials from 4pm-6pm and daily food specials!

African-American First Fridays Spring, Summer, Fall Series 2026: It’s that time of year again! African-American First Fridays are BACK! ❤️🖤💚 We are ROCKING with an amazing Theme for our 7th Year! ❤️🖤💚
“Vendors, Performances, Yard Sale & Cookout Style.” Events will be located in Penn Park, 100 W. College Ave. from 5pm-9pm every Frist Friday (June-Ocotber except for July)! Join us for the perfect opportunity to highlight what you offer and become a VENDOR or PERFORMER during our Spring/Summer/Fall Series 2026! Contact The AAFFs Team! DM: African-American First Fridays. Email: africanamericanfirstfridays@gmail.com. Text: 717-870-2175 

The Kitsch-enette: Open Mic Night 5-9 every First Friday! 

Marketview Arts: Open to the public 12pm-9pm. Community members are invited to visit Marketview Arts for July First Friday — this is one of the last opportunities to see the 2025-26 Arts Fellows exhibitions! “MixedMedia” by Marcos Repolle and “Cuero” by Gabriel Sanchez Carpio run through July 4. ​

York County History Center: On First Friday, July 3, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 p.m., the York County History Center will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with the public opening of Revolutionary York, a major new exhibit exploring York County’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. Guests will be among the first to experience this exciting exhibit while enjoying refreshments and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of downtown York. The evening is designed to engage residents and visitors of all ages, encouraging them to connect with our nation’s founding story through the unique lens of York County. If funded, the event will feature live music in the museum lobby to create a vibrant and welcoming environment, as well as a balloon twister, face painter, or similar interactive activity or giveaway for children. These additions will help transform the exhibit opening into a true community celebration, encouraging families to participate in First Friday festivities while making local history accessible, engaging, and memorable for all. 

The Watchmaker’s Daughter: ✨ We’re excited to welcome a special local guest artist for July First Friday!⁠ ⁠ Join us at The Watchmakers Daughter on Friday, July 3rd from 4–8 PM as Liebe Krafted Designs by Joedian Douglas joins us for an outdoor pop-up during Downtown York First Friday.⁠ ⁠ Stop by to shop handmade creations, support local artists, and enjoy a summer evening downtown with us 💙⁠ 

Freedom is Not Free- A celebration of the York Community and America’s 250th, a concert by the Unforgettable Big Band! 7pm-10pm at the Valencia Ballroom. Step back in time and celebrate America’s semi quincentennial at this special ticketed event. Inspired by a World War II-era USO canteen, the evening features a big band concert, patriotic entertainment, and a community celebration honoring the sacrifices and achievements that have shaped our nation.

First Friday Happy Birthday 250 Celebration at the Handsome Cab. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. The celebration continues at 7 p.m. when The Thompson Triplets bring their high-energy 80s party to Downtown York.​ Join Handsome Cab for an all-American celebration featuring:

  • American BBQ and chef specials
  • Patriotic cocktails, beer, wine, and festive treats
  • Sidewalk café and outdoor bar
  • Live music and summer party atmosphere
  • Festive décor and patriotic fun

Celebrate with the York Revolution! York Revolution vs. Lancaster Stormers. Gates Open: 5:30 p.m. | First Pitch: 6:30 p.m. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime with:

  • Papa John’s Customer Appreciation Night
  • Patriotic Hat Patch Giveaway presented by WellSpan Health for the first 1,000 fans

royal square district

 

July First Friday in Royal Square Facebook event
Come hang out with us in the Royal Square District for First Friday! See below for a peek at what we have planned for you!
– CORNERSTONE BARBERSHOP – Open for walk-ins 9am – 6pm.
– CREATIVES ON KING – 12-8. Join us for the Opening Reception – “Residue of Change” by Mark Omiatek from 6-8pm in the Upper Room Gallery and enjoy light refreshments and new artwork in the downstairs gallery!
– GLASS TURTLE STUDIO – 12-9.
– HIVE artspace – 5-9. Open 5-9. Join us for the opening of Aviary 5, our 5th annual bird-themed exhibit featuring artworks by more than 40 artists, and live music from 6-7 by Kyran & Makayla. Third Round Art and Erin Fallon Abstracts will also be open on the 2nd floor.
– IN BETWEEN PAGES – 12-8.
– KING’S COURTYARD – 5-9. King’s Courtyard Artists’Collective will be celebrating our 14th Anniversary with Live Music by Anderson & Anderson 7-8pm, and our “Signature Snacks”!
– MOLLY’S FOLLIES – Open 6:30-9:00.
– NASIM & CO – 12-9pm. We will be launching our new flavors, Endless Summer Collection!
– PAPER TIGER STUDIO – 6-9 with linocut prints for sale and print demo.
– ROAMING ROAST – We will be open from 9am to 8 pm. Maybe later. We will have music. Specials will be the mandarin summer. A drink fresh out of Italy. A refreshing sparkling espresso drink with a hint of Mandarin! Toasted coconut, vanilla, cold brew! Iced coconut mocha latte! Sparkling refreshers, in several flavors with fruit purée! We are also carrying wonderful cinnamon rolls from manna‘s microbakery in the York Central Market.
– VENTURE – 5-9. Opening of “Fresh Takes” a Group Exhibit of New Works. Seven Venture artists have created new pieces for our July show – jewelry, mugs, paintings, photography, and encaustic painting. Come check out their work and enjoy meeting friends (old and new). Serving bubbles and bites.
– THE VENTURE STUDIOS – 5-9. 128 E King St Studio Artists will have select studios open with brand new artwork.
– VIBRISSAE GROOMING & PET BOUTIQUE – 9am-4pm. $10 nail trims every First Friday! Get to know our staff! Book with us on First Friday with deposit and get 15% off your scheduled groom or 15% off memberships.
– GRANFALLOONS TAVERN – First Friday Afterparty starts at 9pm with Aortic Valve! $5
– ALLEYS BAR – House Fridays with DJ Pound. No cover before 9.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
– LEVANT MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE – 11am-8pm. So delicious! Try the Mediterranean Platter for a taste of several items.
– 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.
– THE YORKTOWNE HOTEL – Continental cuisine with a twist from 5-10pm. The Rooftop Lounge is open 4-11, so come on out to the district for the main event from 5-9, then end the night enjoying some stellar views and a nightcap!
WHERE: The Royal Square District is located in downtown York, PA, in the area surrounded by King, Queen, Duke, and Princess streets. Get to the intersection of King & Duke & you are there.
FREE PARKING: Free parking is available on weekdays after 5:00pm and all day on weekends at the following locations:
– RSD Mural Park lot at Newton & Howard
– Corner lot of E. Newton Ave and S. Duke Street
– E. King Street and S. Queen Street Lot (directly across from The Bond)
– Collusion Tap Works Customers: Corner lot of S. Howard Street and E. Newton Avenue (directly behind the Bond)
– King Street Parking Garage & Market Street Parking Garage (each just 1 block away)
We can’t wait to see you!

weco district

parking options

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. 

Parking Garages: King Street Garage, Market Street Garage, Philadelphia Street Garage.Normal daily rates will apply from 8am-5pm. 

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.

Downtown Calendar