Join us on Friday, December 5th, for a festive First Friday celebration, complete with food, music, and fun. Whether you’re a regular or first-time visitor, Downtown York has something for everyone. 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 – Seasonal Jazz | 5:30pm | The Studio. Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 day of; Students free with ID. First Friday Free Family Film – Animated Holiday Classics | 7:30pm | Strand Theatre: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983), and A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).
- Bright Nights: Visit the dazzling holiday magic of 3 million lights at WellSpan Park! Tickets are available here.
- Light Up York: Continental Square. Kick off the holiday season in the heart of downtown as Light Up York, presented by WellSpan Health, returns to Continental Square! Join us for an evening filled with festive cheer, family fun, and community spirit. Timeline: 5 PM Vendors open, Karaoke, 5:30 PM Santa Claus arrives at Martin Library presented by Shipley Energy, 5:40 PM Book reading, 5:55 PM Hanukkah celebration, 6:10 PM Celebration of Tree, 6:20 PM Lighting Ceremony, 6:30 PM Vendors, food trucks and karaoke.
- Market View Arts, 37 W Philadelphia Street: Opening Reception of ‘Belonging as the First Step to Leadership’ 6-8pm. This is a photography exhibit by first year commuter students at York College.
- Martin Library: Be sure to stop by Martin Library from 5:30 – 7:00 pm for a visit from Santa Claus! Doors open at 5 pm and crafts will be there while waiting to get that special moment with Santa. This event is sponsored by Shipley Energy.
- York College Center for Community Engagement: Movie Night: The ‘Cherry Lane’ Kickoff Event. Join us at The Gunter-Smith Center for Community Engagement (59 E. Market St., York) during December First Friday for a night of networking, free food, free headshots, and the announcement of an upcoming film project by Powder Mill Foundation Arts Fellow Marcos Repollé and YCP film graduate Joey Snyder. RSVP here.
- York County History Center: Bundle up and stop by the Colonial Complex on Friday, December 5 for candle light Colonial Holiday tours from 5:30 until 8 pm. This is an exclusive holiday experience you won’t want to miss!
Events happening in the Royal Square District
- HIVE artspace, 126 E King Street: Visit us on First Friday for a gallery full of unique, artist-made & hand-crafted gifts and affordable art during the opening of Hive’s Holiday Bzzzaar! Angel will be in her holiday finest, Wendy will have her studio open on the second floor, and there may even be treats!
- King’s Coutyard Artist Collective: Come in from the cold as we feature free Hot Apple Cider and Chocolate Star Cookies! See some “Holiday Science Magic” by Harry Hawbecker and be filled with a sense of wonder! Enjoy live Seasonal Music by Ian Carroll, 5-8pm, as you find that truly one-of-a-kind gift among the unique works by our 22 artist members!
- Noel’s Rock Shop: 6pm-8pm. We’ve loaded up on effects pedals in time for the holidays. Stay on budget but make a big impact to a loved one’s rig, maybe even your rig, with a hot new pedal from Noel’s.
- Venture: Venture will be open 5-9pm with additional handmade ornaments and small items joining the “Wonder & Whimsy” show. Free gift wrapping!
Events happening in WECO District
WeCo’s First Friday December info coming soon!
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
