First Friday - Downtown Partnership

First Friday

Explore First Friday Downtown

October 4, 2024, 5:00 pm

Free and open to the public, First Friday Downtown features new art, live music and special events on the first Friday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. at dozens of galleries, retailers and nonprofits throughout Downtown Colorado Springs.

Galleries offer in-person First Friday experiences compliant with current public health guidelines. Scroll down for a comprehensive of participating venues, updated monthly.

First Friday

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June 6, 2025 Featured events & shows

 

Events are added as information is received

Cottonwood Center for the Arts presenting Sew Subversive
Cottonwood Center for the ArtsSew Subversive
  • 5-8 p.m.
  • We asked artists: what can you say with fiber that you can't say with other mediums? This call for entries invited artists to submit works that feature textile techniques as an art medium. 
  • Two floors of open studios + galleries 
  • Beer, wine, and cocktail by donation. 
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True North Gallery presenting December After Dark with True North
True North GalleryDecember After Dark with True North
  • 5-10:30 pm
  • True North Art Gallery is proud to present art by 20 fantastic local creatives. Explore all different mediums from painting to sculpture to printmaking and even lipstick!
  • Wine and treats will be available in the gallery PLUS the doors are staying open late.
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G44 Gallery presenting 12th Annual Show
G44 Gallery presenting 12th Annual Show
G44 Gallery presenting 12th Annual Show
G44 Gallery presenting 12th Annual Show
G44 Gallery presenting 12th Annual Show
G44 Gallery12th Annual Show
  • 5-9 p.m.
  • Over 100 local and regional artists
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Kinship Landing presenting Katie Scruggs Galloway
Kinship LandingKatie Scruggs Galloway
  • 5-9 p.m.
  • Katie Scruggs Galloway from Becoming // Poetry presents her new book, Still and Still Moving
  • Live music courtesy of Jason Lee Band 7-9 p.m.
  • $2 Kinship Lagers
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The Look Up Gallery presenting Distortion
The Look Up GalleryDistortion
  • 5-9 p.m.
  • Located inside Yobel
  • Distortion is a new collection of large scale works by local artist Ben Bires. 
  • Beverages offered
  • Music by DJ Rocky Ross
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The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry presenting Art by Laurel Bahe and Lorraine Danzo
The Gallery at Cacao ChemistryArt by Laurel Bahe and Lorraine Danzo
  • 5-9:30 p.m.
  • Artists in person doing demonstrations
  • Sample delicious chocolate while you browse local art! 
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Kreuser Gallery presenting Three new exhibits for December!
Kreuser Gallery presenting Three new exhibits for December!
Kreuser Gallery presenting Three new exhibits for December!
Kreuser GalleryThree new exhibits for December!
  • 5-9 p.m.
  • Atmospheres and Orbits, a playful new series of paintings done in oil and cold wax depicting an attitude of experimentation and play by Nancy Roach.
  • Release of the Trammels, a new exhibit of works by Don Goede
  • Shifting Reality, a collection of works by Lori Goede.
  • Music by Dubfuscious
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Gallery 113 presenting In the Spirit of the Season
Gallery 113 presenting In the Spirit of the Season
Gallery 113 presenting In the Spirit of the Season
Gallery 113 presenting In the Spirit of the Season
Gallery 113 presenting In the Spirit of the Season
Gallery 113In the Spirit of the Season
  • 5-8 p.m.
  • December at Gallery 113 features timeless and innovative art works by our seventeen local member artists. 
  • Wine and Chocolates
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Colorado Co-op presenting Jewelry Trunk Show with Christy Metz Design and Like Water Jewelry
Colorado Co-opJewelry Trunk Show with Christy Metz Design and Like Water Jewelry
  • 1-8 p.m.
  • Christy Metz Design and Like Water Jewelry will both be in-store with new pieces just in time for Holiday Shopping!
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Universal Education Foundation presenting Just Art (and Gifts!)
Universal Education Foundation presenting Just Art (and Gifts!)
Universal Education Foundation presenting Just Art (and Gifts!)
Universal Education Foundation presenting Just Art (and Gifts!)
Universal Education Foundation presenting Just Art (and Gifts!)
Universal Education FoundationJust Art (and Gifts!)
  • 5-8 p.m.
  • Featured artists: Michelle Bracewell, Nicole Curtis, John Hagerty, Stephanie Lassen, Daniel Logan, Elizabeth Mackiewicz, Kristine Urban, Michael VanGalder, Frechelle Wilson
  • Snacks will be served, wine and beer by donation
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Studio Noir presenting First Friday at Studio Noir
Studio Noir presenting First Friday at Studio Noir
Studio NoirFirst Friday at Studio Noir
  • 4-7:30 p.m.
  • Featured artist Tim Bachman {Odd Dream Design)!
  • Refreshments will be available.
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Mash Mechanix presenting Countywyde Bluegrass
Mash MechanixCountywyde Bluegrass
  • 6-9 p.m.
  • Countywyde is a high-energy bluegrass band from Colorado Springs who loves making music
  • Craft beer and NA options
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The Bridge Gallery presenting Small Works
The Bridge GallerySmall Works
  • 5-8 p.m.
  • We’ve invited some of our favorite artists to create smaller size works in clay, photography, painting, fiber, and mixed media.
  • Great for holiday gifting! 
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Anita Marie Fine Art presenting Storied Places 2
Anita Marie Fine Art presenting Storied Places 2
Anita Marie Fine Art presenting Storied Places 2
Anita Marie Fine Art presenting Storied Places 2
Anita Marie Fine ArtStoried Places 2
  • 5-8 p.m.
  • A continuation of a series of places where the artist discovered a personal meaning and motivation to paint with an unshared intimacy.
  • Featured artists Richard Dahlquist and Chuck Mardosz
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Bosky Studio
SIN
  • On First Friday, June 6, Bosky Studio in Downtown Colorado Springs presents SIN, a collaborative exhibition featuring 13 artists presenting modern takes on the seven deadly sins. Six painters and seven photographers from Colorado, New Mexico and Utah paired up to develop collaborative work responding to one of the seven deadly sins. The resulting works, all new original compositions, include cakes and fashion apparel as well as photographs and oil paintings.
Location:
Picture of Bosky Studio
Bosky Studio

17B E Bijou St. (alley entrance)

Auric Gallery
Jess Preble - Salvage Title; Samantha Howell - Convergence; A.Muse - A Figurative Group Exhibition
  • A.Muse a Figurative group exhibit featuring 54 artists; a solo exhibit by Jess Preble and an installation by Samantha Howell
  • Cash bar
Location:
Picture of Auric Gallery
Auric Gallery

125 E Boulder St.

The Look Up Gallery
Member Gallery
  • Our 18 member artist gallery has new artwork and three of our member artists, Dan Sampson, Michael Ortiz and Rachel Dinda will be painting live in our alley/front door!
  • DJ Rocky Ross will spin tunes and guests can tour our 7 art studios and the artists who create in them.
Location:
The Look Up Gallery
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
SELF STARTER
  • Cottonwood Center for the Arts is pleased to announce a juried exhibition for the month of June featuring works in response to an open call to the public: SELF STARTER.The selfie has become a part of our culture that means different things for different living generations in our society. It can be an exercise in narcissism, ironically indifferent, politically poignant, or even just plain candid. For this call, we asked artists to work from a smart-phone-generated self portrait.
  • Two floors of open studios and galleries
  • Beer, wine, and specialty cocktail by donation
Location:
Gallery 113
Celebrate the Wild West
  • Whenever Gallery 113 artists think of the West by design, they think “wild!” Check out works by Gallery 113’s Featured Artists for June, photographer, Dana Lee Stoner’s and painter, Denise Duker’s depiction of the untamed West. Duker’s acrylic canvases gush with snow-capped mountains and trout-filled clear waters. Stoner’s photographs feature big bears, birds, and bighorn sheep to name a few. Join us for complimentary wine and chocolate, gallery artists, and a few “wild” stories!
  • Complimentary wine, chocolate, and non alcoholic beverages provided
Location:
Picture of Gallery 113
Gallery 113

125 N. Tejon

ICONS
ICONS First Friday: The Kaberet with Kai Lee Mykels Drag Show
  • FIRST Friday: The Kaberet with Kai Lee Mykels Drag Show at 10:00pm
Location:
Picture of ICONS
ICONS
Ephemera
"Fine Dining the Ghosts" and "Post Bloom"
  • Add Ephemera to your First Friday Art Walk!
  • Enjoy all night Happy Hour specials while checking out art by our two featured creatives.
  • The main gallery room hosts immersive installation by Jacqueline Moulton entitled, “Fine Dining the Ghosts” a colorful exploration of joy and grief.
  • The Highlands room is proud to feature a new body of work by our resident artist Jesse Allan Rozell. “Bloom” is a series of preserved and digitally manipulated florals.
Location:
Picture of Ephemera
Ephemera

514 S. Tejon Street

Rico’s Cafe & Wine Bar
Multiple artists + The Cleveland Experiment Duo
  • Selected pieces from artists at Pikes Peak State College and acrylic art by Kelli Kohn.
  • Live music: The Cleveland Experiment features vocalist Sandi Cleveland and her husband John Stoesser on guitar and vocals playing a variety of music from Jazz standards, classic RnB, rock, country and pop tunes. Sing-a-longs are highly encouraged, and the occasional guest artist(s) may come along for the night. There’s always something new and entertaining when they perform.
  • First Friday Happy Hour 4-6 p.m.
Location:
Anita Marie Fine Art
Carousel Of Nature
  • A stunning glimpse of four seasons of glorious color, texture, and arrangement as captured on canvas by two extraordinary Master Artists, Dahlquist and Mardosz.
  • Light refreshments provided.
  • Thursday & Friday 5-7p, 5p -8p First Friday, and Sat 2-5p
  • Free Parking
Location:
Picture of Anita Marie Fine Art
Anita Marie Fine Art

109 S Corona St.

Money Museum
The Americana Gallery
  • FREE admission from 4 pm – 7pm
  • The museum is opening a brand new exhibit on the Silk Road trade route later this month, showcasing the commerce, culture, and connections made possible through coinage of the time.
Location:
Picture of Money Museum
Money Museum

818 N Cascade Ave.

The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry
Art by Laurel Bahe and Lorraine Danzo
  • Featuring Artists: New Artwork and Chocolate!
  • Lorraine Danzo demonstrating watercolor collage montage technique.
Location:
True North Art Gallery
Featured Artist For June: Deidre Greenly
  • Featured Artist For June: Deidre Greenly
  • Light refreshments
  • Beer and wine by donation
Location:
Ohana Kava Bar
Paraylysis by Alexander Sorrels
  • Paralysis by Alexander Sorrels at Ohana Kava Bar, June 6, 4:30–7 PM. Explore dark, emotional art + sip kava!
  • Live music from 6-8pm and stand-up comedy from 8-10pm.
Location:
Picture of Ohana Kava Bar
Ohana Kava Bar

112 E Boulder St.

One Body Fitness Studio
Art from Eli Arellano and Jansen Peake
  • A chance to check out One Body Fitness Studio’s inclusive space for all people to find their community and move their bodies.
  • Featured artists Eli Arellano and Jansen Peake
  • Light snacks and beverages provided
Location:
Picture of One Body Fitness Studio
One Body Fitness Studio

115 N Tejon St. (entrance in alley)

Good Eye
Custom Charm Bar
  • Make a custom charm necklace or bracelet and enjoy a free beverage while you design
Location:
Picture of Good Eye
Good Eye

115 N Tejon St.

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
Mobile Arts 4 Year Birthday Bash in the Sculpture Garden
  • Full line-up of local performers, dance workshops, and hands-on art activities. Featuring a vendor market and local food trucks!
  • 5 live bands, two dance workshops, painting workshop
  • Free museum admission
  • Drinks and snacks available for purchase
  • Art for sale by local and regional artists in Deco Lounge
Location:
Novis Mortem Collective
First Friday with Zoe Garcia
  • Zoe is a collage artist and creator. Artistic expression has always been cathartic to me and integral to my life. Taking influence from all types of literature and source material, I create collages with emotional and thought-provoking themes, hence the name ‘Conversation Pieces by Zoe’. With my jewelry and any other hand made goods I aim to make something for everyone, for any occasion or any outfit! With A Sprinkle & A Dash you will find eclectic and vintage inspired original pieces.
Location:

Getting around Downtown

 

Hop on a PikeRide electric bike and use coupon code FF25MAY for 30 minutes of ride time for only $5! Take one 30-minute trip or split up your rides with two 15-minute trips and explore art, live music, and special events on First Friday.

Try the new Free Downtown Shuttle to see more of Downtown! The new shuttle operates from Cache La Poudre to Rio Grande streets, seven days a week on 7-10 minute intervals. Click to learn about the free Downtown Shuttle.