Get a head start on your Christmas list

Explore unique downtown shops and enjoy an evening of food, drinks and First Friday fun

The holiday shopping season is almost here, and downtown Kokomo is the perfect place to get started! Join us Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for First Friday’s Shop, Sip & Stroll, an evening of shopping, dining and exploring everything downtown has to offer.

Skip the ordinary gifts and find something a little more personal this year. Downtown shops are filled with unique finds, from handmade stained glass and watercolor art to 3D-printed toys and décor, nostalgic toys, antiques, boutique clothing and plenty of unexpected treasures. Whether you’re shopping for someone on your Christmas list or treating yourself, you’ll find plenty of reasons to stop in and look around.

And there’s more to the evening than shopping! Grab dinner at a favorite downtown restaurant or visiting food truck, meet friends for drinks, explore local art and enjoy the atmosphere as downtown businesses welcome visitors for another First Friday.

First Fridays are themed, arts-forward community events that celebrate the people, businesses and creative energy that make downtown Kokomo unique. Each month brings something different, giving you another reason to explore downtown, connect with the community and support local businesses.

Keep the evening going after 8 p.m. with First Friday After Hours, featuring select downtown bars, pubs, shops and venues open for guests ages 21 and older.

American Cancer Society/Relay for Life
Grab some cookies with freewill donation benefiting Relay for Life. You can also learn about its Hacienda Give Back Day Raffle Extravaganza, with meal tokens and gift card tokens available. Everyone who purchases a meal or a gift card will be entered in the raffle to win one of several gift baskets.
Courthouse Square

Air Force Reserve
Learn more about the Air Force Reserve.
Courthouse Square

Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo
Stop by their table and decorate a Thanksgiving Turkey Crown.
Courthouse Square

Bradley’s Laser Creations
Check out their custom gifts and home décor.
Courthouse Square

Central International Middle School – Kokomo School Corporation
Central Middle School’s Art Club students will be selling their artwork, ranging from clay creations to paintings, drawings, stickers, sculptures, bookmarks, and notebooks.
Courthouse Square

Community Howard Regional Hospital’s Care Mobile
Free blood pressure screenings and giveaways.
Courthouse Square

Crossroads Community Church Downtown Campus
Grab some s’mores and hot chocolate or cider. There will also be a photo booth and games.
116 N. Main St.

The Copper Snail
Peruse their homemade art, including stained glass, watercolor post cards, Beanie Baby taxidermy and more.
Hosted by The Coterie, 107 W. Sycamore St.

Gilead House
Check out their bake sale.
Hosted by First Farmers Bank & Trust, 101 W. Sycamore St.

Humana
Learn about Humana’s resources for low income/disabled individuals with Medicare that could help their everyday living. Grab one of their healthy option cards that can help with groceries and transportation.
Courthouse Square

Indiana Health Center
Learn about their health facilities and grab some free giveaways.
Hosted by Sound of Music, 106 W. Walnut St.

Indiana Rain Boxing & Science
Advertising recent local opening, recruiting gym members and connecting with potential donors/community partners.
Courthouse Square

Janky 3D
Check out their 3D toys and décor.
Courthouse Square

Kokomo Antique Mall
Store will be open until 8 p.m. for your shopping experience.
121 W. Sycamore St.

Mix & Mingle Confections, LLC
Check out their cookie-decorating table in addition to kits for sale.
Courthouse Square

Mona’s Art Gallery
Check out Mona’s Art Gallery and gluten free, dairy-free, chocolate chip cookies!
210 N. Main St. (located inside Artworks Gallery)

Perfectly Prepped
They’ll have bottled BBQ Sauce, pulled chicken and pulled pork sandwiches, pulled pork or pulled chicken Mac & Cheese.
123 W. Sycamore St.

Pilato
Offering Pilates mat classes.
210 N. Main St. (Located above Artworks Gallery)

Purple Phoenix Jewelry
Check out our Jewelry!
Hosted by The Elevated Hippie, 102 N. Main St.

Raising Cane’s
Games and prizes and Raising Cane’s swag.
Courthouse Square

Renewal By Andersen
Helping the community with windows and door needs.
Courthouse Square

Restored Life Continuum of Care
Learn about their recovery resources.
Courthouse Square

S&S Prime
Serving their signature shell-less seafood bowls, including Butter Drip Bowls, Seafood Drip Bowls, Prime Bowls and Loaded Prime Feasts, along with quesabirrias, stewed pork tacos and chicken tacos. All food is prepared fresh and built to order.
Courthouse Square

Secondhand Stories
Check out their themed specials and promos.
107 W. Mulberry St.

Southside Apostolic Church
Crafts for sale to help the children’s camp.
Courthouse Square

StudioD13
Check out the work of a local artist.
Hosted by P.F. Hendricks & Co. 101 N. Buckeye St.

Window Nation
Discounts and helping the community with windows.
Courthouse Square

Worldwide Jewelry and Pawn
They’ll have discounts for all their inventory. Check out their showcase displays of products, giveaways, credit free loans, buying and selling options.
Courthouse Square

The awesomeness that will be First Fridays in 2026 is here!

What is First Friday?

First Fridays are themed, arts-forward community nights that turn downtown Kokomo into a hub of creativity, connection, and local flavor. Held on the first Friday of select months, the event invites people to explore downtown through extended business hours, local vendors, live entertainment, and hands-on experiences.

On First Fridays, downtown shops, restaurants, and organizations stay open late, welcoming guests with specials, pop-ups, art, music, and behind-the-scenes looks at what makes Kokomo’s downtown unique. Streets and storefronts buzz with local artists, makers, and businesses sharing their work and connecting with the community.

Each event features a rotating theme inspired by the season, local culture, or the arts — so no two First Fridays feel the same. Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or flying solo, there’s always something new to discover.

Stick Around for After Hours

First Friday After Hours, where the 21+ crowd can indulge in downtown Kokomo’s night life past the regular event hours of First Fridays. Select bars, pubs, shops, and event venues will remain open with expanded offerings. You can even find live music and entertainment as well. First Friday After Hours is a great way to celebrate the end of a long work week.

First Friday After Hours will continue after 8 p.m. and is for guests ages 21 and older only.

Special thanks to our First Friday Presenting Partner!

WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN FIRST FRIDAY?

Want to be part of the energy of First Fridays? Anyone can get involved! Whether you’re a business, artist, organization, or vendor, participation starts with a simple sign-up. And if you’re not located in downtown Kokomo, no worries — you’ll simply need to partner with a downtown participant. Easy peasy!

The information below will walk you through everything you need to know to get involved and help you have the best possible experience at each First Friday event.

Get involved!

Getting involved is easy! Just fill out the online form to let the Greater Kokomo Downtown Association know who you are and how you’d like to participate in First Fridays.

Click here to get started

Engage with the community!

All signed up but lacking inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Our planning materials include activity ideas to help you engage the community, plus optional guidance for incorporating each month’s theme in a way that works for you.

Get inspired here!

Promote your participation!

Don’t forget to spread the word! We provide ready-to-use marketing materials to help you promote your participation and let the community know how they can find you during First Fridays.

Download Marketing Materials

Let’s get social!

Last, but certainly not least, connect with us on social media to get all the latest and greatest event information!

First Friday

Downtown District