First Friday: Hoop It Up on March 7!
Family-friendly set from 5:30-8 p.m. with First Friday After Hours for grown-ups from 8 p.m. onward.
Score big in downtown Kokomo!
First Friday fun kicks off on March 4, 2025 with Hoop it Up! This event is returning for another year as First Friday teams up with the Kokomo Bobkats.
Dive into basketball season by enjoying basketball-themed activities hosted by some of your favorite local businesses and organizations. Don’t forget to snap a selfie with the Kokomo Bobkats!
Family-fun runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Afterwards, it will be time for the grown-ups to head into overtime with First Friday After Hours.
Special thanks to our 2025 Presenting Partner!
What is First Friday?
On the first Friday of select months in 2025, the community will gather for an arts-based, open house tour of beautiful downtown Kokomo. Every First Friday is themed to either an upcoming holiday, special occasion, or the strong and growing art scene in Kokomo.
Expect to see some of your favorite downtown businesses open past their regular business hours giving casual open houses to highlight what they do and how they serve the community. Businesses such as restaurants and shops might give out special discounts or have sales in honor of First Friday.
In addition, you can also expect to see some of your favorite local businesses from all over the community with booths highlighting their products and services. Many local businesses have boosted their sales or increased networking as a result of First Fridays. In addition, you can also expect to see some of your favorite local businesses from all over the community with booths showcasing their products and services, as well as hosting enjoyable activities for all ages. You might even see local artists displaying and selling their artworks and creations all over downtown.
Fun for all ages will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
First Friday After Hours: the party continues
Returning in 2025 is First Friday After Hours, where grown-ups can indulge in downtown Kokomo’s night life past the regular event hours. 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.
Get involved!
Announce your plans to participate in First Fridays!
In order to be featured on the event map, you must sign up no later than Tuesday, Feb. 25. The signup window will close on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m.
View participating businesses
Each month, a new list or map will be created showing all of our businesses and activities. When it’s created, it will be here for you to download. Stay tuned!
Plan for parking
There’s plenty of free parking in downtown Kokomo!
Get social!
Have questions?
Whether you are in need of helping with participation, finding a location, or have an idea, we are happy to assist you! Please message us below.
2025 First Fridays are here!
On nine Fridays in 2025, the community will gather for this arts-based, open house tour of beautiful downtown Kokomo. Each month features a theme with downtown venues catering their activities to the month’s theme. Visitors to the downtown area during the event will find discounts and activities at shops and restaurants, and live music, public art, family-friendly activities & more. The fun of First Friday continues with First Friday After Hours. Dive into the downtown vibe with bars, pubs, live music, and a myriad of entertainment options for grown-up visitors.
The following will be the themes for the 2025 events:
(Events are 5:30 to 8 p.m. with First Friday After Hours from 8 p.m. onward)
March 7 – Hoop it Up!
Dribble it, pass it, dunk it with the Kokomo BobKats!
April 4 – Go Green
Celebrate Earth Month with eco-friendly fun and nature-inspired activities.
May 2 – Art Task!
Unleash your creativity with an artsy evening of hands-on projects, guided by local artists and creative businesses.
June 6, 2025 – Strawberry Festival and Artsapalooza Art Market (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
Kick off summer in the sweetest way with a refreshing strawberry shortcake dessert and a vibrant art market to explore!
August 1 – Get Schooled!
Show your school spirit while you learn something new about art, Kokomo, and other cool subjects!
September 5 – Art Walk
Stroll through Kokomo’s vibrant art scene and solve an artistic mystery along the way.
October 3, 2025 – Masquerade
Dress for a costume party filled with spooky fun, treats, tricks, and plenty of surprises!
November 7, 2025 – Shop & Stroll
Spend the evening exploring downtown’s unique shops and venues to start your holiday shopping.
December 5, 2025 – Ugly Sweater
Don your quirkiest, coziest sweater and join the holiday fun in the most wonderfully ugly style!
