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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Events are added as information is received

November 6, 2026 Featured Events & Shows

 
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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Auric Gallery
Current Exhibitions

Auric Gallery is proud to present the work of artists Lupita Carrasco, Sara DeRose, Susan Quinn Horsfall and Melissa Porter.

Artist Image Info:
Lupita Carrasco – Bottom’s Up
Sara DeRose – Apology Tour
Susan Quinn Horsfall – Kaleidoscope
Melissa Porter – I’s, My’s & Me’s

 

Location:
Picture of Auric Gallery
Auric Gallery

125 E Boulder St.

Cottonwood Center for the Arts
TENEBRISM - A Celebration of Light and Shadow & HOME IS...

Tenebrism is a term used to define a rich and even shocking contrast of bold lighting against heavy saturated shadows, with many compositions being dominated by the negative space of darkness surrounding the subject matter.

For this call we asked artists to challenge themselves by illuminating their subject with a single candle, either metaphorically or literally. How much of your image can you swallow in shadow to express the import of what remains?

Cottonwood Center for the Arts is pleased to announce a solo exhibition for the month of November featuring works by Kimberly Sewell: HOME IS…

Artist Image Info:
Kimberly Sewell
Aaron Graves – Temptation

Location:
The Look Up Gallery
New Work by Over 30 Local Artists

Join over 30 local artists and enjoy their new work for November’s First Friday at The Look Up Gallery!

We have great tunes from DJ Astral Selector spinning vinyl  – so grab a drink at the bar and experience fine art in the form of abstract, impressionistic, photography and street art throughout the gallery and studio spaces.

 

 

Location:
Picture of The Look Up Gallery
The Look Up Gallery

517 S. Cascade Avenue, Suite E

True North Art Gallery
October First Friday

Come visit Colorado Spring’s Artist-Run Gallery.

Featured artist: Carol Turner

Location:
Gallery 113
Journeys: Inspired by Place, Memory, & Making

Journeys pairs ceramics inspired by Wendy Iaconis’s recent travels in Japan with Suzy Gardner’s jewelry and sculpture exploring personal paths, transformation, and self-expression. Pottery, jewelry and sculpture invite us to pause and consider the journeys that shape us and those we have yet to travel.

Artist Image Info:
Boat Dish by Wendy Iaconis
Beauty from Chaos w Peruvian Opal by Suzy Gardner
Ikebana by Wendy Iaconis
Moss Agate West Java Indonesia by Suzy Gardner
Crystal Sake Cup by Wendy Iaconis
Self Portrait by Suzy Gardner

Location:
Picture of Gallery 113
Gallery 113

125 N. Tejon St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry
Art by Mary Gorman and Laurel Bahe

Watercolor painting demonstration by Laurel Bahe and Mary Gorman along with CHOCOLATE!

Artist image info:
New work by Mary Gorman

 

 

Location:
COATI Uprise
First Friday Art Market

Join us for First Friday Art Market at COATI Uprise on November 6th from 5–10 PM! Discover a vibrant collection of local artists, makers, and creatives showcasing their unique, handmade creations. Enjoy delicious food from locally owned eateries, connect with our creative community, and get a head start on your holiday shopping by shopping small and supporting local businesses. Come celebrate art, creativity, and community with us for an unforgettable evening downtown!

Sara Violet is the coordinator of COS Makers Market and artist of Violet Vizionary in Collaboration with Green Magick Vault and Open Circle Events Co .
Location:
Picture of COATI Uprise
COATI Uprise

514 S. Tejon Street

Colorado Co-op
Patina Jewelry Trunk Show

The Co-op turns 30 in November and we are kicking off our birthday month with a “Patina” Trunk Show. Christy Metz will be in-store with her collections of thoughtfully selected and curated timeless vintage silver jewelry. Come look and find a treasure!

 

Location:
Picture of Colorado Co-op
Colorado Co-op

315 N. Tejon
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Ohana Kava Bar Downtown
Luminous Creatures

Explore Luminous Creatures, an exhibition of eleven works by Colorado artist Destany Romero at Ohana Kava Bar Downtown. From a gold-leafed rhino to a neon frog, her paintings and mixed-media pieces explore change, memory, and finding beauty along the way. Drink kava, explore the artwork, and spend time with a colorful collection inspired by resilience, curiosity, and hope. Admission is free; all are welcome.

Meet the Artist from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Laugh Luau Comedy Show at 8pm with headliner Christie Buchele and feature Joe Bruno.

Artist Image Info:
Destany Romero: Electric Armor, Shadow Crown, Fly on the Wall, Wild Heart, Golden Resolve

 

Location:

Getting around Downtown

 

Try the Free Downtown Shuttle to see more of Downtown! The 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.

Downtown Partnership