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

Events are added as information is received

August 7, 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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Angst
Destroy, Build, Repeat - Auric Gallery
Echoes of love petals in Ultramarine blue. Acrylic on Foam Board. 30 inches by 30 inches - Auric Gallery
Night Hogan - Auric Gallery
Auric Gallery
New August Artists
  • 4 - 8 p.m.

Auric Gallery is proud to present 4 solo exhibits by local artists Jon Francis, Juan Morales, Dick Patrick and Rosario Weston

Artist Image Info: Night Hogan by Jon Francis; Echoes of Love Love Petals by Rosario Weston; Angst by Dick Patrick; Destroy, Build, Repeat by Juan Morales

 

Location:
Picture of Auric Gallery
Auric Gallery

125 E Boulder St.

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Rogue Gallery
Solo show featuring Riot Gallery
  • 4 - 9 p.m.

20 local artists and solo show with Riot gallery featuring art by Paes 164 and Darin New house.

Location:
Picture of Rogue Gallery
Rogue Gallery

205 E Moreno Ave

Elsa Payton - A Moment in the Bayou - Jess Preble
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Spirit of the South
  • 5 -8 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate the opening of Spirit of the South, a special exhibition presented by the Mobile Arts Council in collaboration with Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

This juried exhibition showcases artwork by Mobile Arts Council Artist Members that explores the unique character, culture, history, and beauty of the Gulf Coast and the American South.

Artist Image Info:

Elsa Payton – A Moment in the Bayou

Location:
Picture of Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Cottonwood Center for the Arts

427 E Colorado Ave.

Dynamic Duo by Carey Pelto - Dana Stoner
Makin' Waves by Carey Pelto - Dana Stoner
Painting by Irv Middlemist 1a - Dana Stoner
by Irv Middlemist 1b - Dana Stoner
Gallery 113
Memories
  • 5 - 8 p.m.

Irving Middlemist and Carey Pelto are two of Gallery 113’s premier painters whose memories drive their artistic endeavors. Middlemist’s work recreates memories of Colorado’s spectacular scenery. Pelto’s peopled paintings offer glimpses of his memories through the settings and colors he uses. Gallery 113 showcases these artists along with the other 17 artists.

Artist Image Info: 

Dynamic Duo by Carey Pelto
Mixed media by Irving Middlemist
Makin’ Waves by Carey Pelto
Mixed Media by Irving Middlemist

Location:
Picture of Gallery 113
Gallery 113

125 N. Tejon St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Laurel - Mary Gorman
Mary_Gorman_LastBloom - Mary Gorman
The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry
Owl Show & Tell
  • 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Laurel Bahe will demonstrate watercolor techniques to create lively small owl paintings. Mary Gorman will demonstrate watercolor landscapes.

Artist image info: Red Owl by Laurel Bahe

Last Bloom by Mary Gorman

 

 

Location:
Picture of The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry
The Gallery at Cacao Chemistry

109 N Tejon St.

Boston - Stephen Matich
miami - Stephen Matich
NYC - Stephen Matich
OCC - Stephen Matich
SF - Stephen Matich
Ohana Kava Bar Downtown
Alice in Wonderland in Blue
  • 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.

Alice in Wonderland in Blue at Ohana Kava Bar features detailed, blue-toned drawings by visual artist Stella Girkins, whose work explores memory, place, and the emotional landscapes we carry within us. Raised in a family of painters and digital artists, Girkins draws on a lifetime of travel and study to create intricate pieces that invite viewers to slow down and look closer. This show marks her first venture into fantasy and imagination, inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland.

Live Entertainment Info: Music from 4-6 p.m. and Comedy from 8-9 p.m.

Location:
Picture of Ohana Kava Bar Downtown
Ohana Kava Bar Downtown

112 E Boulder St.

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.