Join us in downtown Lancaster City for First Friday on August 7th when galleries, shops, restaurants, and local businesses come alive with special events, live entertainment, art exhibitions, and unique experiences throughout the city.
Check out what’s happening around town on First Friday!
First Friday at Binns Park & Ewell Plaza
5 – 8:30 PM | Binns Park & Ewell Plaza (100 block of N Queen St.)
Lancaster City’s monthly celebration of arts and culture!
From 5pm – 8pm, Ewell Plaza transforms into a lively Arts Market for local artisans, with food trucks, music, and fun for all ages.
The City of Lancaster will also be providing free open air trolley rides from 5pm – 8:30pm, helping riders experience the First Friday arts scene.
And a local favorite, Bachata at Binns will be returning from 5pm – 8:30pm. Join us for an unforgettable evening of rhythm, connection, and community at our Salsa & Bachata Dance Night hosted by RCM Entertainment!
New Exhibit: The Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic and the Evolution of Craniofacial Care
11 AM – 8 PM | Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum (410 North Lime Street)
The newest permanent exhibit, Transforming Generations of Smiles: The Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic and the Evolution of Craniofacial Care will officially open during First Friday on August 7.
This exhibit explores more than eighty-five years of innovation, compassionate care, and groundbreaking research through historic artifacts, oral histories, photographs, and personal stories.
Trinity First Friday Speaker Series
5 – 6:30 PM | Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (31 South Duke Street)
Join Trinity Lutheran Church for a Trinity First Friday Speaker Series event. The speaker will be Randy Harris, LancasterHistory.org, presenting Uncovering & Preserving Our Underground Railroad Heritage: Stories of People and Places Across the Commonwealth. Sanctuary tours and refreshments will follow the main presentation. All activities will be held in the Church Sanctuary at the corner of Duke and Mifflin Streets.
Free parking is provided.
August First Friday Artist Reception
5-8 PM | Red Raven Art Company (138 North Prince Street)
Join the Red Raven Art Company as they celebrate four artists, Peg Belcastro, Janet Smedley, Kristin Blanck, and Rhoda Kahler, at August’s First Friday Artist Reception, August 7th 5 – 8 pm.
The Framing Concepts Gallery Show
5-8 PM | The Framing Concept (328 North Queen Street)
Featuring New Paintings by Tom Zayatz, Jan Warner Zayatz and Stuart Kendig who are paint artists from York Pennsylvania. They each have their own painting styles and visions. They want to share some of their work with you for your enjoyment and amusement.
Plus framed works of art from our friends, customers and myself who are in the process of “Downsizing” their art collection.
Show continues through August.
Covenant Chocolate Chip Cookie Concert
6-7 pm | Covenant UMC (315 West Orange Street)
Ukulele Uprising – Free Community Concert
Join Covenant UMC for an evening of lively music, laughter, and community :
· Free cookies
· Free parking
· Bring your ukulele! During the concert, everyone is invited to join in for one fun audience participation song.
Whether you’re a seasoned musician or simply love great live music, you’ll enjoy this fun-filled evening. Bring your friends, bring your family and celebrate the joy of music!
Gin Garden
6- 8 PM | Demuth Museum of Art on King (120 East King Street)
Join the Demuth Museum of Art for an evening of enjoying Charles Demuth’s favorite spirit! Cocktail samples will be generously provided by Lancaster Distilleries and Thistle Finch. Mocktail and non-alcoholic options are also available. Live music by Dane Fox will make for a fun evening!
Ages 21+, ID required. Admission is free. Two drink tickets per person will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
LUNA Dance Company: First Friday Preview Performance
6:30 -8 pm | Ware Center for the Arts (42 North Prince Street)
Experience an exciting preview of LUNA Dance Company’s upcoming Season 6 performance in this special First Friday event. The evening will feature two original contemporary works showcasing the athleticism, artistry, and storytelling that define LUNA’s work. Audiences will also experience a unique live choreographic collaboration as Artistic Director Emmanuel Williams creates a brand-new piece in real time using prompts from the audience, offering a rare opportunity to witness the creative process unfold live on stage.
Following the performance, stay for an interactive Q&A with Artistic Director Emmanuel Williams and LUNA’s dancers. Learn more about the creative process, ask questions about the works you’ve seen, and gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on what it takes to create and perform contemporary dance.
Lancaster Improv’s First Friday Free For All
7- 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players (16 South Prince Street)
LIP’s final First Friday at 16 S Prince St; join in celebrating the beautiful community they’ve built around our little black box theater before we move to our new venue late this year.
Two teams give you a taste of what improv can be, then you take the stage to show them how it’s done! Whether you’re a storied veteran of the stage, or a doing improv comedy for the first time, you’ll be supported by the evening’s coach in attempting games and scenes.
Live Music at South County
7 – 10 PM | South County Brewing Co (26 W King St)
Join South County Brewing Co. every first & third Friday for Live Music featuring local artists. Warmer weather months shows will be held in The SC Park Bar.
“Organic Reflections: Summertime Classics”
8 – 8:30 PM | First Reformed Church (40 East Orange Street)
Organist Larry Hershey will perform a concert entitled “Summertime Classics” at First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, on Friday, August 7 at 8 PM. The free 30 minute concert will include Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, “The Washington Post March” by John Phillips Sousa, and Camille Saint-Sean’s “The Swan”. The program will conclude with “Evening Harmonies” by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, and “Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music Suite.
