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First Friday: December 2021
December 3, 2021
Enjoy the First Friday of December in Downtown York!
First Friday is a celebration of Downtown York, PA shops, restaurants, cultural venues and nightlife hot spots. From 5-9 p.m., downtown shops and restaurants host special events, offer refreshments and promotions, and sponsor live entertainment.
Entertainment
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Carriage Rides with Benchfield Farms: Join us for carriage rides on N Beaver St (between Market and Philadelphia St). Benchfield Farms will be offering wagon rides for $5 per person from 5-9pm. Cash is recommended.
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Dave Wilson Swing Trio: Performing live at Victrola Dance Hall.
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First Friday Light Up Night in Royal Square District: Join us in the Royal Square District on December First Friday as we Light Up the district with our annual Holiday Lights! Come check some items off your gift lists at our wonderfully eclectic shops on First Friday starting at 5pm, then pop outside just before 6:00 to watch the District transform into a charming Winter Wonderland!
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First Friday Winter Wonderland with Artistry de Luz at Sara Ellen Event Venue, 5pm-9pm.
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Goodridge Freedom Center Festival of Trees: Join us for Festival of Trees, December 3, 2021 – January 5, 2022. This year’s festivities will begin on First Friday, December 3, 2021, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, and continue throughout the holiday season every Wednesday and Saturday from 11:00am – 5:00pm. THANK YOU Garden Club of York for donating your time and help in making the Festival of Trees possible this year! Underground Railroad tours will not be given during the holiday season. Please check our website for additional tour days.
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The Grinch is Coming: Live at the Curious Little Playhouse
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House of Yoga: Join the team for a First Friday hang-out from 5p-9p! Steph will be setting up the Aerial Yoga Rig for demonstrations. Retail specials, Reiki mini-sessions, and more!
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Jazz in the City: Jazz in the City, a staple on First Fridays in downtown York, was put on hiatus during the height of the pandemic, but now it’s back! Performances will continue each First Friday throughout the 2021-2022 season. Percussionist Jeff Stabley, adjunct faculty and instructor of Jazz Studies, Percussion, and Improvisation at York College, is at the helm once again as the Artistic Director of this monthly ensemble of talented local and regional musicians eager to perform live once again. December’s concert will feature: Tim Warfield on sax, Tony Miceli on vibraphone, Steve Meashey on bass, and Jeff Stabley on drums.
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John Rossey Live in the King George Speakeasy: John Rossey is an original Americana/Folk artist inspired by multiple genres. Artist such as Jason Isbell, Slaid Cleaves, Justin Townes Earle, Billy Strings, and Dawes have influenced his music. Speakeasy is open 7-11, set is 8-10pm. Free admission, 2 drink minimum on nights with entertainment.
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Kurt Live at Mudhook Brewing: As always, Kurt will be performing live at Mudhook Brewing Company for December First Friday.
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Paula Poundstone Live at the Appell Center: Paula Poundstone is a humorist, author and comedian known for her clever, observational humor and spontaneous wit. When she isn’t collecting hotel soaps while on tour or panel-ing on NPR’s #1 show, Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, Paula hosts the popular Maximum Fun podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone. Nobody is a comedy field guide to life complete with taste tests, cats of the weeks and leading experts in everything from beekeeping to ping pong to prosopagnosia (say that 3 times fast).
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Spruce’D Up by Traditions Bank: The York Revolution and local business partners will present a fun and FREE tree display this holiday season that is open to the public. Companies, organizations and individuals will sponsor and decorate a tree to be entered to win one of 3 cash prizes for the non-profit organization of your choice, thanks to Traditions Bank. Friends that join us in-person will be able to vote for their favorite tree!
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THE Live at the Cantina: First Friday set with Lancaster based band, THE!
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Tutoni’s: Soji plays live, 7pm-9pm in the TT Bar!
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York County History Center: Offering free candlelight tours of the Gates House and Golden Plough Tavern from 5-8. The tours are brief, 15-20 minutes, after which visitors can warm themselves by the fire in the Summer Kitchen and enjoy hot apple cider and cookies.
Arts
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First Friday with Brenda Wintermyer: Stop by the artist studio and fine art gallery of local artist Brenda Wintermyer, located on the 2nd floor, above The Handsome Cab, at 106 N. George Street.
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Gretchen Nevin Opening Reception: The opening reception for the show “Living in the Light” at the Grotto (2 W. Market St., 2nd Fl), featuring the works of Gretchen Nevin will be December First Friday in downtown York, PA. The reception will be open from 5:00pm – 7:30pm with private tours available until end of January. Please come enjoy the show, meet the artist, and mingle with other local art lovers in the bustle of First Friday!
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Parliament Arts Gallery Opening: Parliament Arts First Friday gallery opening will be Figure Drawing – we host a weekly Figure Drawing class by Peter Danko. This month, we will feature the work of these artists as well as a live Figure Drawing event for first friday.
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Variety in Vivid Color by Vincent Schaffer at Gallery at 227: Opening night for Vincent Schaffer’s exhibit “Variety in Vivid Color”. Stop by on First Friday, December 3rd between 5:00 and 9:00pm. Parking is available in our lot after 5pm. The theme of the artist’s paintings in this exhibit vary, but his use of vivid colors is a constant.
Shopping
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22(9) Vintage Wares: Tell all your friends, we’re having a party in York! We’re hosting an open house style Grand Opening for First Friday. There will be snacks & drinks, giveaways, and a special photo opp area. Come check out the new shop, treat yourself, find holiday gifts, or just pop in to say hello. We’ll see you Friday!
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House of Yoga: Join the team for a First Friday hang-out from 5p-9p! Steph will be setting up the Aerial Yoga Rig for demonstrations. Retail specials, Reiki mini-sessions, and more!
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Record Riot at the York Emporium: Vinyl Swap Meet! 33s•45s•78s. Buy/Sell/Trade/Brag. Professional record dealers from throughout the region will be on-hand for December’s First Friday at The York Emporium.
Dining
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Aviano’s: Happy Hour 4pm-6pm, half off menu items with a *
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The Cantina: Happy Hour 4pm-6pm, half off menu items with a *, and live entertainment 7pm-9pm
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King George Speakeasy: Open 7pm-11pm with live entertainment 8pm-10pm
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Presto Fast Italian: Central Market York location open for special hours during First Friday, 5pm-8pm
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Tutoni’s: Cocktail Hour 4pm-6pm featuring 3 for $15 tapas, $2 off select cocktails, $4 mocktails, $6 sangria punch, $8 select wines
For more information, check out Downtown Inc’s First Friday page.