Whether you’re new to First Friday, a casual wanderer or someone who plans an itinerary around new exhibitions in downtown Lancaster, there’s plenty to check out Friday night.
More than 25 art galleries and businesses in Lancaster city have planned First Friday celebrations, with new exhibitions, free concerts, a theater performance and a movie on tap, among other activities.
Can’t make it to First Friday? Consider checking out ArtWalk, a self-guided tour that features nearly 20 stops in downtown Lancaster.
The free First Friday trolley will run on a loop throughout the city, with stops in locations like Ewell Plaza, Sweetish Candy, Gallery Row, the Ware Center and Southern Market. This is the last First Friday trolley for 2024.
Here are 29 events to check out for October’s First Friday in Lancaster city.
Covenant United Methodist Church
For this month’s concert, part of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Concert Series, choral scholarship organization Laus Deo will perform at the Covenant United Methodist Church. Musician Heidi Shannon will lead the choir, and cellist Victoria Mitchell will perform alongside the group. There will also be art on display by Sandy Leonard, Ann Kimmich and 12-year-old artist Elia Kimmich.
More information: Covenant United Methodist Church, 110 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-7 p.m. | More info
Curio Gallery & Creative Supply
Curio will debut a new collection by artist Alicia Byler called “Weirdo Goddess & Other Love Stories.” The collection features surreal collages with natural themes.
This exhibition will be on display through Nov. 30.
More information: Curio Gallery & Creative Supply, 106 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., opening reception runs from 5-8 p.m. | More info
David Lyall Home & Design
Works from Richard Redmond’s collection “Ruralscapes” will be on display at David Lyall Home & Design for October’s First Friday.
David Lyall Home & Design will host works from painter Richard Redmond’s collection, “Ruralscapes.” The exhibition features landscape oil paintings.
More information: David Lyall Home & Design, 241 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Demuth Museum
The Demuth Museum will continue to show its collection called “Fresh Focus,” featuring works from Charles Demuth’s still-life painting collection. It was inspired by the museum acquiring Demuth’s painting, “Apples.” The exhibition will be on display through Oct. 20.
In addition, the Demuth Museum will host another exhibition from late painter Robert Lyon, who died in 2018. It features a variety of paintings, from portraits to still life, from his seven decade art career. All works will be for sale, and proceeds from paintings sold will go toward the Demuth Foundation and the Boyd Lyon Sea Turtle Fund. This exhibition will be on display through Oct. 6.
More information: Demuth Museum, 120 E. King St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
EsoArts
EsoArts will feature works from artist Jose Martinez, known under the moniker Teets. It will also continue to show works in its collection, “The Art of Change.” Attendees can listen to a couch concert from Amanda Wells, and get flash tattoos, piercings and tooth gems.
More information: EsoArts, 317 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-9 p.m. | More info
Ewell Plaza
“Markets & Makers” returns First Friday, featuring several local makers with wares for sale. This is the last market of the series for 2024.
More information: Ewell Plaza, 123 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
First Reformed Church
The First Reformed Church will host a performance by organist Larry Hershey, with a program called “Organic Reflections: Graveyard Gems.” Hershey will perform works like Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Toccata in D Minor,” Charles Gounod’s “Funeral March for a Marionette,” Carol Williams’ “Twilight” and Leon Boellmann’s “Toccata from Suite Gothique.”
The church’s courtyard will host an “Art in the Garden” event featuring local artists, some of whom will paint while others will show and sell their works.
More information: First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m., Art in the Garden; 8-8:30 p.m., concert | More info
Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery
Freiman Stoltzfus will debut a new exhibition for First Friday called “Cartography.” Stoltzfus’ works combine landscape paintings with street maps, many of which being local.
This exhibition will be on display through Nov. 23.
More information: Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery, 142 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. | More info
Friendship Heart Gallery
The Friendship Heart Gallery will debut a new exhibition, “It’s Fall, Y’all,” which features fall-themed works, from Halloween scenery to pumpkin patches.
All works of art are created by artists with intellectual disabilities or autism.
More information: Friendship Heart Gallery, 118 N. Water St., Lancaster | Hours: 4-8:30 p.m. | More info
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Lancaster artist Cat Carrion, who shows works under the moniker Soop, will host an exhibition at Happy Happy Joy Joy. There will be an artist reception and some snacks on site.
More information: Happy Happy Joy Joy, 157 E. King St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-8 p.m. | More info
Historic Preservation Trust
The Historic Preservation Trust will host works by landscape painter Lisa Troupe, who captures scenes from around Lancaster County.
More information: The Sehner-Ellicott-Von Hess House, 123 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: Noon to 8 p.m. | More info
Karen Anderer Fine Art
Works from Alisa Workman’s collection “Gardens” will be on display at Karen Anderer Fine Art for October’s First Friday.
Karen Anderer Fine Art will show new works from the gallery’s resident artists, as well as works from two new artists.
More information: Karen Anderer Fine Art, 146 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Art Vault
Lancaster Art Vault will continue to show works in its exhibition, “Rhythmic Impressions: Art of Jazz, Roots and Blues,” which features works from artists Tim Ellis, Al Moretti, Dane Tilghman and Aubrey Maurer.
The gallery will host a new exhibition from artist Peter Stevenson called “Biospheres III,” which features both urban and rural landscape paintings.
More information: Lancaster Art Vault, 100 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8:30 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Galleries
Lancaster Galleries will debut a new exhibition featuring works from artist John David Wissler’s collection, “A State of Being.” The collection features ocean and water landscape paintings.
More information: Lancaster Galleries, 34 N. Water St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8:30 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Museum of Art
The Lancaster Museum of Art will return its annual “Strictly Functional Pottery National” exhibition, featuring plethora works from ceramicists across the United States. This exhibition has occurred yearly since 1993.
More information: Lancaster Museum of Art, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Science Factory
Every First Friday, the Lancaster Science Factory offers free admission and features over 70 interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike to enjoy.
More information: Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster | Hours: 5-7 p.m. | More info
Mulberry Art Studios
Mulberry Art Studios will host works from artist Danielle Rose’s collection, “Into the Wild Yonder,” which highlights nature and landscapes.
More information: Mulberry Art Studios, 19-21 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
The Parrot Gallery
The Parrot Gallery will continue to display works from a collection called “Floral Fantasy.” Artists Carmalena Stoltzfus Iyengar and Kelli King collaborated for this collection, with Stoltzfus Iyengar creating watercolor paintings and King creating embroidered works.
This exhibition will be on display through Oct. 27.
More information: The Parrot Gallery at Community Mennonite Church, 328 W. Orange St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
The Pennsylvania College of Art & Design will continue to host works from artist Karim Gavins’ collection, “Finding Karim.” Gavins was one of PCA&D’s resident artists, and he graduated from there in 2020. This exhibition will be on display through Oct. 4.
PCA&D will also host works from 2014 alumni Rachel Yinger’s collection “Re Union,” with pieces of art Yinger has created in the last 10 years.
In addition, Black musician and activist Daryl Davis, who befriended members of the KKK, will speak at PCA&D, sharing his story at 3:30 p.m., and then performing blues and “boogie-woogie” piano at 6 p.m.
More information: Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen is celebrating its 80th anniversary with a weekend of fun activities. For First Friday, they will host a demonstration from mosaic artist Aya Kinoshita.
More information: Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, 335 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
Pop-Up Shop
Surrealist artist Rachel Kantner will set up in the Pop-Up Shop to show her latest exhibition, “Rachel’s Revenge, A Body of Work II.” The event will feature art, tarot readings from Jess Reilly and music from Nick DiSanto.
More information: The Pop-Up Shop, 354 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 2-8 p.m. | More info
Prince Street Cafe
Prince Street Cafe will host donated, original artwork from people associated with the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic. There will be a silent online auction for the works, which will go toward patient care at the clinic.
More information: Prince Street Cafe, 15 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 4:30-8 p.m. | More info
Read Rose Books
Indie bookstore Read Rose Books will host a crafts night, where attendees can make fall collages and contribute to a paper ghost garland made from book pages.
More information: Read Rose Books, 23 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-7:30 p.m. | More info
Red Raven Art Company
Works from Kim Smith, like this painting called “Zest For Life,” will be on display at Red Raven Art Company for October’s First Friday.
Red Raven Art Company will primarily showcase three new collections — Adam Bunting’s “Feathers and Horns,” Richard Ressel’s “What Is” and Kim Smith’s “Home Sweet Home.” The gallery will also spotlight works from artists Rhoda Kahler, Kimiko Benjamin and Hana Rusi.
More information: Red Raven Art Company, 138 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.| More info
Sarah Gallo Custom Jewelers
Sarah Gallo Custom Jewelers will make its First Friday debut with an art jewelry exhibition called “A Kaleidoscope of Opals” by Sarah Gallo. There will also be a fine art exhibition with paintings from artist Shelah Riley’s collection, “Arbitrary Rules.”
More information: Sara Gallo Custom Jewelers, 226 N. Arch St., Lancaster | Hours: 5:30-8:30 p.m. | More info
Third Story Art
Third Story Art will show works from two collections for First Friday.
Works from Third Story’s invitational exhibition, “Color & Texture” will continue to be on display, featuring works from Beverly Gattorna, Stephanie Gibson, Nichole Madonna, Tracy Male and Scott Sneddon.
In addition, the gallery will debut a new collection, “Flat Tiles,” which features unframed works from artists Douglas Anderson, Marianne Calenda, Matt Allyn Chapman, Nicole Duquette and Jere Real.
More information: Third Story, 44 N. Christian St., Suite 300, Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
Tiny Town
Want to spend the night out for First Friday? Consider dropping your kids off at Tiny Town for a Kids Night Out, which will have food, snacks, drinks, games, crafts and playtime. Tiny Town recommends this event for children ages 3-10 years old.
More information: Tiny Town, 533 Janet Ave., Lancaster | Hours: 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Cost: $35 per child | More info
The Ware Center
The Ware Center will host a performance from Latinx theater company Teatro Paloma, as they perform “Fade.” It’s a play about a Mexican-born novelist named Lucia who tries to find her footing after getting hired for her first TV writing job.
In addition, the Ware Center will host works from artist Douglas Anderson’s collection, “Tabletop Still Lifes,” featuring paintings that mix humor and traditional still life techniques. This exhibition will be on display through Oct. 25.
More information: The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-8 p.m.; performance at 6:30 p.m. | More info
Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse
As part of the theater’s monthly First Friday Fright Night series, Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse will show 1973 horror film, “Flesh for Frankenstein.”
More information: Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse, 112 N. Water St., Lancaster | Hours: Starts at 9 p.m. | Cost: $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and students | More info