It’s a big weekend for the arts in Lancaster city — between the largest First Friday celebration of the year so far, and more than two dozen businesses taking part in this weekend’s Spring ArtWalk event, there’s no shortage of things to do or see.
May marks the official return of First Friday season, which typically runs from May to October, though many galleries and businesses do year-round events for First Friday.
The First Friday Trolley returns this month with stops at Ewell Plaza, the 300 block of N. Queen St., the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, Gallery Row, the Ware Center and A Concrete Rose Bookbar. The free trolley runs on a loop from 5-7:30 p.m.
In addition, the City of Lancaster and the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design will return its Art Alley art market, this time with a new name, Markets & Makers, and a new, larger location in Ewell Plaza.
Here are 28 events to check out for May’s First Friday celebration in Lancaster city.
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Baldwin’s Gallery
Baldwin’s Gallery will host a few specials for Mother’s Day, including sales on bookmarks, select artwork and prints.
More information: Baldwin’s Gallery in Altana (second floor), 26 E. King St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-9 p.m. | More info
Covenant United Methodist Church
The Covenant United Methodist Church is launching a new First Friday concert series called the Chocolate Chip Cookie Concert Series. The first performance of the series is the multi-genre big band Sounds of Roses.
More information: Covenant United Methodist Church, 110 N. Mulberry St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-7 p.m. | More info
Curio Gallery & Creative Supply
Curio will continue to show works from artist Marianne Calenda called “Listening at the Edges.” Her works primarily focus on landscapes, using a monotype technique.
This exhibition will be on display through May 25.
More information: Curio Gallery & Creative Supply, 106 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
David Lyall Home & Design
David Lyall Home & Design will debut a collection from artist Michael Christian Shaw called “Reminiscence.” The exhibition focuses on two significant locations to Shaw: Wellfleet (part of Cape Cod in Massachusetts) and Lancaster County.
More information: David Lyall Home & Design, 241 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Demuth Museum
The Demuth Museum will debut a collection of works from students in the Demuth School of Art program, as well as local schools, in an exhibition called “Demuth Student Salon.” Works are largely inspired by the museum’s namesake, Charles Demuth.
More information: Demuth Museum, 120 E. King St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
EsoArts
EsoArts will host a party for First Friday including a live DJ and new works from artists The Blind Scythe and Adam Serrano.
More information: EsoArts, 317 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 1-7 p.m. | More info
Ewell Plaza
The City of Lancaster and the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design have expanded their Art Alley makers market to a new venue with a new name. “Markets & Makers” will debut this First Friday, featuring nearly two dozen artists set up in Ewell Plaza. This makers market continues monthly on First Fridays through October.
More information: Ewell Plaza, 123 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
First Reformed Church
Cellist Sara Male will perform a selection of works, including “The Swan” from Camille Saint-Saens, “Divertimento” by Joseph Haydn and “Sicilienne” by Maria Theresia von Paradis. Musician Larry Hershey will accompany Male on the piano.
First Reformed Church is currently in the process of replacing its analog organ.
More information: First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster | Hours: 8-8:30 p.m. | More info
Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery
The Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery will debut a new exhibition called “The Radiance of Memory.”
“For me, the quest for beauty means engaging he present moment as well as recalling transcendent visions from the past,” says Stoltzfus in a press release.
This exhibition will be on display through June 29.
More information: Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery, 142 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. | More info
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Friendship Heart Gallery
The Friendship Heart Gallery will debut an exhibition called “Art With Heart,” which features works with bright colors and stand-out linework. All works are made 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
Historic Preservation Trust
The Historic Preservation Trust will host an event featuring works from Addvent Lancaster, which will have posters, art prints, cards and more for sale.
In addition, the venue will host a garden party for the Keystone Italian Project, which runs the yearly L’Italia Festival in Lititz Springs Park. This party serves as a mini-Italian festival, featuring Italian wine, beer and cocktails. Proceeds benefit the L’Italia Festival.
More information: The Sehner-Ellicott-von Hess House, 123 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 4-8 p.m. | More info
Karen Anderer Fine Art
Karen Anderer Fine Art will continue to show works from artist Georganna Lennsen’s collection, “Arco Iris.” (Arco iris means “rainbow” in Spanish.)
The exhibition will be on display through May 11.
More information: Karen Anderer Fine Art, 146 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Galleries
Lancaster Galleries recently debuted a collection from artists Dan Miller and Gene Shaw called “Counterpoint.” The collection features works that appear like wooden collages, sometimes painted. The exhibition will be on display through June 1.
More information: Lancaster Galleries, 34 N. Water St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Lancaster Museum of Art
The Lancaster Museum of Art will host the opening reception for its latest collection “Stay Alive / Make Art / Lancaster.” The reception will feature several panelists — including Adam DelMarcelle, Nadine Garner, Marci Nelligan, Andrew Silvius, Zach Walters and Elizabeth Weiss — who will speak to the intersectionality of mental health, art and substance abuse. This exhibition also features works from artist Amos Lemon Burkhart, who died in 2018.
The museum also recently debuted an exhibition called “Selections from the Collection: Reflections of Lancaster,” featuring some works from the museum’s permanent collection. There will be more than 35 works on display that feature Lancaster County’s beauty.
More information: Lancaster Museum of Art, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., reception from 5-9 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 debut its sixth annual collection of pet-themed works called “We Love Our Pets.” The exhibition will feature 170 works from more than 120 artists. There will also be pet-related vendors on site. Proceeds from the event benefit The Sebastian Foundation for Animal Rescue.
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 feature an exhibition called “Regeneration: Poetry, Fraktur and Photography” for First Friday, featuring works from artists Lynn Sommer and Steven Rubin, as well as poets Becca J.R. Lachman and Julia Spicher Kasdorf. The exhibition features collaborations between Lachman and Sommer, and Kasdorf and Rubin.
From 7-8 p.m., Lachman and Kasdorf will read their works on the upstairs level of the church.
This exhibition will be on display through June 30.
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 recently debuted an exhibition from photographer Gabriel Barreto Bentin called “Andinos.” The collection features photos from Bentin’s experiences in Cusco, Peru.
In addition, the school will display the Senior Show Exhibition to showcase works from this year’s graduating class.
More information: Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, 204 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Senior Show from 5-9 p.m. | More info
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Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will host a demonstration from Karen Risser about making open-container terrariums with succulents, stones and other materials.
More information: Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, 335 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 p.m. | More info
Peoples Bank
Peoples Bank will host seven pop-up vendors for First Friday. It will also offer light refreshments.
More information: Peoples Bank, 101 N. Queen St., Suite 105, Lancaster | Hours: 5-9 p.m. | More info
Pocket Books Shop
Indie bookstore Pocket Books Shop will host a book trivia event themed after “Romantasy,” a genre that combines romance and fantasy. The winning team will get a $50 gift card to Pocket Books.
More information: Pocket Books Shop, 903 Wheatland Ave., Lancaster | Hours: 7-9 p.m. | More info
Pop-Up Shop
Artist Rachel Kantner will host an exhibition at the Pop-Up Shop called “A Body of Work,” featuring whimsical and surreal horror works from 2022-2024.
More information: Pop-Up Shop, 354 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Hours: 1-8 p.m. | More info
Read Rose Books
Indie used bookstore Read Rose Books will host an event called “Story Meets Song,” featuring a talk with author Dan Christian about his book, “The Music of the Spheres Gone Acoustic: Bob and Pam Ortiz Sing the Soundtrack of Dante’s Divine Comedy.” Some proceeds from the event will be donated to the Harry Chapin Foundation, which helps fund not-for-profit endeavors.
More information: Read Rose Books, 23 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-7:50 p.m. | Cost: Free admission, book costs $14.99 | More info
Red Raven Art Company
Red Raven Art Company will primarily showcase works from artists Sherri Trial, Kim Smith and Jordana Saunders. The gallery will also feature works from artists Lee Lovett, Terry Wise and Sheri Bare.
More information: Red Raven Art Company, 138 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.| More info
Third Story
Third Story, a new combination studio/gallery space, will host opening weekend festivities that start Friday, featuring an exhibition with works from artists Stephanie Gibson, Leah Fox, Barbara J. Hart, Emily Keener, Reagan Lehman, Dana Bechert, Marianne Calenda, PJ Gilman and Annie Kerekgyarto.
More information: Third Story, 44 N. Christian St., Suite 300, Lancaster | Hours: 5-8 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
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Ware Center teamed up with the Lancaster AAPI for an event called “The Ninth Art: Inside the World of Asian Cuisine Through Sight, Smell and Taste,” featuring a live food demonstration and violin performances.
In addition, the Regitz Gallery have a new exhibition on display called “Pilgrim Soul,” featuring works from artist Claire Louise Giblin. The exhibition will be on display through May 31.
More information: The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster | Hours: 6-8 p.m. (performance starts in Steinman Hall 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 1985 zombie-horror movie “Cemetery of Terror.”
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