Friday Night Live (FNL)

Bringing the Party to the Pavement!

When: August 1 (Street Sale also runs 8am-9pm) & August 8 | 6-9pm

Who: Fun for all ages

What: Friday Night Live is a perennial local favorite – a block party celebrating community and camaraderie to wind down the summer season. This FREE event features live music and performances, nonprofit organizations providing interactive games, food and beverage vendors, and a variety of entertainment.

Where: Front Street between Union Street and Park Street. Front Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Park and Union Streets.

Details: Come downtown to shop, eat, and enjoy the events taking place on Front Street. Enjoy this walkable event in summer’s third act. The Aug. 1 FNL event will be paired with the all-day Street Sale, so take your shopping bags! The Aug. 8 FNL event will feature plenty of music and opportunities to shake that groove thang.

Parking: For information on where to park, click here. We recommend the Old Town parking structure ($1.25/hr.), with plentiful parking just a short walk away; Larry Hardy parking structure east of Park Street is also available. Metered parking is free after 6pm.

Friday Night Live Features

Entertainment

  • Aug 8 – All American Dance Party: Hit up the dancefloor for a high-energy, mixed genres & eras dance party!
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Balloon Artist Tina W.: Balloon art you can’t find elsewhere
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Bright Spot Entertainment Music BINGO: Play one game or 20!
  • Aug 1 – Clark Lewis Juggling Stunt Show: Street show ft. juggling & circus stunts
  • Aug 8 – Fresh Coast Groove: This uber cool vinyl DJ spins upbeat, funky, popular covers for all dance modes.
  • Aug 1 – Full Tilt Comedy: Back for more crowd-friendly improv!
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Jill’s TC Studio: Caricatures in just three minutes!
  • Aug 1 – Little Dipper ’90s Country ft. Up North Line Dancing: ’90s hip-swinging classics plus group line dance instruction to revisit the best era of country!
  • Aug 8 – Old Town Playhouse: Get a sneak peek of The Prince of Egypt with choir and keyboard accompanist.
  • Aug 1 & 8 – TC Double Bubble: Giant bubbles take over Cass Street!
  • Aug 8 – The Timebombs: Local fave band playing punched-up covers from the ’90s-’00s
  • Aug 1 – Twisted Style Freerunning: Acrobatic stunt show from this daring street performer
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Willow Bloom’s Face Paint: Paint your face, paint your body… just get into the spirit!
  • Aug 8 – Yoga in the Street: lululemon hosts ambassador Jenna Morris to lead an engaging community yoga class street-style

Nonprofit Organizations

  • Aug 1 & 8 – Bay Area Transportation Authority: Mini BATA bus racing
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Cherryland Humane Society: Giveaways for pet lovers, brochures, info on furry friends ready for forever homes
  • Aug 8 – Coast Guard City Committee: Showcasing the Coast Guard Air Station
  • Aug 8 – Crooked Tree Arts Center: Art activity for all ages and abilities
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Disability Network Northern Michigan: Art activity that focuses on personal talents
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Downtown Development Authority: Giant Tetris and chalk art
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Evergreen Community Group: Friendship bracelet activity plus sweet treats
  • Aug 1 – Foster Care Regional Resource Team: Free tattoos (temporary!) and giveaways
  • Aug 1 – Generations Ahead: Interactive race game and prize wheel
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Inland Seas Education Association: Great Lake puzzle and giveaways
  • Aug 8 – International Affairs Forum – Traverse City: Spin the Globe game
  • Aug 1 – Kidney Companions: Coloring sheets and trivia
  • Aug 1 – League of Women Voters – Grand Traverse Area (Education Fund): Coloring sheets and crafts, voter information and registration
  • Aug 8 – Moms Demand Action/Be SMART: Bee temporary tattoos and coloring sheets
  • Aug 1 – MDHHS Foster Home Licensing: Game or craft
  • Aug 1 & 8 – MSU Federal Credit Union: Trivia wheel and prizes and life size game, giveaways
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Noah’s Animal Rescue Center: Meet the goats, sticker giveaway
  • Aug 1 – North Sky Raptor Sanctuary: Biofacts, game, prizes, live raptor ambassadors
  • Aug 8 – Paddle Antrim: Interactive demo and display
  • Aug 1 & 8 – TC Paw Cat Rescue: Cat themed game with prizes, coloring sheets
  • Aug 1 – TC West Robotics Boosters – The TC Titans Robotics Team: Dog tag activity, Robot demo and engagement, and the T-shirt cannon
  • Aug 1 – The Alzheimer’s Association- Northern Michigan: Brochure giveaways
  • Aug 1 & 8 – The Malinois Foundation: Pickles & Luna, the Skateboarding Therapy Dogs
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Thomas Judd Care Center, Munson Healthcare: Life size Connect 4, bubbles, chalk art, and giveaways
  • Aug 8 – Traverse Area Community Rowing (TACR): Brochure giveaways
  • Aug 8 – Traverse Area District Library: Bookmobile, craft, giveaways, and library card setup
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center: Toolkit/coloring book and other giveaways, Henry the certified facility dog
  • Aug 1 – Traverse City Track Club: Temporary tattoos
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Up North Pride: Rainbow art activity, event information
  • Aug 1 – VASA Raptors (VASA SKI CLUB): Visual media, game, brochures
  • Aug 1 – Wait Until 8th – Grand Traverse Region Chapter: Raffle, snacks, Q&A

Food & Beverage Vendors

  • Aug 1 & 8 – Boba Delish: Boba teas, coffee, soda
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Cherry Republic: Soda stand with ring toss
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Mi Pets Treat Truck: Pre-wrapped dog treats plus toys & chews
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Mundos Coffee: Coffee, cold brew & canned lattes, matcha, pastries, chocolate, sandwiches, grain bowls & merch
  • Aug 1 & 8 – Nate’s Best Kettle Corn: Fresh-popped sweet and salty kettle corn
  • Aug 1 – Why Knot Pretzels and Hotdogs: Hot baked pretzels and hotdogs

Entertainers, Food & Bev Vendors & Nonprofit Organization Applications

The application deadline was June 1. We may have limited space available, but cannot guarantee participation. Email Sara to inquire.

Event Sponsorship

Downtown events bring thousands of people to the heart of Traverse City, and your business can be part of the magic! Sponsorship is a powerful way to boost your visibility, show community pride, and support what makes our downtown thrive. Contact us for the FNL sponsorship kit and let’s make it happen!

Volunteer for Friday Night Live

Love our dynamic, lively downtown? Help it shine! Friday Night Live thrives on volunteers like YOU. Be the lifeblood of the event, ensuring a smooth experience for vendors and attendees. We need help with event set up, hauling vendor gear to their booths and setting up barricades.

  • Make a Difference: Your efforts power this community celebration!
  • Be Part of the Fun: Experience the magic firsthand, all while playing a key role.
  • Gain Skills: Develop event management & team-building talents!

Every role matters. Sign up today & keep Downtown TC strong!

Volunteer Sign Up