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Downtown Bloomington January 2026 First Friday & “Cards of Hope”
First Friday in Downtown Bloomington is an event held each month on, you guessed it, the First Friday of the month. Kickoff for the new year starts on January 2nd, 2026 from 5 – 8 PM
First Friday is an opportunity to shop late at local participating businesses, see what’s new in the local galleries, and cap it all off with a bite to eat and some entertainment! Each month, First Friday offers up a theme for businesses to play off of with their special deals and offerings.
Cards of Hope Event: Making Cards of Hope for Disaster Relief Boxes for Midwest Food Bank.
For the fifth year, downtown Bloomington businesses and local artists are organizing a card making event for Midwest Food Bank’s disaster relief boxes. Midwest Food Bank distributes family food boxes and other supplies throughout the year to help in times of serious need and disaster. As part of January’s First Friday, participants are invited to create Cards of Hope to be included in these relief boxes. Businesses are also offering other card making opportunities in December and January.
Card making stations, complete with all materials needed to make a card, will be available at participating sites. Several locations will offer tip jars for those wishing to make a monetary donation to the Midwest Food Bank’s Disaster Relief Fund. Cards may include a general note of encouragement or left blank for Midwest Food Bank to write an appropriate message.
Angel Ambrose Fine Art Studio, 101 W. Monroe Street, Suite 201.
Art Vortex Studio, 101 W. Monroe Street, Suite 210.
Inside Out Accessible Art, 200 W. Monroe Street.
Threshold to Hope, 200 W. Monroe Street.
Additional in-person locations and times:
Art Vortex Studio, 101 W. Monroe Street, Suite 210, Bloomington. January 19, 11 am – 2pm.
Bobzbay, 419 N. Main Street, Bloomington. January 3 & 17, 10 am – 4 pm.
Beluga Press Art Gallery, 313 N. Main, Bloomington. January 3, 10 & 17, 11 am – 1 pm.
Illinois Art Station, 101 E. Vernon Avenue, Normal. December 27 & January 24, 10 am -2 pm.
Threshold to Hope, 200 W. Monroe, Bloomington. Drop in during regular business hours in January.
