FIRST FRIDAY
Join us every First Friday of the month in the Benson Creative District for a night filled with art, live music, food, and community!
October 3 | 5:00 - 2:00AM
Benson Creative District
🎭 This month BFF Omaha and Giant Joy Collective are taking art to the streets with the first annual Handmade Parade! Giant puppets, DIY floats, costumes, and community creations will fill Benson with color and energy. Join neighbors, families, and artists as we celebrate our theme: UNITY THROUGH CREATIVITY.
🎨 October’s First Friday poster by Oria Simonini @oriasimonini
🖼️ Posters sponsored by @blick_omaha
💜 The Handmade Parade is made possible thanks to the support of:
Dundee Bank • WP Engine • Rose Hill PTO • Montessori Co-Op School • Central Skate Shop • Park Omaha • Nebraska Arts Council & Cultural Endowment
🙌 Ongoing First Friday support from:
Mutual of Omaha @mutualofomaha • Ted and Wally's @tedandwallys • Park Omaha
🤝 Friend of BFF Business Members:
ASL Interpreting Services • Blueline Coffee • Central Skate Shop • Dahlia House • Gregg Grossman, Inc. • Heather Tedesco, Realtor • Jake’s Cigars • Maven Social • MCC • Ming Toy Gallery • Nebraska AIDS Project • Omaha Roller Derby • RAIL + STEAM • SET the Bar • Shaheen’s Afghan Cuisine • Shipment Vintage • Slowdown • Snowy Sundaes • Star Deli • StudioDaze Omaha • Taco Co. • The Garage • The Sydney • The Bay
📍 Get full event details at bffomaha.org/events
#BensonFirstFriday #FirstFriday #HandmadeParade #October
The Map
A printed and digital map provides visitors a guide to walkable events and exhibitions located in neighborhood galleries and businesses. Download the latest First Friday event map directly to your phone! View it digitally, or print it off yourself! Printed maps are also available during First Fridays at participating locations.
Updated First Friday Maps become available the night before First Friday.
First Friday Programming
BFF sponsors programming in the neighborhood including youth engagement, hands-on education, digital projections, on-street Artist Markets, street closures, and special annual events like PRIDE (June) and the New American Arts Festival (August) which showcases local refugee and immigrant arts and cultures. Check out the programs of First Friday below!
Artists Markets
BFF Artist Markets run on First Fridays monthly May - September (6 - 10 pm), located on Military Ave (North Market) and 62nd St (South Market) along Maple Street.
Youth and Education
Youth programming encompasses a variety of activities, from art classes held at Trudy's to exhibitions, public art installations, and zine publishing centered around emerging artists and teenagers.
Petshop Gallery
Taking over what was a defunct exotic pet store, Petshop was founded as a studio & gallery space in June 2012. This space is now a shared creative space in Benson with galleries, studios, offices, and event space.
Past Photo Galleries
Check out our Facebook to view photo galleries from past events!
Artist Opportunities
Find information about exhibition opportunities and special calls for artists.
Design a Poster
Design a poster for the next First Friday event! We are now accepting submissions for First Friday posters! All selected poster artists receive a Blick Art Materials GIFT CARD!
BFF’s Safety Pledge
BFF Omaha's "Safety First Friday" states that your establishment will encourage, expect, and strive to maintain a safe environment, with a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and assault.
If visitors feel unsafe at any time while in your establishment, staff or someone of authority will promptly take steps to address the situation, or if necessary remove the person(s) responsible and/or notify the proper authorities.
Keep and Eye Out for our Safety First Friday buttons worn by BFF volunteers and decals in business windows. In the event you need help, look out for the Triangle Safety First Friday BooButt Badge or First Friday Safety Pledge. This person and/or business will be able to help!
