Despite the winter chill, attendees can enjoy a variety of indoor venues featuring live performances, art exhibitions, and shopping specials, making for a lively night in the city's cultural district.
First Friday is a well-established tradition in Sarnia, drawing locals and visitors to experience the vibrant downtown core. Galleries, restaurants, and small businesses will remain open late, offering special programming and entertainment. The Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, and numerous local businesses are participating, ensuring plenty of options for visitors to explore.
Live Music & Entertainment:
- Sarnia Legion Branch 62 (286 Front St. N.) – 402 West Band will provide live music and dancing from 7 – 11 PM. No cover charge.
- GRIND Kitchen + Bar (265 Front St. N.) – Ainsworth and Young perform from 7 – 10 PM. Doors open at the back, with free parking on the north ramp.
- Bad Dog Sarnia (229 Christina St. N.) – Lise Michaud will perform live from 7:30 – 10:30 PM.
- Ups N' Downs (226 Front St. N.) – Acoustic Values will rock the pub with classic and modern rock from 8 – 11 PM.
- The Kenwick (160 George St.) – James Keegan performs from 4 – 7 PM, with building tours, special promotions, and raffles.
- Tang’s China House (165 Cromwell St.) – Harbour Jazz Duo provides dinner music from 5 – 7 PM (reservations recommended).
- Backhome Coffee (112 Christina St. S.) – Live music & gift basket draw alongside free samples of Valentine’s sweets and a launch of Valentine specialty coffees, open until 8:30 PM.
- Coldwell Banker Southwest Realty (169 Christina St. N.) – Jay Allen will perform at the Clothing Swap (5 – 8 PM), where attendees can pick up 10 items for $25.
Art Exhibits & Cultural Events:
- Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery (147 Lochiel St.) – Red Dot Tours (7 – 8 PM), featuring Sculpting Life: Inuit carvings and Dark Ice | Glaces obscures. Open until 9 PM.
- Seventh Rayn Design Co. (162 Cromwell St.) – Open 6 – 9 PM, showcasing murals, artwork, and design. Meet the artist on the third floor above the Downtown Market.
- The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts (127 Christina St. S.) – Annual Floyd Gibson Members’ Exhibition, with the Mayor’s Awards at 7 PM and Doug Hacking on piano from 6 – 8:30 PM. Open until 9 PM.
- Downtown Market (140 Christina St. N.) – Toadstool Barrow Art Exhibit by Aislinn-Rae Smith opens at 6 PM and runs through March.
- River Bank & Co. (172 Front St. N.) – An art sale offers 10% off all originals and prints from 5 – 8 PM.
- Refined Fool Brewing Co. (137 Davis St.) – Featuring artwork by John Williams.
Workshops & Special Activities:
- Sarnia Library (124 Christina St. S.) – The Make of the Month Workshop (6:30 – 7:30 PM) will feature a Welcome Sign project. This event is full, but registration for the next session opens on February 21st.
With free parking downtown on evenings and weekends, First Friday remains a great opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy Sarnia’s artistic and cultural scene.