"Winter Open" and Holiday Market returning to Howard Park

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- South Bend Venues Parks & Arts will hold its annual "Winter Open" this week at Howard Park in Downtown South Bend.

Families can ring in the winter season with some fun, free activities on Friday.

It all starts at 10 a.m. with a live ice-skating performance by Irish Figure Skating Club.

The first ice skating session of the year will follow at 11 a.m.

Kids can enjoy free face painting at 12:30 p.m. and then some special character appearances (including Elsa and the Grinch) at 1 p.m.

There will be free donuts and hot chocolate offered on a first come, first served basis.

"Frosty the Snowman" will be streamed inside Howard Park Event Center that afternoon, and the Holiday Market will take place there also from 4 to 8 p.m.

The Holiday Market is an opportunity for local vendors to come out, showcase their products or services and interact directly with the community.

The market is free to enter and you can enjoy live entertainment, festive treats and alcoholic drinks (for those over 21,) all while you shop around!

Vendors will be selling things like jewelry, candles, cosmetics, books and more!

The fun also continues on Saturday at Howard Park.

Rachael Zieger, SBVPA Events Coordinator, tells ABC57 News that the winter open, “started when we first opened and had our grand opening, but we wanted to continue these free events every single year just as a fun way for the community to be involved.”

You can find the full weekend schedule and more information over on the South Bend VPA website.