Polar Bear has been a staple in the array of party holidays in Carbondale for a little more than a decade, and is still going strong. Here is a guide to what is happening on all sides of town this drinking holiday weekend.

East Side

Pinch Penny/Copper Dragon:

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The 14th annual Polar Bear originated at Pinch Penny Pub and is held every January. It upholds a tradition of early-morning fun with doors opening at 10 a.m.

Regardless of how early the bar doors fly open, the festivities of the day do not rest as the evening approaches.

Pinch has a double set consisting of two party favorites, Party Pants and Hello Weekend, both of which focus on a high energy and a positive atmosphere.

Hello Weekend, which has visited Carbondale numerous times from Chicago, consists of six members and covers music from Billboard Hot 100 artists while incorporating their own personal spin.

Cover charge for the event will be $5 and the bar will be open from 10 a.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday.

The Strip

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Hangar 9:

On the other side of town, Hangar 9 will be having its own Polar Bear festivities starting on Friday with their Polar Bear Pre Party.

Friday will feature The Mike Lynch Band, a local alternative and blues infused band, and Pocket Science open. Doors will open at 9 p.m. and the show will begin at 10 p.m.

Saturday will feature Spread, a crowd-favorite in the Carbondale music scene.

Spread is a funk/psychedelic rock band from Chicago, founded in Carbondale in 2008. The band is known for incorporating improvisation in its set mixed with original material.

Saturday’s cover charge will be $5 with a student I.D. or $7 at the door.

PK’s:

The live music on the strip continues up Route 51 at PK’s, where local rock band Smile Pond will return.

Smile Pond, which is familiar with the Carbondale music scene, covers indie/pop songs and plays local shows once or twice a month.

Downtown

Tres Hombres:

In the downtown area, Tres Hombres will showcase some local music on Saturday with americana band The Storm Crows and singer-songwriter Dana Michael Anderson.

Storm Crows is a five-piece band with a heavy bluegrass influence. With no drums or percussion instruments, the band epitomizes americana with an acoustic guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, mandolin and banjo.

Following the theme of folk-style acoustic performance, Dana Michael Anderson is a musician from St. Louis, who began writing music as a teenager. He incorporates both uplifting and somber elements into his songs to give the listeners the full musical spectrum.

Listen to Anderson’s music here.

On Saturday, Tres Hombres is the place to be for a folk atmosphere and chill vibes.

Newell House Grotto Lounge:

Crossing back over the railroad tracks, party-goers have the option to drop in to the Grotto Lounge where James Barnes trio will be performing.

With blues and soul music having deep roots in the Carbondale area, James Barnes provides his expertise for those who are looking for a breath of fresh air from the party and a taste of Carbondale’s musical forte.