First Thursday in the Pearl starts May 5 in Portland.
Started in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration that occurs on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people that includes art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be seen.
Art galleries in the district are all open late into the evening for receptions and new show openings. Many of the galleries offer food and drink while the artists showing are available to meet and discuss their work. On pleasant evenings, the streets are literally packed with artists selling their creations and musicians and bands playing live music on many of the closed-off streets.
Parking gets very difficult in the area on First Thursday. It is recommended to take public transportation to the Pearl, or park nearby and walk into the neighborhood.
