SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ART, HISTORY, AND COMMUNITY. IT’S ALL HERE IN THE PEARL! #AROUNDTHEPEARL
Get ready to dive into the exciting events happening in our wonderful community with Around the Pearl as your ultimate guide!
Welcome to Around the Pearl!
We shine a spotlight on everything happening in the Pearl District: from exciting events and art shows to new businesses and local stories that reflect the growth and spirit of our neighborhood. Our goal is to keep you connected to the people, places, and happenings that make the Pearl such a vibrant part of the city. Whether it's discovering hidden gems, celebrating local culture, or staying in the loop with what's next, Around the Pearl is your insider guide.
Here are just a few of the things to watch in the Pearl:
First Thursday Gallery Walk: Since the 1980s, First Thursday has grown from a small neighborhood gathering into one of Portland’s most beloved cultural traditions. Each month, visitors come to the Pearl District for gallery openings, artist talks, and an evening buzzing with creative energy.
Whether you’re a collector, a wine enthusiast, or just curious, First Thursday has something for everyone. Stroll through inspiring exhibits, meet the artists, and enjoy the lively atmosphere that makes the Pearl a hub of creativity.
Special thanks to the Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA) for supporting and connecting our gallery community.
See why First Thursday has been at the heart of Portland’s art scene for nearly 40 years!
First Thursday Street Gallery: From April through October, historic NW 13th Avenue transforms into an open-air showcase featuring local artists, makers, and craftspeople. It’s the perfect place to stroll, shop, and connect under the evening sky.
Portland Center Stage Events: World-class theater productions, talkbacks, and special performances at The Armory.
Powell’s Books: The world’s largest bookstore is in the Pearl! Stay tuned for book signings, panels, and other events!
Stay informed by checking out Around the Pearl News and subscribing to our newsletter for the latest updates!
Upcoming Events
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Battle Creek Cellars: Fright Flight: Wine & Candy Pairing
Dates: Thursday, October 23 – Friday, October 31, 2025
Location: Battle Creek CellarsCelebrate spooky season with a Halloween-themed wine flight featuring four wines perfectly paired with four classic candies. All fun—no tricks, just treats!
Pricing:
$40 for non-members
$20 for membersReservations:
Available for parties of 1 to 6. Reserve your spot today! -
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GHOSTED & TOASTED – Halloween Party & Costume Contest
Presented by: River Pig Saloon
Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Time: 9:00 PM – Late
Location: River Pig Saloon
Music By: @jupiterwilliamsDetails:
Celebrate Halloween at River Pig Saloon’s Ghosted & Toasted — a night packed with music, dancing, and spooky fun. Enjoy cocktail specials, Jell-O shot syringes, a welcome shot at the door, a photo booth, and more.Prizes: Awards for the top 3 costumes, sponsored by Red Bull.
Tickets:
Presale discounted tickets available now — limited inventory, so grab yours before they’re gone! -
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Halloween Bash at 10 Barrel Brewing
Date: Friday, October 31
Time: Doors open at 7 PM | Music starts at 8 PM
Location: 10 Barrel Brewing, PortlandEvent Details:
Costumes on. Cocktails pouring. DJ spinning. 10 Barrel is throwing a Halloween party so good, it’s almost scary.What to Expect:
🎧 Live DJ: @ROYALEPDX
🍹 Spooky specialty cocktails
🍕 Killer snack food
📸 Costume contest + photo booth
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![Poster for an event titled 'Murder on the Dancefloor', featuring a disco ball and blood splatters, promoting Portland's Halloween Party on October 31st, hosted by DJ Wicked and DJ Mafia.]()
Low Brow Lounge Halloween Party
Date: Friday October 31st, 2025
Where: Low brow Lounge, 1036 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
1036 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
Come get spooky at the lowbrow this your chance to experience and support our local DJs. $10 cover
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![A black and white illustration featuring a central square surrounded by concentric circles containing various symbols, geometric shapes, and possibly mystical or alchemical markings.]()
North Pole Studios Future Mythologies | J Pepin Art Gallery
When: Nov 6–30, 2025 | Opening reception: Nov 6, 5–8 PM (First Thursday)
Where: J. Pepin Art Gallery | Maytag Building | , 514 NW 11th Ave, Suite 203, Portland, OR 97209
What: Exhibition featuring North Pole Studio artists Eva Adneral, Aaron Cunningham, Annie Rose Macer, Dan Tran, and Scott Tullock, created during a six-month residency at Mullowney Printing Company.
Admission: Free | Gallery viewings by appointment; studio may not accommodate drop-ins. -
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Delete the Apps | Free Dating Party at Two Wrongs
Date: Friday, November 7 | 7–9 PM
Location: 617 NW 13th Ave, PortlandPortland singles are invited to take over Two Wrongs for a night that’s like a dating app—but in real life. No tickets, no icebreakers, and no pressure—just a relaxed space to meet new people.
Guests can drop in anytime between 7–9 PM, check in at the pink Meeting Mutuals sign, grab stickers to show what they’re open to, and fill out a “You’re Cute” card for anyone who catches their eye.
Suggested age range: 25–45
Free and open to the public
Attendees are welcome to come solo or bring a friend -
![AE Pearl, Grand Opening, Pearl District]()
Grand Opening Celebration of AE Pearl
Date: Friday, November 8, 2025
Location: 1015 Northwest Lovejoy Street, Portland
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM PST
AE Pearl invites the community to celebrate its Grand Opening with exclusive offers, giveaways, and local favorites. Enjoy refreshments, mini consults, and vendors including Tea Bar, Argyle Winery, Ancestry Brewing, C+J Permanent Jewelry, Premier Planning Promotions, and more. -
![Urban Art Network, First Thursday, Crafts, Cocktails]()
First Thursday: Crafts & Cocktails
📍 Location: McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
Dates: Thursday, November 6th & Friday, November 7th
Time: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (both days)
Music, cocktails, and a cozy shopping atmosphere!
Apply to be a vendor here
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![A wooden tray holding several glasses of beer with the Deschutes Brewery logo, with a focus on an amber-colored beer glass in the foreground.]()
Deschutes Brewery Guided Flight with Brewer
What: A monthly craft-beer tasting event at Deschutes Brewery’s Portland Public House, featuring flights guided by brewery staff.
When: September 4th, October 2nd and November 6th
Where: 210 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR (21+, free parking)
Why Attend: Perfect for beer lovers and novices alike—learn about brewing, enjoy curated flights, and have the flight fee waived with a to-go beer purchase ($25+)
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PCS: Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Dates: November 16 – December 21, 2025
Location: Portland Center Stage at The ArmoryExperience a heartwarming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women. Follow the March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate love, loss, and growing up during the Civil War era.
A beautifully staged production perfect for the holiday season.
More info and tickets: pcs.org/louisa-may-alcotts-little-women
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![Close-up of pink and red flowers with a blurred and abstract background, featuring vibrant colors and soft focus.]()
MONO Space
Mono Space hosts a monthly Saturday program for curious listeners and readers alike. Guests are welcomed into the gallery to experience our sound system, gift shop, record archive, and library from 11am to 5pm. Each Gallery Hours is centered around a thematic soundtrack drawn from our collection, punctuated by special sets with guest selectors.
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![Powell's City of Books, Pearl District, Around the Pearl]()
Powell's City of Books Events
Powell’s downtown location continues to host acclaimed authors this season.
Visit https://www.powells.com/events for full event details and RSVPs.
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![A white sandwich board sign on the sidewalk advertising Puppies & Yoga in Portland on the 2nd floor, with handwritten notes and a marker inside two clipboards at the bottom.]()
Puppies and Yoga Portland
Every Saturday and Sunday, recharge with the perfect combo of gentle yoga and playful puppy energy. Spots fill fast—sign up today for your weekly dose of joy! @puppiesyogaportland
Location: 13 NW 13th St
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![The Studio Northwest: Ongoing Acting and Workshop Classes, Around the Pearl, Portland, Creative workshop]()
The Studio Northwest: Ongoing Acting and Workshop Classes
New Students Welcome Anytime!Our acting classes & workshops will guide you on your perfect audition, on-camera acting techniques, character development, scene study & More!
Science Study- Acting for TV & Film | February 5th, 2025- January 28th, 2026 | Wednesday’s | 6:30pm
Essential Acting: For the Beginner & Returning Students | February 10th, 2025- January 26th, 2026 | Mondays at 6:45pM
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![Fields Bar and Grill: Knowledge is Power, Around the Pearl, Pearl, sports bar, free, games, community, group activity, 21+]()
Fields Bar and Grill: Trivia Night
Knowledge is Power at The Fields!
Date: Tuesday nights
Time: 7 pm
Location: Fields Bar & Grill 139 NW 11th Ave, Pearl District Portland, OR
Details: assemble your dream team of up to 8 people, enjoy our excellent drinks and food, and compete for exciting prizes. Challenge accepted?
Webiste: thefieldspdx.com
First Thursday Gallery Walk: A Pearl District Tradition
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![J. Pepin Art Gallery, Pearl District, Portland, Art event, Community, free exhibitions, First Thursday, PADA, Art walk]()
J. Pepin Gallery
October Group Show | Oct 16 through Nov 2
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![Blackfish Gallery: art exhibit, around the pearl, Portland]()
Blackfish Gallery
Ruri & Satoko Motouji - DESTRUCTION • REJUVENATION • HARMONY | through Nov 1
Kanetaka Ikeda - Rhythm of Nature | through Nov 1
Philip Stork - Reflections | through Nov 1
First Thursday Opening Reception | Oct 2, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | Oct 12, 2-4pm -
![Blue Sky Gallery, Around the Pearl, Pearl District]()
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![Gallery 114: , Around the Pearl, First Thursday art walk, Pearl, District]()
Gallery 114
Olivia Johnson & Zac Banik - Social Fabric | through Nov 1
First Thursday Opening Reception | Oct 2, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | Oct 11, 12-1:30pm
Embroidery Workshop | Oct 11, 2-5pm -
![Elizabeth Leach Gallery, Pearl District, Around the Pearl, Portland, Art Gallery, free, exhibition, family friendly, tourist things to do]()
Elizabeth Leach Gallery
Stephen Hayes
Elegy
October 15 - November 29, 2025Preview Reception: October 15, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Artist Talk: November 1, 11:00 am -
![The Froelick Gallery: , Around the Pearl, Portland, Art district, free, artist event]()
The Froelick Gallery
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![Laura Vincent Design & Gallery]()
Laura Vincent Design & Gallery
Scotty Peek - Nearby | through Nov 1
First Thursday Opening Reception | Oct 2, 5-8pm -
![Waterstone Gallery: Artists, Portland, Pearl District, events, art, things to do Pearl, galleries in the Pearl, art events happening]()
Waterstone Gallery
Claudia Hollister - Mesmerizing Blues | through Nov 2
First Thursday Opening Reception | Oct 2, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | Oct 5, 11am-12pm
Sign Up for the Around the Pearl Newsletter.
Follow our Journey on Instagram @aroundthepearl.pdx
Connect with your community!
Submit your event by contacting us by email or DM @aroundthepearl.pdx
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People at an art gallery, with colorful paintings on the walls, engaging in conversation.
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A man standing behind a promotional table for the National Beard League, displaying beard care products, hats, and merchandise with the league logo in front of a brick building.
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A busy outdoor street fair or market with numerous tents and booths crowded with people, set in an urban area with tall buildings in the background.
A large bronze sculpture of an elephant with intricate carvings and two smaller elephants on its back, situated in a park with green trees and a city street in the background.
A woman standing behind a table at an outdoor art fair booth, displaying colorful posters and stickers with abstract and landscape designs. There are signs indicating prices for stickers and prints, and the woman is smiling while wearing a knit hat and an orange jacket under a white shirt.
