First Thursday

First Thursday is a recurring event in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon, United States. The event was established in 1986. It has been described as a monthly art gallery walk and outdoor street festival. It is organized by the Urban Art Network. Arts leader William Jamison has been credited as a co-founder. The event also has live music and food vendors.

Portland Monthly ranked the event number 49 in a 2025 "quintessential Portland bucket list" of 50 things to do in the city.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The First First Thursday of the Summer". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  2. ↑ "1986: First Thursday". Willamette Week. 2024-11-13. Archived from the original on 2026-02-08. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  3. ↑ "Reflecting on the Past, Present, and Future of Portland's Pearl District". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2025-12-04. Retrieved 2026-03-24. On a rainy September night in 1986, the First Thursday gallery walk began, and a loquacious, rather kitschy gallerist invented a perky new neighborhood brand, the "Pearl District."
  4. ↑ "Top Things to Do This Weekend: June 5-8". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  5. ↑ "First Thursday Events to Hit Tonight, Starting With the Street Gallery". Willamette Week. 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  6. 1 2 "The Top 50 Things to Do in Portland". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2026-03-20. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  7. ↑ "1994: Thomas Lauderdale". Willamette Week. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  8. ↑ Dominique, Leslie (2025-04-04). "First Thursday celebrates 25 years in Portland's Pearl District". KPTV. Retrieved 2026-03-24.