City Cast Portland
🦪 The Pearl is your oyster
August 30, 2026 · — Ben McBee
Hello, Portland! We’re on a bit of a jewelry kick lately, so this week, we’re trying on the Pearl District. It’s taken quite a bit of polish over the decades to turn land that was once a marshy lake into a bustling train hub and (finally) an urban neighborhood celebrated for its culinary and cultural cachet. The future looks bright, too.
What To Do
Sunday, Aug. 30
- 👑 Sunday Funday Drag Brunch | Darcelle XV Showplace (Old Town)
- 🛍️ Portland Flea | The Redd (Buckman)
- 🏀 Portland Fire vs. Golden State Valkyries | Moda Center
- 🎉 Portland Jewish Festival | Zidell Yards (South Waterfront)
- 🚤 7 Wonders of the Gorge | Portland Spirit, Caruthers Landing Dock (Hosford-Abernethy)
- 🌱 Northwest VegFest | Wingspan Event & Conference Center (Hillsboro)
Monday, Aug. 31
- ✨ Shifting Realities (last day) | Porsche Studio Portland (Pearl District)
- 🏺 Oregonians Experiencing Archaeology | McMenamins Kennedy School (Concordia)
- 🎤 Karaoke From Hell | Dante's (Old Town)
- 🚲 Final Day of Bike Summer various rides | various locations
Tuesday, Sep. 1
- 📚 Chloe Benjamin With Lydia Kielsling | The Armory (Pearl District)
- 🧠 Speed Puzzling | The People's Courts (Madison South)
- 🎡 Oregon State Fair | Oregon State Fair & Expo Center (Salem)
- 🎸 Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel | Alberta Rose Theatre
- 🎶 Magic Sword | Mississippi Studios (Boise)
Several scenes from the 1989 film, “Drugstore Cowboy,” were shot in the Pearl District. If you want to visit the locations and see how they’ve transformed, check out this interactive guide.
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