Hello from PBOT’s Public Street Plaza Program! Read on to hear about events happening this month and learn more about one of the program's Street Plazas that just received a beautiful new street mural.
Mark Your Calendars!
Each week numerous events happen in Portland's Public Street Plazas across the city. See below for a snapshot of what is coming up in September.
- Every Wednesday Live Music on Rainbow Road- Come to Ankeny Rainbow Road Plaza at SE Ankeny Street and SE 28th Avenue for a night of beverages and music hosted by Music Portland. Starting at 5:30 p.m. and running until 7:30 p.m., come enjoy the nice weather while it lasts! The events last until the end of September.
- Every Thursday Live Music at Cart Blocks- Grab a tasty bite to eat at one of Cart Blocks Plaza’s amazing food carts and enjoy local music hosted by Music Portland and located at SW Park Avenue and SW Ankeny Street. The events start at 12 p.m. and ends at 2 p.m. all September long.
- Every Thursday Montavilla Farmers Market- Sponsored by Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA), this market is located at SE Stark Street and SE 79th Avenue. The event opens at 4 p.m. and closes at 7 p.m. September is the last month this event will run, take this opportunity to pick up seasonal produce and more from local growers.
- Sept. 8 Pearl Party at NW 13th Plaza- Put on by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association (PDNA), this event will feature live music and local food and beverages. Come to NW 13th Avenue Plaza between NW Irving Street and NW Everett Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to enjoy one of Portland’s most unique street spaces.
- Sept. 8 Live Music by Rainezra at Cart Blocks- Head down to the Cart Blocks from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. to hear Rainezra perform in the plaza. A great opportunity to take a break from the office on a Friday and hear some soulful sounds. Cart Blocks Plaza is located at SW Park Avenue and SW Ankeny Street. See you there!
- Sept. 9 Curbside Serenade at Main Street Plaza- Headed to see a show at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall? Show up early to hear David Pollack a local Portland-based singer songwriter serenade you while you wait in line. Music runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is located at SW Main Street and SW Broadway.
- Sept. 18 Living Room Session at Pride Plaza- Come join other Portlanders for an afternoon of live music sponsored by Music Portland at Pride Plaza on Harvey Milk Street and 12th Avenue from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. featuring performances by Dune Laila and Jermaine.
- Sept. 22-23 Autumn Solstice at Ankeny Alley- Come celebrate the start of fall at Ankeny Alley located at SW Ankeny Street and SW 3rd Avenue on Sept. 22 starting at 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. on the Sept. 23. Sponsored by Ankeny Festivals, this will be a great chance to enjoy local businesses, entertainment, and live music while we welcome in the new season.
- Sept. 27 Movies on the Plaza at Montavilla Plaza- Enjoy a movie outside with friends and family at Montavilla Plaza’s movie night. This month’s showing is Rock N’ Roll Highschool. Bring your own chair and blanket in case it gets cold. The movie starts at 8 p.m. at SE 79th Avenue and Stark Street.
- Sept. 30 Fall Fling at St Johns Plaza- Come to St. Johns Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the start of fall with art, music, and more. There will be specials and events at surrounding local businesses happening all day long. At 2 p.m. there will be a dedication to celebrate the clock being repaired and other improvements made to the plaza. St. Johns Plaza is at N Lombard Street and N Philadelphia Avenue, see you there!
Introducing Dream Street Plaza!
Dream Street Plaza on NE Sumner Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard received a new painting to celebrate the neighborhoods rich Black history and culture. Artist Edmund Mundo Homes, a multi-disciplinary artist has partnered with Soul District Business Association to bring Dream Street Plaza new life. Mundo's message is to “invest in the soul… whether it is mental, physical, financial, you have to invest in it.” Stop by Old Town Brewing to enjoy a beverage and slice while you take a look! In the meantime, check out more of Mundo’s work on his Instagram.
Scenes from the Plazas
Do you have a great Public Street Plaza photo?
Share your best PBOT Street Plaza photo with the world by tagging @PBOTinfo on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formally Twitter).
Where can you find a PBOT Street Plazas?
PBOT has numerous active plazas that are ready for you and your friends and family to enjoy! They are great places to grab a bite to eat at a partnering business, relax in the shade, meet up with friends, and so much more. Click here to find a plaza near you!
What is the Portland Public Street Plaza Program?
Originally started during the Covid-19 pandemic to assist businesses and Portlanders, PBOTs Public Street Plaza program-built partnerships with community and local businesses to transform select streets into public spaces for cultural events, street fairs, pop-up markets, and more. The program uses PBOT's Livable Streets Strategy, adopted by Portland City Council in 2017 as its policy foundation to turn streets into inclusive public spaces that foster public life. In 2022 PBOT’s Planning team started work to turn the temporary, pandemic-era program into a permanent Street Plaza program. This program continues to allow PBOT to act on its values around climate action, mobility for all, and building community by creating public spaces that all Portlander should be able to use and enjoy.
The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to city programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, contact the Portland Bureau of Transportation at 311 (503-823-4000), for Relay Service & TTY: 711.