City Cast Portland’s 503 Day Block Party

What Is 503 Day?

503 Day is a new holiday based on our city's area code, established by the folks running Portland's daily podcast and newsletter, City Cast Portland and Hey Portland. It is a day dedicated to celebrating everything you love about Portland with a block party featuring live entertainment, music, outstanding food and drink, local luminaries and vendors, and much, much more.

We're also proclaiming it a day to say good things about Portland — let's face it, we've had a rough few years. This is a chance to truly celebrate everything that's great about being a Portlander.

When and where is it happening?

503 Day is on Saturday, May 3, aka 5/03. It takes place in downtown Portland's Ankeny Alley, 221 SW Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97204 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:03 p.m. (that's five hours and three minutes).

Be sure to get there early: We're giving away free 503 Day tote bags full of swag to the first 100 attendees!

Do I need a ticket?

That's the best part: IT'S TOTALLY FREE! Food and drink will be available for purchase, but the entertainment and festivities don't cost a thing. We encourage you to RSVP through Eventbrite (when you RSVP to the event, you will be signing up for our Hey Portland newsletter as well). We welcome everyone of all ages to come out and celebrate.

So, what kind of food, fun, and entertainment are we talking about?

You can look forward to live music, including local bands and local celebrities performing with Karaoke From Hell, Portland's best live-band karaoke group. There will also be drag appearances, an appearance by Portland's favorite sports mascot, Dillon T. Pickle, contests, giveaways, and much more.

There will be plenty of food options available through local vendors, food carts, and your favorite businesses in the Ankeny Alley area.

Plus, we'll have a proclamation declaring 503 Day a Portland holiday at 5:03 p.m.!

What is City Cast Portland?

If you haven’t listened to the City Cast Portland podcast yet, you are in for a treat! It’s the daily local podcast that keeps you up to date on all things Portland, with conversations and recommendations that make you feel more connected to this beautiful, complex city we call home. Its sister newsletter, Hey Portland, is your daily guide, full of local news, events, and backstories you won’t want to miss.

Host or Publisher City Cast DC