Pioneer Square is the center of downtown Portland and is surround by great shopping and places to eat. It’s also has movies playing on the big screen during the summer months and plenty of festivals during the year.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

Known as Portland’s “living room,” this brick-lined park is bustling with activity and events.

Updated Jan. 9, 2023 1 min read Downtown

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as the city’s “living room.” Once a grim parking structure, the square is now a thriving urban park and one of the most-visited sites in Oregon, attracting more than 11 million visitors annually. The square’s on-site resources include the TriMet public transit ticket office.

Named after the Pioneer Courthouse (the Pacific Northwest’s oldest federal building) located on the public space’s eastern side, the square began as the Portland Hotel in 1890. In 1950 the hotel became a two-story parking garage, and in 1984 it was reborn as a bustling city park where light rail and buses converge. These days, the square is where workers, visitors and families gather to enjoy the city, catch a ride elsewhere and even enjoy a meal at the food carts parked on the bricks.

Visiting Pioneer Courthouse Square

What is near Pioneer Courthouse Square?

Pioneer Courthouse Square is bordered by SW Broadway, SW 6th Avenue, SW Yamhill Street, and SW Morrison Street. Surrounded by a several-block mall, Pioneer Place, and several luxury hotels, you’ll find the historical namesake of the square Pioneer Courthouse to the east, on SW 6th Avenue and a handful of food carts sitting in the Square. Step into a few urban green spaces, either a two-minute walk to Director Park , then on to the South Park Blocks, or a ten-minute walk to find yourself at the edge of the Willamette River within Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Is there parking nearby?

There is metered street parking around Pioneer Courthouse Square for 2 to 4 hours. You can find several parking garages and lots nearby, Smart Park on SW Alder Street/SW 3rd Avenue, Parking NW -Fox Tower on SW Taylor Street/SW Park Avenue and City Center Parking on SW Salmon Street/SW 4th Avenue.

The square is also one of Portland’s leading outdoor venues, hosting 300 events each year, from large-scale concerts to cultural festivals. In the summer, the Noon Tunes concert series fills the lunch-hour air with free live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Fridays, Flicks on the Bricks transforms the “living room” into Portland’s biggest movie theater with no-cost, family-friendly fare.

In the summer, the Noon Tunes concert series fills the lunch-hour air with free live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

white tent with band surrounded by people in chairs, people sitting on steps in an urban courtyard — Pioneer Courthouse Square, also known as Portland's living room, is a public space occupying a full 40,000-square-foot city block in the center of downtown Portland, Oregon, United States

sunny day with folks sitting on chairs and steps in front of food trucks surrounded by buildings downtown — Pioneer Courthouse Square, also known as Portland's living room, is a public space occupying a full 40,000-square-foot city block in the center of downtown Portland, Oregon, United States

A sign post with dozen of city names in front of a historic building — The iconic sign and namesake courthouse at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

holiday tree lit up in a large city square — Get into the spirit with a visit to Portland's holiday tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

An aerial view of a park filled with concert goers, a stage and white vendor tents

Summer Concert Round-Up

Portlanders' pent-up desire for sun may explain our skill at making the most of summer's long days and warm nights with outdoor concerts.

Summer Events and Activities in Downtown Portland

The city’s sunniest season makes it easy to fill your calendar with summer fun.

a large tree decorated with lights in front of a statue of a person holding an umbrella

Portland Holiday Events

Like an Advent calendar loaded with sugary treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of sweet memories.

But the square hosts more than summertime excitement; every year, the city celebrates the day after Thanksgiving with the lighting of the region’s largest decorated holiday tree and an array of festive events, like the Tuba Christmas Concert and the Holiday Ale Festival, keep the space merry and bright.

Attractions, Parks & Gardens

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Portland Art Museum

The largest art museum in Oregon and one of the oldest in the country, the Portland Art Museum is central to the city's cultural district, housing a large and wide-ranging collection of artworks.

Pioneer Place

Downtown Portland's home for big-brand shopping houses the major brands that fashionistas crave, along with an expansive food court and a movie theater.

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Portland’s Public Fountains

Cool off with free fun at these kid-friendly fountains in Portland.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

Portland’s Tree Lighting will be live in person at Pioneer Courthouse Square the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 24th. Featuring a joyful sing-along with Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers, this event is the highlight of the holiday season downtown. Join in the celebration as Santa Claus flips the…

City of Inspiration: A Walking Tour of Downtown Portland

Pioneer Courthouse Square $29

Explore downtown Portland, and learn about the history and culture of one of this country's most talked about cities. During the ~1.5-mile (2.4 km) walk, you will experience famous historical sites, vibrant public squares, hilarious trivia, hidden artwork, innovative parks, magical city-planning concepts, the tiniest park in America, and more. Pick up in front of…

Guided Tour

History

Outdoors

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023

Pink Warrior Zumba Fundraiser

Pioneer Courthouse Square $30

Portland’s annual Pink Warrior event is more than just a dance party and a fundraiser. Hundreds of Zumba instructors and fans from Oregon, Washington, and beyond gather in Pioneer Square to share hope, spread joy, and raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. After a three-year break, it is back and better than ever…

Health & Wellness

Outdoors

Aug. 28–Oct. 23, 2023

Mondays on the Mall

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

Portland Mall management partners with Pioneer Courthouse Square and local businesses to bring free events and performances to the transit mall each Monday.

Music

Outdoors

Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

Portland Tent Revival

Pioneer Courthouse Square Free

The Portland Tent Revival is a church meeting to bring hope and healing to the community. There will be gospel music, speakers, food, and activities for children. All are welcome.

Outdoors

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Pioneer Courthouse Square

Known as Portland’s “living room,” this brick-lined park is bustling with activity and events.

Visiting Pioneer Courthouse Square

What is near Pioneer Courthouse Square?

Is there parking nearby?