In many American cities, the first Thursday of the month has become a night for people to walk through their town's art gallery district or gather at other art-related events. Art galleries typically offer free wine and hors d'oeuvre to anyone who enters, and museums often make their admission fee optional for the entire evening. Other nearby shops and eateries may stay open late as well. In addition to gently encouraging patronage of the arts, First Thursday can also help revitalize parts of town that don't see much business at night.