Can you believe we are almost to the end of summer? Well to celebrate we have an insane number of events for you! There are also so many street fairs and one day cultural events that they have their very own list at the end. You can also watch the world famous Hood to Coast relay!
First Thursday
Stroll through the art galleries in the pearl for an evening of art, music, and wine! Parking is difficult so public transit is recommended
The Pearl District
Free
August 1st, 5pm – 10pm
Dahlia Festival
Celebrate the season of dahlias. Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 varieties. The beautiful fields are open from August to September each year.
Swan Island Dahlias
Free
Wednesdays-Sundays, 9am-5:30pm
Pickathon
The three-day festival on 80 acres just outside Portland attracts a range of indie, rock and rap artists as well as the bluegrass troupes that gave the event its name. The lineup is geared toward new music discovery; don’t worry if you haven’t heard of most of the artists that’s half of the fun!
Pendarvis Farm
From $205 – TICKETS
August 1st-4th
Concerts in the Park
For over a century, local musicians of all genres and traditions have been entertaining crowds in Portland parks every summer. Listen to diverse beats like improvisational African jazz or Celtic folk-rock and enjoy a bite from local food vendors like Pips Original Doughnuts as you jam out with other community members.
Citywide
Free
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 6:30pm
Vanport Jazz Festival
The Vanport Jazz Festival, presented by Moda Health and the Portland Trail Blazers, honors the city of Vanport and the voices that formed Portland’s jazz community. Near the historic 1948 flood site, the event transforms Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming nationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz.
Colwood Golf Center
Starting at $65 – TICKETS
August 2nd-3rd, times vary
Portland Hot Sauce Expo
Enjoy the taste of a huge variety of hot sauces at this annual exhibition. The expo includes free hot sauce tastings, a selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails, snacks ranging from barbecue to vegan bites, and the “Stage of Doom”.
OMSI
Starting at $10 – TICKETS
August 10th – 11th,
Bridge Pedal
Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges
Multiple Locations
Starting at $40 – TICKETS
August 11th
Adult Soap Box Derby
Put down your video game controllers and step away from your Mario Kart. The best way to race isn’t on a screen; it’s down an extinct cinder cone volcano in Southeast Portland. The annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby, pits grown-up kids against each other, with each team designing and assembling their own downhill racers in pursuit of maximum speed or big laughs.
Mt Tabor Park
Free
August 17th, 10am – 4pm
Hood To Coast
If you aren’t running this relay (timberline to seaside) you can still cheer runners on as they make their way towards the coast. OR avoid the areas if you don’t want the interruption to traffic.
Various Locations – MAPS
Free to watch
August 23th-24th
Culture Festivals and Street Fairs
- Fremont Festival – August 3rd
- Chinese Festival – August 3rd
- St. Johns Art Walk – August 3rd
- Obon Festival – August 3rd
- India Festival – August 11th
- Multnomah Days – August 17th
- Kenton Street Fair – August 18th
- Pan African Festival – August 24th
- Hawthorne Street Fair – August 25th
- Portland Middle East Festival – August 25th
We hope to see you at some of these awesome events!
Looking for something else to do? Check out our best of lists!