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. Also it’s Hood to Coast month! Tekela and I are both running it, so we would love to see you cheering us on.
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 3rd, 5pm – 10pm
Dahlia Festival
Celebrate the season of DAHLIAS. A Rainbow of Color. 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, closed on Wednesdays.Â
Swan Island Dahlias
Free
August 2nd – Sept 30th, 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 $195 – TICKETS
August 3rd-6th
Sneaker Week
Sneaker Week is a celebration of all things sneakers in the footwear capital of North America. Curators, fans and collectors will gather to experience music, design, art and education at locations around Portland.
Various Locations
Pricing Varies by Event
August 3rd – 9th
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 Pip’s 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 $60 – TICKETS
August 4th-5th, times vary
Unique Markets
Discover the best of Portland’s independent designers, artists and emerging brands in a festive indoor setting this summer. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, lounges, photo booths, creative DIY activities, arcade games, music and more while you browse a curated lineup of over 60 up and coming small businesses.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Starting at $10 – TICKETS
August 5th-6th, 10am – 4pm
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 12th – 13th,
World Naked Bike Ride
Wearing a helmet is a great way to stay safe while bicycling — no one would argue with that. But what about the rest of a rider’s attire? For the undressed masses who streak through Portland each year during the World Naked Bike Ride, accouterments are largely unnecessary. And besides, it’s much more fun to bike buck naked.
TBD (usually SE Portland)
Free
August 12th, 7:30pm
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 bridgesÂ
Multiple Locations
Starting at $40 – TICKETS
August 13th
Portland Fashion Week
Portland Fashion Week believes sustainable practices, including reducing, reusing and recycling, will fully encompass all of the aforementioned values associated with slow fashion. From top-of-the-line eco-chic fashion experiences to our support for the local fashion community, it’s no wonder Portland Fashion Week is on the “Top 100 Things to Do Before You Dieâ€Â Portland Bucket List.
Multiple Locations
Pricing Varies – TICKETS
August 14th – 20th
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 19th, 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. Tekela and I will both be there!
Various Locations – MAPS
Free to watch
August 25th-26th
Culture Festivals and Street Fairs
- Fremont Festival – August 5th
- Chinese Festival – August 5th
- St. Johns Art Walk – August 5th
- Obon Festival – August 5th
- India Festival – August 6th
- Multnomah Days – Saturday 19th
- Festa Italiana – August 20th
- Kenton Street Fair – August 27th
- Hawthorne Street Fair – August 27th
- Portland Middle East Festival – August 27th
We hope to see you at some of these awesome events!
Looking for something else to do? Check out our best of lists!