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January events

January Events

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Happy New Year!! We hope that you are starting out the new year with a fresh look and excitement for what is to come, and what is more exciting than fun things to do around your city? Here are some of our favorite things that are coming up in January!

Studio Ghibli Fest at Omsi

Join OMSI for our annual Studio Ghibli Film Festival on the largest movie screen in Portland! Watch all your favorites, from My Neighbor Totoro to Kiki’s Delivery Service, to kick off 2025.

  • 1945 SE Water Ave – Omsi
  • pricing varies TICKETS
  • January 10th – February 6th

O-Shogatsu, Japanese New Year

O-Shogatsu is a time of celebration for the start of a new year and hopes for happiness and prosperity to come. The Garden will celebrate the beginning of 2025, the Year of the Snake, or hebi in Japanese.

  • 611 SW Kingston Ave – Portland Japanese Garden
  • $15.95+ TICKETS
  • January 12th – 10am – 2:30pm

Rose City Classic Dog Show

The Rose City Classic Series of Dog Shows is one of the largest and most popular dog events in the United States. Many of the best dogs in America and dogs from foreign countries travel to Portland each January to compete.

  • 2060 N Marine Dr – Portland Expo Center
  • $15+ – TICKETS
  • January 15th -19th

Portland Folk Festival

Portland’s Folk Festival began in 2018 at McMenamin’s White Eagle as a way for Portland musicians to come together to celebrate the burgeoning local scene and enjoy each other’s craft.

  • 1332 W Burnside St – Crystal Ballroom
  • $55+ TICKETS
  • January 17th -18th, 5pm-11:30pm

Winter Beer Fest

There are 2 festivals, one at each location, each on a different weekend. The fest is divided into three sessions. An entry pass will provide a branded festival glass, eight tasting tickets, a StormBreaker sticker, 20% off merchandise, and a coupon for a future StormBreaker Pint on your next visit.

  • Stormbreaker Brewing
  • $25 TICKETS
  • January 17th-18th @ St. Johns Brewery
  • January 25th -26th @ Mississippi Brewery

FAN EXPO Portland

Formerly Wizard World Portland, this is the ultimate place to celebrate fandom. Join tens of thousands of fans just like you and experience the ultimate playground for comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming

  • 777 NE MLK Jr – Oregon Convention Center
  • $28+ TICKETS
  • January 24th – 26th

Fathom Immersive Art Experience

FATHOM is a new immersive art experience produced by Portland-based creative collective Roboto Octopodo. Featuring oodles of otherworldly undersea-themed creations in the heart of downtown Portland, FATHOM will delight and inspire visitors of all ages!

  • 520 SW 4th Avenue
  • $22 TICKETS
  • November 15th and 16th, 5pm-10pm

We hope to see you at some of these awesome events!

Looking for something else to do? Check out our best of lists!

January Events

by Leave a Comment

January 2020 is here and we are excited about so many events all over Portland! Whether you are looking for a fun day with the family or a wild night on the town, we’ve got you covered with our list below.

Gorgeous Resolution Run

Thursday, January 2nd

Looking to get a jump start on those resolutions to make this the year that you really start running? Gorgeous Series is here to help get you on track (haha). Meet at Sasquatch Brewing for a 3 or 5 mile run, followed by a raffle of cool swag and a rewarding post-run beer. 2531 NW 30th Ave, 6:30 pm, Free.

More Info

O-Shogatsu Japanese New Year

Sunday January 5th

Portland Japanese Garden celebrates the Japanese New Year with a traditional Lion Dance, tea ceremony, and harp concert. In addition, there will be an ink-wash brush drawing session and Hyakunin Issyu (a poetry game) plus pounded rice cakes to share. 611 SW Kingston Ave, 11am-3pm, Adult $16.95, Youth $11.50, Members Free.

More Info

Biggest Clothing Swap in the NW

Sunday January 5th

Every year, hordes of people descend on the Crystal Ballroom to pass on clothing that no longer works for them and dig through piles to get new duds. There are three floors of swapping goodness and all gender identities and sizes are included. Bring a bag of clean, wearable clothing to trade. 1332 W Burnside St, 12pm-3pm, $8 advance, $10 at the door, $5 for an empty bag.

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Portland Onesie Bar Crawl

Saturday January 11th

What better way to stay warm this winter than to don your favorite fuzzy onesie and hop from bar to bar? There will be drink specials, DJs, a scavenger hunt, and a whole lot of silliness. Registration is at the Barrel Room. 105 NW 3rd Ave, 4 pm -10 pm, $20 in advance.

More Info

Dragons Love Tacos

Saturday January 18th-February 16th

Oregon Children’s Theatre presents a fun and dance-filled tale of a boy, his dog, and a quartet of hungry dragons. Based on the book by Adam Rubin, this show is sure to delight. 1111 SW Broadway, Sat shows at 2 pm and 5 pm, Sundays 11 am and 2pm, $15-$37.

More Info

Ramen and Whisky Fest

Sunday January 19th

Willamette Week and Fubonn team up to bring us a battle for the ages. Six of Portland’s best ramen chefs compete to take home the title, as voted by you. Your ticket gets you a sample ramen and paired whisky cocktail from each table, plus the right to cast your vote for the coveted People’s Choice award. 101 N Weidler St, 12 pm- 2:30 pm and 3 pm- 5:30 pm, $45.

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Wizard World

Friday January 24th- Sunday the 26th

The Oregon Convention Center will once again fill up with cos-players galore to celebrate all things nerd. Celebrity guests include Dylan McDermott, Cary Elwes, and Emily Swallow. 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fri 4 pm- Sun 4 pm, $30-$150.

More Info

Stout Bout

Saturday January 25th

Stout Bout is one of my favorite events every January. Portland Brewer’s Collective hosts this annual all Stout homebrewers competition. Show up to taste and vote on 12 or more homebrews. Sometimes traditional, often experimental, you’re sure to find something you like. There is a People’s Choice award and a raffle to boot! 2235 SE 11th Ave, 2 pm- 5 pm, Free.

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OMSI After Dark: Cards and Consoles

Wednesday January 29th

OMSI After Dark this month focuses on all things gaming, with demos on counting cards, board game mechanics, and drunken goggle gaming. Food and drink vendors and samples, plus admission to the current featured exhibit, Exquisite Creatures. Is this my dream event? Yes, yes it is. 1945 SE Water Ave, 6 pm-10 pm, $16.

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Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

Friday January 31st-Saturday February 1st

Head over to the Oregon Convention Center at the end of the month for a celebration of delicious seafood and wines. There will be over 190 exhibitors, including 60 wineries, plus it is the very height of Dungeness Crab season. Yum!!! 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Fri 2 pm-10 pm, Sat 12 pm- 10 pm, $13 advance, $15 at the door.

More Info

Which of these January events are you most excited for? Did we miss an awesome January event in Portland that you want to tell us about? Let us know in the comments!