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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!

November Events

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The leaves are changing, the air is cooling, and the rain is starting to move in. That also means people are getting ready for the holiday season. That means there is no shortage of fun events to do in November to keep your mind off the changing weather. Enjoy and if we missed anything you love, please let us know!

Portland Book Festival

The largest celebration of literature and literacy in the Pacific Northwest includes an extensive book fair, large-scale events, smaller panels, on-stage conversations, and readings, all held at and around the Portland Art Museum

  • 1219 SW Park
  • pricing varies TICKETS
  • Saturday Nov 2nd

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
  • Nov. 7th; 5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

Kumoricon

Kumoricon embodies the best parts of fandom and what it is to live in the Pacific Northwest. Stretching across generations, anime fans have gathered together for an amazing annual event. The Kumoricon family grows yearly, making it the largest anime convention in Oregon.

  • Oregon Convention Center
  • pricing varies – TICKETS
  • November 8-10th

Veterans Day Parade

The Portland Veterans Day Parade is an inclusive, nonpartisan, family-friendly event honoring all Veterans, past and present, living and deceased.

  • MLK and Beech – MLK and Emerson
  • Free
  • Monday, Nov. 11th. 10am – 12pm

Snack Fest

You’ll experience live entertainment, demos, educational breakout sessions and opportunities to meet the makers of your favorite food and products. You’ll also have the ability to experience special, one-off pop-up’s from chefs near and far. There are ticketed experiences inside the event, but no entrance fees.

  • Alder Block
  • Free
  • November 15-17th, times vary

Portland Holiday Market

More than 100,000 square feet of display space are filled with hundreds of exhibitors. Food items, gifts, artwork, jewelry, home décor, clothing, spirits, craft items, books, ornaments, leather goods, bath and body, and much more. This show has handcrafted, artisan and unique items you’ll never find in big box stores. 

  • Portland Expo Center
  • $12 -$27 TICKETS
  • November 15th – 17th

Brew Lights

Enjoy the twinkling magical wonderland of ZooLights—without any kids. Enjoy the sixth annual BrewLights, presented by TriMet, a ZooLights brew festival experience for the 21-and-over crowd with more than 45 Northwest breweries and cideries to sample from.

  • Oregon Zoo
  • $40-$65 TICKETS
  • November 15th and 16th, 5pm-10pm

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Wine Country Thanksgiving more than 150 wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite labels and special vintages. The holiday weekend festivities include live music, food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to visit with winemakers at some of Oregon’s top wineries — including many not usually open to the public.

  • Various Locations
  • Pricing varies by winery
  • Nov. 22nd – 24th and Nov. 29th – Dec 1st

Meat and Cheese Festival

With the recent boom in artisan shops across the Pacific Northwest the Cheese and Meat Festival aims to showcase products that you would see on a “charcuterie board” and items that pair with the board. Think Cheeses, meats, pickles, bread’s etc.

  • Leftbank Annex
  • $75+ TICKETS
  • Nov. 23rd, 3pm start or 7pm start times available.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

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.  

  • Pioneer Courthouse Square
  • Free
  • November 29th, 5:30pm

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

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

October Events

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It’s officially fall and I can smell the pumpkin spice from here! Luckily there is still no shortage of things to this month, and with any luck, the nice weather will stick around for most of October! Check out this list of events going on around Portland! We also have a list of some haunted houses below if you are feeling spooky!

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

October 3rd

5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

Portland Greek Festival

The Portland Greek Festival is celebrated as the largest Greek Festival on the west coast with more than 15,000 people attending. This cultural experience features Greek food, music, dance and shopping! This year the event is going cashless and using wristbands to help you sample all the delicious offerings!

3131 NE Glisan St

$5 Admission

October 4th – 6th

Hood River Hops Fest

The Hood River Hops Fest is an annual celebration of beer’s bitter friend, freshly harvested hops.  Celebrating it’s 20th year, they will be hosting over 25 breweries and allowing you to purchase a commemorative cup, or bring your own glass!

Hood River Waterfront

$20-$35 – TICKETS

October 5th: 11am – 7pm

    Hood River Harvest Fest

    • You will find the valleys best fall bounty at this festival, produce, honey, flowers, plants and more! You can also find handcrafted gifts, live music, multiple food carts, and a bounce house area for the kiddos!
    • Hood River Event Site
    • $12, kids under 12 are free – TICKETS
    • October 11th – 13th
    • Friday 1pm – 6pm
    • Saturday 10am – 6pm
    • Sunday 10am – 5pm

    Spirit of Halloweentown

    • Each year, St. Helens, the filming site of the otherwise forgettable Halloweentown, remembers its brush with the dollar DVD bin with The Spirit of Halloweentown, a fun, family-friendly celebration of the spookiest holiday around.
    • St Helens, OR

    $40 online – TICKETS

    Weekends: September 28th – October 27th + October 31st

    Portland Film Festival

    • The festival focuses on people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides both entertaining and educational opportunities to the public.
      Portland Film Festival is Portland Oregon’s largest film festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.
    • Mcmenamins Kennedy School
    • $99 – TICKETS
    • October 16th – 20th

    Giant Pumpkin Regatta

    • The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is one of the most unique fall Festivals in Oregon. Since 2004 people from around the country have gathered to watch costumed characters paddle giant pumpkin boats in a series of races.
    • Lake of the Commons – Tualatin

    Free

    October 20th, 10am – 4pm

    Haunted Houses

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

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

    August Events

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    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

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

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

    Beaches

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    With summer quickly coming to an end, we figure now is the perfect time to get those last minute beach trips in! From rivers to lakes, here are our favorites beaches in the Portland area!

    blue lake beach area
    • Blue Lake
    • 20500 NE Marine Dr, Fairview

    This lake has a little bit of everything. You can swim, fish, hike, rent paddle boats, or enjoy the splash pad! There are also multiple picnic areas available to the public.

    broughton beach
    • Broughton Beach
    • 3547 NE Marine Dr, Portland

    This is a popular beach for anyone not wanting to leave the city. With a large parking lot and boat ramp this beach is a popular pick-up and drop-off spot for jet skis and speedboats

    kelley point park
    • Kelley Point Park
    • N Kelly Point Park Rd, Portland

    This large park forms the tip of the peninsula where the Columbia and Willamette rivers meet. You can swim, picnic, hike, or canoe!

    suave island beach
    • Sauvie Island Beach
    • 38798 NW Reeder Rd, Portland

    This large beach runs along the Columbia river and offers up tons of space to spread out and enjoy the cool waters.

    bellwood riverfront park
    • Sellwood Riverfront Park
    • 1221 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland

    This long park runs along the Willamette River and offer both sandy and rocky resting points. There is also a boat launch, large dock, and off leash dog park making this the best beach for your pooch!

    frenchman's beach
    • Vancouver Lake Park
    • 9612 NW Lower River Rd, Vancouver

    Also called Frenchman’s, here you will find sandy beaches, picnic areas, a playground, and multiple sand volleyball courts!

    • Cathedral Park
    • 6422 N Philadelphia Ave, Portland

    The brand new swimming dock has made this an even more popular beach!

    Thanks!

    We hope that this will help you to get out and enjoy the weather and a little fresh air. If you want more info on any of these beaches before you go, be sure to check out Swim Guide! Did we miss your favorite spot around Portland? Let us know in the comments!

    June Events

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    June is the start of festival season in Portland and we have some good ones to kick things off! Portland’s biggest party is also this month with the kickoff of the City fair and Rose parade! We have all the events happening at the rose festival listed at the bottom of the page!

    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

    June 6th, 5pm – 10pm

    Portland Beer Week

    Every June, PDX Beer Week features limited-edition brews, a lineup of events, and beer specials at bars and brewpubs citywide, overflowing with so much hop fever that the “week” spills into ten full days of thirst-quenching fun.

    Various Locations

    Prices vary – more info coming soon

    June 1st

    Juneteenth

    Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and planning for the future.

    Albina Park

    MORE INFO

    June 15th

    Festival of Balloons

    The Festival of Balloons in Tigard (a suburb 30 minutes southwest of downtown Portland by car) brings more than a dozen brightly colored, colossal hot-air balloons to the sky every June.

    Cook Park, Tigard

    $15 – TICKETS

    MORE INFO

    June 21st – 23rd

    Festival of the Arts

    For more than 50 years, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts has proudly presented unique art exhibits including more than 600 local, national, and international artists. Visitors can also experience live music on two stages, performances, kids’ activities, artist demos, and a variety of food. It’s free to the public (donations encouraged) and attracts thousands of festival-goers each year.

    Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego

    FREE

    June 21st – 23rd

    Rose Festival Events

    • Celebration of Oregon Brewers Festival – May 24-27, May 31-June 2, June 7-9
    • City Fair, carnival and entertainment – May 24-27, May 31-June 2, June 7-9
    • Opening Night and Fireworks – May 24th
    • Rose Fest Wine Walk – May 30th
    • Starlight Run – June 1st
    • Starlight Parade – June 1st
    • Fleet Week – June 5th – June 9th
    • Junior Parade – June 6th
    • Grand Floral Showcase – June 8th- June 9th
    • Dragon Boat Race – June 8th
    • Rose Garden Contest – June 18th
    • Milk Carton Boat Race – June 23rd

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

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

    April Events

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    Spring is finally here! We all know that April is likely to bring many showers our way, but we need them to ensure we have those may flowers! Speaking of flowers…there are so many amazing places to see them around town! Head over to our spring blooms post, to see the full list!

    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

    April 4th, 5pm – 10pm

    Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

    Just a short drive outside of Portland, this tulip farm is a stunning sight to see in the spring. With over 40 acres of tulips in bloom, you’ll feel like you’re walking through a sea of color. Make sure to bring your camera, as the photo opportunities are endless.

    Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm – Woodburn

    $15 – TICKETS

    MORE INFO

    Through May 5th, 9am -6pm

    Trillium Festival

    Welcome back Spring. The Annual Trillium Festival at Tryon Creek State Natural Area is an educational event for the whole community that celebrates the season of renewal in the forest and beyond. 

    Tryon Creek State Natural Area

    Free

    MORE INFO

    April 6th 9am – 2pm

    Bridge to Brews

    Join the annual 8k and 10k walk/run over 4 of Portland’s iconic Bridges. After the race, there will be a beer/cider-tasting event on the waterfront. Sip on some of Portland’s best beer and cider while enjoying live music, games, and goodies from local vendors.

    SW Waterfront

    $20+ – TICKETS

    MORE INFO

    April 21st

    TEDx Portland

    Year 12 is inspired by the unlimited potential and endless possibilities revealed through the alchemy of ideas. Twelve speakers, represented by 12 vibrant colors and unique symbols, will demonstrate how essential we all are in catalyzing change—in the Rose City and beyond.

    Keller Auditorium

    $89-$179 – TICKETS

    MORE INFO

    April 27th 9am

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

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

    March Events

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    The beginning of spring brings back some of our absolute favorite events! There are also a ton of activities to help celebrate St. Patricks Day! We hope that march brings about some warm and drier weather for us and we hope to see you at some of these events!

    Ticket to Dine

    Ticket to Dine restaurant month is back for it’s second year. Eat at one of the particiapting restaurants and win a scratch off tickets for a chance at a litany of prizes ranging from freed drinks to sporting event tickets.

    • Multiple Locations
    • Pricing Varies
    • MORE INFO
    • March 1st – March 31st

    Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

    Enjoy fresh Oregon seafood (at the peak of Dungeness Crab season) as well as wine, craft beers, cider, and distilled spirits as you browse the myriad of exhibitors. Over 30 of Oregon’s finest wineries (and 20 other beverage makers) offer you tastings of their very best. 

    Winter Music Festival

    Celebrating over ten years of music and still going strong. This festival gives you great entertainment for a few hours and a chance to get out of the house before spring begins and help the community.

    SheBrew

    The 9th Annual SheBrew Festival is a family-friendly beer and cider festival showcasing over 50 professional female brewers and 10 homebrewers from the Pacific Northwest.

    Bricks Cascade

    Head to the Oregon Convention Center for the annual Bricks Cascade, Portland’s premier public LEGO event. See creations from hundreds of builders from the Pacific Northwest and worldwide in this two-day event. 

    St. Patricks Day Events

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

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