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September Events

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Can you believe we have made it to the final stretch of summer? Us Either! We do hope that September stays warm, especially for these great events! There are quite a few fun and free things to choose from this month. Here are our top picks!

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

  • September 1st
  • 5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

Art in the Pearl

  • Fine Arts and Craft Festival celebrates 26 years of bringing art to the community. The distinctly artist-run event has long been a favorite in Portland, and it’s the perfect Labor Day destination to gather and celebrate the end of summer.
  • Northwest Park Blocks

Free

MORE INFO

September 3rd-5th, 10am – 6pm

Rose City Comic Con

  • While its primary focus is on comics, comic creators and the creative process, Rose City Comic Con also provides its attendees access to gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy and everything in between. Its goal is to provide you with a rewarding, fun, family-friendly event experience.
  • Oregon Convention Center

starting at $45 – TICKETS

MORE INFO

  • September 9th: 1pm – 8pm
  • September 10th: 10am – 7pm
  • September 11th: 10am – 5pm

Chapman Swift Watch

Join the community for one of Portland’s favorite events. Every year as many as 16,000 birds swarm the old smoke stack at chapman elementary as the migrate from Canada to South America.

Chapman Elementary School

Free

MORE INFO

Evenings in September

Dahlia Festival

  • Stroll through almost 40 acres and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 370 varieties. You can take home a bouquet, order flowers for spring plantings, or just enjoy the food carts and live music.
  • Swan Island Dahlias

MORE INFO

  • Open everyday except Wednesday
  • 9am-5:30pm

Dragon Boat Festival

  • Enjoy Portland’s annual Dragon Boat Festival, featuring dragon boat racing along with food vendors, a beer garden and more. The event features as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world who race in Taiwan-style dragon boats. 
  • Tom McCall Waterfront Park – (riverplace Marina)
  • *Free*
  • MORE INFO
  • September 10th – 11th

Grand Prix of Portland

  • Every fall since 2018, Portland International Raceway has hosted the celebrated open-wheel racing. Held from 1984–2007 under various names, the race is back at Portland International Raceway as the only Verizon IndyCar Series race in the Pacific Northwest
  • Portland International Raceway
  • Starting at $70 – TICKETS
  • MORE INFO
  • September 2nd-4th

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 already nearing the end of summer? Us Either! We do hope though that this lovely warm weather continues through September. We have some fantastic events for you this month and we hope to see you out there enjoying the city!

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. You can camp with a weekend pass, or just do a day pass!
  • Pendarvis Farm – Happy Valley

Weekend passes from $390 and day passes from $170

TICKETS

MORE INFO

August 4th – 7th

Vanport Jazz Festival

  • The Vanport Jazz Festival honors the city of Vanport and the voices that formed Portland’s jazz community.
  • Colwood Golf Center

starting at $60 – TICKETS

MORE INFO

  • August 5th: 6pm – 9pm
  • August 6th: 12pm – 9pm

First Thursday in The Pearl

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 Event

  • August 4th
  • 5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

Bridge Pedal

Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges. Bridge Pedal is one of the largest community bike rides in the world!!

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Starting at $35 – TICKETS

MORE INFO

August 14th

Hip Hop Week

  • Portland Hip Hop Week is a celebration of Hip Hop culture in the city of Portland. Enjoy great performances from Portland artists and performers who have contributed to Portland’s Hip Hop scene.
  • Multiple Locations

Pricing varies per event – TICKETS

MORE INFO

  • August 20th – 26th
  • times vary

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. This event is so much fun, its a Portland MUST!
  • Mt. Tabor Park
  • *Free*
  • MORE INFO
  • August 20th

Hood to Coast

  • Hood to Coast is the world’s largest running relay race, stretching 200 miles from the top of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean in Seaside.
  • Timberline – Seaside
  • Tickets sell out months in advance, but you can watch along the way!
  • August 26th

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

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

July Events

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Happy Summer! Festival season continues and we are so excited about some of the things coming up! Beer, movies, music, e can’t wait to see you at some of these great events.

Blues Festival

  • This music festival is one of the longest running and helps to showcase both local talent and national celebrities. With beautiful views of the willamette and a firework show, this festival is not to be missed!
  • Waterfront Park

$35+ TICKETS

MORE INFO

July 1st – July 4th 9am – 6pm daily

Craft Beer Festival

  • This brewfest is unique in that all the participants are brewed and created within the city limits of Portland!
  • The Fields Park

$30 TICKETS

First Thursday in The Pearl

  • 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 Event
  • July 7th 5pm – 10pm though gallery hours vary.

The Big Float

  • This year is the very last big float (at least hosted by the current organizers) so if you want to get in a floaty and ride across the willamette now is your chance!
  • Tom McCall Waterfront Park
  • $10-$15 TICKETS
  • MORE INFO
  • July 10th 11am-6:30pm

Cathedral Park Jazz Fest

  • This annual summer favorite is a prime showcase of Portland’s homegrown talent, natural beauty and neighborly charm.
  • Cathedral Park

*Free*

MORE INFO

July 15th – July 17th times vary

Cinema Unbound

  • A Portland tradition of watching a film under the stars but make it a little extra, with thematic and experiential surprises galore.
  • OMSI
  • $20-$75
  • GET TICKETS HERE
  • July 7th- July 31st

Fuji to Hood Beer Fest

  • Fuji to Hood is a beer and food festival between 40 like-minded breweries, cideries, and distilleries in the shadow of Oregon’s Mt. Hood and Japan’s Mt. Fuji.
  • The Bindery Annex
  • $30-$40 TICKETS
  • MORE INFO
  • July 16th

Oregon Brewers Festival

  • While we may have many beer festivals, none truly compare to this one. with over 80 different breweries, there are so many beers to choose from and its a must attend event.
  • Waterfront Park

$10 for a mug $2 per token

MORE INFO HERE

July 28th -30th

World Naked Bike Ride

  • This is one of the truly loved Portland traditions. Thousands of people bike around portland naked to protest our dependency on oil.
  • Secret Location TBD

*Free*

MORE INFO HERE

July 30th

Montavilla Street Fair

  • Stroll down Stark Street and enjoy district businesses, a farmer’s market and family-friendly entertainment and activities. 
  • SE Stark st in Montavilla

*Free*

MORE INFO HERE

July 31st 10am-5pm

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

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

Steeplejack Brewery

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Portland has a ton of breweries, some amazing, some mediocre, so when a new one opens up, everyone gets very excited! The most striking thing about Steeplejack is it’s location. The brewery is on the corner of 24th and NE Broadway in a 110 year old church. The owners kept the stunning architecture that you find in churches, from soaring wooden beams to bright stained glass. The space is really warm and inviting and makes you want to hang out for hours.

Steeplejack bar That Portland Life

Steeplejack is aiming to please and has something on their menu that anyone can enjoy. I wanted to try as many things as possible, so I opted to do the taster sized pours. I tried the Witbier, Travers, Amelia (A smoked beer), and Fletcher. The smoked beer wasn’t for me, but others at the table loved it! The other beers were smooth, true to their style and really delivered on flavor.

steeplejack beers

They also have a full menu, and kids menu, that you can order from. We only popped in for a quick drink, but after looking it over, we will definitely be going back! You can find things like burgers and sweet potato fries, or tacos and avocado toast. They also have a killer looking brunch menu if that is more your speed.

I know we will be going back again and again to see what these awesome brewers are putting together!

steeplejack brewery

Hammer & Stitch Brewing

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This week we ventured to Slab Town to check out one of Portland newest breweries. Hammer and Stitch opened October 10th with 5 standard beers. The brewery has since added 4 more creations to their collection. The goal of this brewery is to keep it simple, and just make good quality beer. The name Hammer and Stitch is an homage to makers of all sorts, but specifically the late mother and father of some of the partners behind the company. Their mother was an apparel designer and seamstress and their father was an architect and builder. This pairing is what makes up the logo for the brewery.

  • The Front
  • The Deck

The team behind the beer is one of the things that makes this brewery so special. Ben Dobler, who has been making beer in Portland for the past 27 years, brought his skills and expertise to Hammer and Stitch. He isn’t alone in the brew house however. Head Brewer Cam Murphy has been working with beer for several years. These two have worked at many breweries on their way to Hammer and Stitch, those include at places like Widmer, Mt. Tabor Brewing, Laurelwood Brewing and Von Ebert.

  • The Tap House
  • The Brew House

The beers here are all easy drinking and don’t weight you down like so many other beers can. We couldn’t try everything on tap, but we certainly tried. The IPA is hop-forward with piney aromas balanced by citrus notes. The Lager is crisp, clean, and just slightly hoppy in the finish. The Amber has a little bit of everything in it, caramel and chocolate malt flavors with woody floral aromas. The Porter is warm and toasty with chocolate malts but is still incredibly smooth and light in the finish. The Cozy is a Russian Imperial Stout that has bold coffee and chocolate aromas which hit your senses immediately, but it finishes with hoppy, woody, and floral notes. If you’re looking for a fruity finish the Berry Cozy is the same Russian Imperial Stout but they added raspberry puree to it.

Are you feeling thirst for a beer yet? you can get more information about the brewery and their beers Here. If you didn’t quite find what you were looking for you can check out some of our other Hot spot Here

Christmas Tree Farms

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Ah the holidays, the time of year when we can all eat too much food, drink too many drinks, and decorate our houses with little twinkling lights. Regardless of how you celebrate, one of the high points of the holidays is having the smell of fresh pine take over your home. Luckily, we have tons of great tree farms right here in the Portland Metro area! Here are a list of some of our favorites!

*many farms have changed how they are doing things because of the pandemic so please check their websites for updated information*

Furrow Farms

furrow farms
  • Hours: Monday – Friday 10-5
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-5
  • 25877 NW West Union Rd.
  • Hillsboro, OR. 97124

Thornton’s Treeland

thorntons treeland
  • Hours: Monday – Friday 10-5
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-5
  • 7617 NE 119th St
  • Vancouver, WA 9866

Helvetia Christmas Tree Farm

helvetia tree farm

Christmas Mountain Choose and Cut

christmas mountain choose and cut
  • Hours: Monday – Friday 10-4:30
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-4:30
  • 25470 NW Dixie Mountain Rd.
  • Scappoose, OR 97056

503-621-3169

online: www.christmasmountaintrees.com

Lee Farms

lee farms, tree
  • Hours: Monday – Friday 10-4
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-4
  • 21975 SW 65th Ave 
  • Tualatin  OR 97062

(503) 638-1869

online: www.leefarmsoregon.com/christmas-trees

Sauvie Island Farms

  • Hours: Nov. 27th-28th, Dec. 4th-5th, Dec. 11th-12th
  • 10am-5pm
  • 19818 NW Sauvie Island Rd 
  • Portland, OR 97231

503-621-3988

online: http://www.sauvieislandfarms.com/

Loch Lolly Christmas Forest

  • Hours: Monday – Friday 9-5
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-5
  • 28366 NW Dorland Rd 
  • North Plains, Oregon 97133

503-647-2619

online: http://www.lochlollychristmasforest.com

Washougal River Christmas Trees

christmas tree - washougal river
  • Hours: Monday – Friday 9-5
    • Saturday – Sunday 9-5
  • 39336 NE Washougal River rd
  • Washougal, WA 98671

Enjoy the smell of fresh cut pine in your home this year! We certainly will, and happy holidays to you and your family!

Valentine's Day 2020

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Valentine’s Day 2020 is fast approaching and there are so many amazing things to do to celebrate with your loved ones! You can always go the route of a special dinner out or you could perhaps take your sweetheart dancing. You could go for a walk in one of Portland’s amazing parks or you could sip a delicious cocktail in a sultry speakeasy. Check out the list below for some fun ideas to make your day or evening special!

Where to Dine

Ava Gene’s – Italian eatery serving cocktails & upscale fare, including family-style options, in a chic space.  3377 SE Division St

Blue Hour – Upscale eatery with 16-ft.-long drapes & an outdoor patio serving Mediterranean-New American dishes. 250 NW 13th Ave

Canard – Dishes take their inspiration from all over the world at this stylish venue mixing fresh cocktails. 734 E Burnside St

Davenport – A regularly changing eclectic American menu served against a warm, industrial-hip backdrop. 2215 E Burnside St

Jacqueline – Seasonal, seafood-centric New American fare is offered in an intimate setting with quirky artwork. 2039 SE Clinton St

Urdaneta – Comfortable, chic choice for creative Spanish small plates paired with craft cocktails & wine. 3033 NE Alberta St

Where to Sip

5 and Dime – Playful cocktail menu, draft wines, and yummy bar bites in a Portland-chic neighborhood space. 6535 SE Foster Rd

Box Social – Casually elegant, candlelit bar featuring creative cocktails, nibbles & light bites. 3971 N Williams Ave

Circa 33 – Prohibition-themed cocktail bar with a patio & secret back bar hidden behind a swinging bookshelf. 3348 SE Belmont St

Fireside – Striking gastropub with dual fireplaces serving New American fare, wine & cocktails. 801 NW 23rd Ave

Kask – Cool craft cocktail bar with rustic accents featuring clever, hearty small plates & a nightly punch. 1215 SW Alder St

Wonderly – Classic and creative craft cocktails in a chic, colorful space, featuring a focused but delicious bar menu. 4727 NE Fremont St

Where to be Different

Take your sweetie for a soak at one of Portland’s many soaking pools. Kennedy School, Common Ground, or Knot Springs are all good options.

Challenge your cutie to a puzzle-solving extravaganza at a fun escape room. Both Escapism Portland and Escape Games PDX are top-notch for a brain-bending good time.

Take a hike with your honey within the city limits. Forest Park, Mt. Tabor, or Tryon Creek are all beautiful spots to take in nature and each other’s unique beauty.

Dance the night away with your darling at one of the great dance parties around town. The Goodfoot, Holocene, and Dig-a-Pony all have delightful get-downs going on this weekend.

Does your baby like beer? Take them to Zwicklemania on Saturday for free tastings and brewery tours all over the city!

Where do you plan on celebrating this Valentine’s Day 2020? Let us know in the comments!

Karaoke Bars

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Not all karaoke bars are created equal. Luckily, Portland has a wide array of different types of karaoke bars for your every mood. On the tail of our Hot Spot this week, Capitol, I started thinking about all of the great places in Portland to belt out a ballad. Check out the list below for our picks for best karaoke bars in Portland, OR.

Best Dive Bar Karaoke

The Trap

This no-frills, cheap booze SE Portland dive bar has nightly karaoke and video lottery to boot. 3805 SE 52nd Ave

Best Classy Karaoke

Capitol

Elevated neighborhood cocktail spot with craft drinks & vegetarian bites in colorful surrounds. 1440 NE Broadway St More info here.

Best Private Karaoke

Voicebox

Private rooms for up to 16 people, with a huge song catalogue in multiple languages. 734 SE 6th Ave and 2112 NW Hoyt Ave More info here.

Best Performance Karaoke

Chopsticks

Want to put on a show? Check out this hopping bar offering nightly karaoke & Chinese-American fast food, plus pool tables & a patio. 3390 NE Sandy Blvd More info here.

Best Tiki Bar Karaoke

The Alibi

Long-lived tiki bar with island-themed murals, tropical cocktails & nightly high-energy karaoke. 4024 N Interstate Ave More info here.

Best ‘Only in Portland’ Karaoke

Stripper-aoke at Devil’s Point

Portland’s rock n’ roll strip club hosts Stripper-aoke every Sunday night at 9pm, where Portland’s finest dancers strip while you TRY to sing karaoke. 5305 SE Foster Rd More info here.

Best Indie Karaoke

Baby Ketten Klub

Quirky space with off-the-beaten path song selections you won’t find anywhere else. 2433 SE Powell Blvd More info here.

We know there are many, many more places in Portland that host either nightly or weekly karaoke. Did we miss your favorite spot for karaoke in Portland? Let us know in the comments and we’ll happily go check it out!