As the largest in the state of Oregon, Portland is a bustling city that is home to thriving art, theater, and music scenes, as well as a long-standing shipping industry. Despite how busy city life can get in a city like Portland, there is plenty of room for fun and celebration. In fact, Portland holds a good number of festivals and celebrations all year round - celebrating everything from good beer, classical music, as well as history and culture. Visiting Portland soon? We’ve chosen the best festivals in Portland. Be sure to check them out and have a blast on your next trip there.
1. Portland Rose Festival
Easily one of Portland’s most popular festivals, the Rose Festival is one that you shouldn’t miss! Known as the City of Roses, Portland boats the ideal climate for growing these flowers. In fact, the city is home to three beautiful rose gardens. To celebrate this and further promote the city, the Portland Rose Festival is celebrated every year. The festival officially kicks off in May, with activities going all the way through June. The festival hosts over 60 exciting events, including the Grand Floral Parade, which features 20 intricately-constructed floral floats, numerous marching bands, stunning vintage vehicles, dancers and so much more! There are also dragon boat races, fireworks shows, carnival rides, and plenty of food and drink to enjoy!
Portland Rose Festival
Website: Portland Rose Festival
Takes place: Usually held in June
2. Portland Greek Festival [Last event in 2019]
In 1952, a group of ladies from the Trinity Greek Orthodox Church organized a bazaar in order to raise funds for their congregation. Decades on, this simple gathering would grow to become the Portland Greek Festival - one of the largest celebrations of Greek Orthodox faith and culture in Portland! The Portland Greek Festival draws in as many as 15,000 guests, every year. Here, you can go shuffle dancing, watch mouthwatering cooking demonstrations of authentic Greek cuisine, and even indulge in as many Greek pastries as you wish! If you’re lucky, you might even win a trip to Greece at the raffle!
Portland Greek Festival
Address: 3131 NE Glisan St, Portland, Oregon 97232
Website: Portland Greek Festival
Takes place: October
3. Brewstillery Festival [Last event in 2019]
Portland keeps no secrets about its love for beer. In fact, the city celebrates this love for beer with at least one festival held every month! The Brewstillery Festival is among the first to be held, usually taking place in February. Launched back in 2015 by the award-winning StormBreaker Brewing, the Brewstillery Fest pairs excellent local craft beers with spirits! You can take your pick of brews made by the city’s top-notch breweries, then pair them with spirits from select Oregon distilleries. Some of these brews and spirits are even made specifically to match one another as the ideal combination. Find your perfect pairing at the Brewstillery Festival!
Brewstillery Festival
Address: StormBreaker Brewing, Portland, OR
Website: Brewstillery Festival
Takes place: February
Price: From 25 USD
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4. Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Fest [Last event in 2019]
If you prefer tarts and beers, then you’re sure to have a blast at the Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Fest! The Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Fest is another celebration of the city’s excellent beers. In fact, the festival boasts one of the largest selections, with dozens of local breweries offering over 50 different types of beer, every year!
Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Fest
Address: Glendoveer Golf Course, 14015 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230, United States
Website: Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Fest
Takes place: April
5. Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival [Last event in 2018]
The Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival is an annual celebration of classical music and local musical talent, showcasing some of the city’s most skilled musicians. During the festival, you can enjoy concertos, featuring classics by Bach, Mozart, Vivaldi and Schubert, performed by the talented musicians of Chamber Music Northwest. The Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival promises inspiring performances and top-quality entertainment that anyone is sure to enjoy.
Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival
Website: Chamber Music Northwest Winter Festival
Takes place: January/February
6. Pickathon
Held every year since 1999, Pickathon is a three-day celebration of music and the outdoors. Here, you can enjoy all types of music - from indie to rock, rap, and bluegrass. Most of the performers are up-and-coming artists, making the festival a great place for new artists to show their stuff, as well as a great place for anyone to discover some great new music. Camping is also a big part of the festival and you can set up a tent or an RV for the entire weekend. You can enjoy great food, beer, and music, in one fun and indulgent weekend!
Pickathon
Address: Pendarvis Farm, 16581 S.E. Hagen Rd., Happy Valley, OR 97086
Takes place: July to August
7. Waterfront Blues Festival
Waterfront Blues is another much-awaited music fest that takes place in the summer. The Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest celebration of blues, soul, and funk, with over four days of performances featuring the best blues acts in the country! Since its inaugural in the late 1980s, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes its name from the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, where it has been held ever since. In addition to celebrating excellent music, the festival also advocates for hunger relief efforts, with an annual canned food drive held during the festivities.
Waterfront Blues Festival
Address: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, U.S
Website: Waterfront Blues Festival
Takes place: July
8. Portland Marathon
Portland is said to be the birthplace of distance running. Unsurprisingly, it is also host to one of the longest-running consecutive marathons in the United States! The Portland Marathon has been held every year since 1972. Hosted by the OHSU, the annual races consist of both a full marathon and a half marathon. In recent years, the marathon has seen over 10,000 participants - a long way from the initial 86 participants who participated in its inaugural race!
Portland Marathon
Website: Portland Marathon
Takes place: October
9. Irish Beer Festival [Last event in 2019]
One of the newer traditions on this list is the Irish Beer Festival. The Irish Beer Festival is a celebration of Irish style beers and ciders. Festival-goers can enjoy drinks - some of which are exclusively made for the event - from the best breweries in the Northwest, along with live music and some good eats. Hopefully, the Irish Beer Festival will continue to be a favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition in the years to come!
Irish Beer Festival
Takes place: March
10. Portland Dining Month
Portland Dining Month is one of the favorite times of year for the local foodies, as many restaurants will offer their meals at a discount. Take in a full three-course fine dining meal for just 33 USD! Some of these restaurants include Bluehour, Nel Centro, Il Terrazzo, and Ringside Steakhouse. Be sure your appetite is up to slack here. And as with many events here in Portland, the proceeds from the event go to charitable causes. Savor your dining experience this March right in the heart of Portland!
Portland Dining Month
Website: Portland Dining Month
Takes place: March
Price: 33 USD
11. Portland International Film Festival
The Portland International Film Festival is an annual gathering of some of the best indie and modern films from the Northwest and all over the world. Modern film-making methods bring out the best of each work, displaying all the creativity and vision of the directors. Dozens of films are shown over the course of 10 days, covering a wide range of themes. You can purchase a single movie pass if you only want to watch a couple, or a whole festival pass to watch any and every one of them. You’ll appreciate the best film has to offer, in what is Portland’s version of Cannes.
Portland International Film Festival
Address: 934 SW Salmon St Portland, OR 97205
Website: Portland International Film Festival
Takes place: March
Price: From 14 USD
12. Cider Rite of Spring [Last event in 2019]
The Cider Rite of Spring is a celebration that marks the start of the spring season. It is hosted by the blossoming Northwest Cider industry annually. The event features over 100 unique ciders served by over 30 different cider makers. You can taste up to eight different flavors (you can buy more samples on site). Get to know the different processes and people involved in making the cider industry grow. And just in time for the spring, the event will be held in the newly renovated Leftbank Annex in NE Portland, a historical event space fitting for the event.
Cider Rite of Spring
Address: Leftbank Annex 101 N Weidler St, Portland OR 97227 USA
Website: Cider Rite of Spring
Takes place: April
Price: 30 USD
13. POW Film Fest
The POW Film Fest is a showcase of some of the best films directed by women. The festival features the works of a few of today’s top women directors, while also giving honor to the pioneers. The film selection offers compelling themes, from light comedy to ones that dive into the human psyche. The movies are played on different dates throughout March so audiences can view most of them. The event also supports the involvement of more women in film through the POW-GIRLS program, offering year-round film workshops for girls and non-binary youth ages 15 to 19.
POW Film Fest
Address: Hollywood Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, 97212
Website: POW Film Fest
Takes place: Usually held in March
Price: Varies
14. Reel Music Festival
The Reel Music festival is an annual tribute to the evolution of cinema and music over the last century. Modern film-making techniques are used to fully realize the beauty of old formats, displaying all the history and work behind them. Musicians of old can be brought to 21st-century glory, where you can appreciate them more. There are many documentaries and films that show different artists and times, as an homage to cinema.
Reel Music Festival
Address: 934 SW Salmon St. Portland, OR 97205
Website: Reel Music Festival
Takes place: January to February
Price: 95 USD
15. Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the most beautiful Chinese gardens in the US. It was built by Chinese artists from the city of Suzhou, which is home to some of China’s famous ancient gardens. The space is filled with plenty of lush forest, walkways, ponds, and structures all inspired by Ming Dynasty gardens. Taking a sip at the tea house is a great way to spend the afternoon here, whether you’re a first-timer or not. You can also visit the garden shop and buy souvenirs like books. Lan Su is a wonder based on the best of 2,000 years of Chinese art, architecture, design, and nature, all put together in harmony.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Address: 239 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209
Website: Lan Su Chinese Garden
Takes place: February
Price: 12.95 USD
16. Oregon Brewers Fest [Last event in 2019]
Inspired by the Oktoberfest held in Germany, the Oregon Brewers Fest brings local brewers together to promote and show to the public their best flavors. Around 50,000 people visit the festival annually, which has been held since 1988. The festival starts with a parade from the middle of town, going all the way to the festival venue along the Willamette River. There is also plenty of food to go along with all the beers. Admission is free, but you will need to pay extra to start tasting the different beers. Don’t forget to bring your own mug, for your own convenience.
Oregon Brewers Fest
Address: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 300 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97204
Website: Oregon Brewers Fest
Takes place: July
Price: Free
17. Portland Jazz Festival
The Portland Jazz Festival is a great way to experience the jazz scene in the city. Held in multiple venues around Portland, you can watch free and paid performances, lectures, films, and exhibitions, all related to jazz. Over a hundred events are lined up each year; homegrown and international talents alike grace the scene. Tens of thousands attend the different events annually and the numbers will only keep on going up. The festival is part of Black History month and serves as a reminder to visitors of jazz’s cultural and historical significance as an American art form.
Portland Jazz Festival
Address: Revolution Hall, Portland, Oregon, United States
Website: Portland Jazz Festival
Takes place: February
Price: Varies
18. Cinco De Mayo Fiesta [Last event in 2019]
The Cinco De Mayo Fiesta (translated to May 5 Festival) is one of the largest Mexican festivals in the city, made possible with the help of people from Guadalajara in Mexico. Musicians, dancers, and other performers grace the stage in some of the most colorful outfits you are going to see. Food and drinks are plentiful here, with all kinds of Mexican favorites, like tacos, tortillas, and salads. The whole weekend is loaded with events you can enjoy and items you can take home so be sure to mark your calendars. Celebrate the best of Mexican and American culture here.
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
Address: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 300 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97204
Website: Cinco De Mayo Fiesta
Takes place: May
Price: Free
19. Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
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You can taste lots of fresh Oregon seafood and wine, craft beers, cider, and distilled spirits at the Annual Portland Seafood & Wine Festival! Over 200 exhibitors are more than proud to show off their delicious food. Sample some of Oregon’s best wines from the many wineries present and munch on deliciously fresh seafood especially when it is the peak of Dungeness crab season. Music will be played all throughout, and if you come early, you can even get your own wine glass to taste the wines with! You won’t be lacking choices here at the festival.
Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
Address: 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Portland, OR
Website: Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
Takes place: February
Price: 15 USD
20. Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival celebrates the arrival of spring in Oregon and is hosted by the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm. Rows and rows of colorful flowers fill the entire farm during the start of spring, coming in all colors of the rainbow and more! To add to the scene, in the background is Mount Hood, one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Oregon. When the weather permits, you can even catch some hot-air balloons take off from the ground. Together, these are some of the most picture-perfect backdrops you can get around so do pay a visit here come springtime.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Address: 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR 97071
Website: Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Takes place: March to May
Price: From 5 USD
21. Portland Farmers Market
The Portland Farmers Market is a Saturday market experience not matched in Oregon. It brings together the freshest and best produce that the farmers of the northwest have to offer and promotes the farmers and agriculture in general. The market is open in five different locations through different times of the year but the Portland State University outlet is open all year round so you’re sure to have some fresh produce to cook with. At the same time, you can help out the locals.
Portland Farmers Market
Address: Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Website: Portland Farmers Market
Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 2pm (closed from Sun - Fri)
Takes place: May
22. World Naked Bike Ride [Last event in 2019]
If you’d like to advocate for the environment, joining the World Naked Bike Ride is one unique experience. The ride is a way to promote alternative modes of transportation to the automobile and the use of less burning fuels in general. You get to bike with plenty of similarly environmentally concerned people, all promoting the same cause around the streets of Portland. You’ll be cycling with little to no clothes on so make sure your bike seat is comfy enough. Don’t forget to use some sunscreen too, before embarking on the road.
World Naked Bike Ride
Address: To be announced
Website: World Naked Bike Ride
Takes place: June
Price: Free
23. Organic Beer Fest [Previously known as North American Organic Brewers Festival] [Event has passed]
![festivals in portland | organic beer fest [previously known as north american organic brewers festival] [event has passed]](http://static.trip101.com/paragraph_media/pictures/002/576/908/large/BINtK5MgVdR.png?1641807067)
Organic beer is one of Portland’s more unique products. The Organic Brewer’s Festival is an event where different brewers come together in an annual celebration so they can raise awareness about the industry. You can select from over 50 different kinds of beer to taste and enjoy all the flavors. Sustainability is also a theme of the festival, which is well tied into the organic beer movement. The whole event shows that you can still enjoy a good lifestyle while still being kind to the environment.
North American Organic Brewers Festival
Address: 1599 N Fremont St, Portland, OR 97227
Takes place: August
Price: To be announced
24. The Bite of Oregon [Event has passed]
The Bite of Oregon is the largest culinary event in the state, held right here in Portland. Over 50,000 people from all over come here to enjoy all the best food the city has to offer. The food vendors offer all kinds of dishes you can try out for yourself. The drinks are plenty too, you can select from craft beers to fine wines. Activities are also held in the stage area and participation is encouraged. Many local bands also play music throughout the festival so you can jam and enjoy the atmosphere of the Bite.
The Bite of Oregon
Address: Tom McCall Waterfront Park, 300 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon 97204
Takes place: August
Price: 5 USD
25. Bridgetown Comedy Festival [Event has passed]
The Bridgetown Comedy Festival is one of the most fun gatherings on this side of the country, with many comedians coming together to make the city laugh and smile. It is held in multiple venues across the city to accommodate all the performers and the audiences. Over the last decade, it has seen hundreds of different acts perform, from local city performers to national and international acts. The show is currently on hiatus but you can stay tuned for any reports of its return in the near future. It is sure to be an enjoyable experience when it does happen.
Bridgetown Comedy Festival
Address: E Burnside St, Portland, Oregon 97214
Website: Bridgetown Comedy Festival
Takes place: May
26. Portland Pirate Festival [Event has passed]
All aboard, adventure awaits you at Portland Pirate Festival! Held every year at the historic St. Helens waterfront, the Portland Pirate Festival is a great opportunity to have some fun with the entire family. Although it has been held annually since 2014, this year’s celebrations are special as the festival is set to feature a beautifully-made olde town setting, as well as an actual wooden sailing ship to be hulled! You can also look forward to enjoying plenty of family-friendly attractions, including inflatable slides, puppet shows, scavenger hunts, and plenty of other interactive activities.
Portland Pirate Festival
Website: Portland Pirate Festival
Takes place: September
27. Soul’d Out Music Festival [Event has passed]
The Soul’d Out Music Festival is one of the most high-profile music festivals in the city, with tens of thousands of visitors from all over coming to listen. It brings together rock, soul, hip-hop, and other music forms to make one colorful gathering, held across many venues across the city. Food and drinks are available in the many places that host events so you won’t go hungry. Some prolific names have performed in this festival, giving nationwide recognition to Soul’d Out and cementing its status as one of the best music events in the Northwest.
Soul’d Out Music Festival
Address: 10 NW 6th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97209
Website: Soul’d Out Music Festival
Takes place: April
28. Chocolate Fest [Event has passed]
Chocolate has found its way into just about every facet of life, from food to television. The Chocolate Fest is a three-day event usually held in mid-January, at the Oregon Convention Center (OCC). Chocolate Fest invites you to sample all the delicious treats made by different Northwest vendors and some from around the world. The event also promotes awareness, and informs all its visitors about the forests, trees and environmental sustainability, everything related to the production of chocolate. You can also sample some products from the vendors, and even buy some you can take home later.
Chocolate Fest
Address: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232, United States
Takes place: January
29. Taste of the Nation Portland [Event has passed]
Taste of the Nation is one of the most prolific food events in the city. You can view the presentations of many different restaurants, who are offering their finest dishes just for you to try. Some of the best restaurants in Portland join this event, including Andina, Genoa, and Wildwood to name a few. For an extra amount, you can taste some of the food from more exclusive restaurants, like Aviary, Ned Ludd, and Gruner. Proceeds from the event help fund food programs for the No Kid Hungry foundation.
Taste of the Nation
Address: 1332 W Burnside, Portland, OR 97209
Website: Taste of the Nation
Takes place: May
Revel and celebrate in Portland
In a busy, bustling city like Portland, there is always something to celebrate and there is always some fun to be had! On your next trip to Portland, be sure to revel and celebrate these exciting festivals. You’re sure to have a blast at the best festivals in Portland, while still learning about the city’s unique culture, history, and industries.
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