Best Of Portland

D.I.Y. Dole Whip

The classic treat you love is now available to enjoy at home! This dairy-free dessert is perfect for Summer or anytime you feel like adding a little sweetness to your day. With only five ingredients and minutes to prepare, it's almost as good as enjoying this treat while on vacation...

almost.

Notes: For best results, freeze fruit in airtight containers.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup ripe DOLE® pineapple, chopped and frozen 
• 1 ripe DOLE® Banana, peeled and frozen 
• 2-1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

DIRECTIONS

1. COMBINE all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Cover; blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh pineapple. Serve immediately.

25 Epic Oregon Swimming Holes In And Around Portland, Oregon...

25530

Lower Lewis Falls

IMAGE: ISAAC LANE KOVAL 

Under an Hour from Portland

Lewisville Park

Distance from Portland: 40 minutes
This 154-acre park sprawled along the shores of the Lewis River holds acres of grassy expanse ripe for wheelbarrow races, plus picnic tables, barbecue shelters, playgrounds, a baseball field, and, of course, several swimming holes. But families seeking a mellow day on the water best head for the Larch area of the park, where a smallish sand-and-pebble beach affords easy wading and swimming for those still sporting water wings. Parents can watch from the grass clearing directly behind the beach … or return alone another day for more secluded lounging in the Ponderosa part of the park, where the current is stronger and the beaches are smaller, but curtained by rows of swaying trees.

Lower Oneonta Falls (currently closed)

Distance from Portland: 45 minutes
Descend into Oneonta Gorge’s mossy, magical slot canyon, wading through chilly waters and clambering over log jams for 0.6 miles until you reach the source: the slender Lower Oneonta Falls.

 

Collins Beach

Distance from Portland: 40 minutes
On Sauvie Island’s northeastern shores, the sandy, 1-mile stretch along the Columbia River makes for a quick, refreshing dip. Be forewarned: a segment of Collins Beach is well-known for its clothing-optional policy.

Rooster Rock State Park

Distance from Portland: 30 minutes
Oregon’s other designated nude beach (see Collins Beach above), the three-mile long stretch of Rooster Rock sits just 30 minutes away from downtown Portland on the south side of the Columbia River Gorge.

Punchbowl Falls

IMAGE: COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK/JARED ROPELATO

Punchbowl Falls (currently closed)

Distance from Portland: 45 minutes
A little over two miles into the iconic Eagle Creek trail, hikers find refuge by scrambling down to the oft-photographed, bowl-shaped pool, fed by a powerful, 36-foot waterfall. 

Henry Hagg Lake

Distance from Portland: 50 minutes 
Despite (invalidated) rumors of ghostly underwater cemeteries at Forest Grove’s 1,113-acre dammed lake, it’s one of Portland’s best spots for recreational water sports, with picnic areas, 13 miles of hiking trails, and two boat launches.

Under Two Hours from Portland

Moulton Falls

Distance from Portland: 1 hour 
The utility player of swimming holes, 387-acre Moulton Falls Regional Park has something for everyone: Instagram-worthy falls surrounded by plentiful flat rocks for playing lizard in the sun, inviting flat water upstream, two miles of trails tracing the Lewis River’s banks, and a three-story arch bridge daredevils (illegally) leap off. Even better, it’s free, which means it can get crowded, so arrive early to stake out your bit of beach or stone and savor this MVP.

Wilson River at Keenig Creek

IMAGE: COURTESY SHARON RUDICK

Wilson River at Keenig Creek

Distance from Portland: 1 hour 
As you head west from Portland to the coast, a quick turn at Highway 6’s milepost 18 leads sweaty carloads to a relatively still, wide section of the Wilson River, near where it meets trickling Keenig Creek. Rock steps fit for Q*bert and a rope hanging from the bridge offer a variety of heights from which to jump in and cool off, while risk-takers launch from the bridge deck itself. For pleasures less vertical, a rocky bar in the middle of the river is perfect for wading.

Lake Merwin

Distance from Portland: 1 hour
As the Lewis River winds its way from Mount Adams to the Columbia River, three dams interrupt its delivery of glacial mountain runoff. Lucky for us. The result: a sprawling natural water park for all ages in the three massive lakes extending from the edge of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Lake Merwin, Yale Lake, and Swift Reservoir offer 12,321 acres of combined space for splashing, swimming, and good old Marco Polo. Should your brood tire of pruney fingers, excursions of a less liquid variety await on nearby Mount St. Helens’s zip line or inside the popular Ape Cave. And once your adventure’s over, your trip home is only an hour—barely enough time for a single “Are we there yet?”

Dougan Falls

Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 10 minutes
At the end of winding Washougal River Road, you’ll find this Washington river’s most picturesque landing: 19-foot-tall cascades tumbling into a giant, blue-green pool and a rocky beach for lying out below the adjacent bridge.   

 

Alder Flat

Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Whether the “flat” in Alder Flat refers to the 40-foot-long stone and sand beach or the quality of the blue-green Clackamas River stretching slowly around a bend, we don’t know. What’s more certain is that you’ll rarely have to share. Thanks to a ¾-mile hike to the water’s edge, only the adventurous frequent this idyllic swimming spot. (Fitting, since there is a slight but very manageable current.) Firs, ferns, and alder trees line the lush riverbanks, where just a few swim strokes away a trio of basalt boulders beckon from the middle of the river, gently, insistently, singing their siren song: cannonball!

Pegleg Falls

IMAGE: RACHEL RITCHIE

Pegleg Falls

Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Tucked away in the same enchanting swath of the Mt Hood National Forest that contains Buck Lake, Timothy Lake, and Alder Flat, Pegleg Falls enjoys a more serene, off-the-radar status than these primo—but oh-so-well-known—spots. (The lack of signage certainly helps.) Just park your car at the “Road Closed” sign a few miles upstream of the Bagby Hot Springs campground on the Collawash River, and after a short stroll you’ll be treated to a 60-foot-wide pool at the bottom of a 15-foot waterfall. Flat rocks flank the pristine basin, dense foliage conceals it from the road, and a fish ladder carved into the bedrock beside the low-slung falls offers prime scrambling territory.

Cliff Pool

Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 40 minutes
The journey to Cliff Pool is not one for the faint of heart: it hides at the bottom of a quick but truly treacherous, all-fours descent, after a winding drive through the Willamette National Forest southeast of Portland. But once you’ve conquered this challenge, your worldly worries melt away as you settle into your own little slice of Oregon splendor. A picturesque, six-foot waterfall defines this spot on the North Fork of the Santiam River, carving out a wide, smooth bowl in the rocks—ideal for swimming and diving—while a rocky riverbank provides real estate for sunning and spying rainbow trout in the crystal-clear water.

Three Pools in the Opal Creek Wilderness

IMAGE: COURTESY TYSON GILLARD/THE OUTDOOR PROJECT

Three Pools

Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 45 minutes
The Potamoi (Greek river gods) themselves might well have carved out this impossibly clear trifecta of swimming holes along the Little North Fork Santiam River. Once your feet hit parking lot pavement, a mere 64 steps separate you from Three Pools’ calm aquamarine “shallows” (ahem, they’re still 12 feet deep) near a towel-ready pebble beach. Upstream, a stone totem stands guard over two clear-to-the-bottom pools that eventually squeeze into a kind of natural waterslide. You’ll pay a price—crowds—for easy access to such a striking scene, but then again, few offerings worthy of the gods come without a little sacrifice.

Two Hours or More from Portland

Lost Lake

Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Isolated (think 26 miles on winding back roads) but accessible (they’re good roads), Lost Lake sits high on Hood’s slopes, at a heat-blasting 3,100 feet. Besides the 10 degrees of mercury you’ll lose on your way up, you’ll also ditch the crowds. Shrouds of firs and pines offer prime fort-building terrain for the kids (and a welcome contrast to the scarred slopes of clear-cut you’ll pass on the way here) and ring the 175-foot-deep emerald waters. You’ll need a person-powered craft, like one of the paddleboats for rent outside the 1950s-esque General Store, to gain the best view of Hood’s perfect peak—from the middle of the lake—because no motorized craft are allowed. That means only one thing will interrupt your serenity: water-bound first-timers’ inaugural whoops of glee.

Buck Lake

Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Pristine Buck Lake sits 70 miles from downtown Portland—15 of them corkscrewing Forest Service roads. But the crucial last half-mile is what keeps this stream-fed swimming hole relatively secluded and unspoiled: it’s traversable only by foot. Hike through gorgeous stands of old-growth fir, serenaded by a chorus of croaking frogs and willow flycatchers to the edge of the lake’s spectacular emerald waters—waters so clear you’ll be able to see every rock and log (and sometimes fish) beneath the placid surface. A rocky section to the left of where the trail meets the lake offers the best perch for the day—besides a raft in the middle of the lake, of course. 

Wahtum Lake (temporarily closed due to summer fires; call 503-668-1700 for updates)

Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Rarely does a buttery-smooth paved road and a five-minute jaunt from the car lead to a densely forested lakeside retreat free of RVs and motorboats. But Wahtum Lake is a case apart. A serpentine drive with vistas of Mount Hood’s northeast face ends abruptly in pristine wilderness. Descend a winding staircase through hemlock, Pacific yew, and huckleberry to reach the glassy waters. Lakeside campsites are plentiful, and hiking options—including a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail—abound. Take the four-mile round trip up Chinidere Mountain for a close-up of Hood. 

Lower Lewis Falls

IMAGE: ISAAC LANE KOVAL

Lower Lewis Falls

Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Photographs just don’t do this place justice. A wall of water, 200 feet across, gushes from 43 feet high into a turquoise plunge pool big enough to shelter Shamu. With a crazy (but not death-wish-crazy) vertical drop from the rim and smaller pools etched into pockets of the rock wall, this is a cliff jumper’s paradise. Hike east upriver through lush old-growth forest to discover Middle (1.5 miles) and Upper Lewis River Falls (about another mile on), stunning in their own right and ripe for swimming if the lower section is overcrowded.

Boulder Lake

Distance from Portland: 2 hours
Nestled in a thicket of evergreens in a remote swath southeast of Mount Hood, Boulder Lake is uncommonly still; if someone swats a fly across the lake, or an eagle swoops overhead, you’ll hear it. The 13-acre pool sits at the base of soaring scree slopes, with a sequence of rustic campsites, some with picnic tables, tucked in the woods of its east and south shores. Travel light for a day of basking, swimming, and fishing, or pack a tent and stay the night. Twilight here is stunning.

Opal Pool

Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 15 minutes
One of the Northwest’s greatest ecological controversies—the fight for and against the endangered species listing of the spotted owl—detonated here in the 1990s, with conservationists eventually triumphing over timber interests. But the establishment of the 34,365-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area in 1998 preserved more than just habitat for our feathered friends. It also protected one of Oregon’s most scenic swimming holes—a 25-foot-deep turquoise pool at the base of a frothy Opal Creek torrent. There’s only one path into these breath-stealing jewel-hued waters, though: a 3.5-mile hike down an old rocky logging road and a final leap of faith from a 25-foot cliff. 

 

Gifford Lake

IMAGE: BENJAMIN TEPLER

Gifford Lake and the Olallie Lakes

Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Every time Portland Monthly publishes a swimming holes article, at least one genuine, well-kept secret fuels an almighty Internet-comment backlash from the elect few who already knew the place. So here we go. A gem in the crown of the 200-lake Olallie Lakes, a scenic area roughly between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, Gifford offers aqua-blue waters, campsites with 270-degree views, and private-island seclusion. But getting there involves following an unsigned, overgrown path that doesn’t exist on most topographic maps. Start at the Lower Lake Trailhead, take a left at the four-way intersection past Lower Lake, and hike less than a half-mile more until you reach a tree marred by hatchet marks. Follow the overgrown trail on your left a few hundred feet to paradise. We’ll take the flak.

North Fork of the Willamette

Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Prime territory for a family of dyed-in-the-wool river rats looking to homestead, this fork of the state’s 187-mile artery is too far afield for the masses looking for a speedy escape from town. Look for sweet spots 1.4, 3.5, and 11 miles east of Lane County’s Westfir Covered Bridge, with protected pools of super-clear water and big boulders for sunbathing and lounging. If things get tight—and they sometimes do, owing to the river’s proximity to Eugene—simply drive a few miles farther to find a secluded patch of your own to call home.

Cleawox Lake

IMAGE: COURTESY SHARON RUDICK

Cleawox Lake

Distance from Portland: 3 hours
With dunes on one side and leafy forest on the other, the sandy-bottomed Cleawox Lake, inside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, offers sun and shade for swimmers, paddlers, and fishers (the lake is stocked through spring with trout). A sandy beach and roped-off shallow zone, just an easy stumble from the parking lot, become kid central in the summer. Once the youth tucker out, catch the sunset from the Eye of the Needle sculpture on the lake’s eastern shore, or drive to the nearby South Jetty to watch it set over the Pacific. 

Kirkland on Lake Washington

Distance from Portland: 3 hours
With million-dollar panoramas of Seattle’s skyline rising against the Olympic Mountains, Kirkland is rich in more than just vistas. The core of this tree-lined burg (where salaries are on average nearly twice Portland’s) boasts a grid of high-end boutiques, wine bars, and galleries—most of which are more easily enjoyed with a platinum Amex card. Fortunately, the best part of Kirkland—Marina Park’s manicured lawns, sandy shores, and lapping waves—comes absolutely free.

Waldo Lake

Distance from Portland: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Don’t even bother packing your iPhone when you go to Waldo Lake. For one thing, you probably won’t get service in this secluded basin, one of the world’s purest alpine lakes and the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Plus, you don’t want any pings and rings interrupting the silence. Thanks to a 2010 ban, nary a whir of a gas motor will tarnish your serenity at this 9.8-square-mile jewel. In fact, except for the occasional swoosh of a bald eagle’s wings and the harmonic song of a hermit warbler, the only sound you’ll hear is the echo of your paddle dipping into Waldo’s haunting blue waters, where the view down reaches a world-record 157 feet.

The Best Things To Do This Summer In And Around Portland, Oregon....

PORTLAND METROPOLITAN AREA

 

Electric Boat Rentals on the Willamette River

Click Here for more details

 

Portland Yacht Rentals

Click Here for more details.

 

Farmers Markets

Click Here for more details.

 

(Sometimes Drive-in) Gado Gado Restaurant

Click Here for more details.

 

Newberg Drive-in

Click Here for more details.

 

Portland's Purveyors of Ice Cream

Click Here for more details.

 

Rowing Classes on Lake Oswego!

Click Here for more details.

 

Stand-up Paddle Boarding Classes

Click Here for more details.

 

Portland's Most Beautiful Walks

Click Here for more details.

 

Sailing Lessons

Click Here for more details 

 

 

OUTSIDE OF PORTLAND

 

Best Oregon Driving Beaches

Click Here for more details

 

Detroit Lake Boat Rentals

Click Here for more details.

 

Epic Swimming Holes Outside of Portland

Click Here for a detailed list.

 

ATV Rentals and Sand Dune Tours (4 miles South of Florence)

Click Here for more details.

 

Domaine Drouhin Winery

Click Here for more details.

 

Best August Festivals & Events in Portland....

Movies In The Park

August 6 - Sept. 1, 2019

Portland parks

Movies in the Park feature live performances by local musicians, free popcorn, and movies at dusk. Bring coats. Alcohol is OK, but no smoking. Free.

 

 

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts

August 6 - Sept. 7, 2019

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers. Your ticket includes a same-day zoo pass.

 

 

Vancouver Brewfest

August 9 - 10, 2019

Vancouver Brewfest has locally brewed beer, wine, cider, food, live music, and craft vendors at Esther Short Park for age 21+. Repeats in April.

 

 

Elephant Garlic Festival

August 9 - 11, 2019

Elephant Garlic Festival has garlic-flavored foods, arts & crafts, and live music in North Plains. No pets. Free.

 

 

Flicks On The Bricks

August 9 - 23, 2019 (Fridays)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square at dusk, preceded by music at 7 p.m. You are welcome to bring low-back chairs or pillows. Free.

• Aug. 9 - Crazy Rich Asians (PG-13)
• Aug. 16 - Indiana Jones & Temple of Doom (PG)
• Aug. 23 - Bohemian Rhapsody (PG-13)

 

 

Mermerica Music & Light Show

August 9 - 31, 2019

Mesmerica 360: A Visual Music Journey combines mesmerizing music with “visually-hypnotic, 3D animated art curated from artists around the world to create an immersive, transcendent experience designed to soothe the mind and stimulate the senses” in the planetarium at OMSI.

Ticket deal $6 to $20

 

 

Dinner In The Field

August 9 - Dec. 14, 2019

multiple location

Dinners in the Field features “stunning wines of Oregon over a six-to-seven course dinner expertly prepared by Field & Vine chefs using ingredients sourced straight from the host and surrounding farms.

 

 

Pan African Festival

August 10, 2019 (12 to 8:30 p.m.)

Celebrate Africans living in Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States at the Pan African Festival with live music, dance, a fashion show, food, and health & wellness activities at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

A Gatsby Summer Evening 

August 10, 2019 (5 to 10 p.m.)

A ticket to A Gatsby Summer Evening includes a complimentary drink from the cash bar, ballroom dance performances, and live big-band music for dancing at Director Park. Dress code.

 

 

Bacon Eggs & Kegs

August 10, 2019 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

A ticket to Bacon Eggs & Kegs includes beverage tickets (beer, cider, mimosas, bloody marys, Irish coffee, root beer), with $5 brunch bites for sale, entertainment, and lawn games at Rose Quarter Commons for age 21+.

 

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 10, 2019

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It includes an 11 a.m. kids’ parade, a kids’ corner, two beer gardens, and three stages of entertainment on on NE Alberta Street (from NE 10th to 30th Avenues). Free.

 

 

Reptile show

August 10, 2019

See frogs, snakes, geckos, and other exotic creatures at Portland Metro Reptile Expo, with educational tables and vendors at the Holiday Inn on Columbia Boulevard. Held in January and August.

 

 

Veterans Car & Motorcycle Show

August 10, 2019 (9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Check out 350 show cars, trucks, motorcycles, and military vehicles at Salute To Veterans Car & Motorcycle Show, with bands and food vendors at Washington County Fair Complex in Hillsboro. Free.

 

 

NW Fossil Festival

August 10, 2019

Learn about fossils at Northwest Fossil Fest, which features lectures, displays, kids’ activities, and entry to Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals. Free.

 

 

Newsies Disney Musical

August 10, 2019 (7 p.m.)

Newsboys take on a ruthless newspaper tycoon to fight for what’s right in the high-energy Broadway hit Newsies in Vancouver, WA.

Ticket deal $9

 

 

VegOut: Portland Vegan Beer & Food Festival

August 10 - 11, 2019

VegOut: Portland Vegan Beer & Food Festival promises food vendors, speakers, local bands, DJ music, and vegan-friendly clothing, skin-care, and artwork at Holladay Park. Children age 12 and younger are free.

 

 

Flashback Dance Cruise

August 10 - Oct. 26, 2019 (Saturdays 11 p.m.)

Join the crowd age 21+ aboard Portland Spirit dancing to DJ music from the 1980s & 1990s on Flashback Dance Cruise, with craft cocktails, bistro food, and city views, departing from 1020 SW Naito Parkway.

Ticket deal $13

 

 

Bridge Pedal

August 11, 2019

Portland locations

Bridge Pedal is a 5-mile walk or a 3 to 18 mile ride with stunning views from atop Portland bridges. Register early, and bring a helmet. No dogs or skates.

 

 

India Festival

August 11, 2019

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of India at India Festival, with performances, food, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

 

Lents Street Fair

August 11, 2019

Lents Fair has live music, food, craft vendors, a kids’ area, a chicken beauty pageant, and the Belmont Goats in the SW corner of Lents Park, plus a walk on closed neighborhood streets. Free.

 

 

Farm Fresh

August 16, 2019 (5:30 to 9 p.m.)

The $95 Farm Fresh dinner features locally grown food, wine, and live music in Hillsboro for age 21+.

 

 

Pairings Wine Tasting in Salem

August 16, 2019 (5 to 10 p.m.)

Pairings offers fine food, wine, micro-brews, spirits, and music in the gardens of the Salem fairgrounds. Includes admission to the fair.

 

 

Banks Barbecue and Tractor Pull

August 16 - 18, 2019

Banks Bar-B-Que Truck and Tractor Pull has tractor & truck pulls, BBQ sandwiches, a beer garden, a parade (Sunday at 11 a.m.), and a combine demolition derby in Banks. No pets.

 

 

PDX Adult Soap Box Derby

August 17, 2019

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby. No dogs. Free.

 

 

Night market in Beaverton

August 17, 2019

Beaverton Night Market promises a family-friendly event with vendors of ethnic food and crafts, plus performers from around the world at The Round. Free.

 

 

Oregon Bigfoot Festival

August 17, 2019

Oregon Bigfoot Festival promises Bigfoot exhibits, special presentations, guest speakers, food carts, merchandise vendors, and carnival-style games at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale. No pets. Donation.

 

 

Heirloom Tomato AndGarlic Festival

August 17, 2019

The Heirloom Tomato and Garlic Festival has live bluegrass music, tomato and garlic tasting, fruits and vegetables for sale, craft and art vendors, and kids’ activities at Northwest Organic Farms in Ridgefield, WA. Free.

 

 

Wings & Wheels Festival

August 17, 2019

See airplanes, cars, motorcycles, and military vehicles at Wings & Wheels, which includes a half marathon, a street dance, music, food vendors, a beer garden, and kids’ activities at Scappoose Industrial Airpark.

 

 

Forest Grove Uncorked Wine Festival

August 17, 2019 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Forest Grove UnCorked features local wineries, artisan distilleries, micro-breweries, fine arts, and live music on Main Street in Forest Grove for age 21+.

 

 

Summer Spirits Fest

August 17 - 18, 2019

Meet the makers of locally crafted spirits and buy cocktails or bottles at Summer Spirits Fest in Ankeny Plaza (2 SW Naito Parkway) for age 21+. Free admission.

 

 

Hot Sauce Expo

August 17 - 18, 2019

Portland Hot Sauce Expo has hot & spicy food vendors, craft beer, eating contests, and a Chihuahua beauty contest Sunday at 2 p.m. in OMSI bridge parking lot.

 

 

Multnomah Village Vine & Dine

August 17 - 18, 2019

Multnomah Village Vine & Dine promises “25 superb NW wine and food stars” offering wine tastings paired with sweet and savory bites in the lower parking lot at Multnomah Village.

 

 

TinyFest NW

August 17 - 18, 2019

See tiny houses & vehicle conversions, meet builders, visit vendors, hear music, buy food & beer, and attend presentations, workshops, and meet ups at TinyFest Northwest at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall. Children age 12 and younger are free. No pets.

 

 

Twilight Tuesday at the Oregon Zoo

August 20, 2019 (5 to 8 p.m.)

3 miles west

Admission to Oregon Zoo is only $9 after 4 p.m. on Twilight Tuesday, with live music, games, family activities, food carts, beer, and wine beginning 5 p.m. Held June 18, July 16, and Aug. 20, 2019.

 

 

Sgt. Lonely Hearts Club Band

August 21, 2019 (8 p.m.)

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band features The Nowhere Band playing the entire Sgt. Pepper album plus other songs of the era, with live visuals by JumpWire at Alberta Rose Theatre.

 

 

Hood To Coast

August 23 - 24, 2019

Hood to Coast Relay is a 199-mile relay of 12,000 runners from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Portland to Coast Walk Relay is a 199-mile relay of 4,000 walkers from Portland. Both end at an ocean party.

 

 

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival

August 23 - 25, 2019

Drink wine, listen to jazz, and shop from arts and crafts booths at Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival [sound] at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA.

 

 

Boring Beer Fest

August 23 - 25, 2019

Sample beer, cider, and wine from 23 breweries at the Boring Beer Fest, with live music, games, food, entertainment, and a family day (Sunday) in Boring.

 

 

Fairyworlds

August 23 - 25, 2019

Billed as the world’s largest faerie festival, Faerieworlds has costumed faeries, entertainment, music, a food court, and 150 vendors of art, literature, and crafts at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains.

 

 

Bounty At Yanhill County

August 23 - 25, 2019

Enjoy meals, tours, outings, and classes that feature local farms, chefs, and wineries during the highly acclaimed Bounty of Yamhill County.

 

 

Oregon Bluegrass Picker’s Fest

August 23 - 25, 2019

Oregon Bluegrass Association’s Picker’s Fest offers music in the mountains and optional camping at Zigzag Mountain Farm in Rhododendron.

 

 

Oregon State Fair

August 23 - Sept. 2, 2019

See farm animals and craft displays, eat fair food, drink local beer and wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

Deals & discounts

 

 

Brazilian Day Festival

August 24, 2019 (12 to 6 p.m.)

Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day at the family-friendly Brazilian Day Festival with food vendors, live music, dancing, and art at Portland Mercado. Free.

 

 

Rose City PhotoFair

August 24, 2019

Rose City PhotoFair includes vendors of vintage and modern gear at Jackson Armory.

 

 

Portland Fruit Beer Festival

August 24 - 25, 2019

Buy a ticket to try two dozen fantastically fruity beers and ciders outdoors at Portland Fruit Beer Festival, which also has food vendors at 7th Avenue & E. Burnside Street.

 

 

Kids’ Obstacle Challenge

August 24 - 25, 2019

Kids 5 to 16 run through mud and over obstacles at Kids Obstacle Challenge at Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center. Parents can race for free.

 

 

Dahlia Festival

August 24 - Sept. 2, 2019

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 40 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demonstrations at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. Free.

 

 

Sunday Parkways

August 25, 2019

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on miles of streets when most cars are banned for Sunday Parkways on the Green Loop (downtown & inner SE), with activities and music along the way. Free.

 

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 25, 2019

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Boulevard (from 31st to 38th). Free.

 

 

Collector Car & Boat Show

August 25, 2019

Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Saturday has boats, Sunday has boats and cars. Free.

 

 

Adult party at OMSI

August 28, 2019 (7 to 10 p.m.)

Drink a glass of wine while learning about robots, tornados, and fossils. “Shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight” at OMSI After Dark: Astronomy for age 21+. Optional cider tasting.

 

 

Ciderfest (Adult party) at OMSI

August 28, 2019

Ciderfest promises “food, drink, and science fun” at The Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) for age 21+. Tickets are available either with or without cider.

 

 

Portland Renovation and Landscaping Show

August 30 - Sept. 2, 2019

Meet vendors of home products and services, see exhibits, and drink beer at Portland Renovation and Landscaping Show in Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

 

Tortuga Pirate Festival

August 30 - Sept. 2, 2019

Tortuga Pirate Festival offers outrageous activities and games for adults in pirate attire at Cheadle Lake Park in Lebanon for age 21+.

 

American blues rock band

August 31, 2019 (8 p.m.)

Too Slim & The Taildraggers play “an eclectic style of blues and rock that has become a genre all its own” at Alberta Rose Theatre.

Ticket deal $12

 

Arab Festival

August 31, 2019

Enjoy Arabic music, dance, poetry, food, art and crafts at the Arab Festival at Oaks Amusement Park. Free.

 

Art In The Pearl 

August 31 - Sept. 2, 2019

Art in The Pearl features 100 booths of fine art as well as music, food, and hands-on art activities along NW 8th Ave in North Park Blocks. Free.

 

August's Best Festivals & Events In And Around The Portland Area

 

Shuck Off 

August 1, 2018 (4 to 6 p.m.)

A ticket to Shuck Off includes oysters, salad, and hors d’oeuvres, with drinks for sale as you watch chefs compete for fastest shucker and best mignonette sauce in Director Park.

 

 

Music On Main

August 1 - Sept. 5, 2018 (Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m.)

Hear local musicians play a wide variety of music at Music on Main next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (on SW Main Street from Broadway to Park Ave.). Video (1 minute). Free.

 

 

Concerts in the Park

August 1 - Sept. 7, 2018 (6:30 p.m., also July)

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear music ranging from “classical to country, rock & roll to rhythm & blues” at Concerts in the Park. Free.

 

 

Movies in the Park

August 1 - Sept. 7, 2018 (begins July 6)

Portland parks

Movies in the Park feature live performances by local musicians, free popcorn, and movies at dusk. Bring coats. Alcohol is OK, but no smoking. Free.

 

 

Pickathon

August 2 - 5, 2018

Pickathon offers a large lineup of diverse music (indie/roots, garage rock, folk, alternative country, bluegrass) on Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, with food vendors and camping. It also promotes ecology and recycling. No pets.

 

 

Top Down Roof Top Cinema

August 2 - 30, 2018 (begins July 26)

See films on the rooftop of Hotel deLuxe during Top Down: Rooftop Cinema, with local bands at 8 p.m., cocktails, beer, barbecue, and films at dusk. Since chairs are limited, you may bring a chair, pillow, or blanket, but you can’t bring pets, food, or drink.

 

 

Tualatin Crawfish Festival

August 3 - 4, 2018

Tualatin Crawfish Festival has food, beer, wine, and music both days. Saturday it adds races, vendors, carnival games, eating contests, a kids’ zone, and fireworks at 10 p.m.

 

 

Art In The Dark

August 3 - 5 and 9 - 12, 2018

See an illuminated outdoor performance “full of traditional and invented aerial apparatus, athletic and technical dance movement, and acrobatics” with live music at Art in the Dark at Mary S. Young Park in West Linn.

 

 

Flicks On The Bricks

August 3 - 17, 2018 (Fridays from July 20)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square at dusk, preceded by music at 7 p.m. You are welcome to bring low-back chairs or pillows. Free.

• Aug. 3 - Black Panther (PG-13)
• Aug. 10 - Grease (PG-13)
• Aug. 17 - Mean Girls (PG-13)

 

 

Zoo concerts

August 3 - Sept. 12, 2018 (also July)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers, and your ticket includes a same-day zoo pass. Lineup.

 

 

Fremont Fest

August 4, 2018

Fremont Street is closed from 42nd to 50th for Fremont Fest, including a 10 a.m. parade of pets and kids on bikes, music stages, a kids’ zone, and 125 vendors. Free.

 

 

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert

August 4, 2018

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert has live music, gourmet food, Oregon wine & beer, and vendors on 15 acres of meadows & forest near the Sandy River for age 21+.

 

 

Hot Sauce Expo

August 4 - 5, 2018

Portland Hot Sauce Expo has hot & spicy food vendors, craft beer, eating contests, and a Chihuahua beauty contest Sunday at 2 p.m. in OMSI bridge parking lot.

 

 

Elephant Garlic Festival

August 10 - 12, 2018

Elephant Garlic Festival has garlic-flavored foods, arts & crafts, and live music in North Plains. No pets. Free.

 

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 11, 2018

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It includes an 11 a.m. kids’ parade, a kids’ corner, two beer gardens, and three stages of entertainment.

 

 

Polo Noir

August 11, 2018 (12 to 7 p.m.)

Polo Noir is all about the horses, the players, live indie-folk music, and Willamette Valley wines at Hidden Creek Polo Club in West Linn.

 

Home Renovation and Landscaping show

August 17 - 19, 2018

Meet vendors of home products and services, see exhibits, and drink beer at Portland Renovation and Landscaping Show in Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

 

 

PDX Adult Soapbox Derby

August 18, 2018

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby. No dogs. Free.

 

 

Oregon Big Foot Festival

August 18, 2018

Oregon Bigfoot Festival promises Bigfoot exhibits, special presentations, guest speakers, food carts, merchandise vendors, and carnival-style games at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale. No pets. Donation.

 

 

Collector Car & Classic Boat Show

August 18 - 19, 2018

Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Saturday has boats, Sunday has boats and cars. Free.

 

 

Festa Italiana Portland

August 23 - 25, 2018

Festa Italiana Portland offers live music, dancing, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, children’s activities, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

 

Hood To Coast Relay

August 24 - 25, 2018 

Hood to Coast Relay is a 198-mile relay of 12,000 runners from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Portland to Coast Walk Relay is a 129-mile relay of 4,000 walkers from Portland. Both end at an ocean party.

 

 

Oregon State Fair

August 24 - Sept. 3, 2018

See farm animals and craft displays, eat fair food, drink local beer and wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

 

 

Dahlia Festival

August 25 - 27 and Sept. 1 - 3, 2018

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 30 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demonstrations at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. Free.

 

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 26, 2018

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Boulevard (from 31st to 41st). Free.

 

 

Tortuga Pirate Festival

August 31 - Sept. 2, 2018

Tortuga Pirate Festival offers outrageous activities and games for adults in pirate attire at Cheadle Lake Park in Lebanon for age 21+.

August's Best Festivals And Events in And Around The Portland Metro Area

Music On Main Street

August 2 - Sept. 6, 2017 (Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m.)

Hear local musicians play jazz, country, salsa, and R&B at Music on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Free.

 

Concerts in the Park

August 2 - Sept. 8, 2017 (6:30 p.m.)

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear a variety of Concerts in the Park. Free.

 

Pickathon Indie Roots Music Festival

August 3 - 6, 2017

Pickathon offers a large lineup of diverse music (indie/roots, garage rock, folk, alternative country, bluegrass) on Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, with food vendors and camping. It also promotes ecology and recycling. No pets.

 

Top Down Roof Top Cinema

August 3 - 31, 2017 (Thursdays)

See films on the rooftop of Hotel deLuxe during Top Down: Rooftop Cinema, with local bands at 8 p.m., cocktails, beer, barbecue, and films at dusk. No pets.

 

Movies in the Park

August 3 - Sept. 8, 2017

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

Thursday Early Escape Concert Cruise Series

August 3 - Sept. 28, 2017 (3 to 5 p.m.)

Enjoy live music, views, a cash bar, and bistro food for sale during Thursday Early Escape Concert Series aboard Portland Spirit, departing just south of the Broadway Bridge for age 21+.

Discount tickets $19.

 

Unwind at Skidmore Fountain

August 4, 2017 (4 to 7:30 p.m.)

Unwind promises “cocktails, food, and music” at Skidmore Fountain for age 21+.

 

Tualatin Crawfish Festival

August 4 - 5, 2017 (opens Friday 4 p.m.)

Tualatin Crawfish Festival has food, beer, wine, and music both days. Saturday it adds races, vendors, carnival games, eating contests, a kids’ zone, and fireworks at 10 p.m.

 

Art In The Dark

August 4 - 6 & 10 - 13, 2017 (gates open 7:30 p.m.)

See an illuminated outdoor performance “full of traditional and invented aerial apparatus, athletic and technical dance movement, and acrobatics” at Art in the Dark at Mary S. Young Park in West Linn.

 

Flicks On The Bricks

August 4 - 18, 2017 (Fridays)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square at dusk, preceded by music at 7 p.m. You are welcome to bring low-back chairs. Free.

• Aug. 4 - La La Land (PG-13)
• Aug. 11 - Wayne’s World (PG-13)
• Aug. 18 - Forrest Gump (PG-13)

 

International Praise Festival

August 5, 2017

Portland area churches offer singing and music, vendors, food, and family activities at International Praise Festival in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

Obon Japanese Fest 

August 5, 2017 (3 to 9 p.m.)

Obonfest commemorates ancestors with Obon dance, lanterns, children’s booths, Japanese food, beer, and sake at Oregon Buddhist Temple. Free entry.

 

Fremont Fest

August 5, 2017

Fremont Street is closed from 42nd to 50th for Fremont Fest, including a 10 a.m. parade of pets and kids on bikes, music stages, a kids’ zone, and 125 vendors. Free.

 

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert

August 5, 2017

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert has live music, gourmet food, Oregon wine & beer, and vendors on 15 acres of meadows & forest near the Sandy River for age 21+.

Discount tickets $30.

 

Wings & Wheels Air and Vehicle Show

August 5, 2017

See airplanes, cars, motorcycles, and military vehicles at Wings & Wheels, which includes a half marathon, a street dance, music, food vendors, a beer garden, and kids’ activities at Scappoose Industrial Airpark.

 

Hot Sauce Expo

August 5 - 6, 2017

Portland Hot Sauce Expo has hot & spicy food vendors, craft beer, eating contests, and a Chihuahua beauty contest Sunday at 2 p.m. in OMSI bridge parking lot.

Discount tickets $3.

 

Minerals festival

August 5 - 6, 2017

Rice Northwest Museum Summer Festival includes educational games, gold panning, geode cutting, jewelry & fossil vendors, exhibits, live music, and food in Hillsboro.

 

Green Living Fair

August 5 - 6, 2017

Learn about sustainable lifestyles, renewable energy, organic gardening, small-scale farming, and green construction at Mother Earth News Fair in Albany.

 

Music of Irving Berlin

August 5 - 27, 2017

The Melody Lingers On features 46 timeless songs by Irving Berlin, with a live band and 10 singers at Clackamas Repertory Theatre.

Discount tickets $18 (youth $8).

 

Classic French Cinema

August 5 - 29, 2017

Classic French Cinema screens the great films that built France’s cinema legacy at Portland Art Museum.

 

Flashback Dance Cruise

August 5 - Sept. 30, 2017

Enjoy two hours of views, a cash bar, and dance hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s on the Flashback Dance Cruise aboard Portland Spirit, departing from Waterfront Park for age 21+.

Discount tickets $14.

 

Lents Street Fair

August 6, 2017 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Lents Founders Fair has live music, food, craft vendors, a kids’ area, a chicken beauty pageant, and the Belmont Goats in the SW corner of Lents Park, plus a walk on closed neighborhood streets. Free.

 

Oregon Trail 5K

August 6, 2017 (9 a.m.)

The Oregon Trail Game 5K and 8K is a scenic run through Oregon City with challenges along the way.

 

Concerts In The Square

August 8 - 29, 2017 (Tuesdays at noon)

0 miles

Hear concerts at the popular Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series in Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays. Free.

 

Sgt Pepper and the Summer of Love 50h Anniversary Celebration

August 9, 2017 (9 p.m.)

Sgt. Pepper and the Summer of Love 50th Anniversary Celebration features The Nowhere Band playing the entire Sgt. Pepper album plus other songs of the era, with live visuals by JumpWire at Alberta Rose Theatre.

Discount tickets $15.

 

Vancouver Brewfest

August 11 - 12, 2017

Vancouver Brewfest has locally brewed beer, wine, cider, food, live music, and craft vendors at Esther Short Park for age 21+. Repeats in March.

 

Garlic Festival

August 11 - 13, 2017

Elephant Garlic Festival has garlic-flavored foods, arts & crafts, and live music in North Plains. No pets. Free.

 

Spiritual Music Festival

August 11 - 14, 2017

Beloved Festival is an “open-air sacred art and music festival” with 67 acts, an all-night Saturday dance, a marketplace, and a yoga pavilion in Tidewater.

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 12, 2017

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It includes an 11 a.m. kids’ parade, a kids’ corner, two beer gardens, and three stages of entertainment.

 

Night Market in Beaverton

August 12, 2017 (5 to 10 p.m.)

Beaverton Night Market promises a family-friendly event with ethnic food and crafts, plus performers from around the world at The Round. Free.

 

Fossil Festival

August 12, 2017

Learn about fossils at Northwest Fossil Fest, which features lectures, displays, kids’ activities, and free entry to Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals.

 

Kids’ Obstacle Race

August 12, 2017

Kids 5 to 16 run through mud and over obstacles at Kids Obstacle Challenge at Rooster Rock State Park in Corbett. Parents race for free.

 

Bike and Beer Fest

August 12 - 13, 2017

Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show features builders of bike frames & parts, bike films & photos, brewers, food vendors, and live music at Cathedral Park Place.

 

Bridge Pedal

August 13, 2017

Portland locations

Bridge Pedal is a 7.5-mile walk or a 3 to 30 mile ride with stunning views from atop Portland bridges. Register early, and bring a helmet. No dogs or skates.

 

India Festival

August 13, 2017

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of India at India Festival, with performances, food, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Aurora Colony Vineyards Jazz Festival

August 13, 2017

Hear four local artists perform in the country, with wine, beer, and food for sale at Aurora Colony Vineyards Jazz Festival in Aurora.

 

Country Music Festival

August 17 - 20, 2017

Willamette Country Music Festival features big-name country music singers in the open air in Brownsville.

 

Solar Eclipse 

August 17 - 22, 2017

Madras & Salem

Buy a ticket for a solar viewing festival in the path of the August 21 solar eclipse. (Staring at the sun without a special viewer will damage your eyes.)

• Aug. 17 - 22 Oregon Solarfest offers parking, food vendors, music, and camping in Madras.
• Aug. 17 - 23 Oregon Eclipse has camping and music with a focus on “environmental consciousness and ecological sustainability” east of Bend.
• Aug. 18 - 22 Moonshadow Festival in Prineville.
• Aug. 19 - 21 Total Eclipse of the Garden offers camping, live music, and food vendors in Silverton.
• SOLD OUT - OMSI Solar Eclipse Viewing Party has science lectures and astronomy groups in Salem.

 

Farm Fresh Dinner (Hillsboro)

August 18, 2017 (5 to 9 p.m.)

The $95 Farm Fresh dinner features locally grown food, wine, and live music in Hillsboro for age 21+.

 

Tasting in Salem

August 18, 2017 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Pairings offers fine food, wine, micro-brews, spirits, and music in the gardens of the Salem fairgrounds. Includes admission to the fair.

 

Banks Barbecue and Tractor Pull

August 18 - 20, 2017

Banks Bar-B-Que Truck and Tractor Pull has tractor & truck pulls, BBQ sandwiches, a beer garden, a parade (Sunday at 11 a.m.), and a combine demolition derby in Banks. No pets.

 

Portland Beer and Music Festival

August 19, 2017

Portland Beer and Music Festival promises unlimited samples of 50 craft beers, wines, and spirits, with food vendors, a DJ stage, and a live music stage indoors at the Tiffany Center.

Discount VIP tickets $26.

 

PDX Adult Soapbox Derby

August 19, 2017

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby. No dogs. Free.

 

Oregon Bigfoot festival

August 19, 2017

The inaugural Oregon Bigfoot Festival promises Bigfoot exhibits, special presentations, guest speakers, food carts, merchandise vendors, and carnival-style games at Glenn Otto Park in Troutdale. No pets. Donation.

 

Garlic & Tomato Festival

August 19, 2017

The Garlic & Tomato Festival has live bluegrass music, tomato and garlic tasting, fruits and vegetables for sale, craft and art vendors, and kids’ activities at Northwest Organic Farms in Ridgefield, WA. Free.

 

Uncorked

August 19, 2017 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Forest Grove UnCorked features local wineries, artisan distilleries, micro-breweries, fine arts, and live music on Main Street in Forest Grove for age 21+.

 

Spiritsfest

August 19 - 20, 2017 (11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Meet the makers of locally crafted spirits and buy cocktails or bottles at Spiritsfest in Ankeny Plaza (2 SW Naito Parkway) for age 21+. Free admission.

 

Brick Fest Live (LEGO) 

August 19 - 20, 2017

Brick Fest Live features family activities, amazing exhibits, and vendors of LEGO plastic bricks at the Portland Expo Center.

Discount tickets $15 to $29.

 

Vine & Dine

August 20, 2017 (3 p.m., VIP 1 p.m.)

Taste 35 Northwest wines paired with sweet and savory bites at Vine & Dine in Multnomah Village.

 

Sunday Parkways

August 20, 2017

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 6.4 miles of streets during Outer Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways when most cars are banned. Nearby parks offer activities and music. Free.

 

Total Solar Eclipse

August 21, 2017 (10:15 to 11:30 a.m.)

Day will turn to night for up to two minutes when a Total Solar Eclipse rolls across part of Oregon, from Newport to Ontario. The starting time and duration varies by city. Expect full hotels and traffic jams. Free.

 

Festa Italiana

August 24 - 26, 2017

Festa Italiana offers live music, dancing, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, children’s activities, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Hood To Coast 

August 25 - 26, 2017 (SOLD OUT)

Hood to Coast Relay is a 198-mile relay of 12,000 runners from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Portland to Coast Walk Relay is a 129-mile relay of 4,000 walkers from Portland. Both end at an ocean party.

 

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival

August 25 - 27, 2017 (opens Fri. 3:30 p.m.)

Drink wine, listen to jazz, and shop from arts and crafts booths at Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival [sound] at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA.

 

FaerieWorlds Festival

August 25 - 27, 2017

Faerieworlds is billed as the world’s largest faerie festival and features costumed faeries, music, entertainment, a food court, and 150 vendors of art, literature, and crafts at Horning’s Hideout in North Plains.

 

Bounty Of Yamhill Festival

August 25 - 27, 2017

Enjoy meals, tours, outings, and classes that feature local farms, chefs, and wineries during the highly acclaimed Bounty of Yamhill County.

 

Oregon Bluegrass Picker’s Fest

August 25 - 27, 2017

Oregon Bluegrass Association’s Picker’s Fest offers music in the mountains and optional camping at Zigzag Mountain Farm in Rhododendron.

 

Oregon State Fair

August 25 - Sept. 4, 2017

See farm animals and craft displays, eat fair food, drink local beer and wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

 

MusicfestNW

August 26 - 27, 2017 (1 to 10 p.m.)

MusicfestNW is a music festival with 18 acts and food vendors at Tom McCall Waterfront Park for age 21+.

 

Collector Car & Classic Boat Show

August 26 - 27, 2017

Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Saturday has boats, Sunday has boats and cars. Free.

 

Dahlia Festival

August 26 - 28 and Sept. 2 - 4, 2017

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 30 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demos at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. Free.

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 27, 2017 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Boulevard (from 31st to 41st). Free.

 

The Best August Festivals and Events In and Around Portland

 

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

thru Late October

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

Movies in the Park

August 2 - Sept. 10, 2016 

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

Movies On A Rooftop

August 4 - 25, 2016 (begins July 14)

See films on a rooftop at Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, with local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. No pets.

 

Zoo Concerts

August 4 - Sept. 11, 2016 

 

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

Spirits Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Downtown Portland

Unwind is a Friday evening cocktail event at Ankeny Plaza. Spiritsfest is a daytime weekend event at Waterfront Park. Both have food vendors.

 

Crawfish Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Tualatin Crawfish Festival has a cook-off, eating contests, Saturday parade & run & dog show, weekend beer & wine, a kids’ zone, and stage shows.

 

Air Show

August 5 - 7, 2016

Wear sunscreen at the Oregon International Air Show, featuring airplanes up close and in the air, aerobatics, skydivers, a kids’ zone, beer garden, fireworks Fri., Blue Angels Sat. & Sun., 5K Sun. at Hillsboro Airport.

 

Movies In The Square

August 5 - 19, 2016 (Fridays from July 22)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

Beer, BBQ, and Bowser

August 6, 2016

Family friendly Bones and Brew includes barbecue, music, contests, dog-supply vendors, and 30 microbrews outside Rogue Distillery & Public House.

 

 

Blues, Jazz & Funk

August 6, 2016

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert features live music, gourmet food, Oregon wine & beer, and vendors on 15 acres of meadows & forest near the Sandy River for age 21+.

 

 

Distillers Festival

August 6-7, 2016 (2 to 10 p.m.)

Great American Spirits Festival features tastings from small craft distillers, a mixology contest, and special events at World Trade Center.

 

Japanese Festival

August 6, 2016

Obonfest commemorates ancestors with Obon dance, lanterns, children’s booths, Japanese food, beer, and sake at Oregon Buddhist Temple. Free entry.

 

Fremont Fest

August 6, 2016

Fremont Fest includes a 10 a.m. parade of bikes & pets & marching band, entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, and vendors on NE Fremont Street.

 

Bite of Oregon

August 12 - 14, 2016

Taste the best of Oregon food, beer, and wine at the Bite of Oregon, which includes entertainment and a cooking competition at Tom McCall Waterfront Park south of Morrison Bridge. Friday is least crowded.

 

Vancouver Brewfest

August 12 - 14, 2016

Vancouver Brewfest has locally brewed beer, wine, cider, food, live music, and craft vendors at Esther Short Park. Requires age 21 ID. Repeats in March.

 

Garlic Festival

August 12 - 14, 2016

Elephant Garlic Festival features garlic-flavored foods, arts and crafts, and live music in North Plains. Free.

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 13, 2016

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It has a beer garden, three stages of entertainment, and children’s activities. Donation.

 

Seaport Celebration

August 13, 2016

Seaport Celebration opens the fence at marine Terminal 4 so you can see the working waterfront, watch demos of big equipment, hear live music, buy food from vendors, visit a kids’ zone, and take a $10 jet-boat tour at 11040 N. Lombard St. Adults need ID. Free.

 

Adult Soapbox Derby

August 20, 2016

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby.

 

Italian Festival

August 25 - 27, 2016

Festa Italiana offers live music, pizza tossing, grape stomping, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Oregon State Fair

August 26 - Sept. 5, 2016

See farm animals and craft displays, try fair food and fine wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

 

MusicfestNW

August 27 - 28, 2016

MusicfestNW is a large music festival with 22 performances and food vendors at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

 

Dahlia Festival

August 27 - Sept. 5, 2016

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 40 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demos at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. See schedule. Free.

 

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 28, 2016

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Blvd., mostly from 31st to 41st. Free.

 

 

Car & Boat Show

August 28, 2016

The Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Free.

 

BEST FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN AND AROUND THE PORTLAND METRO AREA IN JULY

 

JULY

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

thru Late October

 

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

 

Beer Festival

July 1 - 3, 2016

Portland Craft Beer Festival features beer from 44 Portland breweries, plus cider, wine, and cheese with food carts nearby at Fields Neighborhood Park.

 

Astoria Music Festival

July 1 - 3, 2016 (begins June 17)

Hear a wide range of classical music that includes Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and chamber music at Astoria Music Festivalin historic Astoria.

 

Blues Festival

July 1 - 4, 2016

Waterfront Blues Festival features 50 performers on four stages, plus fireworks on July 4th at 10:10 p.m., at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

 

St. Paul Rodeo

July 1 - 4, 2016

Watch fearless cowboys and cowgirls ride bucking broncos, rope and wrestle steers, and even ride bulls at the St. Paul Rodeo, which includes a barbecue, carnival, art show, and nightly fireworks.

 

Bach Music Festival

July 1 - 10, 2016 (begins June 23)

Eugene & Portland

Oregon Bach Festival celebrates the music and legacy of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

Chamber Music

July 1 - 31, 2016 (begins June 25)

Portland locations

Hear world-renowned artists at the Summer Festival of Chamber Music Northwest. Repeats in Jan.

 

Lavender Festival

July 2 - 3, 2016

Lavender Daze Festival, has music, crafts, plant sales, and local wine at Hood River Farms. No pets. Free.

 

Zoo Concerts

July 2 - Sept. 9, 2016 (begins June 19)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

 

Fireworks at Detroit Lake 

 

July 2

 

The Fireworks Over the Lake celebration seems to start early in the day as there is an air of anticipation that fills the Detroit community. People fill the day with boating, hiking, sunning, socializing and getting ready for an exciting evening. The show generally begins around 10:00 pm after sunset.

 

Fireworks

July 4, 2016

Best Fourth of July fireworks:

• Waterfront Blues Festival - 0.5 mile (10:10 p.m.)
• Oaks Park - 6 miles south (dusk)
• Ft. Vancouver - 10 miles north (10:05 p.m.)
• North Plains - 18 miles NW (10 p.m.)
• Corbett Fun Fest - 22 miles east (9:30 p.m.)
• St. Paul Rodeo - 30 miles SW (10:15 p.m.)

 

Fourth of July At The Fort

July 4, 2016

Independence Day At Fort Vancouver includes music and activities at noon and fireworks at 10:05 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

 

Fourth of July Run

July 4, 2016

The early morning Foot Traffic Flat on beautiful, flat Sauvie Island is a marathon, half marathon, 8K, and 5K.

 

Concerts In The Park

July 5 - Aug. 28, 2016

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear a variety of  Concerts in the Park. Free. 

See separate page for Aug. 4 to 7 in Washington Park.

 

Concerts In The Square

July 5 - Aug. 30, 2016 (Tuesdays)

Hear concerts at the popular Noon Tunes Summer Concert Seriesin Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays. Free.

 

Concerts on Main Street

July 6 - Sept. 7, 2016

Hear local musicians play funky soul to old-school country Wednesdays at Music on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Free.

 

Car Race And Show

July 7 - 10, 2016

Watch racers zip around the track in restored classic cars including Trans Ams at Portland Vintage Racing Festival at Portland International Raceway.

 

Movies in the Park

July 7 - Sept. 10, 2016

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

Bead Fair

July 8 - 10, 2016

Shop from 70 exhibitors of bead-making supplies and millions of exotic beads from around the world at Bead Faire at the Oregon Convention Center.

 

Alternative Music Festival

July 8 - 10, 2016

Oregon Country Fair fills woods and meadows west of Eugene with sweet music, magicians, jesters, hippies, art, and food and craft vendors in Veneta. No pets.

 

French Festival

July 9, 2016

The Bastille Festival features French food, music, street performers, art projects, an outdoor market, and free admission to the Portland Art Museum.

 

Mississippi Street Fair

July 9, 2016

Mississippi Street Fair offers 200 local vendors and craft booths, six stages of entertainment, a kids’ corner, food carts, and a beer/wine garden on N. Mississippi Ave. from Fremont to Skidmore. Free.

 

Hood River Car Show

July 9, 2016

Traffic Jam is a classic and vintage car show that includes admission to the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River.

 

Lavender Weekend

July 9 - 10, 2016

Oregon locations

Enjoy the beauty and aroma of lavender fields, and attend special events at farms and nurseries around the state during Oregon Lavender Farm Tour.

 

 

Float Down The River

July 10, 2016

Jump in the Willamette River with a lifejacket and an inner tube for The Big Float downstream to a beach party with a music barge, food carts, and beer garden.

 

 

Run Through Wine Country

July 10, 2016

Run the Fueled by Fine Wine Half-Marathon on vineyard trails through the beautiful Dundee Hills, and then taste wines at the post-race party.

 

 

Pirate & Gypsy Festival

July 14 - 18, 2016

Calling all pirates and gypsies to SeaDog Nights and Gypsy Carnival to dance, play, compete, entertain, shop, and party at Cheadle Lake Park in Lebanon.

 

Movies On A Rooftop

July 14 - Aug. 25, 2016

See films on a rooftop at Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, with local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. No pets. Cash only.

 

Berry Festival

July 15 - 16, 2016 (dinner July 14) 

Oregon Berry Festival [sound] features berry vendors, berry products, music, cooking demonstrations, and kids’ crafts at Ecotrust parking lot. Free. The $135 Gala Berry Dinner is Thursday in Hillsboro.

 

Scottish Highland Games

July 15 - 16, 2016

Hear Scottish pipes and drums, see athletic games, taste whisky, and join Scottish Highland dancing at Portland Highland Games at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. No smoking or pets.

 

Robin Hood Festival

July 15 - 16, 2016

The Robin Hood Festival has medieval re-enactments, a knighting ceremony, Maid Marian and Robin Hood, archery, castle building, 100 craft and food vendors, a beer and wine garden, a kids’ area, and a Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Parade Sat. at 10 a.m. Free.

 

Jazz Festival

July 15 - 17, 2016

Hear local and international jazz and blues heroes in a beautiful setting under the historic St. Johns Bridge at the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Free.

 

 

Gresham Arts Festival

July 16, 2016

Gresham Arts Festival (formerly Gresham Art Walk) has 150 artists, entertainment, music, and children’s activities in Gresham. Free.

 

 

Antique And Collectibles Show

July 16 - 17, 2016

Billed as America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, 1400 vendors sell furniture, glassware, movie memorabilia, estate jewelry, paintings, and toys at Portland Expo Center. Repeats in March and Oct.

 

 

Concours d’Elegance Car Show

July 17, 2016

Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance has more than 300 antique, classic, sport, race, and collector cars to browse plus live music, beer, wine, and fine food on the beautiful Pacific University campus.

 

Dog Show

July 22 - 24, 2016

Stumptown Cluster - Portland Kennel Club Dog Show has specialty breeds on Friday and all breeds on Saturday and Sunday at Portland Expo Center. Free.

 

Movies In The Square

July 22 - Aug. 19, 2016 (Fridays)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

Division/Clinton Street Fair

July 23, 2016

Division/Clinton Street Fair holds a wacky parade starting at 10:45 a.m., and it has arts & crafts booths, live music, food, sidewalk sales, and children’s events. Free.

 

Oregon City Festival

July 23, 2016

The First City Celebration has an art fair, food carts, vendors, live music, a beer & wine garden, a 5K trail game, a kids’ zone, and a heritage village. Free.

 

 

People In The Street

July 24, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 8 miles of streets when most cars are banned for Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks have activities & music. Free.

 

 

Bach Festival

July 27 - 29, 2016

Abbey Bach Festival features singing monks, a choir or organ presentation, a catered picnic outdoors, and an evening indoor concert at beautiful Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict

 

 

Oregon Brewers Festival

July 27 - 31, 2016

Try 90 different craft beers, eat pub food, hear live music, and learn about home brewing at Oregon Brewers Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Children accompanied by a parent are welcome and will enjoy the root beer garden. No pets.

 

Hawaiian Festival

July 28 - 30, 2016

Portland and Vancouver

Three Days of Aloha offers workshops, hula dancing, a 5K run/walk, and a free Hawaiian festival in Esther Short Park. Events vary by day.

 

 

County Fair

July 28 - 31, 2016

Washington County Fair offers carnival rides, farm animals, a kid village, food booths, motorsport shows, and stage entertainment in Hillsboro. Free.

 

Sports-Car Races

July 29 - 31, 2016

Watch sports-cars race on a two-mile course at Portland Rose Festival Rose Cup Races. The highlight is the annual Rose Cup on Sunday at Portland International Raceway.

 

Pinot Noir Celebration

July 29 - 31, 2016

The International Pinot Noir Celebration attracts world-renowned winemakers, chefs, epicures, and wine lovers to Linfield College in McMinnville to taste Pinot noir, savor fine food, and tour a vineyard.

 

Japanese Festival

July 2016 (undated)

Enjoy live Japanese music, dance, traditional games for children, and authentic food at Natsu Matsuri outside the Uwajimaya store in Beaverton. Free.

 

 

AUGUST

 

Movies On A Rooftop

August 1 - 25, 2016 (begins July 14)

See films on a rooftop at Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, with local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. No pets. Cash only.

 

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

thru Late October

 

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

 

Concerts In The Park

August 1 - 28, 2016 (begins July 5)

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear a variety of  Concerts in the Park. Free. 

See separate page for Aug. 4 to 7 in Washington Park.

 

Concerts In The Square

August 2 - 30, 2016 (Tuesdays from July 5)

Hear concerts at the popular Noon Tunes Summer Concert Seriesin Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays. Free.

 

Movies in the Park

August 2 - Sept. 10, 2016 (begins July 7)

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

 

Concerts on Main Street

August 3 - Sept. 7, 2016 (begins July 6)

Hear local musicians play funky soul to old-school country Wednesdays at Music on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Free.

 

 

Zoo Concerts

August 4 - Sept. 9, 2016 (begins June 19)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

 

Crawfish Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Tualatin Crawfish Festival has a cook-off, eating contests, Saturday parade & run & dog show, weekend beer & wine, a kids’ zone, and stage shows.

 

 

Air Show

August 5 - 7, 2016

Wear sunscreen at the Oregon International Air Show, featuring airplanes up close and in the air, aerobatics, skydivers, a kids’ zone, beer garden, fireworks Fri., Blue Angels Sat. & Sun, 5K Sun. at Hillsboro Airport.

 

 

Indie Roots Music Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Pickathon offers a large lineup of diverse music (indie/roots, garage rock, folk, alternative country, bluegrass) on Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley. It also promotes ecology and recycling. No pets.

 

 

Dancing In The Moonlight

August 5 - 14, 2016 (roughly 8:30 p.m.)

See an illuminated outdoor performance “full of traditional and invented aerial apparatus, athletic and technical dance movement, and acrobatics” at Art in the Dark at Mary S. Young Park in West Linn.

 

 

Movies In The Square

August 5 - 19, 2016 (Fridays from July 22)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Church Festival

August 6, 2016

Portland area churches offer singing and music, vendors, food, and family activities at International Praise Festival, Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Beer, BBQ, and Bowser

August 6, 2016

Family friendly Bones and Brew includes barbecue, music, contests, dog-supply vendors, and 30 microbrews outside Rogue Distillery & Public House.

 

 

Japanese Festival

August 6, 2016

Obonfest commemorates ancestors with Obon dance, lanterns, children’s booths, Japanese food, beer, and sake at Oregon Buddhist Temple. Free entry.

 

 

Fremont Fest

August 6, 2016

Fremont Fest includes a 10 a.m. parade of bikes & pets & marching band, entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, and vendors on NE Fremont Street.

 

 

Blues, Jazz & Funk

August 6, 2016

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert features live music, gourmet food, Oregon wine & beer, and vendors on 15 acres of meadows & forest near the Sandy River for age 21+.

 

 

Bite of Oregon

August 12 - 14, 2016

Taste the best of Oregon food, beer, and wine at the Bite of Oregon, which includes entertainment and a cooking competition at Tom McCall Waterfront Park south of Morrison Bridge. Friday is least crowded.

 

 

Vancouver Brewfest

August 12 - 14, 2016

Vancouver Brewfest has locally brewed beer, wine, cider, food, live music, and craft vendors at Esther Short Park. Requires age 21 ID. Repeats in March.

 

 

Garlic Festival

August 12 - 14, 2016

Elephant Garlic Festival features garlic-flavored foods, arts and crafts, and live music in North Plains. Free.

 

 

Country Music Festival

August 12 - 14, 2016

Willamette Country Music Festival features big-name country music singers in the open air in Brownsville.

 

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 13, 2016

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It has a beer garden, three stages of entertainment, and children’s activities. Donation.

 

 

Giant Music Concert

August 13, 2016

Hear 90 bands play alternative rock, pop-punk, hip-hop, electronica, and hardcore all day at Warped Tour outdoors at Portland Expo Center.

 

 

Seaport Celebration

August 13, 2016

Seaport Celebration opens the fence at marine Terminal 4 so you can see the working waterfront, watch demos of big equipment, hear live music, buy food from vendors, visit a kids’ zone, and take a $10 jet-boat tour at 11040 N. Lombard St. Adults need ID. Free.

 

 

Bike Or Walk The Bridges

August 14, 2016

Portland locations

Bridge Pedal is a 6-mile walk or 3 to 37 mile ride with stunning views from Portland bridges. Register early, and bring a helmet.

 

 

India Festival

August 14, 2016

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of India at India Festival, with performances, food, and vendors at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

 

Bluegrass Music

August 26 - 28, 2016

Oregon Bluegrass Association’s Picker’s Retreat offers music in the mountains and optional camping at Zigzag Mountain Farm in Rhododendron.

 

 

Barbecue And Tractor Pull

August 18 - 21, 2016

Banks Bar-B-Que and Tractor Pull includes tractor & truck pulls, BBQ sandwiches, a beer garden, parade, and a combine demolition derby in Banks. No pets.

 

 

Hillsboro Farm Dinner

August 19, 2016

The $75 Farm Fresh dinner features locally grown food, wine, and live music at Oregon Heritage Farm in Hillsboro.

 

 

Tasting In Salem

August 19, 2016 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Pairings offers fine food, wine, micro-brews, spirits, and music in the gardens of the Salem fairgrounds.

 

 

Adult Soapbox Derby

August 20, 2016

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby.

 

 

People In The Street

August 21, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 7 miles of streets when most cars are banned for Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks offer activities and music. Free.

 

 

Art Among Roses

August 21, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

See works by 20 local artists on display at Art in the Rose Gardenat Peninsula City Park. Free.

 

 

Wine Tasting

August 21, 2016

Taste 35 Northwest wines paired with sweet and savory bites at Vine & Dine in Multnomah Village.

 

 

Italian Festival

August 25 - 27, 2016

Festa Italiana offers live music, pizza tossing, grape stomping, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Organic Beer Festival

August 25 - 28, 2016

Enjoy organic beers and ciders from around the world at the North American Organic Brewers Festival, which includes live music and a children’s area at Overlook Park. Free entry.

 

 

Relay to the Pacific Ocean

August 26 - 27, 2016

Hood to Coast Relay is a 197-mile relay of 12,000 runners from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Portland To Coast Walk Relay is a 132-mile relay of 5,000 walkers from Portland. Both end at an ocean party.

 

 

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival

August 26 - 28, 2016

Drink wine, listen to jazz, and shop from arts and crafts booths at Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival [sound] at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA.

 

 

Farm Food Festival

August 26 - 28, 2016

Enjoy meals, tours, and classes that feature local farms, chefs, and wineries during the highly acclaimed Bounty of Yamhill County.

 

Oregon State Fair

August 26 - Sept. 5, 2016

See farm animals and craft displays, try fair food and fine wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

 

 

MusicfestNW

August 27 - 28, 2016

MusicfestNW is a large music festival with 22 performances and food vendors at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

 

Dahlia Festival

August 27 - Sept. 5, 2016

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 40 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demos at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. See schedule. Free.

 

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 28, 2016

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Blvd., mostly from 31st to 41st. Free.

 

 

Car & Boat Show

August 28, 2016

The Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Free.

 

 

Fashion & Music on the Square

August 2016 (undated)

Shop from vendors, meet local designers, visit the beer garden, and hear live music when PDX Fashion Expo comes to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Spirits Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Downtown Portland

Unwind is a Friday evening cocktail event at Ankeny Plaza. Its ticket also gets you into Spiritsfest on Saturday at Waterfront Park. Both have food vendors.

 

 

Movies Under The Bridge

August 2016 (undated)

Bring a car, blanket, or chair for films at Drive-In at Zidell Yardsunder Ross Island Bridge. Food vendors.

 

 

Arab Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Enjoy Arabic music, dance, poetry, food, art and crafts at the Arab Festival at Alpenrose Dairy. Free.

 

 

Rodeo Party

August 2016 (undated)

The Barn Bash has a Western theme with rodeo entertainment, live music, dancing, BBQ, casino, and auction in Aurora for cowboys and cowgirls age 21+.

 

 

Forest Music Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Festival of the Forest offers live music, food and art vendors, and a beer and wine garden for only $5 per car near Mount Hood.

 

BEST OF PORTLAND'S 2016 SUMMER FESTIVAL & EVENTS BUCKET LIST

2016 SUMMER FESTIVAL & EVENTS BUCKET LIST

 

 JUNE

 

CityFair & Fireworks

June 2 - 12, 2016 (dates below)

CityFair has carnival rides, exhibits, beer, a food fair, and fireworks on May 27 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. No pets. Open May 27-30, June 2-5 & 9-12.

 

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

June 3 thru Late October

 

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

 

Scrapbook Convention

June 3 - 4, 2016

Scrapbookers will find classes, vendors, and crop parties at the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention at Oregon Convention Center.

 

 

Canby Taste

June 3 - 5, 2016

Buy samples of wine, beer, and food; hear live music; and see vendors at Canby Wine, Food & Brew.

 

 

Festival of Flowers

June 3 - 14, 2016

See a giant design made from 20,000 flowers during Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

Starlight Parade & Run

June 4, 2016

Join 325,000 spectators at the 8:30 p.m. Starlight Parade, or wear a costume and run past them in the Starlight Run 5K that begins at Lincoln High School track.

 

 

Craft Show

June 4, 2016

Shop from 200 artists and craft makers at the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale at the Oregon Convention Center. Repeats in Dec. Free.

 

 

Buddhist Festival

June 4, 2016

Hear 108 bells ring at noon to open the Portland Buddhist Festival, which has workshops, speakers, singing, dance, and a kids’ area at Colonel Summers Park. Free.

 

 

See Modern Homes

June 4, 2016 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

multiple locations

Portland Modern Home Tour is a drive-yourself visit to eight houses in the greater Portland area, including a houseboat. Tickets are $35 in advance.

 

 

Barbecue, Beer & Berries

June 4 - 19, 2016 (weekends)

Enjoy strawberries, craft beer and wine, live music, hayrides, and farm animals at Berries, Brews & BBQs at French Prairie Gardens in St. Paul.

 

 

Children’s Parade

June 8, 2016 (1 p.m.)

The Junior Parade has 32 bands, mascots like Fred Bear, kids in animal costumes, and decorated bicycles at NE Sandy and 52nd in the Hollywood District. Free.

 

 

Flower Show

June 9 - 10, 2016

The Portland Rose Society’s Spring Rose Show at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink is billed as America’s largest and longest-running rose show.

 

 

Tour Military Ships

June 9 - 12, 2016 (ships start arriving June 8)

Tour military vessels at Tom McCall Waterfront Park during Fleet Week. Free. 

Calendar.

 

Beer Week

June 9 - 19, 2016

Portland locations

Bars and breweries host dozens of beer-tasting and food-pairing events during Portland Beer Week.

 

 

Beer & Wine Festival

June 10 - 12, 2016

The Craft Beer & Winefest of Vancouver features 150 wines, 50 craft beers, food for sale, live music, and vendors at Esther Short Park.

 

 

Floral Parade & Walk

June 11, 2016

The 10 a.m. Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade has floral floats, marching bands, and optional indoor seating (discount seats $20) where it begins in Veterans Memorial Coliseum. To participate, register for the 9:30 a.m. Grand Floral Walk of 4.2 miles.

 

Vegan Festival

June 11, 2016 (12 to 7 p.m.)

Vegan Beer and Food Festival features more than 50 breweries plus food vendors, a vegan marketplace, and live music at Zidell Yards for age 21+.

 

Scandinavian Festival

June 11, 2016

Celebrate summer solstice with games, traditional dancing, Scandinavian crafts, food, a beer garden, and a Maypole raising at Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at Oaks Park.

 

Car Show

June 11, 2016

See 500 hot rods, classics, collector & custom cars, a burnout contest, vendors, a kids’ zone, and a beer garden with live music at Cruisin’ Sherwood.

 

 

Sandcastles At The Beach

June 11, 2016 (some events June 10 & 12)

See dozens of elaborate creations on the Pacific coast at the Sandcastle Contest in Cannon Beach. Free.

 

 

Dragon Boat Races

June 11 - 12, 2016

Watch 80 teams compete in a series of races on the Willamette River at Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race at Tom McCall Waterfront Park south of Hawthorne Bridge. Free.

 

 

Beer & Food Pairings

June 16, 2016 (7 p.m.)

Enjoy courses of small plates paired with beer from local breweries at Brewer’s Tasting Dinner at the Oregon Garden in Silverton.

 

 

Indian PowWow

June 17 - 19, 2016

7 miles north

City of Roses Delta Park Powwow & Encampment features competition dancing, drumming, a silent auction, a fun run/walk, art and craft vendors, food booths, and games at Delta Park East. Free.

 

 

Marathon & Beer Festival

June 17 - 19, 2016

Vancouver USA Marathon has a health and fitness expo Friday & Saturday; a 5K and kids’ run Saturday; a marathon & half marathon Sunday, and a Summer Brewfest all three days in Esther Short Park.

 

 

Berry Festival

June 17 - 19, 2016

The Strawberry Festival at Lee Farms features food (pies, shortcake, milkshakes), farm animals, and kids’ activities that require a wristband (bounce pillow, hay maze, hayride, slide, barrel wagon ride).

 

 

Beer In The Garden

June 17 - 19, 2016

Try beer from 60 breweries, enjoy good food, and hear live music on Father’s Day weekend at Or

 

 

Astoria Music Festival

June 17 - July 3, 2016

Hear a wide range of classical music that includes Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and chamber music at Astoria Music Festivalin historic Astoria. David Bowie is memorialized in a symphony this year.

 

 

Pride Festival & Parade

June 18 - 19, 2016 (12 to 6 p.m.)

Portland Pride Festival includes food vendors and exhibitors both days at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The Sunday Portland Pride Parade begins 11 a.m. at NW Park Avenue & W. Burnside Street. Free.

 

 

Renaissance Fair

June 18 - 19, 2016

Mingle with medieval knights, jesters, peasants, and artisans at the Oregon Renaissance Faire in Canby.

 

 

Father’s Day Cruise

June 19, 2016

Board a Portland Spirit river cruise for brunch, dinner, or just views in Portland or Cascade Locks in the gorge.

 

 

Father’s Day Restaurants

June 19, 2016

Portland area

OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special brunch, lunch, and dinner menus on Father’s Day.

 

 

Zoo Concerts

June 19 - Sept. 9, 2016

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

Sake Festival

June 22, 2016 (6:30 p.m., VIP 5:30)

Try 140 samples of sake, plum wine, and beer paired with food at Sake Fest PDX at Hilton Portland & Executive Tower.

 

Sun Festival

June 23 - 26, 2016

SunFest Summer Solstice Festival celebrates the longest day of the year with workshops, drumming, rituals, and dancing around the fire near Vernonia.

 

 

Bach Music Festival

June 23 - July 10, 2016

Eugene & Portland

Oregon Bach Festival celebrates the music and legacy of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

Festival in the Gorge

June 24 - 25, 2016 (begins Fri. 6 p.m.)

Gorge Blues and Brews Festival features locally made beer and wine, live music, and great scenery in Stevenson, WA for age 21+.

 

 

International Beer Festival

June 24 - 26, 2016

Enjoy 150 world-class beers, including the rare and exotic, as you stroll around the park listening to music at the Portland International Beerfest at Holladay Park at Lloyd Center. Free parking.

 

 

Multi-Cultural Festival

June 24 - 26, 2016

Good in the Hood Festival has live entertainment, multi-cultural food, kids’ activities, and a beer and wine garden at Lillis Albina Park. A Saturday parade begins at King School Park at 11 a.m. and ends at the festival. Free.

 

 

Lake Oswego Arts Festival

June 24 - 26, 2016

Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts is a juried craft fair with 110 booths, a music stage, food court, and wine & beer pavilion in Lake Oswego. Donation. Parking

 

 

Hot-Air Balloon Festival

June 24 - 26, 2016

The Festival of Balloons has balloon launches at 5:45 a.m., glowing balloons Fri. & Sat. at dusk, a craft show, carnival, vendors, food, soccer tournament, beer garden, and a Sunday car show at Cook Park in Tigard.

 

Wine & Jazz Festival

June 25, 2016 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Meet local winemakers, sample their wine, and listen to jazz while you stroll the gardens during Deepwood Wine & Jazz Fest at Deepwood Estate in Salem.

 

International Festival

June 25 - 26, 2016

Billed as Oregon’s largest multicultural event, World Beat Festivalhas 81 performers on nine stages, and international foods and crafts in Salem. Donation.

 

Windsurfing Festival

June 25 - 26, 2016

Check out gear, see demos and races, play games, hear live music and eat at Beach Bash in Hood River.

 

Kite Festival

June 25 - 26, 2016

Both days of the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival include a kite-making workshop, kids’ parade, and professional shows at the beach. Repeats Oct. Free.

 

 

Chamber Music

June 25 - July 31, 2016

Portland locations

Hear world-renowned artists at the Summer Festival of Chamber Music Northwest. Repeats in Jan.

 

 

People In The Street

June 26, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Walk, bike or roller-skate on 9.5 miles of streets when most cars are banned for North Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks offer activities & music. Free.

 

 

Milk Carton Boat Race

June 26, 2016 (11 a.m.)

Watch human-powered watercraft made from milk jugs & cartons compete at the Portland Rose Festival Milk Carton Boat Race in Westmoreland Park. Free.

 

 

Bull Riding

June 30, 2016 (7:30 p.m.)

Professional Bull Riders take on the fiercest bucking bulls at St. Paul Rodeo Arena.

 

 

 

 

JULY

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

thru Late October

 

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

 

Beer Festival

July 1 - 3, 2016

Portland Craft Beer Festival features beer from 44 Portland breweries, plus cider, wine, and cheese with food carts nearby at Fields Neighborhood Park.

 

Astoria Music Festival

July 1 - 3, 2016 (begins June 17)

Hear a wide range of classical music that includes Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and chamber music at Astoria Music Festivalin historic Astoria.

 

Blues Festival

July 1 - 4, 2016

Waterfront Blues Festival features 50 performers on four stages, plus fireworks on July 4th at 10:10 p.m., at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

 

St. Paul Rodeo

July 1 - 4, 2016

Watch fearless cowboys and cowgirls ride bucking broncos, rope and wrestle steers, and even ride bulls at the St. Paul Rodeo, which includes a barbecue, carnival, art show, and nightly fireworks.

 

Bach Music Festival

July 1 - 10, 2016 (begins June 23)

Eugene & Portland

Oregon Bach Festival celebrates the music and legacy of classical composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

Chamber Music

July 1 - 31, 2016 (begins June 25)

Portland locations

Hear world-renowned artists at the Summer Festival of Chamber Music Northwest. Repeats in Jan.

 

Lavender Festival

July 2 - 3, 2016

Lavender Daze Festival, has music, crafts, plant sales, and local wine at Hood River Farms. No pets. Free.

 

Zoo Concerts

July 2 - Sept. 9, 2016 (begins June 19)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

 

Fireworks at Detroit Lake 

 

July 2

 

The Fireworks Over the Lake celebration seems to start early in the day as there is an air of anticipation that fills the Detroit community. People fill the day with boating, hiking, sunning, socializing and getting ready for an exciting evening. The show generally begins around 10:00 pm after sunset.

 

Fireworks

July 4, 2016

Best Fourth of July fireworks:

• Waterfront Blues Festival - 0.5 mile (10:10 p.m.)
• Oaks Park - 6 miles south (dusk)
• Ft. Vancouver - 10 miles north (10:05 p.m.)
• North Plains - 18 miles NW (10 p.m.)
• Corbett Fun Fest - 22 miles east (9:30 p.m.)
• St. Paul Rodeo - 30 miles SW (10:15 p.m.)

 

Fourth of July At The Fort

July 4, 2016

Independence Day At Fort Vancouver includes music and activities at noon and fireworks at 10:05 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

 

Fourth of July Run

July 4, 2016

The early morning Foot Traffic Flat on beautiful, flat Sauvie Island is a marathon, half marathon, 8K, and 5K.

 

Concerts In The Park

July 5 - Aug. 28, 2016

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear a variety of  Concerts in the Park. Free. 

See separate page for Aug. 4 to 7 in Washington Park.

 

Concerts In The Square

July 5 - Aug. 30, 2016 (Tuesdays)

Hear concerts at the popular Noon Tunes Summer Concert Seriesin Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays. Free.

 

Concerts on Main Street

July 6 - Sept. 7, 2016

Hear local musicians play funky soul to old-school country Wednesdays at Music on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Free.

 

Car Race And Show

July 7 - 10, 2016

Watch racers zip around the track in restored classic cars including Trans Ams at Portland Vintage Racing Festival at Portland International Raceway.

 

Movies in the Park

July 7 - Sept. 10, 2016

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

Bead Fair

July 8 - 10, 2016

Shop from 70 exhibitors of bead-making supplies and millions of exotic beads from around the world at Bead Faire at the Oregon Convention Center.

 

Alternative Music Festival

July 8 - 10, 2016

Oregon Country Fair fills woods and meadows west of Eugene with sweet music, magicians, jesters, hippies, art, and food and craft vendors in Veneta. No pets.

 

French Festival

July 9, 2016

The Bastille Festival features French food, music, street performers, art projects, an outdoor market, and free admission to the Portland Art Museum.

 

Mississippi Street Fair

July 9, 2016

Mississippi Street Fair offers 200 local vendors and craft booths, six stages of entertainment, a kids’ corner, food carts, and a beer/wine garden on N. Mississippi Ave. from Fremont to Skidmore. Free.

 

Hood River Car Show

July 9, 2016

Traffic Jam is a classic and vintage car show that includes admission to the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River.

 

Lavender Weekend

July 9 - 10, 2016

Oregon locations

Enjoy the beauty and aroma of lavender fields, and attend special events at farms and nurseries around the state during Oregon Lavender Farm Tour.

 

 

Float Down The River

July 10, 2016

Jump in the Willamette River with a lifejacket and an inner tube for The Big Float downstream to a beach party with a music barge, food carts, and beer garden.

 

 

Run Through Wine Country

July 10, 2016

Run the Fueled by Fine Wine Half-Marathon on vineyard trails through the beautiful Dundee Hills, and then taste wines at the post-race party.

 

 

Pirate & Gypsy Festival

July 14 - 18, 2016

Calling all pirates and gypsies to SeaDog Nights and Gypsy Carnival to dance, play, compete, entertain, shop, and party at Cheadle Lake Park in Lebanon.

 

Movies On A Rooftop

July 14 - Aug. 25, 2016

 

See films on a rooftop at Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, with local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. No pets. Cash only.

 

Berry Festival

July 15 - 16, 2016 (dinner July 14)

 

Oregon Berry Festival [sound] features berry vendors, berry products, music, cooking demonstrations, and kids’ crafts at Ecotrust parking lot. Free. The $135 Gala Berry Dinner is Thursday in Hillsboro.

 

Scottish Highland Games

July 15 - 16, 2016

Hear Scottish pipes and drums, see athletic games, taste whisky, and join Scottish Highland dancing at Portland Highland Games at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. No smoking or pets.

 

Robin Hood Festival

July 15 - 16, 2016

The Robin Hood Festival has medieval re-enactments, a knighting ceremony, Maid Marian and Robin Hood, archery, castle building, 100 craft and food vendors, a beer and wine garden, a kids’ area, and a Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Parade Sat. at 10 a.m. Free.

 

Jazz Festival

July 15 - 17, 2016

Hear local and international jazz and blues heroes in a beautiful setting under the historic St. Johns Bridge at the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Free.

 

 

Gresham Arts Festival

July 16, 2016

Gresham Arts Festival (formerly Gresham Art Walk) has 150 artists, entertainment, music, and children’s activities in Gresham. Free.

 

 

Antique And Collectibles Show

July 16 - 17, 2016

Billed as America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, 1400 vendors sell furniture, glassware, movie memorabilia, estate jewelry, paintings, and toys at Portland Expo Center. Repeats in March and Oct.

 

 

Elegant Car Show

July 17, 2016

Forest Grove Concours d’Elegance has more than 300 antique, classic, sport, race, and collector cars to browse plus live music, beer, wine, and fine food on the beautiful Pacific University campus.

 

Dog Show

July 22 - 24, 2016

Stumptown Cluster - Portland Kennel Club Dog Show has specialty breeds on Friday and all breeds on Saturday and Sunday at Portland Expo Center. Free.

 

Movies In The Square

July 22 - Aug. 19, 2016 (Fridays)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

Division/Clinton Street Fair

July 23, 2016

Division/Clinton Street Fair holds a wacky parade starting at 10:45 a.m., and it has arts & crafts booths, live music, food, sidewalk sales, and children’s events. Free.

 

Oregon City Festival

July 23, 2016

The First City Celebration has an art fair, food carts, vendors, live music, a beer & wine garden, a 5K trail game, a kids’ zone, and a heritage village. Free.

 

 

People In The Street

July 24, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 8 miles of streets when most cars are banned for Northeast Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks have activities & music. Free.

 

 

Bach Festival

July 27 - 29, 2016

Abbey Bach Festival features singing monks, a choir or organ presentation, a catered picnic outdoors, and an evening indoor concert at beautiful Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict

 

 

Oregon Brewers Festival

July 27 - 31, 2016

Try 90 different craft beers, eat pub food, hear live music, and learn about home brewing at Oregon Brewers Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Children accompanied by a parent are welcome and will enjoy the root beer garden. No pets.

 

Hawaiian Festival

July 28 - 30, 2016

Portland and Vancouver

Three Days of Aloha offers workshops, hula dancing, a 5K run/walk, and a free Hawaiian festival in Esther Short Park. Events vary by day.

 

 

County Fair

July 28 - 31, 2016

Washington County Fair offers carnival rides, farm animals, a kid village, food booths, motorsport shows, and stage entertainment in Hillsboro. Free.

 

Sports-Car Races

July 29 - 31, 2016

Watch sports-cars race on a two-mile course at Portland Rose Festival Rose Cup Races. The highlight is the annual Rose Cup on Sunday at Portland International Raceway.

 

Pinot Noir Celebration

July 29 - 31, 2016

The International Pinot Noir Celebration attracts world-renowned winemakers, chefs, epicures, and wine lovers to Linfield College in McMinnville to taste Pinot noir, savor fine food, and tour a vineyard.

 

Japanese Festival

July 2016 (undated)

Enjoy live Japanese music, dance, traditional games for children, and authentic food at Natsu Matsuri outside the Uwajimaya store in Beaverton. Free.

 

 

AUGUST

 

Movies On A Rooftop

August 1 - 25, 2016 (begins July 14)

See films on a rooftop at Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, with local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. No pets. Cash only.

 

 

Newberg Drive-in

 

thru Late October

 

Click Here to see what's showing this weekend

 

 

Concerts In The Park

August 1 - 28, 2016 (begins July 5)

Portland parks

Bring a blanket or chairs to hear a variety of  Concerts in the Park. Free. 

See separate page for Aug. 4 to 7 in Washington Park.

 

Concerts In The Square

August 2 - 30, 2016 (Tuesdays from July 5)

Hear concerts at the popular Noon Tunes Summer Concert Seriesin Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays. Free.

 

Movies in the Park

August 2 - Sept. 10, 2016 (begins July 7)

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

 

Concerts on Main Street

August 3 - Sept. 7, 2016 (begins July 6)

Hear local musicians play funky soul to old-school country Wednesdays at Music on Main Street next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Free.

 

 

Zoo Concerts

August 4 - Sept. 9, 2016 (begins June 19)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

 

Crawfish Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Tualatin Crawfish Festival has a cook-off, eating contests, Saturday parade & run & dog show, weekend beer & wine, a kids’ zone, and stage shows.

 

 

Air Show

August 5 - 7, 2016

Wear sunscreen at the Oregon International Air Show, featuring airplanes up close and in the air, aerobatics, skydivers, a kids’ zone, beer garden, fireworks Fri., Blue Angels Sat. & Sun, 5K Sun. at Hillsboro Airport.

 

 

Indie Roots Music Festival

August 5 - 7, 2016

Pickathon offers a large lineup of diverse music (indie/roots, garage rock, folk, alternative country, bluegrass) on Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley. It also promotes ecology and recycling. No pets.

 

 

Dancing In The Moonlight

August 5 - 14, 2016 (roughly 8:30 p.m.)

See an illuminated outdoor performance “full of traditional and invented aerial apparatus, athletic and technical dance movement, and acrobatics” at Art in the Dark at Mary S. Young Park in West Linn.

 

 

Movies In The Square

August 5 - 19, 2016 (Fridays from July 22)

Flicks on the Bricks shows films at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Church Festival

August 6, 2016

Portland area churches offer singing and music, vendors, food, and family activities at International Praise Festival, Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Beer, BBQ, and Bowser

August 6, 2016

Family friendly Bones and Brew includes barbecue, music, contests, dog-supply vendors, and 30 microbrews outside Rogue Distillery & Public House.

 

 

Japanese Festival

August 6, 2016

Obonfest commemorates ancestors with Obon dance, lanterns, children’s booths, Japanese food, beer, and sake at Oregon Buddhist Temple. Free entry.

 

 

Fremont Fest

August 6, 2016

Fremont Fest includes a 10 a.m. parade of bikes & pets & marching band, entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone, and vendors on NE Fremont Street.

 

 

Blues, Jazz & Funk

August 6, 2016

Soulful Giving Blanket Concert features live music, gourmet food, Oregon wine & beer, and vendors on 15 acres of meadows & forest near the Sandy River for age 21+.

 

 

Bite of Oregon

August 12 - 14, 2016

Taste the best of Oregon food, beer, and wine at the Bite of Oregon, which includes entertainment and a cooking competition at Tom McCall Waterfront Park south of Morrison Bridge. Friday is least crowded.

 

 

Vancouver Brewfest

August 12 - 14, 2016

Vancouver Brewfest has locally brewed beer, wine, cider, food, live music, and craft vendors at Esther Short Park. Requires age 21 ID. Repeats in March.

 

 

Garlic Festival

August 12 - 14, 2016

Elephant Garlic Festival features garlic-flavored foods, arts and crafts, and live music in North Plains. Free.

 

 

Country Music Festival

August 12 - 14, 2016

Willamette Country Music Festival features big-name country music singers in the open air in Brownsville.

 

 

Alberta Street Fair

August 13, 2016

Alberta Street Fair focuses on local products, artists, crafts, and foods. It has a beer garden, three stages of entertainment, and children’s activities. Donation.

 

 

Giant Music Concert

August 13, 2016

Hear 90 bands play alternative rock, pop-punk, hip-hop, electronica, and hardcore all day at Warped Tour outdoors at Portland Expo Center.

 

 

Seaport Celebration

August 13, 2016

Seaport Celebration opens the fence at marine Terminal 4 so you can see the working waterfront, watch demos of big equipment, hear live music, buy food from vendors, visit a kids’ zone, and take a $10 jet-boat tour at 11040 N. Lombard St. Adults need ID. Free.

 

 

Bike Or Walk The Bridges

August 14, 2016

Portland locations

Bridge Pedal is a 6-mile walk or 3 to 37 mile ride with stunning views from Portland bridges. Register early, and bring a helmet.

 

 

India Festival

August 14, 2016

Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of India at India Festival, with performances, food, and vendors at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

 

Bluegrass Music

August 26 - 28, 2016

Oregon Bluegrass Association’s Picker’s Retreat offers music in the mountains and optional camping at Zigzag Mountain Farm in Rhododendron.

 

 

Barbecue And Tractor Pull

August 18 - 21, 2016

Banks Bar-B-Que and Tractor Pull includes tractor & truck pulls, BBQ sandwiches, a beer garden, parade, and a combine demolition derby in Banks. No pets.

 

 

Hillsboro Farm Dinner

August 19, 2016

The $75 Farm Fresh dinner features locally grown food, wine, and live music at Oregon Heritage Farm in Hillsboro.

 

 

Tasting In Salem

August 19, 2016 (4 to 9 p.m.)

Pairings offers fine food, wine, micro-brews, spirits, and music in the gardens of the Salem fairgrounds.

 

 

Adult Soapbox Derby

August 20, 2016

Watch adults in bizarre gravity-powered vehicles race downhill at Mt. Tabor City Park to win awards at the annual PDX Adult Soap Box Derby.

 

 

People In The Street

August 21, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 7 miles of streets when most cars are banned for Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks offer activities and music. Free.

 

 

Art Among Roses

August 21, 2016 (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

See works by 20 local artists on display at Art in the Rose Gardenat Peninsula City Park. Free.

 

 

Wine Tasting

August 21, 2016

Taste 35 Northwest wines paired with sweet and savory bites at Vine & Dine in Multnomah Village.

 

 

Italian Festival

August 25 - 27, 2016

Festa Italiana offers live music, pizza tossing, grape stomping, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Organic Beer Festival

August 25 - 28, 2016

Enjoy organic beers and ciders from around the world at the North American Organic Brewers Festival, which includes live music and a children’s area at Overlook Park. Free entry.

 

 

Relay to the Pacific Ocean

August 26 - 27, 2016

Hood to Coast Relay is a 197-mile relay of 12,000 runners from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. Portland To Coast Walk Relay is a 132-mile relay of 5,000 walkers from Portland. Both end at an ocean party.

 

 

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival

August 26 - 28, 2016

Drink wine, listen to jazz, and shop from arts and crafts booths at Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival [sound] at Esther Short Park in Vancouver, WA.

 

 

Farm Food Festival

August 26 - 28, 2016

Enjoy meals, tours, and classes that feature local farms, chefs, and wineries during the highly acclaimed Bounty of Yamhill County.

 

Oregon State Fair

August 26 - Sept. 5, 2016

See farm animals and craft displays, try fair food and fine wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

 

 

MusicfestNW

August 27 - 28, 2016

MusicfestNW is a large music festival with 22 performances and food vendors at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

 

 

Dahlia Festival

August 27 - Sept. 5, 2016

View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 40 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demos at the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. See schedule. Free.

 

 

Hawthorne Street Fair

August 28, 2016

Hawthorne Street Fair has vendors, family activities, beer gardens, and live music on the sidewalks of SE Hawthorne Blvd., mostly from 31st to 41st. Free.

 

 

Car & Boat Show

August 28, 2016

The Collector Car & Classic Boat Show is spread over three locations in Lake Oswego. Free.

 

 

Fashion & Music on the Square

August 2016 (undated)

Shop from vendors, meet local designers, visit the beer garden, and hear live music when PDX Fashion Expo comes to Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free.

 

 

Spirits Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Downtown Portland

Unwind is a Friday evening cocktail event at Ankeny Plaza. Its ticket also gets you into Spiritsfest on Saturday at Waterfront Park. Both have food vendors.

 

 

Movies Under The Bridge

August 2016 (undated)

Bring a car, blanket, or chair for films at Drive-In at Zidell Yardsunder Ross Island Bridge. Food vendors.

 

 

Arab Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Enjoy Arabic music, dance, poetry, food, art and crafts at the Arab Festival at Alpenrose Dairy. Free.

 

 

Rodeo Party

August 2016 (undated)

The Barn Bash has a Western theme with rodeo entertainment, live music, dancing, BBQ, casino, and auction in Aurora for cowboys and cowgirls age 21+.

 

 

Forest Music Festival

August 2016 (undated)

Festival of the Forest offers live music, food and art vendors, and a beer and wine garden for only $5 per car near Mount Hood.

 

End Of Summer Fun - The Best Festivals and Events In And Around Portland

Newberg Drive-in - at dusk Thursday - Sunday

 

 

Click Here for movie schedule

 

God and Heroes Exhibit at the Portland Art Museum

August 23 - Sept. 13, 2015 (closed Mondays)

See 140 paintings, sculptures, and drawings from a Paris art museum while Gods and Heroes is at the Portland Art Museum. 

Discount tickets $11.

 

Movies in the Park

August 25 - Sept. 11, 2015

Portland parks

Movies in the Park begin with entertainment at 6:30 followed by movies at dusk. Bring coats. Free.

 

Top Down Rooftop Cinema

August 27, 2015 (8 p.m.)

Top Down: Rooftop Cinema Thursdays at the Hotel deLuxe, and it includes local bands, cocktails, beer, and barbecue. Cash only.

 

Italian festival

August 27 - 29, 2015

Festa Italiana offers live music, pizza tossing, grape stomping, Italian food, a wine and beer garden, and vendors in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Free entry.

 

Movies under the bridge

August 27 - 31, 2016 (7 p.m.) 

Bring a car, blanket, or chair for films at Drive-In at Zidell Yards under Ross Island Bridge. Food vendors.

 

Zoo Concerts

August 27 - Sept. 6, 2015 (begins June 21)

Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts feature world-class performers and include a same-day zoo pass.

 

Oregon State Fair

August 28 - Sept. 7, 2015

See farm animals and craft displays, try fair food and fine wine, take carnival rides, and be entertained at the Oregon State Fair in Salem. 

See the discounts on Special Days.

 

Forest Music Festival

August 29 - 30, 2015

Festival of the Forest offers live music, food and art vendors, and a beer and wine garden for only $5 per car near Mount Hood.

 

Dahlia Festival

Aug. 29 - 31 and Sept. 5 - 7, 2015

 View 400 floral arrangements of dahlias indoors, 40 acres of dahlias outdoors, and dahlia growing and arranging demos at the Dahlia Festival in Canby. Free.

 

September's Best Events

Oregon Brews & BBQs, September 11-13, McMinnville

Belmont Street Fair, September 12, SE Portland

Sauerkraut Festival, TBD, Scappoose

Polish Festival, TBD, North Portland

Vancouver International Food Fest (formerly Vancouver Sausage Fest),  September 12-13, Vancouver

Bald Eagle Days Festival, TBD, Cathlamet

Bandon Cranberry Festival, September 11-13, Bandon

Sublimity Harvest Festival, September 11-13, Stayton

Shrewsbury Renaissance Fair, September 12-13, Kings Valley

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, September 17-20, Mt. Angel

Corvallis Fall Festival, September 26-27, Corvallis

da Vinci Days, TBD, Corvallis

64th Annual Greek Festival October 2-4, Portland

 

Looking for exhilaration?

Gorge Wind Surfing Lessons

Hellgate Jet Boat Excursions

Oregon Dune Rentals 

Sail Plane Glider Rides

Stand-up Paddle Boarding Lessons

Yaquina Bay Charters - Deep Sea Fishing