There are no strangers where everyone is strange. Go Somewhere Different.

Culture

Whether it's arts, beer and food, cultural communities, events or nightlife, culture in Portland takes many forms.

There are no strangers where everyone is strange. Go Somewhere Different.

Whether you’re a fan of theater, live music, craft beer, funky foods or being outside, Portland has something for you. Read on for our favorite cultural offerings in Portland, then check out our events calendar to help you plan your next trip to The Rose City.

Father John Misty performing at Waterfront Park in 2017.

Music Festivals in and Near Portland

Looking for a tuneful way to enjoy your time in Portland? Get your tickets now for these exciting annual celebrations.

$Al\'s Den, at McMenamins Crystal Hotel, hosts free live music nightly.$

Free Live Music and Comedy in Portland

Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week.

Live music performances abound this spring in Portland, including Oregon Symphony. Photo by Leah Nash.

Classical Music in Portland

Portland's opera, symphony and other companies offer an ongoing lineup of inspiring performances, from timeless works to modern interpretations.

The Portland Hip-Hop Scene

Take a deep dive into the past, present and future of Portland's hip-hop scene with our expert guide to the best performers, showcases, stores and more.

Local jazz legend Mel Brown drums up a storm with his combo The Mel Brown Quartet.

Portland Jazz

In Portland, it's pretty easy to find small venues hosting intimate combos of world-class talent, or bigger, more boffo live shows.

Arts in Portland

Galleries, public art, events and avant-garde institutions fill vibrant arts scene.

More Arts

Chef Fatou Ouattara serves her acclaimed West African cuisine at Akadi, her bright yellow eatery in Northeast Portland.

African American Community

With a diverse range of organizations and businesses, Portland’s African American community provides visitors with resources and a friendly welcome.

Native American Community

Learn about Oregon's Native American culture and history through these collections and institutions.

$Portland\'s annual Cinco De Mayo Fiesta returns to the city\'s Waterfront Park every May with live traditional music, performances, food, family-friendly fun and more.$

Hispanic & Latinx Community

Oregon’s growing Hispanic and Latinx population is concentrated in the Portland region and offers rich resources for visitors.

A gardener tends to a tree at Portland Japanese Garden in Northwest Portland.

Japanese American Community

Japanese Americans have been a vital part of Portland's history for generations.

$The covered walkways at Lan Su Chinese Garden in Northwest Portland\'s Old Town Chinatown make it a year-round visitor attraction.$

Chinese American Community

Connect with the city's historic and vital Chinese American community.

Portland and the surrounding region offers a rich Jewish cultural history.

Jewish Community

Portland is home to more than 40,000 Jews, and Jewish history in Oregon goes back to 1849.

$Portland\'s India Festival is held every August at Pioneer Courthouse Square.$

Indian American Community

Portland and neighboring suburbs are home to a thriving and growing population of almost 10,000 Indians.

$Portland\'s Mahrajan Arab Festival is the largest celebration of Arab heritage and culture in Oregon.$

Arab American Community

Connect with the community of more than 40,000 Arab Americans living in Oregon through community centers, cultural festivals and other events.

LGBTQ+ Community

Visitors to Portland can experience huge LGBTQ+ Pride parades, drag performances, queer film festivals, dance parties and more.

More LGBTQ+

The Springwater on the Willamette Trail offers views of downtown.

Bicycle Maps & Where to Ride

With bike lanes and paths throughout the city, Portland has great places to ride for cyclists of all abilities.

Biketown bike-share bicycles are available throughout Portland.

Biketown Bike-Share in Portland

Introduced in 2016, Portland’s bike-share program brings 1,000 smart bicycles to the central city.

$A few of the thousands of participants in Portland\'s 2014 World Naked Bike Ride. Photo credit: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland, www.bikeportland.org$

Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride

Every June, thousands of cyclists cruise commando through Portland streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride.

Portland's Food Scene

From James Beard Award-winning chefs to food cart pods and creative pop-ups, Portland's dining scene is is as eccentric as the city itself.

Take a bite

Portland Breweries

Portland, home to more breweries than any other city on earth, has pioneered the craft beer movement since the early 1980s.

$Even Portland\'s beer scene is family-friendly.$

Kid-Friendly Breweries in Portland

In a city with more breweries than anywhere else in the world, parents don't have to choose between their children and enjoying a good pint of beer.

The Portland Craft Beer Festival is held in The Fields Park over the Fourth of July weekend.

Beer Festivals in Portland

Portland isn't shy about its love of beer — the city has nearly as many beer festivals as it does breweries.

$Sip beers of all styles at Deschutes Brewery\'s Portland pub.$

Portland Beers by Style

In a city with more breweries than any other on earth, the simple act of ordering a beer is not always so simple. Our insider’s guide is here to help.

$A tasting event at Gigantic Brewing\'s taproom and lounge.$

Portland Beer Week

Portland Beer Week spotlights Portland’s breweries, high-quality brews and vibrant beer culture.

Mississippi Avenue hotspot, Prost, boasts German drafts and a generous patio.

Beer Bars & Bottle Shops

Most Portland bars, even the most unassuming corner taverns, offer some local suds, but these favorites focus on local and regional beers.

Do you like to microdose on nature? Go Somewhere Different.

Favorite Hiking Spots in Portland

Put on some comfortable shoes and start walking — you’ll be surprised how easy Portland makes it.

Portlanders can cool off on a Willamette River beach in the summer.

Make a Splash in the Willamette River

The river, which bisects the city into east and west sides, is a virtual aquatic playground, with kayakers, fishers and swimmers enjoying the water.

Forest Park

With 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike.

Maker Culture

Portland is a hub for artists, entrepreneurs and creators alike, with community studios, warehouses and makerspaces that let you DIY your way around town.

Become a maker

$For late-night fun, head to Dig a Pony in Portland\'s Central Eastside, where local DJs frequently host dance nights.$

Nightlife Round-Up

Portland comes alive after dark, with restaurants, clubs, theaters, concert venues and performance halls open late all over town.

The Society Hotel is the perfect base camp for late-night fun in Old Town Chinatown.

Portland’s Entertainment District

On weekend nights, several blocks in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood are closed to cars, making it easy to visit the area's many dance clubs and bars.

$Pack your favorite neon attire for Friday night\'s ‘80s Video Dance Attack.$

Portland’s Best Dance Halls

From salsa and line dancing to Lindy hop and blues, our itinerary will help you discover the city’s favorite venues and popular weekly dance events.

$Al\'s Den, at McMenamins Crystal Hotel, hosts free live music nightly.$

Free Live Music and Comedy in Portland

Discover a new favorite comic or musician at Portland's free concerts and comedy nights, scattered across the city and scheduled throughout the week.

$Peruse artwork by dozens of local artists at the First Thursday art walk in Northwest Portland\'s Pearl District.$

Alcohol-Free Fun in Portland

Just because you're older than 21, doesn't mean you have to act like it. Portland has a wide range of events that require no alcohol whatsoever to enjoy.

$Helium Comedy Club brings some of the nation\'s best comics to its Southeast Portland venue.$

Comedy in Portland

Check out plenty of in-demand comedians in a classic format for sidesplitting humor — live and in person.

The Portland Timbers celebrate a goal on their home field.

Portland Soccer: Timbers and Thorns

With a fervent following, every Portland Timbers and Thorns match has a festive atmosphere that's enjoyable whether you're a soccer fan or not.

Rose City Rollers Roller Derby

The all-female, volunteer-run roller derby team battled its way to the top of Portland’s sports fandom, and a world championship, in recent years.

Trail Blazers fans celebrate a win at the Moda Center.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers joined the NBA in 1970 and have always called Portland home — and they have the lifelong fans to prove it

Wine

With wine country in its backyard, Portland overflows with wine bars and urban wineries, offering special varietals from around the world.

Raise a glass

$A few of the thousands of participants in Portland\'s 2014 World Naked Bike Ride. Photo credit: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland, www.bikeportland.org$

Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride

Every June, thousands of cyclists cruise commando through Portland streets as part of the World Naked Bike Ride.

UFO Festival in McMinnville

Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers

Portland Adult Soapbox Derby

The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby at Mt. Tabor Park pits grown-up kids against each other every August in pursuit of speed and laughs.

Dozens of cyclists in David Bowie costumes? Must be June in Portland.

Portland’s Weirdest Events

Portland comes by its eclectic reputation honestly. From quirky to downright bizarre, here are some of our favorite "Keep Portland Weird" events.

A truly odd photo opportunity at the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium.

Keep Portland’s Museums Weird

From the world's oldest (fake) museum to the only gallery focused on vintage vacuum cleaners, these attractions keep Portland weird.

The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby returns to Mt. Tabor Park each year.

Weird Portland Round-Up

In 1845, a native of Portland, Maine, won a coin-toss to name the new Oregon city — but the place has been an original ever since.