Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Best Spots for Spring Flowers
Admire beautiful blooms at these Portland parks and gardens.
Molly Woodstock
Molly Woodstock has been writing and editing content for Travel Portland since 2014. Read More
Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to where to spot spring flowers in Portland.
Tryon Creek State Park
One of the region’s earliest blooming native flowers, trilliums are a common sight in Pacific Northwest forests. These small, white flowers are abundant in Portland’s only state park, Tryon Creek. So abundant, in fact, that the park hosts an annual Trillium Festival each April. If you miss the festivities, you can still find the flowers yourself and enjoy Tryon’s hiking, biking and horse trails all season long.
Forest Park
Trilliums also bloom along many trails in Northwest Portland’s Forest Park, which sprawls over more than 5,000 wooded acres (2,023 hectares) and boasts 70 miles (113 km) of paths filled with fascinating flora and fauna.
Hoyt Arboretum
From Forest Park, follow the Beech Trail to Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park. Home to more than 2,000 species of shrubs and trees, Hoyt has plenty to offer all year-round. Spring highlights include bell-shaped Oregon plum flowers, magnolias, blooming dogwood and cherry blossoms.
Waterfront Park
Speaking of cherry blossoms, stroll through downtown’s Waterfront Park in late March or early April to find a breathtaking sight: 100 Akebono cherry trees popping with pink and white petals. (Fun fact: The trees were given to Portland in 1990 by a group from the Japanese Grain Importers Association.)
Japanese and Chinese Gardens
For cherry trees in a more traditional setting, visit the Portland Japanese Garden, heralded as one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan itself. And while you’re exploring authentic Asian gardens, don’t miss downtown’s Lan Su Chinese Garden. In spring, fragrant scents of daphne and Edgeworthia enhance this Ming Dynasty-style garden.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
Visit Southeast Portland’s Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in April or May to catch its collection of rare rhododendrons, azaleas and hybrids in full bloom. The garden boasts 7 idyllic acres (2.8 hectares), including three waterfalls, two picturesque bridges and tranquil Crystal Springs Lake, where nearly 100 species of birds feed and nest. For an extra treat, visit the garden in April the annual Rhododendron & Daffodil Show & Sale and in May for its annual Mother’s Day Rhododendron Show & Sale.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
A 45-minute journey south of Portland delivers you to Woodburn’s Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, home to 40 acres of colorful tulips. The annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, returns every spring, offering wine tasting, wagon rides, children’s activities, a food court and a marketplace offering freshly-picked tulips and bulbs for fall planting.
Portland Rose Gardens
No flora-viewing adventure would be complete without the City of Roses’ namesake flowers. Both Peninsula Park in North Portland and the International Rose Test Garden boast thousands of rare and beautiful rose bushes. The flowers typically begin to bud in early April. To catch them at their peak, visit in early June and don’t miss the Grand Floral Parade at the annual Portland Rose Festival!
Spring Flowers
View gorgeous blooms at these local parks and gardens.
Upcoming Outdoor Events
Enjoy the great outdoors at these upcoming events in Portland.
Whale Watching Week
Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon’s coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.
Rhododendron & Daffodil Show & Sale
This annual show and sale returns every April to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. See gorgeous rhododendrons and daffodils on display, then stroll through the garden in full bloom — one of the city’s most iconic and beautiful natural areas.
Trillium Festival
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Join us for the 40th annual Trillium Festival! MEMBER BENEFITS ‘Early Bird’ Entrance to plant sale 9 – 10am BUY 1 get 1 FREE Trillium Brunch 8-10am PLANT SALE Boskey Dell Natives will be selling plants in various sizes, including Trillium and other specialty native…
Bridge to Brews
EVENT POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. The annual Bridge to Brews foot race is back with a new route in 2020, taking participants over the Broadway, Steel, Morrison and Hawthorne Bridge. Head to Waterfront Park after the race for the “brews” section of the event which features a classic Portland beer…
Peninsula Park Eggstravaganza
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Hippity hop down the bunny trail & discover what he left behind! Together, challenge yourselves uncovering a basket full of treasures. Experience a spirit of playfulness & helping your child develop self-direction skills & respect for others. It’s festive! It’s fun! Follow the link to…
Rabbit Romp
Welcome spring with candy hunts, activities and farm animal talks at Rabbit Romp. Bring the kids to Rabbit Romp, a celebration of spring geared at the 10-and-under crowd. Candy hunts and coloring activities will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be two separate hunts on the concert lawn — one for kids 3-10 and and…
South Waterfront Earth Day Cleanup
Each year close to 6,000 volunteers come together with SOLVE to pick up trash, remove invasive weeds, and plant native trees and shrubs. Let’s celebrate 50 years of Earth Day by joining the largest Earth Day event in Oregon. Do your ‘hood some good at the annual South Waterfront SOLVE IT for Earth Day Cleanup….
Earth Day with Forest Park Conservancy
EVENT POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. Join Forest Park Conservancy’s celebration of the 50th annual Earth Day! Saturday, April 25, volunteers will be meeting up at trailheads throughout Forest Park, working to mend the trails and protect the forest from future invasive species. (Bringing friends and family is strongly encouraged!) After…
Party for the Planet
Celebrate wildlife everywhere with the Oregon Zoo’s annual Party for the Planet! With fun educational activities, up-close experiences with ambassador animals, roaming entertainment and more, Party for the Plannet offers something for everyone who wants to celebrate the Earth’s biodiversity and take action to protect wildlife.
PSU Earth Day of Service
Honor Earth Day 2020 by exploring the connection to the land through the shared collective wisdom of local BIPOC farmers. We will partner with the Oregon Food Bank, Mudbone Grown Farms and the Pathways to Farming program to, “imagine a new, inclusive food system where Black farmers and BIPOC farmers are the next generation of…
Tryon Creek Earth Day Birthday Celebration
Join Friends of Tryon Creek at this annual Earth Day and Birthday celebration at Tryon Creek State Park. Come help the park’s “Eco Crew” remove invasive species and tidy the trails, then enjoy birthday cake, family-friendly activities and prizes for participants.
Hippie Chick Half Marathon
The Hippie Chick half marathon, quarter marathon, 5k and kid’s half-mile race returns in 2020 for Mother’s Day weekend! This female-focused event is designed to celebrate how amazing women are. Grab your mom, your sister, your friend, or your co-worker and register to run through Oregon’s scenic countryside. The route finishes back at Ron Tonkin…
Mother's Day Rhododendron Show & Sale
Come and view gorgeous flowers at their peak bloom time, then pick bouquets for all the special moms in your life at this annual show and marketplace. All proceeds benefit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Reigning Roses Walk
Celebrate all the important women in your life this Mother’s Day at the 7th annual Reigning Roses Walk, a 5k walk supporting Rose Haven. This organization empowers and supports women and children experiencing homelessness, abuse and other disruptive life events. The morning starts with a pre-race reception at Castaway, featuring live music, mimosas, a raffle,…
Sunday Parkways: Southeast Portland
Get ready for the first Sunday Parkways ride of the year! Join bicyclists as they cruise along inner Southeast Portland and enjoy a delicious dose of summer time magic. This 7-mile route will explore the neighborhood greenways of Ankeny, Clinton, Lincoln, Salmon, Taylor streets and more, passing by Laurelhurst Park, Ivon Park, Colonel Summers Park…
Festival of Flowers
For more than 30 years, the Festival of Flowers at Pioneer Courthouse Square (in the heart of downtown Portland) has been one of city’s most renowned festivals. Every year, the Square works with a local artist or design firm to create a masterpiece of vibrant color utilizing more than 24,000 flowers and plant material, filling…
Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races
The Rose Festival is proud to host the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races, an event that has been bringing an exciting Chinese tradition to Portland for more than two decades, beginning in 1989. Held on the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge, the races feature exciting four-team heats held every nine minutes. More than…
Water Lantern Festival
Portland’s annual Water Lantern Festival is a beautiful experience where you’ll witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water at Laurelhurst Park. This family-friendly event includes food trucks, pre-made floating lantern kits, markers, ascavenger hunt and more.
Festival of Balloons
Hot-air balloons take flight mere minutes from downtown Portland every summer.
Sunday Parkways: North Portland
Join Sunday Parkways in this 9.5-mile loop of North Portland, which will pass by Arbor Lodge Park, Peninsula Park & Rose Garden, Kenton Park, McCoy Park and Columbia Annex. An accessible ride (by EveryOne Rides) will return and be located at Arbor Lodge Park, adjacent to the universally accessible Harper’s Playground. To view the complete…
Harefest
The annual Harefest music festival in Canby presents the Northwest’s best tribute bands performing on three stages over two days. The Harefest experience has been described by many attendees and performers as “adult summer camp” not only for the fun-loving, good-natured attendees, but also because of its rustic location and tent camping around the festival…
Oregon Country Fair
Delight in the Oregon Coutnry Fair’s world class entertainment, handmade crafts, delectable foods, educational displays and magical surprises at every turn of the path. The Oregon Country Fair is nestled in a wooded setting 13 miles west of Eugene, Ore., and offers an other-worldly path ambience, parades and more. The Oregon Country Fair creates events…
The Big Float
Every summer since 2011, thousands of people swim and float in the Willamette River for the annual Big Float event.
Northwest String Summit
The annual Northwest String Summit celebrates Bluegrass, roots, and Americana sounds during its multi-day festival in North Plains, Oregon. Visit their website early to purchase tickets, as they usually sell out fast.
Oregon Northwest Merfest
Oregon Northwest Merfest is a festival for the entire family that brings awareness to conservation with a fun “under the sea” theme. Join Oregon Mermaids for a day of mermaids, pirates, sea-themed entertainers, puppet shows and ocean-themed yoga. Oregon Mermaids impart their love of the briny deep, its wildlife, the ocean beaches and conservation information…
Sunday Parkways: Gateway
Head to Gateway in Northeast Portland for Sunday Parkways’ 4.8-mile loop of the neighborhood. One of the shorter routes of the summer, Gateway’s Sunday Parkways is a great option for families and friends who want to walk (instead of bike) at the event. Parks along the route include Hazelwood Hydro Park, Gateway Discovery Park, Knott…
Bridge Pedal
Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges (including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges). Portland’s Bridge Pedal is one of the…
PDX 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.
Sunday Parkways: Green Loop
Sunday Parkways heads to the historic North Park Blocks forit s 7-mile route along Portland’s Green Loop. This ride will pass by multiple cultural hotspots, including the Portland Art Museum, North and South Park Blocks, Lovejoy Fountain, Portland State University and the city’s Central Eastside. To view the complete route (and find more rides), visit…
Hood to Coast
Hood to Coast is the world’s largest running relay race, stretching 200 miles from the top of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean in Seaside. The overnight event culminates in the West Coast’s largest beach party and draws more than 12,000 runners and walkers annually. The race fills up months in advance, but there’s no…
Dahlia Festival
Portland’s annual Dahlia Festival is a must-see for the dahlia lover, or if you just love flowers. View over 400 floral arrangements of dahlias and over 15,000 cut dahlia blooms on display in the three indoor display rooms. This is the largest display put on by one grower anywhere in the United States. The annual…
River Lantern Lighting
Join family, friends and neighbors to celebrate life together. The River Lantern Lighting brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one memorable night to celebrate community in Portland, Oregon. Every participant gets a lantern, candle, marker, beer or cider (over 21), snacks and live music.
Chapman Swift Watch
Every September, spectators gather to see the world’s largest roost of Vaux’s swifts swarm and spiral into the chimney of a Northwest Portland school.
Cambia Portland Classic
The Portland Classic is the longest-running stop on the LPGA tour, and 2020 marks its 49th year. Watch world-class women golfers who are “keeping Portland diverse, legendary, strong and powerful.”
Portland Dragon Boat Festival
Enjoy Portland’s annual Dragon Boat Festival, featuring dragon boat racing along with food vendors, a beer garden and more. The event features as many as 96 dragon boat teams from all over the world who race in Taiwan-style dragon boats.
Sunday Parkways: Northeast Portland
Come out and enjoy the last Sunday Parkways of the season with this 7.6-mile ride in Northeast Portland! Enjoy the walking/biking boulevard of Ainsworth along with the neighborhood greenways of Going street, Holman street and Alberta Court. Parks along this route include Alberta Park, Woodlawn Park, Fernhill Park and Khunamokwst Park. To view the complete…
Portland Marathon
Taking runners along a loop of Portland along the east and west sides of the city’s Willamette River, the Portland Marathon is an excellent way to see a lot of Portland in one great run. The race starts and finishes at Waterfront Park, crossing four bridges and passing by some of the city’s most iconic…
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a water course.