Literary Portland
This book-friendly city is home to an annual book festival and the world's largest independent bookstore.
Blame it on the rain … or maybe being home to the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore attracts both writers and readers. No matter the reason, there’s no denying that Portland loves its literature. Plan a book-lover’s holiday with these guides to the city’s literary offerings, then check out our events calendar to discover even more things to do on your next visit to Portland.
Bookstores and Reading Spots
Peruse thousands of titles at these local bookstores and cozy reading nooks.
Powell’s City of Books
Covering an entire city block, Powell's is a landmark, a great bookstore and a microcosm of the city itself.
Portland Bookstores, Beyond Powell’s
Don't stop with the largest independent bookstore in the world; these seven other shops offer an abundance of literary riches.
Quiet Places Made for Reading
Pick up a winning read at one of Portland’s many independent bookstores and curl up in a cozy corner of one of these eight local coffee shops.
Lit in the Limelight
Well-crafted words on the page transformed into live literary adventures.
Live Storytelling Events in Portland
Hear true stories about love, sex, history, movies and even middle school at six regular live storytelling events in Portland.
Future Prairie: A Collective of Women and Queer Artists
Portland’s Future Prairie is a collective of women and queer artists that presents chautauqua-inspired live shows, as well as a podcast.
Tender Table
Portland’s Tender Table event series features performances and snacks by women and gender-nonbinary people of color.
Destinations for Book-Lovers
Grab your favorite book and head to these locally beloved reading spots around Portland.
Readings & Talks
Enjoy author talks and book discussions at these upcoming readings and talks in Portland.
UFO Festival
Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers
Cultivation Classic
EVENT POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. Cultivation Classic, produced by Willamette Week, is the only competition for craft cannabis produced in Oregon with a regenerative approach, paired with an exceptional public education event curated especially for thought leaders, policymakers, producers, bud tenders and consumers.
TEDxPortland
TEDxPortland, the largest TEDx event in the world, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020. For its first time, the event heads to the Moda Center in North Portland (home of the city’s iconic NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers). Enjoy a day of notable and inspirational speakers and peruse local food vendors and businesses at…
Meet A Scientist: June
Current science gets up close and personal at Meet a Scientist. This program, held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, features local scientists who share their research and knowledge with you through hands-on activities and conversation. Meet a Scientist exclusively features professionals who are OMSI Science Communication Fellows. June 13 Topics Meet…
Oregon Book Awards
Join Literary Arts’ annual celebration of the state’s most accomplished writers in the genres of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, young readers and graphic literature. Hosts in 2020 are Elena Passarello and Omar El Akkad.
OryCon
OryCon is Oregon’s premier, fan-run, annual science fiction/fantasy convention held in Portland since 1979. OryCon is a 100% volunteer-based production of Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. (OSFCI), which is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 corporation.