April Events
Portland blooms with seasonal events and cultural offerings every April.
Springtime in Portland means heading outside to enjoy gorgeous blooms and epic views, along with plenty of cultural offerings. Celebrate Earth Day with clean-ups around the city, head to the gorgeous annual Tulip Festival and explore Portland’s vibrant art and design scene at the Design Week. Scroll down for our a few of our top picks for things to do in April in Portland, or search our full events calendar to see everything on offer.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Portland’s cherry blossoms are impressive, but an even more colorful burst of flowers appears every spring just 32 miles (51 km) south of the city in Woodburn. There, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival blossoms each spring, and thousands come to see acres upon acres of tulips in full bloom.
Japanese Currents
The Japanese Currents film festival (hosted every April by the Northwest Film Center at the Whitsell Auditorium inside Portland Art Museum) highlights recent noteworthy Nipponese films. Ranging from anime to documentary to comedy, all of the selected films explore issues important to contemporary Japanese society. Collectively, the film selection offers a fresh take on Japanese culture and showcases the wealth of creative invention at work in Japan today.
TechFest NW
Founded in 2012, TechfestNW is a gathering of leading thinkers who are passionate about technology, design entrepreneurship and innovation, and are focused on highlighting Portland as one of the country’s next technology centers. The festival returns every April to the Viking Pavilion at Portland State University, with guest speakers, networking opportunities, demonstrations, parties and “PitchFest,” a competition for who can submit the best design pitch.
More April Events
Enjoy these events and festivals that return to Portland every April.
Easter Events in Portland
Spring is the harbinger of Easter festivities in Portland. Check out our favorite kid-friendly Easter egg hunts, annual picnics and candy-centric events.
Where to Celebrate Earth Day in Portland
Show your love for Mother Earth by participating in one of these Earth Day events in Portland.
Design Week Portland
This annual springtime festival showcases Portland's creative community, with a week full of lectures, design events and open houses.
More April Events
Check out our editors' picks for top things to do in April in Portland.
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.
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a monthly market held on the last Sunday of the month in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally-sourced goods in town.
August Wilson's Seven Guitars
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. PassinArt A Theatre Company presents Seven Guitars by Pulitzer winning playwright August Wilson (1945-2005). This play takes an in-depth look at the plight of African Americans in Pittsburgh during the 1940s through the lives of seven characters after the funeral of a friend, with flashbacks…
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…
Portland Lindy Exchange
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Established in 2008, the Portland Lindy Exchange (PDXLX) is the biggest annual swing dance weekend in Oregon. Join us for 3 days of celebrating the music and vintage swing dances of the early 20th Century including Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag. The Music…
Hop Hop Half – Easter Half Marathon
EVENT CHANGED TO VIRTUAL RUN/WALK. Please visit the event website for current information. This spring tradition takes participants along the scenic Columbia river along the Marine Drive bike path featuring views of Mt. Hood, lots of boats and marinas, and a gorgeous sunrise. An incredible post-race party spoils all finishers with complimentary commemorative champagne flutes,…
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…
Hippity Hop Bunny Hop Through the Pearl
Join us in the Pearl to celebrate Spring with fun activities, treats and a hug and picture with the Easter Bunny. Smiles, laughter and some sweet treats will bring a burst of energy to the streets throughout the day as the Easter Bunny goes out and about taking photos and giving out candy and hugs….
Easter Sunday at The Grotto
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Mass suspended until 4/14. Celebrate Easter Sunday at The Grotto, a serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland featuring 62 acres of botanical gardens. Mass celebrating Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord will occur at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. April 12, 2020. Main…
Easter Brunch Cruises on the Portland Spirit
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Gather your friends and family for an Easter celebration to remember. Hop onboard the Portland Spirit for a two-hour Easter Brunch cruise featuring an elaborate brunch buffet, ever-changing views and excellent service. The Cinnabunny will be making a special appearance, and will be giving a…
Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza
This Easter Egg hunt features no hard boiled eggs — just cash prizes! There will be 50 eggs, each containing a golden ticket for up to $50 in Pix Patisserie treats. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday at this all-ages event. (Limit is one egg per guest.)
Rose City Salsa & Timba Festival
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. The Rose City Salsa & Timba Festival is focused on bringing top level salsa and timba talent and education to Portland, OR through its 501c3 non-profit status. This annual festival showcases local performers, national and international talent and social dancing until 4 a.m. HEADLINERS De’Jon…
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….
Unique Markets Portland Spring Pop-Up
Explore products made by more than 75 makers at this festival-like pop-up marketplace, which includes music, a kids activity area, free coffee, creative DIY experiences and demonstrations. Each $10 ticket includes: A gift from Jacobsen Salt Co. or Scout Books (for the first 500 people)A limited edition cotton toteFree drinks/coffee from Water Avenue CoffeeDemo with…
Nano Beer Fest
EVENT POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. Started back in 2008, the Nano Beer Fest began at Max’s Fanno Creek where the owners were looking for a way to showcase the local small brewers who were coming on the scene. Nine years later, it has grown to a bi-annual event featuring small…
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Come meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators! The Portland Night Market is a bimonthly, free event and open to all ages.
Bloom Runway
Experience Bloom Runway, a powerful, fashion-forward event with ready-to-wear brands and designers. This is a curated mix-and-mingle experience for cultured individuals celebrating fashion, style and live music. This annual fashion show showcases Portland’s most creative fashion talent and entrepreneurs from all different backgrounds and nationalities, while giving back to the community by mentoring peers and…
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.
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.
Inner City Blues Festival
Soul Queens & Blues Kings A benefit for HEALTH CARE FOR ALL- OREGON “Healing the Healthcare Blues” This very special showcase will celebrate icons of Soul and the Blues pioneers that helped shape the history of music. Norman “Boogie Cat” Sylvester brings together some of our local R&B favorites: Lenanne Miller, Renato Caranto, LaRhonda Steele,…