Fall in Portland

The city’s arts offerings come into full swing every fall, with a seemingly endless array of things to do, see and experience. Autumn is the prime time to explore Portland’s independent theater, big musical productions, opera, ballet, and symphony scenes. In addition to celebrations of the spookiest season (which brings Halloween events, haunted houses, and festive corn mazes), Portland starts gearing up for the holidays. The city’s lack of sales tax means built-in savings when you shop (we recommend finding some made-in-Portland souvenirs to commemorate your trip to The Rose City). Fall heralds the return of Portland’s NBA Team, the Trail Blazers, along with locally beloved annual events like Portland Open Studios, the Queer Film Festival, and the Portland Book Festival (just to name a few). Read on for our picks of the top things to do, see and experience during a fall visit to Portland.

Fall Weather

In September and October, days tend to be mild and partly sunny as the weather begins to cool. Rain showers become more common, and the leaves start changing color (making hikes and outdoor strolls more beautiful than ever). Temperatures — and rain — both begin falling in earnest starting in November.

What to Pack

For a trip to Portland in the fall, we recommend packing several layers and a rainproof jacket. Old-school Portlanders tend to shun umbrellas, but they can come in handy to shield glasses and faces from heavier showers. To avoid getting stuck in the mud or drenched in a puddle, a pair of rain boots is also worth bringing on your trip to Portland.

Upcoming Fall Events

Enjoy these festive autumnal events in and near Portland.

Editor's Pick

Ongoing

Portland Saturday Market

Tom McCall Waterfront Park Free

Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.

Editor's Pick

Attractions

Events

Shopping

Editor's Pick

Ongoing

Woodstock Farmers Market

Woodstock Farmers Market Free

The popular Woodstock Farmers Market features fresh produce, baked goods, fresh juices, sweets, cheese, meat and more from 30+ vendors, along with artisan-made products like jewelry, ceramics and art.

Editor's Pick

Food & Drink

Shopping

Editor's Pick

Ongoing

Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park

Shemanski Park

With its carts and vendors selling delicious meals under a lush green canopy of trees, this downtown farmer’s market at Shemanski Park is a popular lunch spot for good reason. Portland residents and visitors also use this shaded destination to buy locally grown groceries for dinner — or supplies for an alfresco picnic. (Wednesdays 10…

Editor's Pick

Food & Drink

Shopping

Editor's Pick

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023

The Wedge

Alder Block Cost Varies

The Wedge is a Farmers Market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything with it. Sample and purchase local artisan cheese, specialty foods, beer, wine, and cider. This is a family-friendly event that’s open to all cheese lovers. Tickets include all cheese, accompaniment, and non-alcoholic beverage samples. Adult beverage sampling is an additional $15 and includes a…

Editor's Pick

Food & Drink

Oct. 30, 2022–Oct. 30, 2029

Fall Mushroom Show

World Forestry Center Discovery Museum $10

The Oregon Mycological Society is holding its annual Fall Mushroom Show after two years of being gone. Join in to identify locally found fungi, books, displays and a tasty culinary treat from Morchella Restaurant. Tickets are available for the public now.

Exhibition

Outdoors

Events in Portland Today, Tomorrow and This Weekend

See More Events

Things to Do in Portland Today

Today is a beautiful day to explore all that Portland has to offer. This page lists the best Portland events, festivals, concerts, tours and exhibitions that are happening today.

Things to Do in Portland Tomorrow

Are you going to be in town and looking for something to do tomorrow? There are so many fun things to do in Portland and tomorrow is the perfect day to explore.

Things to Do in Portland This Weekend

Looking for what to do in Portland this weekend? This page lists the best Portland events, festivals, concerts, tours and exhibitions that are happening this weekend.

Favorite Fall Events

The arrival of autumn in Portland brings plenty of things to do and see in and around Portland.

Go To Events

The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island

The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.

Grand Prix of Portland

Every fall since 2018, Portland International Raceway has hosted the celebrated open-wheel racing with the Grand Prix of Portland.

Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival

Portland’s Time-Based Art Festival (TBA) returns every September with 10 days of boundary-pushing performances, visual art and projects that defy categorization.

Portland Queer Film Festival

Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.

Portland Open Studios

For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.

The Portland Book Festival

Portland Book Festival (formerly “Wordstock”) returns every November with an impressive (and extensive) lineup of local and national authors.

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, many local wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite selections.

Events By Month

Each month in Portland brings its own unique array of things to do, see and experience.

Full Calendar

September Events

As summer winds down, Portland ups the ante with performance art, live music and dining events throughout September.

October Events

October events in Portland include a giant pumpkin race, "can't miss" film festival, corn mazes, haunted houses and other autumn and Halloween-themed events.

November Events

Portland in November gets cozy with downtown’s holiday tree lighting, Willamette Valley wine tasting and a festival to help you find a great book.

Thanksgiving and Holiday Events

Celebrate the season with these annual holiday festivities in and around Portland.

Go To Holidays

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, many local wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite selections.

Holiday Shopping Events

Do your holiday shopping for locally made gifts at hip parties, makers' fairs, sprawling sales and garden grounds filled with handcrafted items.

Portland Holiday Events

Like an Advent calendar loaded with sugary treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of sweet memories.

Holiday Light Displays in Portland

Portland is full of bright ways to embrace the shorter days of winter; here are some of the stars in the city’s constellation of holiday light displays.

Portland’s Holiday Ale Festival

The Holiday Ale Festival, set beneath the region’s largest decorated holiday tree, returns every year with more than 50 big, bold beers designed to keep revelers warm on cold winter nights.