Search November Events
Portland welcomes the holidays and the winter season with these November events.
Though the temperature gets cooler, Portland’s events scene starts heating up every November. Special seasonal offerings include the annual Portland Book Festival in downtown Portland, special shopping events and Thanksgiving traditions. Read on for some of our favorite November events and things to do in Portland, or check out our full events calendar to see everything on offer.
The Portland Book Festival
Reinvented in 2015 as a one-day celebration, the Portland Book Festival draws more than 100 authors each year. The largest celebration of literature and literacy in the Pacific Northwest includes an extensive book fair, large-scale events, smaller panels, on-stage conversations, and readings, all held at and around the Portland Art Museum.
Markets and Art Walks
The Portland Holiday Market comes every year to the Portland Expo Center. Featuring anything from clothing to home decor or craft items to leather goods, the market is a great place to get all of your holiday shopping done early. Combining the vibes of an art show, a live street concert, and an open-air bazaar, the Portland Saturday Market has been a beloved Rose City tradition since 1974. The largest arts-and-crafts fair in the country is open every Saturday in November. The First Friday Art Walk takes place year-round in Portland’s vibrant eastside. Art openings at galleries and open spaces set the scene and can include group art shows, open maker spaces and lively performances.
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Held twice a year, My People’s Market brings together dozens of local artists, entrepreneurs and creatives of color for live music, networking and shopping. The November market is an early kickoff to the holiday shopping season and draws attendees who shop, eat, drink and dance throughout the weekend. Shop Small Win Big is another great way to get a jump on holiday shopping — this holiday sweepstakes lets you earn raffle entries for awesome prizes when you visit and shop at participating local businesses.
November Traditions
The Ha Ha Harvest Comedy Festival brings amazing comedy to the Rose City throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. The festival holds performances across the city on ten different stages, and in 2023, a film and screenplay competition was introduced.
Kick off the holiday season with Wine Country Thanksgiving, when wineries throughout the Willamette Valley offer special tastings, food pairings, live music, holiday discounts and other wine-country experiences. Discover a delicious local pinot to pair with your holiday celebrations, or find the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life.
Join in honoring all Veterans, past and present, at the annual Portland Veterans Day Parade. The parade is made of marching bands, floats, vehicles and marching veterans and makes its way along northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, concluding with a closing ceremony.
Every year, the Lan Su Chinese Garden celebrates the beauty of chrysanthemums and their significance to Chinese culture during the month-long Celebration of the Chrysanthemum. A symbol of longevity and wealth, the beautiful bloom is showcased in floral designs and cultivation demonstrations throughout the gardens.
Holiday Lights
On the day after Thanksgiving, thousands of people gather in downtown Pioneer Courthouse Square to see the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony of the spectacular 75-foot-tall tree and celebrate the official start of the holiday season. Also starting the day after Thanksgiving is the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto, featuring nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church, and civic choirs. The annual holiday ZooLights display at the Oregon Zoo has gotten a grown-up spinoff. For two nights every November, BrewLights takes over the zoo. Tickets include adult-only access to the festive display and samples from local breweries.
More November Events 2025
Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in November in Portland.
Winter in Portland
The colder months bring some of the city's most beloved annual events and festivals.
Portland Winter Light Festival
Brighten your February with a visit to Portland’s annual Winter Lights Festival, where you’ll find glowing sculptures, twinkling lights, lively events and more.
Winter Hikes in and Near Portland
Oregon is the perfect place for outdoor adventure, any time of year — explore our selection of all-weather paths and hikes in and near Portland.
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