October Events
This month, Portland offers harvest festivals, hoops, arts events and haunted houses.
Portland’s spookiest month brings some of the city’s favorite events. Grab your rain boots and head to one of several nearby corn mazes and pumpkin patches, explore Portland’s haunted hot spots and catch a Portland Trail Blazers game. And don’t miss the city’s many celebrations of Halloween and all things scary. Read on for some of our favorite October events and things to do in Portland, or check out our full events calendar to see everything on offer.
Portland Trail Blazers
Watch the 1977 NBA Champion Portland Trail Blazers play at the Moda Center. Blazers fans cheer players on from October to April at the nearby Spirit of 77 and other local sports bars. While at the Moda Center, dig into local food and drink purveyors like Killer Burger, ice cream by Ruby Jewel, and Salt & Straw, food cart favorite Tamale Boy, and local brews at 10 Barrel Brewing.
Film Festivals
Portland has its fair share of film festivals, but Portland Film Festival is one not to miss. The week-long celebration of film that MovieMaker magazine called “one of the coolest film festivals in the world” is jam-packed with networking, workshops, guest speakers, film premieres, financing talks, director Q&As and more. If you are looking for something with more of a Halloween vibe, try the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival at the Hollywood Theatre, and watch tales of gothic horror come alive on film.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Watch and cheer people on while they paddle gigantic pumpkins across a lake during the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. This free, wacky annual event is the only one of its kind on the West Coast.
Hood River Hops Fest
The biggest event of its kind in the state, the Hood River Hops Fest features fresh hop beers from dozens of Northwest breweries. Sample seasonal specials by Hood River locals like Double Mountain, Full Sail, and pFriem Family Brewers. The party also features live music, Willamette Valley wine, arts and crafts from local makers and a family-friendly play area.
The Spirit of Halloweentown
The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates The Spirit of Halloweentown all month long with haunted tours, costume contests, and more.
Portland Open Studios
Portland has a thriving art scene that is showcased during the monthly art walks happening year-round. However, every October, during Portland Open Studios, artists all over the city open up their spaces to allow a glimpse into their artistic process and the chance to witness the business of creative endeavor firsthand.
Portland Retro Gaming Expo
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is a locally produced event celebrating the colorful history of console, computer and arcade gaming. The arcade is massive, and all coin-operated games are set to free play for the weekend.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
Held along the scenic Hood River waterfront, the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest is the Columbia River Gorge’s biggest celebration of the region’s incredible fall bounty. Load up on local favorites like fresh pears and apples, and taste local foods like hand-made pies and smoked salmon during this three-day festival.
More October Events 2024
Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in October in Portland.
Portland Timbers
Head to Providence Park to watch the Portland Timbers take on their rivals. Cheer with the Timbers' Army at Providence Park and become part of a Portland tradition.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Starting in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people, including art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be seen. Art galleries in…
Karaoke From Hell
The Northwest's original live karaoke band, Karaoke From Hell, has been rocking Portland for over 25 years and counting. The catalog boasts nearly 700 songs for you to sing, covering every genre from show tunes to skate punk. Catch it every Monday at Dante's and every Thursday at The Spare Room.
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland's best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and art. The Portland…
Haunted Shanghai Tunnel Tour
Old Town Pizza & Brewing is built directly above Portland's infamous Shanghai tunnels. The same tunnels that were used to house kidnapped sailors during the early 1900s. Book a tour and explore the rich history of Portland, and the legacy of Old Town.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Portland Thorns FC
Watch the Thorns play at Providence Park. Established in 2012, the team began to play in 2013 and placed third in its inaugural season and, in the playoffs, won the first NWSL championship. The club won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and a second NWSL Championship in 2017. 2020, they won the Community Shield with the best…
The People’s Market
The People's Market was created to serve the diverse community of Rockwood. By empowering Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) farmers and makers, we are creating a space that is made for community, by community. Spending your dollars at our market supports your neighbors in building their dreams and creating a legacy for…
Portland Film Festival
Portland Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences and celebrating the power of a good story. The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides entertainment and educational opportunities to the public. The festival stands by the belief in equity for everyone, regardless of…
Pumpkins and Pints
Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers' TERMINATOR WEIGH-OFF and New Seasons Market Giant Tomato Weigh-Off Watch as the biggest of the big pumpkins and other vegetables compete to win cash prizes. Do you have a giant vegetable that you would like to enter into the Terminator Weigh-Off? Contact Jim Sherwood at fishroadfarm@canby.com from the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers for information on entering your giant…
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
Rockwood Market Hall Music Series
Each month, on a late Sunday afternoon, the Rockwood Market Hall hosts a local artist to perform for community members who enjoy their food while listening to live music in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. With various cuisine options, the Rockwood Market Hall is a great place to enjoy dinner with family and friends. See you…
West End Wednesdays
West End Wednesday exists to ignite new energy and define a common vision for downtown SW Portland. Building relationships with neighbors and business partners is not just organizing a once-a-month event… it is actively creating, together, a neighborhood everyone can love to live, work and play in. West End Wednesdays is the West End's signature celebration…
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a gathering place for the creators, curators and collectors held the last weekend of the month from April to October in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally sourced goods in town. Saturdays at Ecotrust: 721 NW 9TH AVE Sundays at Nova…
Half Day Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland
Species seen nowhere else in the world, dramatic basalt lava flows nearly a mile deep, and some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls are a few of the sights that await you on this tour. Experience the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge, one of the United States’ most photographed National Scenic Areas. We will…
Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Prepare to journey back in time to the birth of the Cascade Mountain Range, where lava and pyroclastic matter oozed and flowed, creating a solid layer of basalt rock that coated Western Oregon. Fast forward to the Pleistocene Ice Age, and witness the epic Lake Missoula Flood, which carved out the majestic Columbia River Gorge,…
Portland City Tour
Get ready to explore the heart and soul of Portland with a half-day City Tour. This isn’t your average tour; you'll be takn on a journey through the city’s charming streets and reveal its laid-back atmosphere. Brace yourself for an amazing tour of Portland’s must-see spots like the International Rose Garden (seasonally), the World…
Full Day Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour from Portland
Follow the path of an ancient riverbed, carved by the last ice age, past the Bridge of the Gods, and explore the Windsurfing Capital of the World. In the afternoon, traverse Oregon’s fertile fruit valley on the way to the alpine top of a volcano, which boasts a title as the world’s 2nd most summited…
Mt. Hood Loop Tour including Multnomah Falls
Buckle up for an epic journey as you are whisked away from Portland to the spellbinding Mt. Hood. With passionate and well-informed guides leading the way, you’ll have plenty of chances to snap up some breathtaking shots of the majestic landscape and soak up the mesmerizing history of this iconic mountain. Enjoy a full day…
Portland City Tour & Gorge Waterfalls Combo
Ready for an adventure? Join the ultimate tour of Portland and the Columbia River Gorge. You'll see the must-see sights in Portland and then be whisked away to the stunning Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. Discover the magic of the waterfalls, soak in breathtaking views, and dive into the history of the area’s top attractions….
Private Elevated Wine Tour Experience
Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world, not only known for its distinctive pinot noir but many other varietals such as pinot gris, chardonnay, riesling and more. Your experience will take place in the heart of the Willamette Valley, home to renowned, award-winning wineries. Oregon's Willamette Valley has…
Throughlines: Connections in the Collection
Throughlines embraces wonder and curiosity, bringing together artworks from across the Museum’s collections to explore the range of artistic innovation. From diverse geographies, cultures, and time periods, artists have consistently created images, objects, and experiences that ask us to consider ourselves and the world from different perspectives. Visitors will encounter playful groupings that reveal how artists…
Full Day Columbia River Gorge Tour
Jump into a day-long adventure and discover what makes the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area a true gem. Be awed by the majesty of the USA's second tallest waterfall, witness the incredible salmon journey at the Bonneville Dam Complex, catch some windsurfing thrills in the windsurfing capital of the USA, and explore the official…
Gorge Waterfalls and Wine Tasting Combo
Beginning in the Cascades and moving upriver through the eastern stretch of the Columbia River Gorge is the relatively young but rapidly growing wine-making region known as the Columbia River American Viticulture Area (AVA). Often referred to as “A World of Wine in 40 Miles,” the Columbia River AVA combines climates, soils, elevation, and geology…
Private Oregon Coast Brewery Tour
Hop aboard a ride from your swanky Portland hotel and savor the stunning views of Columbia River's bustling ship traffic. The first stop? Two of Astoria's coolest breweries, where you can sip on the finest brews and grab a bite to eat. Fort George Brewery, Astoria Brewing Company, Reach Break Brewing, Buoy Beer Company, Rogue…
Head Games Trivia Night
Live multi-media trivia every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Free to play. Win prizes. Teams of up to 6. Please arrive early for best seats. General knowledge trivia combines movie clips, sound effects, pictures and popular music to give players a one of a kind 2-hour experience. The pace is relaxed so there is plenty of…
Drag Bingo
Get your ass to The Houston Blacklight for DRAG BINGO hosted by the one + only Peachy Springs every first Wednesday of the month. Play your favorite geriatric game-gone-glamorous with the queen of bingo for a chance to win prizes. Get there early cause they've got drink specials, and your girl’s got a following.
Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s
Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s reveals the passion and creativity of the era through the iconic rock posters of San Francisco and beyond. The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco was an incubator for ideas, expression, social thought, and, above all, music. Young people from across the nation gathered there to explore alternative ways…
Full Day Oregon Coast Tour from Portland
With over 300 miles (482 km) of public coastline, Oregon’s beaches are sure to amaze with their dramatic offshore rock formations and reborn beach towns. This tour will travel along one of the most picturesque driving routes in the country, U.S. HWY 101. Spend the day exploring breathtaking beaches, trekking along sandy shores, and viewing…
Multnomah Falls, Train Ride, & Wine Tour
Get ready to be swept off your feet by your guides as they take you on a journey of a lifetime through the stunning Columbia River Gorge and the Hood River Valley. Brace yourself for a riveting tale of this breathtaking terrain and its awe-inspiring past. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any…
Oregon Wine Tasting Tour
Sip your way through Oregon’s finest wines on an extraordinary tasting tour, only a day trip away from Portland. Discover the stunning Willamette Valley, and be guided through the best wine experiences it has to offer. Soak up the breathtaking views, visit three amazing vineyards, and unveil the secrets behind the perfect Oregon Pinot Noir….
Bangerz Comedy
Portland comics Bjorn RG and Eliza Butler host this weekly show at Neighbors Taproom with curated lineups of local and nationally touring comedians. 21+
Goodness the Comedy Show
Goodness is a show that brings the best stand-up comedy in Portland to the incredible Laurelhurst Club. Tickets are only $10, with even more affordable drinks. (21+)
Weird Portland Pub Tour
Experience the eccentricity of Portland, Oregon and visit one of its quirkiest neighborhoods on this walking pub tour. This tour is a must-do for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the fascinating history of the city, including stories of UFO sightings, Bigfoot sightings, exploding whales, wacky bike rides, strange locals, hijackings, hipsters, artists, and…
Qabaret Quesa
Join Fuse every First Friday at 10 p.m. for Qabaret Quesa — a monthly live musical drag cabaret featuring and hosted by the cheesy, breezy, bleutiful Quesa D’Mondays. Enjoy the Back Door Theatre’s newly renovated living room space as Quesa serenades and slays with 70-musical minutes of show tunes, parodies, comedy, and more. Sit back, enjoy…
Goth Babe
Goth Babe is Griff Washburn enjoying himself. Originally from Tennessee, Griff lives and writes music on a 36-foot off-grid sailboat named Lola. He is exploring Mexico's west coast on Lola with his dog Sadie after sailing from California last December. When not on the road touring or on his boat, Griff and Sadie are off…
Closet Cases
A Queer Comedy Storytelling Showcase. Comedians take the stage and share personal stories that don't fit into a classic tight fives. Come laugh, cry, cringe, and cheer with these funny and often heartwarming stories from within the LGBTQ+ community
Country Music Night
Every Sunday Portland's premier country music DJs, The Country Co-Op plays outlaw country and honky tonk music at The Sandy Hut. The bar is always packed with people dancing and singing.
Burly-Q AF
Fuse Theatre Ensemble and Baby B Stiletto proudly announce ‘Burly-Q AF,’ a monthly burlesque celebration of diversity. Enjoy burlesque on the second Saturday of every month.
Iron Maiden
Known for such powerful hits as "Run to the Hills, "Two Minutes to Midnight," and "The Trooper," and landmark albums like Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Iron Maiden are one of heavy metal's most prolific and influential bands. They're also one of metal's most enduring…
Howler Comedy Hour at Gol
Live Comedy at a local bar in an intimate environment with regional headliners and local comics. Gol is a Portland Timbers-centric bar for the fútbol enthusiast, showing the MLS, Champions League and international soccer matches. Located in inner-SE Portland, a unique soccer bar with a European feel and Portland's home to the World Cup.
Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy
Join hostess Devlin Lynn Phoenixx and her cast of talented queens for a Sunday brunch experience you won’t soon forget. Your ticket includes admission to the show, your meal, AND your first mimosa. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. So grab your friends and get down to The Pharmacy for a spectacularly fun time.
Magic Tea Party
In this live Dungeons & Dragons show, comedians and performers take to the stage to play some theatre games, share some jokes, and play some D&D.
Sebastian Maniscalco
A native of Chicago, Sebastian grew up with comedy in his blood. After earning a degree in Corporate Organizational Communications from Northern Illinois University, he realized his passion for stand-up comedy and immediately headed out to Los Angeles. While working as a waiter at a Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, Sebastian spent every free night…
Portland Erotic Ball
In 1999, a group of sex-positive friends started the Portland Erotic Ball. Twenty-three years later, the Ball returns as Rose City's biggest adult Halloween experience. Guests can experience the sexy side of the scare as the Ball does a complete venue takeover with 3-floors of non-stop entertainment. Hosted by Emmy-nominee Sasha Scarlett, the 23rd annual…
No Filter Improv
Fuse Theater's New Year's Resolution for 2024 is to DO MORE IMPROV. What's yours? Join No Filter at the Back Door Theater every fourth Saturday of the month for some late-night laughs featuring rotating themes and cast members. Have requests? Just @ us on the socials. Big thanks to Fuse Theatre Ensemble for ensuring no Resolution…
Queer Movie Night
Every Fourth Sunday of the month, Fuse will be presenting a celebrated film from Queer cinema. After the film, there will be trivia and discussions about the movie and the evolution of the depiction of lgbtqia+ characters over the last 50 years. Check the website for each month's film.
Fall Mushroom Show
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.
The Magnetic Fields
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its release, the Magnetic Fields will continue to perform 69 Love Songs — the 3-disc masterwork that marked a significant breakthrough for the American band — in its entirety for the first time in over two decades. The Magnetic Fields will perform the album as it was originally…
Fall Arts Scene
Portland's performing arts season comes into full swing in October.
Portland Theater
Portland has a well-established network of venues and theater companies and an increasingly dynamic and diverse small theater scene.
Classical Music in Portland
Classical music in Portland isn't just the classics. Classical musicians offer new and innovative works, and an ongoing lineup of inspiring performances, from timeless works to modern interpretations.
Live Wire Radio
Enjoy original comedy, local music and captivating interviews at live tapings of this weekly variety show.
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