Search 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.
Know Before You Go
As of June 30, 2021, COVID restrictions have been lifted in Portland and the state of Oregon. While events are now allowed, some events may still be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check the event website for the most up-to-date information.
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.
Portland Film Festival
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.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Watch as people seated in gigantic pumpkins race 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.
Haunted Houses
Portland likes its scares as much as any other city and has the haunted houses to prove it. Some of the biggest annual options include Underhill Haunted House at the Moda Center and The Fear; Haunted Museum.
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, first hand, the business of creative endeavor.
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.
Dance in Portland
Portland dance has an inventive spirit that welcomes collaborations and often spills beyond the generally accepted boundaries of “dance.”
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
The counterpoint to April’s Hood River Valley Blossom Festival is the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest. This is your chance to catch the tail end of the fruit-growing process. The fruit is picked and it’s time to party with music, food, wine and a quilt raffle. One hour and fifteen minutes from downtown Portland.
More October Events
Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in October in Portland.
Woodstock Farmers Market
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.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Started in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration that occurs 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 that includes art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be…
The Curious Cabaret
The Curious Cabaret – A Riotous Vaudeville Revue is a monthly variety show hosted by Portland’s 20-time award winning physical comedy duo, A Little Bit Off. The show brings you the absolute best in top-notch local talent, with acts ranging from acrobatics and dance, to magic and juggling, with a whole lot of comedy in…
Parkrose Marketplace
The Parkrose Marketplace is an event aimed at giving more support and visibility to local small businesses and artists while providing a safe social event to connect with your neighbors, shop with great home-based vendors, and enjoy local food, coffee, arts & crafts. The Marketplace has over 60 vendors offering art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, culinary…
Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta
This boisterous street fair attracts independent artists, performers, local bands, troupes of acrobats, buskers, makers and more to celebrate their art on Northeast Alberta Street. Held year-round, the event is biggest from June through August, when the street is closed to traffic during the festivities from 15th Avenue to 30th Avenue.
The Corn Maize at the Pumpkin Patch
The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Portland Indigenous Marketplace supports indigenous artists and entrepreneurs by providing barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces that encourage cultural resilience and economic sustainability by promoting public education through cultural arts.
Spirit of Halloweentown
The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month long with haunted tours, costume contests and more.
Portland Queer Film Festival
Portland Queer Film Festival returns every fall with an annual showcase of narrative and documentary films from around the world.
The Wedge
The Wedge is a Farmers Market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything that goes 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. Join more than 20 cheesemakers and 40 specialty food and beverage producers from Oregon and beyond at…
Portland Marathon
Taking runners along a loop of Portland along the east and west sides of the city’s Willamette River, the Portland Marathon is an excellent way to see a lot of Portland in one great run. The race starts and finishes at Waterfront Park, crossing four bridges and passing by some of the city’s most iconic…
Portland Open Studios: Artists At Work
For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.
Portland Film Festival
Portland Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences, and to celebrating the power of a good story. The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides both entertaining and educational opportunities to the public. The festival is anchored with outdoor screenings, offering its filmmakers…
Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo
For lovers of the strange and unusual, enjoy Portland’s Oddities and Curiosities Expo. This annual event features local and national vendors with items such as: TaxidermyWet and dry preserved specimensAntiquesJewelry made from bones, skulls and insectsOriginal artworkSkulls and bonesCuriosities, and all around creepy, strange and bizarre itemsThere will be sideshow performances and live human suspension…
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
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