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.
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 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.
The Biggest Clothing Swap in The Northwest
Whether you’re scrambling for a great costume idea or need a new fall wardrobe, The Biggest Clothing Swap in The Northwest will have something to catch your eye. Bring a bag of clean, wearable clothes to share or buy an empty bag to fill with your newfound treasures.
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 2022
Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in October in Portland.
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.
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.
Farmers Market at Portland State University
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.
Hollywood Farmers Market
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food, you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season. April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to…
Black in Oregon: 1840–1870
Oregon Black Pioneers’ traveling exhibition Black in Oregon: 1840–1870 highlights some of the Black individuals and families who came to Oregon during the years of legalized racial exclusion, when the provisional and territorial governments of Oregon explicitly barred Blacks from residency and all legal protections. These Black pioneers risked everything to build a better life…
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Portland Greek Festival
The Portland Greek Festival is celebrated as the largest Greek Festival on the west coast with more than 15,000 people attending. This cultural experience features Greek food, music, dance and shopping! The Agora – the Greek marketplace features imported merchandise, clothing, jewelry, icons, flokati rugs and cookbooks. Among the fabulous food, exclusive cooking demonstrations, and…
Dogtoberfest
Celebrate the fall with a day full of pampering and dog-friendly activities at the annual Dogtoberfest – Portland’s pet-friendliest Oktoberfest party and biggest dog wash. Enjoy music, food, beer–including a special brew made just for DoveLewis–and pet-loving vendors, all while your pup receives a wash and nail trim. Donations and proceeds from the event go…
Hood River Hops Fest
Downtown Hood River, Oregon, will again be “hopping” with the return of one of the Columbia Gorge’s premier events, Hood River Hops Fest presented by Jacobs. This one-day, outdoor festival brings together more than 40 Pacific Northwest breweries to debut their seasonal fresh-hop beers. With over 40 unique beers available for tasting, the Hood River…
Portland Fresh Hops Fest
The Oregon Brewers Guild’s Portland Fresh Hops Festival will celebrate its 18th anniversary by returning to the Oaks Amusement Park. “We just love fresh hop season and are very excited to be bringing our annual event back to Oaks Amusement Park this year,” stated Christina LaRue, Executive Director of the Oregon Brewers Guild. Fresh hop…
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.”
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