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Primary Menu 31 Events Near Me content loading animation Search
  • Attractions
    • women dances with large fans outside on a city street surrounded by people in colorful dragon costumesView All Attractions
    • Museums
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • people dining at picnic tables in front of a food cartView All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
    • Food
    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Weird
    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
  • Neighborhoods
    • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
  • Region
    • RegionView All Region
    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
  • Plan
    • Light rail train car driving past people shopping at an outdoor marketView All Plan
    • Portland Maps
    • Portland Visitor Center
    • Where to Stay
    • Tours & Itineraries
    • Transportation
    • When to Visit
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    • Plan a Meeting
  • Events
  • Search
i
Local artist Poppy Dully showcases her work during Portland Open Studios.
Credit: Ashley Anderson
Portland Events / Fall in Portland

October Events

This month, Portland offers harvest festivals, hoops, arts events and haunted houses.

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Local artist Poppy Dully showcases her work during Portland Open Studios.
Credit: Ashley Anderson

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.

Portland Film Festivals

Portland hosts more than 20 film festivals every year. Here's an overview of some of the city's top cinematic events.

Action!

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.

Halloween Events in and Around Portland

From corn mazes to dance performances, half-marathons to haunted houses, Portland provides the perfect Halloween plans for any scare-seeking witch or warlock.

Boo!

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.

A Guide to Portland Retro Gaming Expo

This annual celebration of classic video and arcade games features expert panels, cosplay competitions, dozens of local and international exhibitors with rare finds, and a 30,000-square-foot “retrocade” with hundreds of games to play.

Go Gaming

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.

Events, Fall

More October Events 2024

Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in October in Portland.

Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Ongoing

Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Various locations $85

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,…

Guided Tour
Portland City Tour
Ongoing

Portland City Tour

Various locations $85

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 Forestry…

Guided Tour
Mt. Hood Loop Tour including Multnomah Falls
Ongoing

Mt. Hood Loop Tour including Multnomah Falls

Pick up at all downtown Portland hotels $130

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…

Guided Tour
Portland City Tour & Gorge Waterfalls Combo
Ongoing

Portland City Tour & Gorge Waterfalls Combo

Various locations $150

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….

Guided Tour
Private Elevated Wine Tour Experience
Ongoing

Private Elevated Wine Tour Experience

Various locations $375

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 elevated…

Food & Drink
Guided Tour
Wine
Full Day Columbia River Gorge Tour
Ongoing

Full Day Columbia River Gorge Tour

Various locations Cost Varies

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…

Guided Tour
Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Tasting Combo
Ongoing

Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Tasting Combo

Various locations Cost Varies

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 consists of a combination of climates,…

Guided Tour
Private Oregon Coast Brewery Tour
Ongoing

Private Oregon Coast Brewery Tour

Various locations $205

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 BreweryAstoria Brewing CompanyReach Break BrewingBuoy Beer CompanyRogue AlesGeek out with the…

Multnomah Falls, Train Ride, & Wine Tour
Ongoing

Multnomah Falls, Train Ride, & Wine Tour

Various locations $229

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…

Guided Tour
Outdoors
Wine
Oregon Wine Tasting Tour
Ongoing

Oregon Wine Tasting Tour

Various locations $239

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….

Guided Tour
Wine
Bangerz Comedy
Ongoing

Bangerz Comedy

Neighbors Taproom Free

Portland comics Bjorn RG and Eliza Butler host this weekly show at Neighbors Taproom with curated lineups of local and nationally touring comedians. 21+

Comedy
Goodness the Comedy Show
Ongoing

Goodness the Comedy Show

Laurelhurst Club $10

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+)

Comedy
Weird Portland Pub Tour
Ongoing

Weird Portland Pub Tour

Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery $25 – $30

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…

Beer
Guided Tour
History
Cheerful Tortoise Comedy Open Mic
Ongoing

Cheerful Tortoise Comedy Open Mic

Cheerful Tortoise Free

Comedy Open Mic for every skill level. Beginners are welcome. Weekly mic every Monday night with 8:30 p.m. sign-ups. Hosted by Sam Bass and Milo Loza. The Cheerful Tortoise is an iconic Portland bar that has been around for more than 60 years and provides a cheerful environment for everyone to enjoy.

Comedy
Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy
Ongoing

Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy

The Pharmacy Bar PDX $30

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.

Comedy
Food & Drink
LGBTQ+
Performing Arts
Fall Mushroom Show
Oct. 30, 2022–Oct. 30, 2029

Fall Mushroom Show

World Forestry Center $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

Apple Picking Near Portland

Freshly-picked Pacific Northwest apples are a local favorite, and many Portland-area orchards allow visitors to pluck the fruit right off the branch.

read more

Fall Arts Scene

Portland's performing arts season comes into full swing in October.

Go To Arts
Theatrical cast on a stage

Portland Theater

Portland has a well-established network of venues and theater companies and an increasingly dynamic and diverse small theater scene.

a conductor conducting an orchestra

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.

more than a dozen ballerinas in white tutus on a stage covered in a white mist

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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