Pickathon Music Festival
Camp out and enjoy all kinds of music in a unique, verdant venue.
For music fans and performers alike, Pickathon feels like heaven. Every August since 1999, this annual gathering of artists and audiences at Pendarvis Farm has celebrated the summer with music and revelry.
Bands at Pickathon
The three-day festival on 80 acres just outside Portland attracts a range of indie, rock and rap artists as well as the bluegrass troupes that gave the event its name.
Pickathon’s lineup is geared toward new music discovery; don’t worry if you haven’t heard of most of the artists — that’s half of the fun! The festival always releases a Spotify playlist so you can hear participating acts beforehand. And once you’re at the fest, Pickathon makes it easy to see all the artists you want. Each act performs two times over the course of the weekend at two different venues.
Camping at Pickathon
Attendees can choose between day tickets or weekend passes, which include camping at Pendarvis Farm. If you choose to camp (highly recommended!), you have a few options. With car camping weekend parking tickets, you can set up your tent right next to your car. RV camping is also available, as are a couple of “glamping” options that include tent and gear rental. Finally, general camping is available in the woods uphill from the main festival grounds. Because the ground is sloped, hammocks are a popular option.
Food at Pickathon
You can bring your own food to Pickathon (no outside alcohol), but with so many great local dining options, you certainly don’t need to. Each year, the fest features around a dozen food carts, most from Portland, serving a wide range of eats, from healthier options like salads and smoothies to festival favorites like biscuit sandwiches and pizza.
Attendees can tantalize their taste buds as well as their ears at the Pickathon Curation Series, a limited-seating dining experience that features multi-course meals prepared by lauded Portland chefs. Every meal is followed by intimate, special-guest musical performances from Pickathon artists. Check out the Pickathon Curation Series videos (sponsored by Travel Portland) for a taste of the magic.
Sustainability at Pickathon
In addition to an earful of tunes, the acclaimed festival is also sustainable summer fun. Eco-friendly transport makes getting to the event both convenient and good for the environment. In 2011, Pickathon became the first large outdoor music festival in the U.S. to eliminate single-use plates, cups and utensils, and each year promises to be even greener.
In practice, this means that you can bring your own cup (for the plentiful, free drinking water and tasty local beverages) and dishes and wash them on-site. Or do as most attendees do and purchase a stainless steel cup and a dish token. The token gets you a clean, reusable dish and utensils at any food vendor, and at the end of the festival, you can take them home as souvenirs of this unforgettable festival.
Summer concerts
Upcoming music picks
Siren Nation Festival
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Portland's Singing Christmas Tree
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree is back at Keller Auditorium for a spectacular new holiday extravaganza. Special guest artists Katie Harman and Georgene Rice and all-new show-stopping numbers. This is a Christmas celebration you will not want to miss.
Sing Out, Portland! A Celebration of Community in Music
Sing Out, Portland! is a benefit concert intended to showcase the best parts of a city that we love here in the Pacific Northwest. The night will consist of three to four local musical artists at The Old Church, a beautiful 300-seat venue which also happens to be a historic landmark. Every single dollar from…
Black Nativity 2019
By Langston Hughes. The show was originally first performed off-Broadway on December 11, 1961 and the first play written by an African American to be staged there. Traditional holiday carols are sung in gospel style with a few additional songs selected for the show. This powerful holiday musical will appeal to everyone regardless of their…
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Every year, thousands of Portlanders gather at Pioneer Courthouse Square to celebrate the lighting of the spectacular 75 Douglas-fir tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company. Join up for a community sing-a-long (limited edition holiday songbooks will be available at the event or for download on our website). Pre-show entertainment begins at 5 p.m. With a…
White Album Xmas
White Album Xmas has become a tradition – a way to keep Portland weird during the holiday season. The Nowhere Band – a full 15-piece Beatles orchestra plays the White Album in its entirety, while the jugglers, aerialists, clowns and acrobats of the Portland Circus Allstars present feats of remarkable strength, focus and dexterity. Guaranteed…
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Come meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators! The Portland Night Market is a bimonthly, free event and open to all ages.
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Together, Pioneer Courthouse Square and Portland Mall Management, Inc. are hosting the Sixth Annual Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition that was originally held throughout Downtown in the early ’90s. The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition is a fun and festive event that will bring caroling groups of all ages to the heart of downtown.