Search Spring in Portland
Portland celebrates spring with beer and food festivals, fiestas and flowers.
Rain showers, blooming flowers and lots of only-in-Portland things to do hit the calendar every spring in Portland. The city bursts into bloom, as gorgeous rhododendrons, azaleas, cherry trees and roses come into full flower in parks, gardens and yards all over town. Amidst spring showers, sun-breaks and dry days are common, though, and spring visitors are rewarded with lovely vistas, bountiful outdoors adventures and the city’s signature event, the Portland Rose Festival, which runs from late May through early June. Read on for our top things to do, see and experience during a springtime visit to Portland.
Spring Weather
Rain showers continue in spring, along with plenty of cloud-breaks and dry spells. Spring days often start rainy and end up with clear blue skies and sunshine. With such a temperate climate, many flowers start blooming in Portland in early March.
What to Pack
For a springtime visit to Portland, we recommend packing layers and a light rain-proof jacket. Waterproof boots will come in handy on muddy spring hikes and for splashing through Portland’s puddles.
Know Before You Go
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Oregon’s governor has limited large events based on the current risk level.
Some events may be cancelled, postponed or held virtually. Please check the event website for the most up-to-date information.
Spring Activities
Don't let rain showers keep you from enjoying this verdant season in Portland.
Spring Hikes Near Portland
There’s something special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy wildflowers, bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.
Best Spots for Spring Flowers
Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to spring flowers in Portland.
Wildflower Viewing in Greater Portland
Feast your eyes on the many wildflower patches around the region for natural beauties you won't find anyplace else.
Favorite Spring Events
The spring season in Portland overflows with exciting events and festivals.
Spring Holidays
Celebrations a season of renewal and rebirth with these annual celebrations around Portland.
Mother’s Day Events in Portland
Myriad Mother's Day events in Portland make it easy (and fun!) to celebrate moms, grandmas and all of the other important women in your life.
Easter Events in Portland
Spring is the harbinger of Easter festivities in Portland. Check out our favorite kid-friendly Easter egg hunts, annual picnics and candy-centric events.
Memorial Day Weekend Events
Enjoy vacation-level-fun events during Memorial Day weekend in Portland.
Events by Month
Each month of Spring in Portland offers its own unique selection of events and things to do.
March Events
Shop, eat and cheer your way through the last of winter with these March events in Portland.
April Events
Spring in Portland brings festivals dedicated to wine, tulips and tunes.
May Events
From farmers' markets to fiestas, there's plenty to do in Portland in May.
Upcoming Spring Events
Portland comes to life every spring with these special events and festivals.
Fleet Week
In 2021, Rose Festival Fleet Week will be virtual, with ship tours and stories about members of the sea services shared virtually, on video. Please visit the event website for current information. Since the very beginning of the Rose Festival back in 1907, visiting ships and other fleet-related elements (like submarines) have been making their…
Vanport Mosaic Festival
The 2021 festival will be a hybrid event, including virtual events, in-person tours, pop-up performances, a museum, an altar and video installations. In these times of collective amnesia, remembering is an act of resistance. For the fourth year, Vanport Mosaic invites you to explore the many silenced histories that surround us, in order to better…
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.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
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. See the latest health…
Good in the Hood Multicultural Festival
Note: This festival is taking place virtually in 2021. The Good in the Neighborhood Multicultural Music & Food Festival features live music, a parade, an information Village, marketplace, beer and wine garden and a youth venue, along with a kids’ space. The mission of Good in the Hood is to promote the cultural aspects of…
Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts
The 2021 festival will feature a two-day sales event in George Rogers Park that focuses solely on showcasing talented artists. For more than 50 years, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts has proudly presented unique art exhibits including more than 600 local, national, and international artists. Visitors can also experience live music on two…
Water Lantern Festival
Portland’s annual Water Lantern Festival is a beautiful experience where you’ll witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water at Laurelhurst Park. This family-friendly event includes food trucks, pre-made floating lantern kits, markers, ascavenger hunt and more.
UFO Festival
Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers
GeekCraft Expo
GeekCraft Expo is a curated craft market specializing in handmade, “geek”-themed crafts of all kinds; clothing, accessories, toys, home decoration, furniture, art . . . if it’s geeky and made by hand, it can be found at a GeekCraft Expo. Cosplay is highly encouraged and admission is free (you just need to pre-register).
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival
At the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival, you will find a wide variety of sewing, quilting, needle-art and craft supply exhibits from many quality companies, along with make ‘n’ takes, free demos, daily door prize drawings and more.
CityFair
EVENT ON HIATUS IN 2021 AND EXPECTED TO RETURN IN 2022. Please visit the event website for current information. Considered the “hub” of the annual Portland Rose Festival, CityFair fills Waterfront Park with carnival rides, concerts, food and fireworks for multiple weekends during the festival.
Rose Festival Starlight Parade
EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL 2022. Please visit the event website for current information. For more than 40 years, Portland’s Starlight Parade has offered funky, eclectic fun for everyone. From traditional marching bands and flood-lit floats, to glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and unique hand-built entries, you’ll see the best of Portland’s diverse community groups (and surrounding Northwest region) together…
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