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A couple sits on a picnic blanket at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland’s longest-running music festival held yearly at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Credit: NASHCO Photo

Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival

Music for the community since 1988.

Editor's Pick
Downtown
Editor's Pick
Downtown
This is a recurring event and we’re showing the details from its most recent past occurrence. We’ll update this page with future event info as soon as we get it. Please check back!
When
July 1–4, 2023
Daily
Cost: Cost Varies
Where
98 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204

2023 marked the 36th anniversary of the Waterfront Blues Festival, a jubilant celebration in downtown Portland. Founded in 1988, this Independence Day festival has welcomed over 2,000 artists, including Gregg Allman, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Gary Clark Jr., Robert Plant, Mavis Staples and Trombone Shorty, garnering international acclaim and raising over $10 million dollars for local community organizations, the Oregon Food Bank and Meals on Wheels. 

The festival is also an unparalleled showcase for Portland’s local music community and features local legends like Curtis Salgado, Liv Warfield and Norman Sylvester. Over the course of four days and four stages, the festival features a dynamic lineup of 100+ blues, soul, funk and R&B artists, as well as some of Portland’s favorite food trucks, wineries, breweries and more. 

a colorfully-dressed performer sings on stage in front of musicians
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Kam Franklin from the Suffers performs at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland's longest-running music festival held yearly at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Credit: NASHCO Photo
Two friends sit outside in the sun, smiling and talking with a crowd behind them
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Friends sit on a picnic blanket at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland's longest-running music festival held each year at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Credit: NASHCO Photo
a person sitting at a drum kit in front of a crowd
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A drummer performs onstage at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland's longest-running music festival held yearly at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Credit: NASHCO Photo
overhead view of downtown portland's waterfront full of tents and willamette river full of boats
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Aerial View of the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland's longest-running music festival held yearly at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Credit: NASHCO Photo

Held in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, with views of Portland’s famous bridges and riverfront, the festival is the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend. With family-friendly activities, sunny skies, the world-famous Zydeco dance floor and fireworks over the Willamette River, The Waterfront Blues Festival is not to be missed.

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