Winter in Portland

When wintry weather arrives, Portland offers plenty of activities to while away the cool days and long nights.

Portland in the winter? Doesn’t it rain all the time?

Winter Weather

Yes, it does rain in the winter in Portland. (Not all the time, but plenty.) However, temperatures are mild, and the rain provides the perfect excuse to do as locals do and indulge in Portland’s legendary culinary scene, sample craft beers from our 75+ breweries, drink a few extra cups of locally roasted coffee, check out some live music and get lost in the aisles of Powell’s City of Books. Plus, if you’re willing to dodge a few raindrops during your visit, you may see some nice savings on hotels.

What to Pack

Pack a coat, fleece, rain-friendly shoes and your ski gear. (As locals will tell you, rain in Portland means snow on nearby Mount Hood.)

GO TO EVENTS CALENDAR

Favorite Winter Events

GO TO EVENTS CALENDAR
Wine Country Thanksgiving tasting at Ken Wright Cellars

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, more than 150 wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favori
Give cheers for beers underneath the Holiday Ale Festival\'s clear tent.

Portland’s Holiday Ale Festival

The Holiday Ale Festival, set beneath the region’s largest decorated holiday tree, returns every year with more than 50 big, bold beers designed to keep revelers warm on cold winter nights.
Watch for whales from Neahkahnie Mountain on the Oregon Coast.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon's coast every winter and spring. Spot them from these four locations.
Coho Productions presents artist-driven plays in their homey 99-seat theater.

Fertile Ground Festival

See Portland's newest theater and dance works every January at Portland's Fertile Ground Festival.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with colorful cultural activities at Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Lunar New Year Celebrations

Portland hosts its own Japanese Mochitsuki Festival, Vietnamese Tet Festival and multiple Chinese New Year events.
The Portland Spirit floats by Tilikum Crossing during the Winter Light Festival.

Portland Winter Light Festival

Brighten your February with glowing sculptures and thousands of twinkling lights at the annual Winter Lights Festival.
More than 180 custom motorcycles were displayed at The One Moto Show.

The One Moto Show

Every February, the One Moto Show draws thousands of bikers and enthusiasts to Portland to celebrate all things motorcycle.
Catch live performances all week long during Portland\'s annual Jazz Festival, which draws musicians from around the city and the world together.

Portland Jazz Festival

The Portland Jazz Festival returns every February with a stellar series of concerts and events celebrating Black History Month.
A chef puts the finishing touch on a dessert at Olympia Provisions in Southeast Portland.

Portland Dining Month

Every March, more than 100 Portland restaurants serve up three courses for just $33 nightly. There's no better time to visit this top culinary destination.
POW Film Fest features women-led films, workshops and moderated panels.

POW Film Fest: Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival

POW Film Fest showcases films by female directors, along with filmmaker workshops and moderated panels, every March in Portland.

Portland’s Top 10 Winter Drinks

Award-winning brewers and mixologists help you beat winter’s chill with beverages featuring seasonal flavors like eggnog and apple cider.

Take a sip

Winter Activities

Bundle up and head outside for these beloved wintry pastimes.

Take a winter stroll through Irving Park in Northeast Portland.
Editor's suggestion

Winter Walks in Portland

Trade muddy trails for winter walks along the smooth, paved walkways of Portland's parks, then treat yourself to a warm mug of coffee or tea.

Celebrate the holiday season with ice skating at the Oregon Garden.
Editor's suggestion

Ice Skating in and Around Portland

Here are your best bets for ice skating in Portland and the region, from year-round indoor rinks to winter-only outdoor options.

Oregon\'s famous Multnomah Falls is especially gorgeous when it\'s partially frozen.
Editor's suggestion

Winter Hikes in and Near Portland

Oregon’s great outdoors offers excellent adventures all year-round. Here are six Portland-area paths perfect for all-weather adventures.

Winter Sports on Mount Hood

Just a 90-minute drive from downtown, Mount Hood sits right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground.

Hit the slopes

Events By Month

FULL CALENDAR
Get into the spirit with a visit to Portland\'s holiday tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

December Events

Favorite December events in Portland include light displays, holiday shopping, seasonal traditions and a beer festival.

January\'s Fertile Ground Festival celebrates new Portland works.

January Events

From theater to roller derby, Portland kicks off the year with an eclectic assortment of events.

February Events

February is the perfect month to take in fine Portland food, film, music and more.

Indoor activities

Prefer to shelter from the elements? Portland’s got you covered.

Step inside
Catch an indie band concert, then warm up by the roaring fire pit at Doug Fir Lounge.

Portland’s Coziest Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Portland winters are usually mild, but the city offers all sorts of welcoming places to warm up. Relax next to one of our favorite fireplaces in Portland.
The Dragonfly Coffee House in Northwest Portland.

Eight Coffee Shops Made for Reading

Pick up a winning read at one of Portland’s many independent bookstores and curl up in a cozy corner of one of these eight local coffee shops.
Portland band The Hugs plays at the Crystal Ballroom.

Live Music Venues in Portland

From gritty rock to velvety jazz, Portland’s live music scene offers tunes for all types.
Do you like to put live music right in your earhole? Go Somewhere Different.

Niche Live Music Venues in Portland

These hidden gems are havens for jazz, punk, bluegrass, funk and more.
Explore Oregon\'s history, local artwork and internationally renowned pieces from around the world at the Portland Art Museum.

Museums & History

Delve into the roots of the Portland region and enjoy the art of yesterday and today.
Table tennis devotees flock to ping pong social club, Pips & Bounce.

Indoor Activities for Children

When Portland's weather prevents kids from running around outside, families can choose from dozens of awesome indoor activities.
This Portland landmark is the world\'s largest new and used bookstore.

Powell’s City of Books

Covering an entire city block, Powell's is a landmark, a great bookstore and a microcosm of the city itself.

Holidays in Portland

The annual Holiday Tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square is a festive annual Portland tradition.

Portland Holiday Events

Like an Advent calendar loaded with sugary treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of sweet memories.

The Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto.

Holiday Light Displays in Portland

Portland is full of bright ways to embrace the shorter days of winter; here are some of the stars in the city’s constellation of holiday light displays.

Holiday shoppers browse local wares at Give Good Gift.

Holiday Shopping Events

Do your holiday shopping for locally made gifts at hip parties, makers' fairs, sprawling sales and garden grounds filled with handcrafted items.