Winter in Portland

Winter is a time of year that conjures images of snow-capped mountains and people dressed in layers of warmth. You may have heard that Portland’s winter weather is dreary and cold, but we’re here to let you know it isn’t all doom and gloom and rain. With Portland’s seasonal reputation comes ample opportunity for outdoor recreation and indoor activities with lighter crowds.

Over a long weekend, you can ski on Mt. Hood, watch for whales on the Oregon Coast and curl up next to a firepit with a book or a boardgame. With special events like the Winter Light Festival, the Biamp Portland Jazz Festival, Crafty Wonderland and other Holiday markets, we do winter well. Explore the following recommendations for things to do in Portland when winter weather is good or not so good.

Outdoor Recreation

Discover winter hiking in evergreen forests, park strolls and never-ending views here in the city or in the surrounding region, just a short drive away.

Ice Skating

When winter hits, Portland gets serious about its ice skating. Downtown you’ll find the Portland Winter Ice Rink and Winter Village, an outdoor, family-friendly seasonal treat that opens by Thanksgiving and runs through the New Year. Just across the river is OMSI on Ice, a unique indoor synthetic rink at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), also open over the holidays.

Lloyd Center Ice Rink is open year-round but is merriest during the holidays when a giant Christmas tree stands at the center of the ice. Near the city, the Winterhawks Skating Center and the Sherwood Ice Arena offer daily public ice skating sessions.

Favorite Winter Events

The winter season in Portland overflows with exciting events and festivals.

Portland Winter Light Festival

Brighten your February with a visit to Portland’s annual Winter Lights Festival, where you’ll find glowing sculptures, twinkling lights, lively events and more.

Portland Date Ideas for Every Season 

Fun things to do in Portland for adults out on a date night abound! Whatever the season, find gardens to wander through or sweet treats for your sweetie.

Christmas Ships Parade

The Portland Christmas Ships Parade is a beloved tradition — find the best spots to watch, explore special events and learn about the parade’s unique history.

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.

January is Portland Music Month

January is officially Portland Music Month and MusicPortland has curated a lineup of 100+ local artists to support the music community. Get tickets to hear extraordinary live music that will light up the winters at venues all over Portland.

Snowy Adventures

Just 69.4 miles (111.7 kilometers) from downtown Portland, Mount Hood is right in the city’s backyard and makes for a heck of a winter playground. Permitted Sno-Parks are plentiful on US 26 and ORE 35, offering access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing and sledding.

Alpine skiers and snowboarders have their pick of five ski areas, including the mountain’s largest resort Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline and Mt. Hood Skibowl, which is the biggest night skiing property in the United States.

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Credit: mthoodterritory.com via Flickr

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Credit: D. Paul Angel via Flickr

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Credit: Mt. Hood Territory

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Credit: Mt. Hood Territory

Timberline Lodge, the gorgeous historic ski lodge, built in 1936, offers sweeping views of the mountain and was originally constructed as a Works Progress Administration project. If it looks familiar, perhaps it’s because the hotel was used for exterior shots of the infamous Overlook Hotel in “The Shining.” We promise it isn’t spooky — in fact, it’s an ultra-cozy pit stop for hot cocoa or an overnight stay.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

Up to 20,000 gray whales migrate along Oregon’s coast every winter and spring — this handy guide to whale watching on the Oregon Coast covers prime spots to see migrating whales, top whale-watching charters, when to go and more. Winter is also peak crabbing season and the storm-watching from one of the Coast’s beachfront resorts can be quite epic.

Hiking & Walking

In Oregon, hiking isn’t an occasional summer activity — it’s a way of life. On any given winter weekend, thousands of locals lace up their waterproof hiking boots, zip rain jackets over their down vests, and hit the trails, knowing the weather is rarely as bad as you might think and popular destinations like Multnomah Falls can be enjoyed with fewer crowds in winter.

Get Cozy

Winter in Portland encourages getting cozy. Whether your best version of cozy is a post-hike soaking pool and spa visit, a good book or board game and a blanket or a simple bowl of ramen next to a roaring fireplace as you declare your intentions for the New Year, Portland winter encourages taking the time to look inward and forward to the seasons ahead.

Best Winter Food and Drinks in Portland

Warm yourself from the inside out at these local hot spots with some of Portland’s best winter treats.

All food & drink

Chai in Portland

This guide to Portland chai includes an abundance of house-brewed local brick-and-mortar options and those carrying Portland-made chai blends and concentrates.

Portland Coffee

Explore our comprehensive guide to coffee in Portland, including our rich coffee history, Portland’s impact on the third-wave coffee movement, and coffee shop suggestions by quadrants.

Portland Beer and Breweries

Portland is the craft beer capital and home to 80+ breweries. (No wonder we call it “Beervana!”)

Doughnut Shops in Portland

Find must-try Portland doughnuts all across the city, from zany creations to tried-and-true classics (think crullers and bear claws) to gluten-free options.

Craft Spirits

Powered by a collective of artisanal spirit makers, Portland's craft distilling era has come of age.

Wine

With wine country in its backyard, Portland overflows with wine bars and urban wineries, offering special varietals from around the world.

Can’t Miss Mocktails in Portland

Bars and restaurants are embracing the artistry of non-alcoholic drinks for those seeking alternatives to boozy libations in Portland.

Healthy Food in Portland

Portland may be known for its ice cream, doughnuts, cured meats and fish sauce chicken wings, but it’s also a heavenly spot for healthy eats.

Portland’s Cider Scene

Hard cider is one of the latest beverages to gain popularity in Portland — known for its many beers, craft spirits and Willamette Valley wines.

Fireplaces & Firepits

If you’re feeling chilly, there are all sorts of welcoming places to warm up and eat some s’mores indoors. Take off your coat and relax next to one of the coziest fireplaces and outdoor firepits in Portland.

Soaking Pools & Spas

While we support year-round soaking and self-care, nothing beats a mid-winter soak session — especially when cruising down the Willamette River in a stylish floating hot tub — aka a Yacht Tub. The outdoor courtyard soaking pool at McMenamins Kennedy School, is an affordable, all-ages destination. Other outdoor communal hot tub experiences include the clothing-optional Everett House Healing Community and Common Ground Wellness Cooperative.

For an elevated soaking experience, Cascada offers silent or social thermal pools while Knot Springs has several pools with different temperatures and a steam room alongside a ten-step recommended regimen. Meanwhile, Root Whole Body offers private soaking bathtubs filled with mineral-rich water and a CBD add-on.

Fun Indoors

Indoor options abound when winter shows its cold, wet side.

Perfect Itinerary for Portland Indoor Activities

Whether you’re escaping the weather or just feeling “indoorsy,” here’s a guide to enjoying Portland’s dynamic cultural scene while barely setting foot outside.

Indoor Activities in Portland

Don’t let a rainy day (or a hot one!) stop you from having fun in Portland — enjoy museums, movie theaters, arcades, shopping and other indoor activities.

Indoor Activities for Kids

Portland offers a broad array of indoor activities for kids and families, including story times, indoor playgrounds, arcades, skating and more.

Reading & Game Time

Did you pack light and leave your books and board games at home? Portland’s legendary Powell’s City of Books is a well known year-round destination, but book-lovers also know about the city’s many smaller independent bookstores, any of which make for a great winter afternoon.

While a coffee shop and a quiet place to read may be all you need, Portland’s vast gaming scene offers adventure not found in a book. From board game bars and stores and escape rooms to immersive experiences and arcades, the fun will not stop.

Winter Festivals, Sports & More

Several spectacular events return to Portland every winter season — and only in winter. There are classics for the holidays, such as The Festival of Lights at The Grotto and the Christmas Ships Parade, followed by the Lunar New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden and so much more. Plan ahead to visit during the festivities.

Festivals

Concertgoers kick off the New Year every January with Portland Music Month, a rollicking month-long array of 100+ shows scattered across the city. Dancers, meanwhile, might not consider the year to have fully begun until February, when Portland’s legendary dance event, Portland ValenTango returns. The largest and longest-running tango festival in North America is filled with thrilling milongas, live orchestras, DJ music, and world-class instruction from some of tango’s best professional dancers.

Dazzling displays of light installations around the city brighten the Portland winter skyline for several weekends every February, when the beloved Portland Winter Light Festival lights up sidewalks with glowing sculptures and thousands of Technicolor bulbs.

The Biamp Portland Jazz Festival returns every February for two weeks with a stellar series of concerts and events celebrating Black History Month. Spread across several venues, the series spotlights international talent and rising stars alike. February also features the Cascade Festival of African Films, a free month-long showcase of movies from the African continent, and the annual Northwest Black Comedy Festival, which has provided a showcase for Black comics since 2016.

Sports

For some Portlanders, winter is peak sports season. The NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and the Portland Winterhawks hockey franchise compete next door to each other at the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum, respectively, throughout the winter:

• Basketball: Watch the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center (October through April; see site for schedule)
• Hockey: Cheer on the Portland Winterhawks at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum (October through March; see site for schedule)

Other Events

• Every winter brings another production of The Nutcracker ballet performed by the Oregon Ballet Theatre.
• Lan Su Chinese Garden hosts Lunar New Year.
• The Rose City Classic Dog Show is one of the largest and most popular dog events in the United States.
• Lean into the twangy bluegrass, honky-tonk and American folk tunes of yesteryear at the Portland Old Time Music Gathering.
• The Winter Music Festival (formerly known as the Winter Blues Music Festival) features a mix of blues, R&B and funk bands every February or March.