When to Visit
Portland is welcoming and lively year-round, with every month and season offering its own allures.
No matter what time of year you choose to visit Portland, there’s always something new to see, do, taste and experience in The Rose City. Explore the changing colors of fall, the gorgeous blooms of spring, the endless festivals of winter and outdoor adventure galore of summer. Year-round, tax-free shopping, thrilling theater debuts, live music, award-winning culinary experiences and more await any visitor to The Rose City. Read on to learn more about each individual season in Portland, then check out our events calendar to discover more things to do and help you plan your next visit.
Explore the Seasons
At any time of year, Portland is bursting with exciting seasonal fun.
Spring in Portland
Springtime in Portland bring plenty of showers and new growth, along with only-in-Portland activities and celebrations of beer, food, fiestas and flowers.
Summer in Portland
In the summertime, Portland pulls out all the stops, with festivals celebrating craft beer, music, contemporary art and the city’s culinary scene.
Fall in Portland
As the trees change color and the weather cools, Portland’s calendar fills with cultural, wine and autumnal events.
Month by Month
Every month in Portland offers its own unique set of events and traditions.
Annual Events
These beloved recurring events in Portland draw visitors year-round.
Portland’s Best Annual Festivals
With a never-ending roster of events in Portland, you’re sure to find plenty worth celebrating every month of the year. Here are 54 of our favorites.
Portland’s Best Food Festivals
We’ve collected PDX’s best foodie events to help you make the most of what our sweet and savory city has to offer all year round.
Beer Festivals in Portland
Portland isn't shy about its love of beer — the city has nearly as many beer festivals as it does breweries.
More Seasonal Fun
Taste, see and experience the many seasonal offerings to be found in Portland.
Top Upcoming Events
Plan your trip around one of these exciting upcoming events in Portland.
Cascade Festival of African Films
VIRTUAL EVENT. Please visit the event website for current information. The 2021 Cascade Festival of African Films will be held virtually in 2021. The festival will remain free and open to the public, but films will be shown online. Visit the event website for more details and the list of films! Founded in 1991, the…
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.
Portland International Film Festival
Established in 1977, The Portland International Film Festival is a creative, multi-media feast spotlighting artists both around the corner and across the globe—embracing bold, original, future-forward storytellers making cinema in all its forms. March 5 – 14, 2021. The Portland International Film Festival (PIFF) is a community celebration of the stories that bind us—whether told…
Womxn's March & Rally For Action
The Womxn’s March & Rally For Action returns in celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Take to the streets on a day that honors womxn and their long history of marching, organizing and speaking out for social justice. Educate. Engage. Empower.
Shamrock Run
Founded in 1979, the Shamrock Run Portland is the largest running and walking event in Oregon and is the third largest running event in the western United States. Due to COVID restrictions on large gatherings, Portland’s longest-running tradition will be taking place virtually in 2021.
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Colorful fields reminiscent of Holland burst with acres of tulips in full bloom at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn.
POW Film Fest
POW Film Fest is Portland’s premiere film festival showcasing films made by women and non-binary filmmakers. The festival features the work of some of today’s top women and non-binary directors, while honoring the true pioneers and recognizing the next generation of leading filmmakers. Over the years POW has striven to encourage thoughtful and engaged discourse…
Portland Metro Reptile Expo
2021 EVENT POSTPONED FROM JANUARY TO MARCH. Please visit the event website for current information. Northwest Reptile Expos is the largest reptile expo in the Northwest, and the longest running reptile show in Oregon. Come out and see the largest selection of reptile vendors in the Pacific Northwest.
St. Johns Bizarre & Parade
The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off the summer street fair season in Portland with music, kids’ activities and more. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts and food to the crowds attending the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, the entire six block…
UFO Festival
Every May, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s famous UFO Festival, featuring four days of parades, costume contests, expert speakers
TEDxPortland
NOTE: The 2020 event has been postponed until May 29, 2021. TEDxPortland, the largest TEDx event in the world, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020. For its first time, the event heads to the Moda Center in North Portland (home of the city’s iconic NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers). Enjoy a day of notable…
Oregon Midsummer Festival
Midsummer continues to be a fun, family friendly and important day with centuries-old traditions and everyone is invited! Enjoy delicious Nordic cuisine, try traditional beverages and scrumptious sweets. Spend the day making your own colorful flower crown and other crafts. Play Kubb and other fun games, take a break in the beer garden before dancing…
Waterfront Blues Festival
Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Oregon Brewers Festival
Portland hosts dozens of beer festivals every year, but none compares to the Oregon Brewers Festival. With offerings from 80 craft brewers, the event draws nearly 70,000 attendees to the downtown waterfront every July.
Portland Folk Festival
After taking 2021 off, the Portland Folk Festival is coming back strong in 2022 with not two, but THREE days of an all-ages celebration of Folk and American music at the historic Crystal Ballroom. Visit the event website for the latest lineup!
Portland ValenTango
The City of Roses boasts one of the best tango communities outside of Buenos Aires, with dances and lessons available almost every night.
RX Fest
Music is medicine. RX Fest is a multi-venue, multi-day festival is a large-scale benefit for organizations vital to our community, all centrally located in downtown Portland at Star Theater, Dante’s, Kelly’s Olympian and Valentine’s.
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