COMMUNITY

Portland Rose Festival 2023 Past Event Like List
The city's landmark festival will return to celebrate its 115-year legacy with petals, pistils, stamens, and a slew of much-loved events that "focus on fun." The festivities include the Grand Floral Parade (a botanical spectacular on wheels) and the twinkly nighttime Starlight Parade of illuminated floats, plus the Queen's coronation, a treasure hunt, dragon boat races (a thrilling Chinese tradition practiced in the Rose City since 1989), and a three-weekend CityFair with carnival rides. (Bring your thirst to CityFair—Oregon Brewers Festival will present a "tap takeover" with featured beers and Rose Festival mugs up for grabs.) LC
Various locations (May 26–June 11)

Multnomah County Fair 2023 Past Event Like List
Wholesome, family-friendly vibes abound at the Multnomah County Fair, where attendees can peep a pioneer village, chow down on nachos, and enjoy amusement park rides. A car show will showcase lowriders and hot rods, and cultural performers will hit the stage throughout the weekend. Perhaps most importantly, the dachshund race is cute enough to make you forget your problems for a few blessed minutes. (Visitors can enter their own wiener pup for a chance to win prizes.) LC
Oaks Amusement Park (May 27–29)

Pedalpalooza 2023 Past Event Like List
This summer-long festival of bikey fun is a calendar highlight for pedal-powered Portlanders. Riders of all ages are welcome to join hundreds of events independently organized by community members like you. From themed rides to the famous World Naked Bike Ride Past Event Like List (Aug 12), there's plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded bikers. JW
Various locations (June 1–Aug 31)

Oregon Renaissance Faire 2023 Past Event Like List
Whether you're there for the Middle Ages vibes or the unbeatable people-watching, the Ren Faire at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds (aka the "Vale of Dunrose") is always a mead-guzzlin' good time. Harkening back to when musicians, jugglers, and falconers all reveled together, this fantasy-loving festival (led by Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots) will take place for three consecutive weekends in June, celebrating fairies, pirates, Celtic culture, and everything in between. Nothing says summer like chainmail and wool tunics, so head to the fair to catch jousting knights and snag trinkets and treats from a long-gone era. LC
Clackamas County Fairgrounds (June 3–18)

Tigard Festival of Balloons 2023 Past Event Like List
While a buoyant brigade of kaleidoscopic hot air balloons floats in the morning skies above Tigard, festivities will ensue below, including craft and vendor booths, classic carnival rides, a Rogue Ales beer garden, country and blues-infused tunes, tethered rides, and more. If the festival's daytime events somehow don't offer up enough balloon action for you, never fear: A sunset launch of even more balloons will cap off the Friday and Saturday celebrations with a luminous glow. LC
Cook Park (June 23–25)

Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade Past Event Like List
With a record number of states advancing bills that attack LGBTQ rights (per the ACLU), especially those of trans folks, it's more pertinent than ever to come together in community and find pockets of queer joy and celebration. There will be rainbow paraphernalia aplenty at Portland's annual pride festival and accompanying loud-and-proud parade through downtown streets, held for the first time in July this year to avoid overlapping with other events and extend the celebration past Pride Month. The two-day festival gathers exhibitors ranging from school gay-straight alliance groups to nonprofits and community organizations, plus lots of live music and drag performances, food, and more. JW
Tom McCall Waterfront Park (July 15–16)

PDX Adult Soapbox Derby Past Event Like List
Every summer, Portlanders trudge up the side of Mt. Tabor to watch full-grown, costumed adults zoom down the extinct volcano in homemade cars bedecked like a cup of noodles, Mater from Cars, logs, and other aerodynamic (eh, questionable) designs. While crowd favorites earn thunderous cheers, prizes are dished out for categories like best engineering, "shit talker," and lifetime achievement. JW
Mt. Tabor Park (Sat Aug 19)

CULTURE

Latino Cultural Festival 2023 Past Event Like List
Hosted by the Hillsboro Hops, this cultural festival anticipates packed crowds (over 10,000 visitors typically attend), so you'll be celebrating Latino heritage in good company. The festivities commence with a vivacious parade led by Hillsboro elementary students, dancers, and musicians, and performances throughout the day will spotlight talented youth. Cheer on the 200-player futsal tournament and chow down on delicious Latino cuisine. LC
Ron Tonkin Field (Sun June 4)

Juneteenth Oregon Past Event Like List
Commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, Oregon's 51st annual Juneteenth celebration is a community event that was first started by Vanport shipyard worker Clara Peoples. Over the two-day festival, celebrants will watch a parade, peruse vendors and local community organizations, and enjoy a lineup of performances. Plus, you'll want to brush up on your steps because the Cupid Shuffler-in-chief, Cupid himself, will headline the festivities. JW
Lillis-Albina Park (June 17–18)

Oregon Midsummer Festival Past Event Like List
This Midsummer celebration is a little less "Ari Aster folk horror," and more "Nordic summer delicacies and yard games." But yes, you can still wear a flower crown. Warm up to the summer sun with maypole decorating, Scandinavian traditional dancing, Nordic vintage vendors, Viking history, and a gnome-themed scavenger hunt, plus the League of Swedish Societies' 96th annual raising of the Portland Midsummer pole. You'll find delicious unpronounceables from Broder Söder and Carina's Bakery available for snacking, too, plus Nordic brews on tap from Ridgewalker Brewing. Skål! LC
Nordic Northwest (June 23–24)

India Festival Past Event Like List
Spearheaded by the India Cultural Association of Portland, this outdoor festival brings India's vibrant culture to Portland's living room with a flurry of music and dance performances, plus booths with fashion, art, and mouthwatering Indian cuisine. Now in its 29th year, the event is held in proximity to August 15 in celebration of India's independence day. JW
Pioneer Courthouse Square (Sun Aug 6)

FOOD & DRINK

The Bloody Mary Festival - Portland Past Event Like List
With its savory vodka-spiked tomato juice base and garnishes ranging from the humble (celery) to outlandish (mini cheeseburgers), the Bloody Mary is a bona fide brunch classic. At this event, you’ll get to enjoy an unlimited supply of the umami-rich cocktail in a myriad of iterations from local bars and restaurants, not to mention coffee, food and drink samples, temporary tattoos, photo opportunities, and more. Plus, cast a vote for your favorite Bloody Mary to win the People’s Choice Award. JB
The Redd on Salmon (Sat June 10)

Portland Craft Beer Festival Past Event Like List
Unlike similar craft beer events, this annual festival focuses primarily on beers brewed within the city limits of Portland, making an excellent opportunity to avail yourself of plenty of local suds in one place. If beer isn't your thing, there's also a selection of cider, wine, and mead. This year's gathering will be held at the charming Elizabeth Caruthers Park, with food, live music, vendors, games, and other entertainment. Best of all, you can rest easy knowing your ticket supports a good cause: Together with its partner CaskAide, Inc., the festival has raised $35,000 for local non-profits. JB
Elizabeth Caruthers Park (Fri June 30)

TeaFestPDX Past Event Like List
Channel your inner Uncle Iroh at this annual festival dedicated to tea in all of its many forms. You'll get to connect with other connoisseurs of camellia sinensis (though you don't have to know the technical name for tea plants to attend) and learn about tea culture, history, health benefits, varieties, brewing methods, teaware, and more. Plus, peruse booths from vendors such as Smith Teamaker, Young Mountain Tea, International Tea Sippers Society, Camellia Pistrina, Mizuba Tea Co., Tisanity, and Mamancy Tea & Chocolates. Who knows—you might just go home with a new daily ritual. JB
World Forestry Center & Discovery Museum (Sat July 15)

Portland Mercury's Burger Week 2023 Past Event Like List
Hamburglars, it's your time to shine. You have one week to see how many one-of-a-kind burgers you can put away at an absolute steal ($8 each!) You won't get a trophy or anything, but you will have bragging rights among your fellow burger lovers and one very satisfied stomach. The Merc's most popular food week event by a landslide features vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, so no growling belly is left behind. Plot your own personalized burger adventure and try as many as you like. For maximum success, we recommend wearing something with an elastic waistband—oh, and don't forget to tip the kitchen staff and servers. JB
Various locations (Aug 21–27)

MUSIC

Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn Past Event Like List
Edgefield's historic, 74-acre tree-framed lawn will host its annual outdoor concert series, with big names like art punk heavies Yeah Yeah Yeahs, indie rock tear-jerkers Death Cab For Cutie, reigning queen of soul Diana Ross, and pop gem Maggie Rogers. I, for one, can't wait to see indie folk ensemble Big Thief, who will co-headline with the one and only Lucinda Williams. They are precisely the combination that will make me sob through the night (in a good way). AV
McMenamins Edgefield (June 2–Sept 26)

Chamber Music Northwest: Poetry in Music Past Event Like List
For their 53rd annual summer festival, Chamber Music Northwest will flex a wide-ranging repertoire of concerts for a five-week festival that celebrates the confluence of poetry and chamber music. Highlights from the festival include a Baroque-era journey with the Oregon Bach Festival Period Orchestra, two final performances from the New York-based classical ensemble Emerson String Quartet (who will sadly disband after the 2023 season), the West Coast debut of powerhouse composer collective umama womama, and a performance of David Ludwig’s “The Anchoress," which features a rare combination of strings, piano, saxophones, woodwinds, and poetry. The festival will come to a close with a festival finale celebrating the vitality of American music from New England church hymns to trailblazing composer Amy Beach. AV
Various locations (June 24–July 29)

Waterfront Blues Festival 2023 Past Event Like List
The Waterfront Blues Festival will celebrate its 36th year as one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved and anticipated music events with over 100 diverse and multigenerational musicians that carry on the traditions and various shades of the definitive genre. This year's headliners include Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy, Americana ensemble The Mavericks, Southern soul-rock band JJ Grey & Mofro, funk guitarist Cory Wong, and the self-identified "Texican rock 'n' roll" trio Los Lonely Boys. AV
Tom McCall Waterfront Park (July 1–4)

Cathedral Park Jazz Festival 2023 Past Event Like List
Crowds will sprawl out on Cathedral Park's sloping lawn for the 43rd annual edition of this jazz festival presented by the Jazz Society of Oregon. Pack a picnic or enjoy food from onsite food carts as swingin' sounds waft through the summer breeze. At press time, the lineup had yet to be announced, but considering last year's festival included the likes of Portland jazz greats the Mel Brown Trio, Brown Calculus, and Bridge City Soul, this festival is not to be missed. Plus, admission is free, so you have no excuses! AV
Cathedral Park (July 14–16)

Pickathon 2023 Past Event Like List
Pickathon is back, baby! Beloved for their wide-ranging acts, pastoral farmyard setting, and pioneering sustainability practices, the long-running music festival will celebrate its 24th year with a plethora of talent including indie-folk duo Watchhouse, soul icon Lee Fields, indie rock trio Dehd, and Americana singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham. Personally, I am most excited to see the revolutionary Zamrock band W.I.T.C.H. ("We Intend To Cause Havoc") on the lineup, whose fusion of psych rock, R&B, and traditional Zambian sounds are the perfect soundtrack for a warm August day. AV
Pendarvis Farm (Aug 3–6)

Vanport Jazz Festival 2023 Past Event Like List
Paying homage to the Black musicians and artists of Oregon's short-lived wartime housing development (destroyed by a flood in 1948), the Vanport Jazz Festival invites surviving members of the Vanport community, renowned musical talent, and jazz aficionados to join together and honor this local history. This year, the festival will include performances from R&B singer-songwriter Joseph Lewis Thomas (known mononymously as Joe), world-renowned saxophonist Mike Phillips, smooth jazz legend Boney James, soul singer-songwriter Goapele, Scottish blue-eyed soul group Average White Band, and more. AV
Colwood Golf Course (Aug 4–5)

PDX Live Past Event Like List
True West and Pioneer Courthouse Square have teamed up once again, bringing live music back to downtown Portland for the second year with an outdoor music series hosting a slew of legendary performers. This year's lineup is even more exciting than last year, with highlights like punk poet laureate Patti Smith, cherished sister duo Tegan and Sara, Michelle Zauner's indie rock project Japanese Breakfast, indie folk heavyweights Fleet Foxes, and indie pop star beabadoobee. AV
Pioneer Courthouse Square (Aug 9–24)

ARTS

Portland Horror Film Festival Past Event Like List
Life itself might seem kinda frightening right now, but in our opinion, horror flicks offer the perfect catharsis. (At least you're not dodging a chainsaw-wielding maniac...right?) Channel that glad-it's-not-me spirit at the Portland Horror Film Festival, which will return this year, inviting attendees to get their spook on with "over 20 hours" of fresh shorts, indie haunts, and sleeper hits to die for. With in-person screenings and virtual options, it's a lil' like Halloween in June. Expect spooky offerings from BIPOC, women, and queer filmmakers, and pick your poison—you'll find folk horror, masked killers, and haunted houses in the festival lineup. LC
Hollywood Theatre & Clinton Street Theater (June 7–11)

The 5th Annual ​Portland Sketch Comedy Festival Past Event Like List
As the brainchild of Portland comedy mainstays Ted Douglass and Shelley McLendon, the Portland Sketch Comedy Festival set a precedent for quick-witted comedy that drew huge crowds. Then COVID-19 happened, and the fest was forced to fall off the map for a few years. But they're back, baby! Returning for its fifth edition, the three-day festival will continue to shape the city's vibrant sketch comedy scene with hilarious (natch) performances by buzzy local troupes and out-of-towners. LC
Siren Theater (July 20–22)

Sneaker Week PDX Past Event Like List
Portland's sneakerhead community likes to proclaim the city the "sneaker capital of the world," and with titans like Nike and Pensole Footwear Design Academy in town, the assertion holds up. This week-long festival celebrates the global sneaker community and Portland's booming footwear industry with workshops and themed festivities. JW
Various locations (Aug 3–9)

Portland Fashion Week 2023 Past Event Like List
Take a break from your leggings uniform (just me?) and feast your eyes on couture at the carbon-negative Portland Fashion Week, which will return for its 22nd year with "seven sustainable nights of styles, smiles, fashion, fun, ecology, and some frivolity." Attendees can peep upcoming collections by buzzy footwear, swimwear, bridal, and haute couture designers; past designers have included Nike, Adidas, Project Runway winners Michael Costello and Gretchen Jones, and a slew of up-and-coming, eco-conscious creatives. LC
Various locations (Aug 14–20)