Each year, Portland’s best events and festivals come and go in the blink of an eye, and 2018 will be no exception. Here is a list of Portland’s events to help you plan, whether you’re visiting Portland and want to make it special or a Portlander who doesn’t want to miss out on the fun. Looking for a Portland food festival? How about Feast Portland or ChocolateFest, an entire festival dedicated to fine chocolate? Looking for a music festival? How about MusicfestNW, What The Festival, or Pickathon? Want a more unusual Portland event? Try the Adult Soap Box Derby or the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta. There are great film festivals in Portland, too, such as the Portland International Film Festival.
And don’t forget the epic running events, like the Portland Marathon and the Hood to Coast Relay. I suggest you get our 12-month wall calendar, which has all the Portland events and their dates on it. (If you don’t want to buy it, you can still see all of the events on the BigWeekendCalendars.com website for free.)
Only in Portland would adults lovingly build soapbox racers and hurl themselves down a volcanic cinder cone. Free.
This massive fine arts and crafts festival in Portland’s North Park Blocks includes world music, hands-on activities, and artist demonstrations.
Join the chocolate revolution! An adults-only opening-night chocolate party, followed by all-ages tastings of amazing chocolates.
It’s the perfect snapshot of Oregon cuisine: all-star chefs, lots to eat and drink, and proceeds go toward ending hunger in the US.
This festival just went international! See why, with an opening-night block party, director panels, and about 40 short films dedicated to the art of biking.
Celebrate the holidays in Pioneer Courthouse Square with fellow beer lovers and hundreds of potent winter ales.
Register a 12-member team to run day and night from Mt. Hood to Seaside. Expect an epic beach party at the end of the 198-mile route.
Kells St. Patrick’s Irish Festival
May the luck of the Irish be there with you. It’s Portland’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party, with a good mix of traditional entertainment for families and revelers.
Head to Southeast’s Sunnyside neighborhood to tour an entire street of elaborately decorated Tudor homes. Look for pedestrian-only nights.
Head downtown to herald the start of the holiday season, with over 20 floats, 600 costumed characters, and the big man in red.
Mississippi Avenue Street Fair
This huge street fair has something for everyone: 40+ bands, local art, beer gardens, and more. Free.
MusicfestNW Presents Project Pabst
For days, who’s who in the independent music scene, from national stars to underground bands, rock Waterfront Park.
For nearly 30 years, it’s brought Oregon beer lovers and brewers from around the world together in Waterfront Park.
Get into the local music scene at one of Portland’s most beloved music events. Free, all ages, and grassroots.
Head out to Happy Valley’s Pendarvis Farm for this music festival, featuring camping and top indie musicians.
This scenic, award-winning 10K footrace ends with a pasta-and-beer party on the banks of the Willamette.
Better begin practicing how to say “cheers” in Polish. This free fest has great food, live polka, dancing, and more. Na zdrowie!
Portland International Film Festival
The largest filmfest in Oregon brings hundreds of critically acclaimed movies, by both celebrated and under-the-radar directors, to theaters citywide.
Portland Pride Festival & Parade
Diversity rocks! Party with DJs on Saturday; on Sunday, get ready for one of the city’s biggest parades.
It’s our city’s parade! Flower-bedazzled floats, spectacular costumes, marching bands, and more.
Tour over 3500 vendor stalls to find the rarest and most random car parts. Vintage cars on display, too.
Whether you’re a pro or amateur cyclist, ride to the beach and raise money for the American Lung Association.
Blues and rock musicians lay down the jams on dueling stages in Waterfront Park at this Oregon Food Bank fundraiser.
The largest running event in the state always sells out and always ends with brews. Choose half marathon, 5K, 8K, or 15K.
Excellent organization and friendly staff make this one of the best marathons in the nation. Sign up early to ensure a spot.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Watch costumed competitors row across Tualatin Lake in boat-sized pumpkins. Funny-looking fun for everyone.
Experience huge art installations, bands, camping, and gigantic wading pools in the middle of nowhere, east of Mt. Hood.
In December, more than a million lights transform the zoo into another world.