Each year, Portland’s best events and festivals come and go in the blink of an eye, and 2020 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 Portland Dining Month, an entire month dedicated to the city’s local foodie scene? Looking for a music festival? How about Soul’d Out Music Festival, PDX Jazz 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 Shamrock Run 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 Big Weekend Calendars 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.
Start that diet tomorrow — run for chocolate today! Choose from a 5K run/walk or a 10K run.
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.
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.
For nearly 30 years, it’s brought Oregon beer lovers and brewers from around the world together in Waterfront Park.
For almost 2 weeks, some of the best jazz musicians on earth play shows in venues across the city. Now in its 17th year.
Head out to Happy Valley’s Pendarvis Farm for this music festival, featuring camping and top indie musicians.
Get to know the food scene on the cheap. Restaurants citywide serve up 3-course meals for one low price.
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.
Bringing the funk from far and wide, it’s a huge showcase of hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and beats. 2020 is the 11th anniversary edition.
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.
Get inspired by some of the world’s most famous authors. Multiple dates throughout the year.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Watch costumed competitors row across Tualatin Lake in boat-sized pumpkins. Funny-looking fun for everyone.
In December, more than a million lights transform the zoo into another world.