Local Area - Events
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Downtown Portland Events
Throughout the year many events and festivals take place in the Portland. Check out the upcoming fun activities and things to do in our area:
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July 2008
Oregon Brewers Festival
Approximately 75 brewers throughout the area and from around the world celebrate and share their blends. Purchase the official mug, and then buy all the samples you can handle! Food is available to help soak up the beer, and music will keep your feet tapping. There is, after all, a reason Portland is known as the "Munich on the Willamette" or "Beervana."
SW Naito Pkwy
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Portland, OR 97204
503-295-1862
Portland Highland Scottish Games
On the schedule of 50th annual event: US National Scottish Highland Athletic Championships, featured guest band - TBD; also bagpiping, Highland dancing.
503-241-1124
www.phga.org
Waterfront Blues Festival
This festival is held during the Fourth of July weekend and brings to the city an array of big name blues performers (vocalists and bands) and gospel choirs. You'll also find blues films, arts and crafts for sale, jam sessions, and blues workshops. Enjoy as many as 80 bands on 3 stages. One of the summer favorites, this event benefits the Oregon Food Bank. Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Portland, OR
503-973-FEST
www.waterfrontbluesfest.com
August 2008
The Bite of Oregon
Lots of great Portland restaurants set up booths in the park, tempting visitors with their house specialties. You may sample a multitude of international cuisines, including bites from Greece, Africa, Asia, Italy and Mexico. There's plenty of vegetarian fare available as well, along with tasty American standards. Bands representing a variety of musical genres regale festival-goers with tunes. There are games, giveaways, comic performances, and kids shows as well. There's even a wine garden with selections from more than two dozen Oregon vintners. And the entire event benefits the Oregon Special Olympics.
SW Naito Pkwy
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Portland, OR 97204
503-248-0600
Enjoy Italian food, wine and lots of music, as Italian-Americans and other Portland residents celebrate the heritage of the Mediterranean. Concerts, wine stomps, pizza throws and a bocce tournament add color to the event. Area restaurants serve up savory fare in the authentic manner. You'll also find a wine garden, Italian movies and merchandise for sale. A perfect end-of-summer event.
Festa Italiana
SW Broadway and Yamhill
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland 97205
503-223-1613
Homowo Festival of African Arts
Largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, Homowo fills the Park Blocks with African music and dance presentations, folk arts & crafts, African food, storytelling, workshops and children's activities.
Portland, OR
503-288-3025
www.homowo.org
Mt. Hood Jazz Festival
Celebrating 21 years, this favorite fest offers 3 full days of jazz in a campus setting. Over 50 separate acts; featuring Ramsey Lewis/Billy Taylor, piano, also Nicholas Payton Big Band. Food, beer, wine on sale.
Portland, OR
503-219-9833
www.mthoodjazz.com
Top Down Film Series
729 SW 15th Ave
Hotel Deluxe
Portland OR 97205
503-221-1156
Seaport Celebration
Put on by the Port of Portland, this event is great for families, with plenty of activities for kids, including face painting, games, equipment demonstrations and dock tours. By visiting, you learn more about the behind-the-scenes work that happens at the Portland docks. Live entertainment and food are provided as well. Although the event is free, you music secure a spot by calling ahead.
7201 N Marine Dr Terminal 6
Portland, OR 97203
503-944-7010
September 2008
Annual Reptile & Amphibian Show at OMSI
Crawl, slither and creep your way to the largest reptile show in the Northwest! Observe, touch and learn about snakes, frogs, lizards and more at this popular show not just for kids!
Portland, OR
503-797-4537
www.omsi.edu
Art in the Pearl
Soak in the ambiance of the trendy Pearl District when you visit Art in the Pearl. This yearly juried arts event is attended by approximately 50,000 visitors. Be one of them! Held during Labor Day weekend, the event features artwork, theater, music and educational activities for people of all ages. Food vendors add to the appeal of this three-day cultural event.
North Park Blocks NW 8th Ave & Burnside
Portland, OR
503-722-9017
Musicfest Northwest
This three-day music fest is a slice of heaven for true music lovers. Here, you can catch tomorrow's radio heroes today. A wristband (available at several record stores and other outlets) will get you into all the shows.
Various locales
Portland, OR
503-243-2122
Portland Marathon
In its third decade, this marathon has been named "best organized" by The Ultimate Guide to Marathons. Popular run through the streets of Portland also has the highest percentage of women in any marathon; and includes a marathon walk.
503-226-1111
www.portlandmarathon.org
Portland Pirate Festival
This exciting festival draws kids of all ages to enjoy a host of activities, including tours of tall ships, the firing of cannons, re-enactments, plenty of tasty eats, live music and sword fights. Guests can also peruse a pirate-themed merchant area with plenty of seafaring and pirate related items for sale.
Cathedral Park
Portland, OR
Wintering-In Harvest Festival on Sauvie Island
Historic Bybee House sets the nostalgic scene for this celebration of autumn and harvest. Activities: artists and crafts makers, traditional music, hands on creativity like candle-making, cider-pressing and pumpkin painting.
Portland, OR
503-222-1741
www.ohs.org
November 2008
Wordstock
In a city known for its book stores, it's only fitting that an annual event be devoted to books with a wittily named festival called Wordstock. Held in November, it's one of the largest literary events on the West Coast, featuring music, food, workshops, competitions, a children's festival, lectures and readings from over 150 authors.
777 NE MLK Jr Blvd
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, OR 97232
503-546-1013
Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Arrival
Be there when the massive Christmas tree that dominates Pioneer Courthouse Square arrives. There's a special tree lighting ceremony held on the Friday after Thanksgiving, allowing you a chance to stare up at the twinkling 70-foot tree and listen to a 200-piece tuba band merrily playing holiday music. Santa Claus always makes an appearance as well.
701 SW 6th Ave
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland, OR
November 28, 29, 30 2008
2008 Wine Country Thanksgiving
Willamette Valley Wineries
PO Box 25162
Portland, OR 97298
503-646-2985
November (into December) 2008
Festival of Lights at the Grotto
A must-visit if you're in Portland during the holiday season. This 21st Annual Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto is a spectacular event that features 150 indoor music concerts as well as dramatic living history enactments and holiday light displays that include over a half million bulbs. The beautiful outdoor garden setting, lighted Christmas trees and outdoor carolers create a warm holiday feel, and a life-sized nativity scene anchors the entire event. (Closed on Christmas day.)
NE 85th Ave & Sandy Blvd
Portland, OR
503-254-7371
www.thegrotto.org
Zoolights Festival
Become a kid again when you visit Portland's Oregon Zoo during holiday time. The zoo comes to life with more than two million twinkling lights and holiday decorations. Kids will enjoy a puppet show put on especially for them, and the whole family will have fun on the zoo train that's decked out for the event too!
4001 SW Canyon Rd
Oregon Zoo
Portland, OR 97221
503-226-1561
www.oregonzoo.com
December 2008
Holiday Cheer & Authors Party
For over 30 years the Oregon Historical Society's annual "party" has honored Northwest authors. Meet over 60 of them as they display, autograph and sell their latest books during this popular event.
Portland, OR
503-306-5221
www.ohs.org
February 2009
International Film Festival
For two weeks in February, Portland hosts a film festival that presents cinematic offerings the world over. Historically the event presents close to 100 films from almost 30 countries, providing patrons a chance to see how the film-making process is approached in other cultures. Genres from drama and documentary to comedy and satire are screened.
1219 SW Park Ave.
Northwest Film Center
Portland, OR 97205-2487
503-221-1156
2009 Portland Jazz Festival
This 10-day festival that celebrates Portland, Jazz and Black History Month with over 150 events including educational programs, ticketed shows and free performances featuring national, regional and local artists. Among this year's featured performers are Ornette Coleman, Classical Jazz Quartet, Cecil Taylor, SF Jazz Collective, Joshua Redman, Maceo Parker, and Bill Charlap.
April 2009
Spring Beer & Wine Festival
Sample Northwest hand-crafted beverages from 50 brewers, 25 vintners. Scotch, cigars, cocktails, food, live music.
Portland, OR
503-295-1862
www.springbeerfest.com
May 2009
Cinco de Mayo
Each May, McCall Waterfront Park gains an extra bit of flash and zest, thanks to this annual celebration. Portland's festival, recognized as one of the largest in the U.S. features family-friendly entertainment, fireworks, art, and culture. Arts and crafts are for sale, along with authentic foods. There is also a carnival and special activities for children. Other festival attractions include a car show, puppet shows, live music and costumed participants.a great way to celebrate native heritage and the contributions of Hispanic culture.
SW Naito Pkwy
Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Portland, OR 97204
May 23, 24, 25 2009
2009 Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country
Willamette Valley Wineries
PO Box 25162
Portland, OR 97298
503-646-2985
June 2009
Portland Rose Festival
Portland lives up to its "City of Roses" moniker in 2009 with its 102nd anniversary of this annual celebration. It is truly a city tradition. In tribute to the beautiful flowers for which the city is known, events are held throughout. Three parades, a hot-air balloon race, and a waterfront carnival highlight the festivities. Military ships also dock downtown and are open for public tours.
Various locales
Portland, OR 97209
503-227-2681
www.rosefestival.org
Chamber Music Northwest
26 classical concerts featuring internationally acclaimed musicians. Other events include pre-concert dinners and lectures. Located on the Reed College campus.
Portland, OR
503-223-3202
www.cmnw.org
