EVENTS 2025
Jan 15-19
The 26th Annual Portland Old Time Music Gathering
A celebration of traditional old-time music, this festival features concerts, workshops, and jam sessions across various Portland venues. Musicians and enthusiasts gather to share and enjoy Appalachian string band music and dance. Learn more at everout.com.
Jan 18
8th Annual Wassail Cider Fest
Held at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, this festival celebrates the ancient tradition of wassailing to ensure a good apple harvest. Attendees can enjoy cider tastings from local producers, live music, and festive activities. Learn more at everout.com.
Feb 7-15
Portland Winter Light Festival
An illuminating citywide art experience, this free event showcases light-based art installations, performances, and interactive exhibits, transforming Portland’s nighttime landscape into a vibrant tapestry of light and color. Learn more at pdxwlf.com.
Feb 7-9
Studio Ghibli Film Festival
Hosted at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), this festival features screenings of beloved Studio Ghibli films, offering fans a chance to experience these animated classics on the big screen. Learn more at omsi.edu.
Mar 4
Mardi Gras Celebration
A free, family-friendly parade starting at 7 p.m., featuring vibrant floats, live music, and bead throwing. Local businesses along the route offer special deals on drinks and desserts, making it a festive evening for all. Learn more at portlandmardigras.com.
Cheryl’s on 12th
Gourmet cafe & market offering creative New American cuisine & housemade sweets in an upbeat space.
1135 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 595.2252 | Web: cherylson12th.com
Higgins
Longtime classy spot for local & sustainable NW fare, with a lively bar, many beers & Oregon wines.
1239 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 222-9070 | Web: higginsportland.com
Jake’s Grill
American fare including steak & seafood, plus whiskey, in old-school eatery with popular happy hour. 611 SW 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 220-1850 | Web: jakesgrill.com
Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?
Send in a recommendation for your favorite restaurant to be added to our list. Be sure to mention why you think they are worthy of being featured and include a link to their website.
Davenport
A regularly changing eclectic American menu served against a warm, industrial-hip backdrop.
2215 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
Portland City Grill
New American dishes with an Asian touch, plus a happy hour, with a 30th-floor skyline view.
111 SW 5th Ave 30th Floor, Portland, OR
Southpark Seafood
Contemporary spot for sustainable seafood & wine in an upbeat, stylish setting.
901 SW Salmon St, Portland, OR
Cubo
Cuban joint serves up homestyle fare plus cocktails in casual, vibrant surrounds with a patio.
3106 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR
Luce
Petite, low-key Italian restaurant and grocery serving housemade pastas & seasonal entrees.
2140 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
The Fireside
Striking gastropub with dual fireplaces serving New American fare, wine & cocktails.
801 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR
Screen Door Eastside
Refined Southern specialties like buttermilk-fried chicken in roomy digs offering weekend brunch.
2337 E Burnside St, Portland, OR
Miss Delta Restaurant and Bar
Hush puppies, fried catfish & other Southern specialties star at this compact place with Cajun chow.
3950 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR
EVENTS 2025
Mar 21 - Apr 27
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
This annual event showcases over 40 acres of tulips in full bloom, offering breathtaking views and photo opportunities. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, wine tastings, and various family-friendly activities amidst the colorful fields. Learn more at woodenshoe.com.
Apr 5
Portland Saturday Market Opening Day
Marking the start of its 52nd season, this open-air arts and crafts market features local artisans, food vendors, and live entertainment every Saturday, offering a vibrant cultural experience in the heart of the city. Learn more at portlandsaturdaymarket.com.
Apr 25-27
GameStorm 25
A fan-run annual gaming convention held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland, featuring board games, role-playing games, miniatures, and more. Gamers of all ages gather to participate in tournaments, workshops, and open gaming sessions. Learn more at tabletop.events.
May 2–5
38th Annual Portland Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Oregon’s largest multicultural event, held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, celebrating Mexican culture with live music, dance performances, authentic cuisine, and artisan crafts. The festival also features a low-rider car show and family-friendly activities. Learn more at cincodemayoportland.com.
May 23-June 8
Portland Rose Festival
A longstanding city tradition featuring multiple parades, including the Grand Floral Parade, waterfront carnival rides, concerts, races, fireworks,
EVENTS 2025
and plenty of roses. The festival celebrates Portland’s rich horticultural heritage and community spirit. Learn more at rosefestival.org.
Jun 7
Milk Carton Boat Race
A quirky and fun event where participants race boats made entirely of recycled milk cartons across Westmoreland Park’s casting pond. This family-friendly competition showcases creativity and engineering skills. Learn more at royalrosarians.com.
Jun 20-21
Cider Summit Portland
The region’s largest hard cider tasting festival, featuring over 150 artisanal ciders from local and international producers. Held at The Fields Park, attendees can enjoy live music and food pairings. Learn more at cidersummitnw.com.
Jul 3-6
Waterfront Blues Festival
Held annually over the Fourth of July weekend at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, this festival features top national and international blues musicians, supporting the Oregon Food Bank. Attendees can enjoy multiple stages of music, fireworks, and riverboat cruises. Details at waterfrontbluesfest.com.
Jul 11-13
Portland Craft Beer Festival
Celebrating Portland’s rich brewing culture, this festival offers a wide selection of locally crafted beers, ciders, and wines. Held at The Fields Park, attendees can also enjoy food trucks and live entertainment. Learn more at portlandcraftbeerfestival.com.
Aug 1-31
Pickathon Music Festival
An independent music festival held at Pendarvis Farm, featuring a diverse lineup of artists across multiple genres. Imagine a festival that’s less like
EVENTS 2025
a giant field and more like a series of interconnected, magical villages, a vibrant, four-day city pulsating with life. That’s Pickathon. For four days each year, we transform the beautiful Pendarvis Farm into Oregon’s 51st largest city, a nature-based metropolis. Winding trails lead you through lush meadows, hidden groves, and rolling valleys, connecting distinct “neighborhoods,” each with its unique personality and vibe.
It’s a truly immersive and personalized experience, the ultimate collaborative design music festival in the United States, where the magic of nature harmonizes with the artistry of humans. It’s this commitment to creating something extraordinary that sets Pickathon apart. Most festivals prioritize profit, easily achieved with a big field, a large stage, and very little else. Pickathon chooses a different path, one that prioritizes the experience, fostering a sense of wonder and connection that’s truly rare in today’s world. Learn more at pickathon.com.
Sep 5-7
Rose City Comic Con
Portland’s premier pop culture event, Rose City Comic Con, returns to the Oregon Convention Center. Fans can enjoy celebrity panels, artist alleys, cosplay contests, and a wide array of vendors, celebrating comics, gaming, and pop culture. Learn more at rosecitycomiccon.com.
Sep 6
Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons
Experience the enchanting music of the popular video game “Stardew Valley” performed live by a full orchestra at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This concert brings the game’s beloved soundtrack to life, offering fans a unique musical journey. Learn more at stardewvalleyconcert.com.
Oct 31
Portland Halloween Festivities
Portland comes alive with various Halloween events, including haunted houses, costume parties, and family-friendly trick-or-treating. Local venues
EVENTS 2025
host themed events, offering something for everyone during this spooky season. Learn more at travelportland.com.
Oct 25-26
Portland Retro Gaming Expo
A haven for gaming enthusiasts, this expo at the Oregon Convention Center showcases classic video games, arcades, and pinball machines. Attendees can participate in tournaments, attend panels, and explore a vast marketplace of retro gaming merchandise. Learn more at retrogamingexpo.com.
Nov 2025
Portland Book Festival
Formerly known as Wordstock, this festival gathers authors, publishers, and book lovers for a day of readings, panels, and workshops. Held at the Portland Art Museum and neighboring venues, it celebrates literature and fosters a love for reading. Learn more at literary-arts.org.
Dec 2025
Christmas Ship Parade
A cherished Portland tradition since 1954, the Christmas Ship Parade features brightly decorated boats cruising the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Spectators can enjoy the festive display from various waterfront locations throughout the city. Learn more at christmasships.org.
Be Flexible: Travel during off-peak seasons for cheaper flights and accommodations. Midweek flights are often more affordable than weekend ones.
Stay Smart: Skip pricey hotels and opt for hostels, vacation rentals, or even house-sitting gigs.
Eat Local: Ditch the tourist traps and try street food or local markets for authentic, wallet-friendly meals.
Use Freebies: Many cities offer free walking tours, museums with free days, and parks brimming with charm.
Plan Ahead: Book tickets early to snag the best deals.
Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. With these tips, you can make memories that are priceless—without spending a fortune! Where will your next adventure take you?
BASIC RIGHTS OREGON
Basic Rights Oregon will ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.
BASICRIGHTS.ORG | (503) 222-6151
Q CENTER
To provide safe spaces, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest.
PDXQCENTER.ORG | (503) 234-7837
PRISM HEALTH
Prism Health offers a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space where all members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community can obtain the compassionate and culturally effective health care they need and deserve.
PRISMHEALTH.ORG | (503) 445-7699
BRAVE SPACE LLC
Brave Space creates community and facilitates access to expert and knowledgeable providers for transgender and non-binary children, youth, adults, and their families.
BRAVESPACELLC.COM | (503) 486-8936
EQUALITY FEDERATION
Equality Federation is an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice, building power in our network of state-based lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) advocacy organizations. We work collaboratively on critical issues—from advancing workplace fairness and family recognition to defeating anti-transgender bills and HIV criminalization laws—that affect how LGBTQ+ people experience the world from cradle to grave.
EQUALITYFEDERATION.ORG | (929) 373-3370
Feeling drained by endless notifications and screen time? A digital detox might be just what you need to reclaim your energy and focus!
Start small—try unplugging for an hour a day. Use this time to read, journal, or simply relax. Gradually extend your tech-free periods to rediscover what life feels like offline.
Create phone-free zones, like your bedroom or dinner table, to reconnect with yourself and loved ones. Replace mindless scrolling with meaningful hobbies, like painting, yoga, or gardening.
You’ll notice big changes: better sleep, improved concentration, and more time for what truly matters. It’s not about ditching tech completely—it’s about finding balance.
So, go ahead! Power down to power up your life. What will you do with your reclaimed time?
