The Rose Festival is Back and Better Than Ever
Spring is here, and Portland’s biggest party is back! The Rose Festival is a tradition in Portland and celebrates families, food, and fun. Whether you’re a thrill seeker, music lover, foodie, or simply want to experience the festival in all its glory to create long-lasting memories, the festival this year has evolved to include more programming. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy!
Don’t miss these exciting events!
CareOregon Grand Floral Starlight Parade and the Starlight Run presented by Windermere Real Estate
A beautiful blending of two beloved traditions: the Grand Floral Parade and the Starlight Parade. This newly reimagined parade brings together the pageantry of the Grand Floral Parade with the energy and excitement of the Starlight Parade into one unforgettable celebration. The combination of these iconic events into one unfolds in two phases – the Grand Floral portion starting at 6:30 pm and transitioning into the Starlight portion at 8:00 pm. With more than 100 entries this year, there are plenty of floral floats, marching bands, lighting effects, and more to experience.
This new, richer format allows for a more robust parade experience for both participants and spectators, while also enabling the Rose Festival to expand programming. Want to make a day of it? Come early and enjoy some delicious fair food from local vendors, and experience the thrill of carnival rides, and live music at Rose Festival’s CityFair.
“This year’s Grand Floral Starlight Parade is an exciting evolution for us,” shared Adrian McCarthy from the Portland Rose Festival Foundation. “By bringing together two beloved traditions, we’re creating one larger, more dynamic experience that captures the energy, creativity, and community spirit of Portland in a whole new way.”
Happening on May 30th in the vibrant Hollywood District, fun reigns here. The official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the oldest and largest children’s parade in the nation, featuring kids of all ages in costume, pulling transformed wagons into floats, riding decorated bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with friends and family. Don’t have decorating supplies? Bring your bike, trike, or wagon to the Visit Seaside Decoration Station before the parade starts so you can join in on the fun.
“The Fred Meyer Junior Parade is truly a parade by kids, for kids, and moving it to Saturday was a very intentional decision. It makes it easier for more families to participate and gives more kids the chance to be part of the experience, not just watch it,” said Adrian.
New this year, the Rose Festival Street Mile & Family Fun Run, produced in partnership with Runwithpaula Events, brings energy and activity to the parade route ahead of the parade. The morning begins with the family run, welcoming runners of all ages and abilities to take part in a fun, inclusive experience along the parade route (12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult). Following the community run, elite and competitive runners will race in timed heats in a qualifying mile race.
America 250 Fireworks presented by IBEW Local 48
On May 30th at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a stunning fireworks display will light up the night in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The event starts around 9:45 pm and will also be telecast on KUNP and live-streamed on katu.com. Also new this year as a special way to commemorate the country’s 250th milestone, the Rose Festival Foundation, with support from Boeing, will host a special flag-raising ceremony on June 3rd at 8 am at the Battleship Oregon Memorial.
So, get ready to kick off your spring and summer fun at Portland’s favorite event! Learn more about how you can join in all the fun here.