Maximum Fun

The 22 Best Summer Events in Oregon

When it comes to festivals and fairs, our state doesn't mess around.

05/30/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Davide Comai

Festival Preview

Who’s Coming to Project Pabst This Summer?

Japanese Breakfast, Death Cab for Cutie, Devo, and Iggy Pop headline the waterfront festival in 2025.

02/25/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Veggies of the Sea

Alanna Kieffer Just Wants You to Love Seaweed

The seaweed farmer and marine educator cofounded a seaweed-centric event series called Winter Waters, back in 2025 for its third year.

01/29/2025 By Britany Robinson

All of the Lights

For the 10th Portland Winter Light Festival, Artists Look Forward

Since 2016, the Portland Winter Light Festival has illuminated the city with dramatic sculptures and interactive installations. This year, it imagines the future.

01/13/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Reading Ahead

The Most Anticipated Book Events in Portland Fall 2024

Ta-Nehisi Coates is coming, the Portland Book Festival is almost here, and the city’s small presses are printing the next generation’s debuts.

10/15/2024 By Matthew Trueherz

The Game of Portland

Navigating the Great Corn Maze of Fall in Portland

Look up at the swifts, look down at the mushrooms.

09/11/2024 Illustrations by Hawk Krall By Portland Monthly Staff

Farm Life

As Pickathon Grows, Its Music Lineup Doubles Down on Young Talent

The beloved festival runs a venue in Portland and just launched a nonprofit. But its heart remains the annual Happy Valley campout, stacked this year with Gen Zers.

07/26/2024 By Rebecca Jacobson

Commuting

Subcultures: After a Backpedal, Cycling Is Picking Up Speed

Working from home cut down on the number of bike commuters. Are we recovering?

06/07/2024 By Portland Monthly staff

Flower Power

Commune with the Blooms at 4 Willamette Valley Flower Farms

Stately tulips, monster peonies, and Anvil of Darkness irises await thee.

04/11/2024 By Jennifer Krazit

Dancing With Myself

Which Music Festival's Returning? Billy Idol, T-Pain, and Big Thief to Headline.

After a seven-year hiatus, Project Pabst is back like it never left.

03/05/2024 By Matthew Trueherz

Subcultures

Portland's Knitters Are In Stitches and Having a Ball

This knitty-gritty town is hooked on fiber arts.

01/03/2024 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Public Transit

4 Fall Adventures around Portland with No Car

Leave the car at home for World Car Free Day—or just because gas is so expensive.

09/20/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Cheat Sheet

Where to Go and What to See at the Converge 45 Biennial

Your guide to the free citywide arts biennial, with events across Portland.

08/23/2023 By Matthew Trueherz

Uh-Oh

The End of Pickathon? Festival’s Permit Expires This Year

The music festival’s fate sits in the hands of a volunteer committee in Happy Valley. Will its permit be renewed?

08/04/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Pride

Pride Parades and Events 2023: Portland Upgrades to 2 Months of Celebrations

The big parade moves to July, but June is still packed with Pride events, from the Portland Gay Men's Chorus Disney Show to the Queer Wine Fest.

06/08/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Summer Fun

An Incomplete Guide to Portland’s Biggest Summer 2023 Concerts and Events

Feeling hungry like a wolf for live entertainment? Here’s your guide to the full monty of local shows.

06/01/2023 By Margaret Seiler and Sam Stites

Road Trips

Concerts and Events Worth a Trip Out of Town This Summer

Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, rodeos, big-time fairs, and more can be found in places around Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

05/24/2023 By Margaret Seiler

Beer City, USA

What Does a Canceled Oregon Brewers Festival Mean for Portland?

Where some see a dark portent, others just see big-festival fatigue.

05/15/2023 By Jeff Alworth Illustrations by Chris Gash

Aliens

Aliens Descend on McMinnville in Annual UFO Fest

Thankfully, it’s mostly humans and pets in costume at the McMenamins UFO fest which returns for its 23rd year May 19 and 20.

05/10/2023 By Sam Pape

Arty Attractions

Bend’s New Music and Performing Arts Scene

There’s more to this Central Oregon city than just outdoor adventures and great beer.

04/20/2023 By Sam Stites