Portland and Area Activities Planner - Aug 22-29, 2025

HOOD TO COAST
Aug. 22–23
The Providence Hood and Portland To Coast Relay is the most popular and largest running/walking relay race in the world, drawing participants from over 40 countries and all 50 states annually. Known as the Mother of All Relays, the event takes 8-12 member relay teams through the unique and beautiful Oregon terrain, starting from the iconic top of Mount Hood and ending at the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. This 196-mile relay (128 miles for Portland To Coast) has filled its team limit for the past 36 years and on Opening Lottery Day for 32 consecutive years.

INDIA FESTIVAL
Aug. 24
In August of every year, ICA hosts the popular India Festival in Portland, Oregon, to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The all-day festival attracts over 10,000 visitors from all backgrounds. It never fails to delight with a fusion of free live music, dance, food, and entertainment.

VIKING BEER FEST
Aug. 22–23
Beer tastings meet Viking re-enactors and combat in this festival, featuring music, a Viking Ship, Nordic food, and more. Embark on a mesmerizing journey to the heart of Viking heritage at the Viking Beer Fest, where frothy brews and Nordic traditions meld into a singular, unforgettable experience. Revel in the exhilaration of last year’s sold-out festival, now amplified with even more enthralling features:

• Viking Experience: Re-enactors and Viking merchants will immerse you in ancient Nordic customs and demonstrations.
• ​Thrilling Combat: Witness live, heart-pounding combat throughout the festival, now including combat groups Armored Combat and PWNLARP in arena combat.
• Scrumptious Nordic Cuisine: Feast on exquisite Scandinavian food, including meatballs from ScanCafe and the acclaimed Broder Söder.
• ​Exclusive Brews: Indulge in custom ales from local breweries concocted solely for the festival.
• Engaging Music and Activities: Dance, play, and rejoice like a true Viking. Contests include beard, costume, and stein-holding competitions, and a scavenger hunt.
• ​ Parking and shuttle options: In addition to nearby street parking and parking at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Les Schwab, on Saturday, shuttles will run from the  DoubleTree on SW Locust St. across from the Washington Square Mall.

PORTLAND HIP-HOP WEEK
Aug. 20–26
What started as a single-day event on the steps of Portland City Hall has evolved into a full week of powerful programming that celebrates the depth, beauty, and diversity of Hip Hop culture. From the rhythms of music, Emcees, and dance to the brilliance of visual art and knowledge-sharing, each event over the years has helped carry forward the message that love, respect, and unity are not only possible within Hip Hop—but necessary.

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Portland Hip Hop Day/Week Celebration. What an incredible journey it’s been!

DAHLIA FESTIVAL
Aug. 1–Sept. 30
You are invited to celebrate the season of Dahlias. Stroll through almost 50 acres of breathtaking fields and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 375 varieties. Treat yourself to a rainbow of colors by taking photos, shopping in our gift shop, and purchasing fresh-cut dahlias to take home. Select and order your favorite dahlias for spring delivery to enjoy the beauty in your garden the following year. Fill your belly with yummy treats from the food carts, relax and enjoy the live music on the weekend, or take one of the classes throughout the festival dates.

UKRAINIAN DAY
Aug. 23
Ukrainian Foundation kindly invites you to celebrate Ukrainian Culture together. Live music by Ukrainian and local musicians, Ukrainian traditional dancing, national Ukrainian food, demonstration of Ukrainian arts and crafts by skilled artisans, various workshops and classes for everyone and lots of fun activities for children

BON ODORI, SUMMER FESTIVAL
Aug. 23
A highlight of summer festivals in Japan is the bon-odori (盆踊り/ Bon dance). Each region has its own version of the dance and different music. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, bon-odori is a way to entertain and send off the spirits of our ancestors and celebrate life. Dancers circle the yagura, a high wooden bandstand for the musicians and singers. At Portland Japanese Garden, Chris Dart will teach and demonstrate dances by dancers from Oregon Buddhist Temple. Come to learn the dances, see people dressed in yukata, and hear and feel the sound of taiko drums.

ZZ TOP
Aug. 26
“That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over half a century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans. With iconography as distinctive as their sound, ZZ TOP is virtually synonymous with beards, hotrod cars, spinning guitars and that magic keychain, all of which transcend geography and language.

It was in Houston in the waning days of 1969 that ZZ TOP coalesced from the core of two rival bands, Billy Gibbons’ Moving Sidewalks and Frank Beard and Dusty Hill’s American Blues. Their third album, 1973’s Tres Hombres, catapulted them to national attention with the hit “La Grange,” still one of the band’s signature pieces today. Eliminator, their 1983 album, was something of a paradigm shift for ZZ TOP. Their roots blues skew was intact, but added to the mix were tech-age trappings that soon found a visual outlet with such tracks as “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” on the nascent MTV. It was one of the music industry’s first albums to have been certified Diamond, far beyond Gold and Platinum, and a reflection of US domestic sales exceeding 10 million units.

SMILE BOAT PARADE
Aug. 23
North and Northeast residents and businesses invite water-lovers to experience Portland’s “North Waterfront” in the best way possible — on the water.

The Smile Boat Parade is an aquatic celebration of local camaraderie, joining the marine community in North and Northeast Portland. Local boaters of all sizes showcase their creativity as they sail the Columbia, their boats decked out in themed baubles and adornments. This year’s theme? Tropical Cruise. Whether steering a motorized vessel or propelling a human-powered craft, even watching from shore, all are welcome to participate in the Smile Boat Parade, which captures the essence of togetherness and fun.

The Parade begins at the east end of Hayden Island (just east of the Portland Yacht Club), and cruises downriver following a “smiling” curved path through the picturesque Columbia River south channel (known on charts as North Portland Harbor) spanning two river miles. To close out the parade, join the neighborhood back at the East end for snacks and a party.

ZOO NIGHTS
June 20–Aug. 22
Nothing says summer in Portland like a warm evening outdoors with good food and live entertainment. On several evenings throughout the summer, the Oregon Zoo hosts Zoo Nights filled with local music, food carts, activities for all ages and the chance to get to know some of the animals active during twilight hours.

Zoo Nights occur from mid-June through mid-August, with live music on the lawn at 6:30 p.m. and activities from 5:30 p.m. Guests will also find tasty food and snacks — plus the ever-popular elephant ears and a selection of local beer and wine for adults.

Zoo Nights is a special event and is not included with regular daytime admission. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.

ORIGINAL PRACTICE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
June 20–Aug 31
OPS Fest brings no-cost repertory Shakespeare to parks and venues all over the Portland Metro area. The company uses the original practice techniques of Elizabethan England: limited rehearsal, scrolls in hand, audience interaction, and an onstage prompter.

In Shakespeare’s Era, the audience knew the actors had not rehearsed and that the only context each had of the play was their own role on a scroll. The play was as fresh to the actors as it was to the audience.

In the Original Practice Shakespeare Company, you’ll NEVER see the same cast do the same play in the same way. Because Shakespeare should be a little dangerous.

PEDALPALOOZA BIKE FESTIVAL
Ongoing
Whether you’re a cycling fanatic, an occasional cruiser or just a lover of fun events, Pedalpalooza  — aka Bike Summer — has something for you. Held all over Portland, this bike- and fun-focused festival celebrates summer’s arrival with over 100 rides throughout town.

Inspired by the success of Bikesummer, a traveling event Portland hosted in 2002, Pedalpalooza (also known as Bike Summer) has entertained bike enthusiasts since 2003. While local bike-fun organization Shift runs the festival’s site and helps with planning, anyone can create and lead a ride.  

CYCLE QUEST: THE SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN BIKE
Aug. 7–10
The Community Cycling Center’s bike-based scavenger hunt returns this year as a reimagined epic journey. Join a riddle-guided afternoon of pedaling around Portland’s greatest hits and hidden gems. Some of the destinations might be familiar to you, some may be completely new; either way, it’s sure to be an adventure.

All proceeds support the Community Cycling Center’s mission of broadening access to bicycling and its benefits.

Details:

• Compete as a team or roll solo. If competing on a team, please include a team name when you fill out the registration form in your ticket confirmation email. Maximum of 5 riders per team
• Points-based competition(not speed). There will be a challenge at each clue’s destination testing your wit, strength, and courage. You or your team will be able to earn up to 5 tokens at each challenge. There will be additional Side Quests and other opportunities to earn tokens along the way. The most tokens at the end of the day wins.
• The route is expected to be approximately 14 miles of mostly flat terrain. However, there is no set route, only destinations, so be prepared to navigate the roads between each location on your own.
• Riders can expect to start and end in close-in Northeast Portland. The undisclosed start location and after-party are about one mile away from the Community Cycling Center shop on 17th and Alberta.
• The Start Time is noon to 1 p.m. Go at your own pace. The day before the event, you’ll receive instructions on how to retrieve your first clue. You can retrieve your clue at the undisclosed location anytime between noon and 1 p.m. to start your quest.
• Bonus Tokens for teams that dress in matching uniforms
• After-Party, Awards and Raffle at  Migration Brewing

Named after the Japanese word for fireworks, hanabi festivals are common throughout Japan as a way to invite tourists and locals to celebrate the summer season. Customs include wearing yukata—a lightweight cotton kimono to beat the heat, street food such as yakitori, takoyaki, and shaved ice, and live music.

BEAVERTON MUSIC FESTIVAL
Aug 23
Get ready to rock out. Announcing Beaverton Music Fest, a day filled with multi-genre live music.

AMERICANA HARVEST FEST
July 8–Sept 7
Topaz Farm is excited to announce the 2025 Americana Harvest Fest series. The festival features a mix of nationally and internationally known folk, country, and bluegrass artists. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy live music on the farm, surrounded by farm animals, U-pick fields, and the market bar and grill. Come early to enjoy the farm, including the cow train, fresh grilled farm food, craft beer, cider, and more.

JURASSIC WORLD BY BRICKMAN
Mar. 15–Sep. 31
Get ready for an immersive adventure like no other as Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught re-imagines Jurassic World, the blockbuster franchise from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment, through 6 million LEGO bricks.

It features large-scale LEGO brick dinosaurs, props, scenes, and activities, as well as the newest Jurassic World by Brickman® dinosaur, made from over 100 thousand LEGO bricks, the Baryonyx. Walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates and relive the magic of beloved stories and characters from the Jurassic World franchise, as you embark on a thrilling journey across the Isla Nublar.

Get hands-on with LEGO brick paleontology, mystery mosaics, island-building, hybrid dinosaur creations, and much more. There will be 2.5 million LEGO bricks for you to show off your own building skills.

LINCOLN CITY'S FINDERS KEEPERS GLASS FLOATS 2025
Year-Round
Finders Keepers is Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2025. Be on the lookout for the colorful twinkle of a hand-blown glass float when you’re exploring the beaches of Lincoln City. As the name says, Finders Keepers.

Discover “random acts of findness” in Lincoln City, with —Finders Keepers. Over 3,000 glass treasures are hidden along the town’s seven miles of sandy beach, made by local artisans. If you find a float, it’s all yours. Let your treasure hunt begin. Discover glass treasures every day of the year from Roads End on the north to Siletz Bay on the south.

PORTLAND SATURDAY MARKET
Mar. 1–Dec. 20
Combining the vibes of an art show, a live street concert and an open-air bazaar, the Portland Saturday Market has been a beloved Rose City tradition since 1974, earning it the “Oregon Heritage Tradition” title in 2024. In fact, the market is considered the largest continually operating arts-and-crafts fair in the United States, drawing up to one million visitors during its annual season.

On any given weekend from the beginning of March to the day before Christmas, shoppers can wend their way through the rows of tents of this large outdoor market featuring local makers, artisans, and chefs. A full sensory experience, the sights, and sounds will have shoppers and on-lookers tapping their heels to bluegrass pickers and jazz trios with weekly sets of local musicians performing for market-goers and passersby in Tom McCall Waterfront Park

FARMERS MARKET AT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Year-Round
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.

HOLLYWOOD FARMER'S MARKET
Year-Round
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty.

In addition to amazingly fresh, local food,  you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season.

• April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,
• October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM,, and
• December through March: 9 AM to 1PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month

ST. JOHN'S BAZAAR AND PARADE
May 10
The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off Portland's summer street fair season. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts, and food to the crowds who traditionally attended the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, a portion of the business district in St. Johns is closed to traffic and filled with over 135 juried craft vendors, several stages for music, great food, and tons of games and activities.
It’s a fantastic community event with something for everyone.
The event is free.