Portland and Area Activities Planner - Oct 17-26, 2025

PORTLAND RETRO GAMING EXPO
Oct. 17-26
Get ready, set, go and embrace a blast from the past at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE), one of the world’s largest conventions celebrating classic video and arcade games. This vibrant weekend-long gathering at the Oregon Convention Center is jam-packed with a diverse presentation of events like panels, historical exhibits and tournaments that invite attendees — from the adults who played the games as kids to the kids of today — to delight in the artistry and significance of video games in popular culture. Hunt for the next special addition to your classic video game collection in the exhibition hall, get lost in thought within the enormous free-play “retrocade” featuring hundreds of gaming options, and make new friends.

BURNON ART FESTIVAL
Oct. 18
Precipitation NW and the Portland Burning Man community invite the public to BurnOn, a regional Decompression Event and Art Show held beneath Cathedral Park’s iconic arches. BurnOn is a celebration of creativity, community, and the principles of Burning Man—a little bit of Black Rock City brought to Portland and shared with the community. Designed to welcome not only seasoned Burners but also those who have never attended a Burning Man event before, BurnOn is rooted in the spirit of radical inclusion: everyone is welcome.

ORYCON
Oct. 17–19
OryCon is Oregon’s oldest literary science fiction and fantasy convention, organized by the non-profit Oregon Science Fiction Conventions, Inc. The convention features guests of honor, panel discussions, costume contests, music, and auctions for attendees interested in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. 

Come hang out with past Guests of Honor, meet your new favorite authors, discover a new subject in science, and come wander the halls of the art show and dealers room. There will be new and exciting panels for you to attend, games to play, people to strike up conversations with, and maybe even chances to talk to outer space. Come dance the night away, sing songs with musical fans, and get a chance to voice your opinion on what is to come next for Portland’s fandom.

PORTLAND ARGENTINIAN FESTIVAL
Oct. 18
Celebrate the vibrant culture, rich traditions, and irresistible flavors of Argentina at the Portland Argentinian Festival. Join a day full of live music, traditional dance, authentic cuisine, artisan vendors, workshops, and family-friendly fun in the heart of Portland.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Argentinian heritage or just discovering it for the first time, this event offers something for everyone.

DIA DE MUERTOS: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Oct. 13–Nov. 6
Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Life is a compilation of artistic installations and art exhibits across the State of Oregon, based on the community tradition of Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead has grown in popularity around the world in modern times. In the United States, it is known as an entertaining Mexican party. While it is related to Halloween at least in timing and the symbol of the skeleton, it is much more than just costumes and candy.

SPIRIT OF HALLOWEENTOWN
Oct. 1-31
It’s no “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” or” Night of the Living Dead,” but once in the 1990s, the peaceful waterfront city of St. Helens was overrun by something worse than zombies or headless horsemen — a Hollywood movie crew! Now, every October the lovely Oregon town just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Portland transforms into a Halloween haven.

THE FEAR PDX HAUNTED HOUSE
Sept. 27–Nov. 2
Portland’s Largest Halloween Event: All-new haunted houses, one location, one ticket.

2025 Attractions:

• Midway of Fear
• Within the Woods
• Metal Massacre
• Rotten Pulp
• Poison Apple Festival
• The Pumpkin Path
• Caged

WEST COAST GIANT PUMPKIN REGATTA
Oct. 19
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is one of Oregon’s most unique fall Festivals. Since 2004 people from around the country have gathered to witness costumed characters paddling inside giant pumpkins in a series of races. This fun-filled weekend includes Pumpkins and Pints, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, Regatta Run, and Regatta festival and pumpkin races. Friends from the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers supply the giant pumpkins.

CORN MAZE AT TOPAZ FARM
Oct. 4-26
Topaz Farm is proud to announce thier partnership with Confluence and Portland All Nations Canoe Family for the Fall Harvest Maze. These two Portland-area Native nonprofits are dedicated to tending relationships with People, Salmon, Land, and Waters, guided by Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge (ITECK), Living Culture, and educational connections.

The Salmon was chosen to honor its deep cultural and ecological significance to the Peoples of this Region. Created in collaboration, Confluence donated the artwork, and the Maze was grown the way everything on the Farm is grown — without herbicides or pesticides.

You are invited to explore, learn, and reflect on the Peoples of this Place, the Salmon that connect the Rivers and Lands, and the Land itself. This is an opportunity to build relationships with the Indigenous Peoples who continue to call this Region home today. The Maze is not only for fun, but also for reflection — a reminder that our relationship with Salmon, Land, and Waters is ongoing, living, and reciprocal.

HAUNTED CORN MAZE
Oct. 10–31
Get lost in acres of corn, in the dark, on Friday and Saturday nights in October. Terrifying creatures stalk you as you make your way through the Haunted Corn Maze. There will be dark ghouls and goblins, zombies, and crazed farmers will chase you with a chainsaw. Enter the room of dolls and don’t let her find you. If you make it to the butcher shop… don’t get stuck in the fridge.

Please note the ticket booth is cash only (ATM onsite) * The last haunted maze in 2025 is on Halloween, October 31.

PORTLAND DESIGN MONTH
Oct. 3–24
Get ready for a month of Portland Design experiences organized by AIGA Portland, the local professional association for design. With over 50 events all around the city, you can experience design and the arts in all different forms. From the opening party at Kiln to artwalks, drink and draws, design trivia night, open studios, a closing party makers’ market at Thesis and a collaborative event with Adobe, you will find something that inspires you.

Portland is continually redefining itself as a city, and that’s what makes it great. Celebrate Portland’s quirks, shadows, and charm. Whether you’re a designer, artist, professional, or student, it’s your time to get connected and inspired with the community.

MONSTERS OF THE ABYSS
Ongoing
Dive back in time to explore what lurked beneath the surface at the newest exhibit in Portland—Monsters of the Abyss: Aquatic Predators Past + Present. Meet massive mosasaurs, a spine-chilling Spinosaurus, and bizarre creatures as you travel through millions of years, witnessing the rise and fall of Earth’s most awe-inspiring aquatic creatures as well as their present-day descendants. Highlighted by amazing fossils, daily educational programming, and some unbelievable live animals, this exhibit brings guests face-to-face with the real-life monsters who defy imagination and have inspired myths and legends. You’ll have to see them to believe them.

AMP MUSIC FESTIVAL
Oct. 16–18
AMP Fest is a three-day music festival uplifting youth experiencing homelessness through powerful performances and community support. Hosted by the Artist Mentorship Program (AMP), the event brings together local and international legends, AMP youth artists, and passionate audiences in support of music, healing, and social change.​​​ Every dollar raised goes directly into AMP’s programs, helping provide meals, music education, job training, and a safe space for unhoused youth.

THE CORN MAIZE ON SAUVIE ISLAND
Aug. 30–Oct. 31
When summer winds down, Portland’s fall arrives with warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights. The ideal way to get lost in autumn’s splendor is at The Maize at the Pumpkin Patch. Located on Sauvie Island, a rural escape just 13 miles (21 km) north of downtown Portland, the Corn Maize offers visitors eight acres (3 hectares) of exciting twists and turns. But it’s not all about getting lost in nature; Two 16-foot (5 m) observation bridges provide picturesque panoramas with great views of the island and Mount Hood, as well as the maze itself.

Every year, the cornfield is carved with a different pattern, and the design is always sure to stump maze-goers while delighting fans of public art. Starting at the end of August, the maze is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and stays open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in October (and on select days leading up to Halloween).

PORTLAND OPEN STUDIOS
Oct. 11–19
Portland is known for its thriving creative community, which embraces mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, woodworking and jewelry making. For two weekends every October, visitors can witness nearly 100 local artists’ creative processes during Portland Open Studios.. 

Around 200 artists apply to participate in Open Studios each year. Typically 100 or so are chosen, with selections made by a blind jury composed of three arts professionals. (The jury members change each year.) The blind jury process — based solely on images of the artwork — produces a diverse selection of emerging and established artists.

As part of Open Studios, artists are encouraged to facilitate interactive experiences for guests. Rather than simply viewing artwork, attendees can converse with the artists, ask questions and observe their creativity in action.

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.