Portland and Area Activities Planner - Sept 26-Oct 3, 2025

HOKUS POCUS LIVE
Oct. 1
Hokus Pokus Live! conjures up a wickedly spoopy, fully scripted theatrical experience starring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and Sapphira Cristál as the legendary Sisters and featuring Landon Cider as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals, and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before..

OREGON INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW
Sept. 26-28
The Oregon International Air Show in McMinnvilleis one of the largest civilian air shows on the West Coast of the United States. The Air Show features military and civilian aircraft from the United States and Canada and sometime beyond!!

• USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team
• Canadian Forces Snowbirds
• USN E/A-18 Growler Demo Team
• F-15 Eagles - OREGON AIR NATIONAL GUARD
• B-25J Mitchell - Erickson Aircraft Collection
• and many more

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

DISNEY'S THE LION KING
Sept. 17–28
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, The Lion King brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. The Lion King also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like The Lion King.

PORTLAND JUGGLING FESTIVAL
Sept. 26–28
A full weekend of gravity-defying fun featuring workshops for all levels in juggling, circus, and flow arts. Plus, a big show Saturday night and the kindness of those who love juggling..

STEVIE NICKS
Oct. 1
Legendary singer, songwriter, and storyteller Stevie Nicks is one of rock and roll’s most successful, inimitable, and groundbreaking artists. As a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning solo artist and member of Fleetwood Mac, she is the first woman to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice and has collectively sold more than 220 million albums. A member of Fleetwood Mac since 1974, the band’s enduring spirit stands for an incredible body of music — including Rumours, one of the best-selling albums of all time — that has connected with generations of people all over the world for more than 50 years. Having captivated audiences for decades with her iconic live performances, distinctive songwriting, and constant cultural influence, Nicks continues to be an inspiration and mentor to younger performers.

TCHAIKOVSKY & STRAUSS
Sept. 27–28
It’s a blockbuster start to the classical season. The soul-stirring sonorities and rapturous melodies of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto have guaranteed it a permanent place in the hearts of audiences everywhere, and you won’t want to miss hearing it performed by young piano prodigy Alexander Malofeev. You’ve heard the fanfare of Strauss’ iconic Zarathustra in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, but wait until you hear it played live by the Oregon Symphony — as a huge orchestra, burnished brasses, and the powerful organ reveal the grandeur and mysteries of the universe.

MCMENAMIN'S ANNUAL FRESH HOP FEST
Sept. 27
McMenamin’s Autumn Fresh Hop Fest is the ultimate fall brewfest, featuring all the best beers of the season. Craving fresh hop flavors? Autumn-inspired ales? German beers and Oktoberfest vibes? Ciders? Find all of that across 16 taps, plus brewery tours, German-inspired food and drink specials, lawn games and more.

PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL
Oct. 1–5
Portland Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing filmmakers and audiences and celebrating the power of a good story. The festival focuses on the people, ideas, technology, skills and artistry behind filmmaking and provides entertainment and educational opportunities to the public. The festival stands by the belief in equity for everyone, regardless of background, socioeconomic means or physical ability. The festival offering its filmmakers one of the largest audiences on the West Coast. Portland Film Festival is Portland’s largest film festival by filmmakers for filmmakers.

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.

CHAPMAN SWIFT WATCH
Sept. 1–30
Great blue herons, bald eagles and peregrine falcons are just a few of the Rose City avian residents routinely spotted by visitors. But to really “put a bird” on a Portland memory, mark the calendar for September’s Chapman Swift Watch — the time of year when thousands of Vaux’s swifts drift through the city on their annual migration from Canada to Central and South America. The tiny birds spend their days hunting for insects and their evenings roosting, bat-like, in trees and chimneys..

The most popular perch is the towering smokestack of Chapman Elementary School in Northwest Portland, which attracts as many as 16,000 swifts looking for a place to hunker down for the evening. It’s plenty popular with spectators, too: Each night at sunset, hundreds of onlookers flock to a nearby grassy bank and watch in awe as a shadowy cloud of birds swirls acrobatically for up to an hour before darting inside the craggy chimney for the night. (Onlookers also watch for hawks, raptors and other birds of prey, which sometimes add a dose of drama to the nightly ritual.)

Chapman Elementary School students have embraced the annual event, even electing to make the swift their official mascot. Volunteers from the Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon) are also on hand most nights to help educate the curious public.

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).

48TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF QUILTS
Sept. 26-27
Northwest Quilters is holding its 48th Annual Festival of Quilts in the Expo Hall of the Wingspan Event and Conference Center on September 26 & 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.

There will be over 300 quilts on display, a quilt raffle, a vendor mall, a gift boutique, free demonstrations, and National Quilt Month celebrations.

OKTOBERFEST FOREST GROVE
Sept. 27
Raise a stein and bring the whole crew to Forest Grove Oktoberfest—a lively celebration of community, culture, and craft.

Enjoy a full day of:

• Oregon craft beer and cider
• German-inspired food (bratwurst, schnitzel, and more!)
• Live music and dance performances
• Local vendors, artisans, and family activities
• Old-world charm with small-town spirit

Hosted in the heart of downtown Forest Grove, this event supports local businesses and Main Street revitalization efforts. Dust off your dirndl, grab your lederhosen, and join in for a day of fun that’s wunderbar!

SUNSET BAY ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL
Sept. 26-27
Located at beautiful Sunset Bay State Park, the Astronomy Festival runs Thursday, September 25 through Saturday, September 27 with events going all day, each day and night. During this three-day event learn about the solar system and how to photograph the Milky Way; stargaze with experts; take a hike with Marine Biologists; and imagine what aliens to our world would discover upon a crash landing. Multiple events are planned each day and the schedules for each day are noted below. Check out the event's Facebook page or the links below for more details.  Please note: the Parking Permit fee is $10 per vehicle and you'll need to park in the Shore Acres day use parking lot.

Day 2 Friday Event Schedule 

Day 3 Saturday Event Schedule 

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.