Is it too early to be making plans for your favorite summer beer fest, or parade, or fun run? Nope. The Oregonian/Oregonlive presents a look ahead at 2020 events. Mark your calendars now.
Rosemarie Stein, The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
(Event submissions are due at least three weeks prior to the event. E-mail them to events@oregonian.com)
JANUARY
Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Rose City Classic Dog Show
It might be cold, or dreary and dark, but it's always warm and exciting inside the Portland Expo Center during the annual Rose City Classic Dog Show. All AKC recognized breeds are represented and newly recognized breeds are featured during this five-day show. Watch conformation, obedience, rally and agility competitions. Best in Show is crowned Sunday.
Various times Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 15-19, Expo Center. $10 general, $20 family. Extra charges for parking; rosecityclassic.org
Oregonian file photo
Wizard World Comic Con
Start the year off with something out of this world. Way, way, out of this world. Special guest presenters represent television shows, movies, authors and entertainment. Costume contests, live music and more events will satisfy the more ardent sci-fi fan.
Wizard World Portland, Friday-Sunday, Jan. 24-26, Oregon Convention Center. Early bird admission for three days starts at $50; wizardworld.com
Oregonian file photo
Fertile Ground Festival
Portland becomes ground zero for a long list and abundant variety of new work in theater, performance art, dance and spoken-word created by area artists. The festival spans 11 days and takes place in locations all over the city.
Performances Jan. 30-Feb. 9; $60 for festival pass. Early bird price of $50 is available through Dec. 31, 2019. Fertilegroundpdx.org
FEBRUARY
Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Winter Light Festival
“Into the Dreamscape" is the theme for the 2020 Portland Winter Light Festival presented by Portland General Electric. The roster boasts more than 100 individual artists in media including video projection mapping, fire sculpture and live performances. Watch live ice sculpture carving, audio-video installations, large-scale multimedia and listen to artist talks. The event happens over several days at venues throughout Portland.
Various times Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 6-8; free ; pdxwlf.com
Hal Yeager/Alabama Media Group
Harlem Globetrotters
These court magicians — basketball court that is — make their annual trek to Portland to the delight of fans spanning generations. You may have seen many a basketball game, but unless you've seen the Globetrotters — you've never seen basketball like this.
2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Moda Center. Tickets start at $31; rosequarter.com
Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Spring Home & Garden Show
The Portland Spring Home & Garden Show gets the creative juices flowing with vendors offering everything from patio ideas to plants, barbecue tips to backyard design.
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20-23, Expo Center. $10, children 12 and younger free. homeshowpdx.com
MARCH
Dave Killen/Staff
Shamrock Run
It's the annual running o' the green when thousands of runners pack downtown for what unofficially kicks off the road racing season in Portland. Last year's run registered about 20,000 green-clad striders. The event features 5, 8 and 15K routes and a half-marathon.
Races kick off about 7 a.m. Sunday, March 15, downtown Portland. Registration for runs starts at $36; shamrockrunportland.com
Mark Graves/Staff
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
If this isn't Oregon's most beautiful festival we're not sure what tops it. More than a million tulips are packed into 40 acres blooming from late March into April in Woodburn. The festival includes wine tasting, pony rides, wooden shoemaking demonstrations and hot air balloon and wagon rides. All that is on top of strolling the fields filled with vibrant color. Weather conditions can either delay or accelerate the dates of the festival, but generally it starts around March 20.
Open daily March 20-May 2 (depending on weather), Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, 33814 S. Meridian Road, Woodburn, admission starts at $5; woodenshoe.com
APRIL
Dave Killen/staff
PIR Auto Swap Meet
Is the workshop feeling a bit empty? How about too crowded? Garage dwellers and grease monkeys flock to April's annual PIR Auto Swap Meet to shop for — or sell — car parts and memorabilia, ordinary and obscure.
About the same time, the Expo Center, hosts a large swap meet including automotive items (April 3-5, 2020). Get more information at portlandswapmeet.com
PIR Swap Meet, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 2-4, Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd., Portland. $8 a day, parking $10; portlandraceway.com
Beth Nakamura/Staff
Astoria Seafood & Wine Festival
It's worth the drive to beautiful and historic Astoria for the 38th annual Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival. Enjoy bites of what the Pacific Ocean has to offer as well as local wines, arts and crafts.
Hours and pricing are to be determined, but the festival is Friday-Sunday, April 24-26, at the Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center, 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria; astoriacrabfest.com
MAY
Mark Graves/Staff
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
The annual Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association's Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is Tom McCall Waterfront Park's first big festival of the year and an unofficial start to festival season. Rain or shine, visitors can hear traditional music, see dances from several professional groups, taste the flavors of Mexico and go on plenty of midway rides.
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday and Tuesday, May 2, 3 and 5, Waterfront Park; ticket prices to be determined; cincodemayo.org
Mark Graves/Staff
UFO Festival
It's Oregon's only festival that is truly "out of this world." Thousands of fans of extraterrestrials come up with wacky costumes, novel floats and tinfoil antennas for this annual gathering of those who believe "something is out there." The festival boasts a large parade, movie screenings, outdoor music, special guest speakers and lots of fun.
Thursday-Saturday, May 14–16, downtown McMinnville; many events are free; ufofest.com
JUNE
Mark Graves/Staff
Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade
The marquee event in Portland's annual Rose Festival is the Grand Floral Parade. Rose Fest events generally start in late March and continue through mid June. But the giant parade featuring floats, marching bands, dance teams, equestrian riders, clowns and plenty of family fun brings thousands downtown to line the streets of Portland each year.
Saturday, June 6; free street viewing. A more complete Rose Festival schedule will be available early in 2020 at rosefestival.org
Jamie Hale/Staff
Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest
Visual artists, whose medium is sand, flock to the beach for a weekend of top-level sand constructions, live music, a parade, pancake breakfast and a fun run. If you're renting a place to stay, get your reservations in soon.
Various times Saturday-Sunday, June 13-14, on the beach in Cannon Beach; free; cannonbeach.org
Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Pride
The parade route is only about a mile long, but more than 200 groups participate and make this an afternoon-long celebration of inclusion, friendship, music and color. After the parade, join the festival in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, filled with Pride-themed activities.
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade, various times Saturday-Sunday, June 13-14; pridenw.org
Mark Graves/Staff
Tigard Festival of Balloons
This year will mark the 35th time Tigard has celebrated hot air balloons at Cook Park. The event features early morning liftoffs (weather permitting), night glows, games, rides, food booths and a classic car show.
Various times Friday-Sunday, June 26-28, Cook Park, Tigard; tigardballoon.org
The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo
World Naked Bike Ride
Portland's big nude cycling event will be back again in 2020, taking over city streets on Saturday, June 27. The event typically draws throngs of naked and nearly naked cyclists in what has become one of Portland's most colorful traditions.
As always, the starting location for the ride will be announced later in the spring of 2020, with the actual route kept under wraps to dissuade the public from lining the streets in advance, posing possible public safety hazard for attendees. The 2019 ride drew an estimated 10,000 participants.
JULY
Mark Graves/Staff
St. Paul Rodeo
July Fourth in Oregon means rodeos, and you can't go wrong in St. Paul, where rodeo performances come with nightly fireworks. Outside the rodeo arena, visitors can check out the midway rides, western art show, vendors offering cowboy gear and excellent barbecue.
Rodeo times to be determined, June 30 - July 4, St. Paul; stpaulrodeo.com
For information on the Molalla Buckeroo held July 1-4, visit molallabuckeroo.com
Oregonian file photo
Waterfront Blues Festival
Music fills the city as Portland's popular Waterfront Blues Festival takes over Waterfront Park, and part of the Willamette River. Top-level blues, soul and funk musicians make this outdoor festival an annual stop. Several stages belt out the tunes for fans. Check the website later in the spring for a list of scheduled acts.
Various times Thursday-Sunday, July 2-5, Tom McCall Waterfront Park; waterfrontbluesfest.com
Dunefest
Sure, we could post a picture, but for a real feel of what this annual party on the sand in Winchester Bay is like, check out the video. Lots of high-flying fun, motorsports done on the sand.
Various times Tuesday-Sunday, July 21- 26, Winchester Bay; dunefest.com
Beth Nakamura/Staff
Oregon Country Fair
Travel back to a simpler time when love was free, music was easy and partying in the forest was always a good time. Last year's Oregon Country Fair celebrated 50 years. Organizers plan to keep the annual festival of magic, music, art and family fun going for a good long time.
Oregon Country Fair, various times Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, in Veneta, Oregon. Tickets must be purchased in advance; oregoncountryfair.org
Oregonian file photo
Oregon Brewers Festival
The Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the nation’s longest running and best loved craft beer festivals. Tents line Waterfront Park and are filled with craft beers for the tasting. Get there early for the best selection, and stay for the company of other beer connoisseurs enjoying new flavors and brews from across the globe.
Various times Wednesday-Saturday (no Sunday hours), July 22-25, Waterfront Park; oregonbrewfest.com
AUGUST
Dave Killen/Staff
Providence Bridge Pedal
It's the 25th annual Providence Bridge Pedal in 2020 and thousands of cyclists will take to the roads to explore some of Portland's more car-centric routes including the upper decks of the Fremont and Marquam bridges, which close to all but bicycles for this event. Check out the views, get some exercise and celebrate Portland's bike culture.
Sunday, Aug. 9, downtown Portland; registration begins in March; providence.org/bridge-pedal
Oregonian file photo
Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival
This outdoor music festival features live bands, restaurant food carts, wines from area vineyards and artist booths.
Various times Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 21-23, Esther Short Park, 610 Esther St., Vancouver; vancouverwinejazz.com
Oregonian file photo
Adult Soap Box Derby
Since you were a kid, you've wanted to build your own soap box racer and careen down a hill possibly ending up with some broken or sprained body part, right? No? OK, then watch other people do it during this annual homage to the childhood need for speed.
Saturday, Aug. 15; Mt. Tabor Park; soapboxracer.com
Mark Graves/Staff
Oregon State Fair
One great thing about the state fair is that no matter how much things change, the foundation of the state fair remains intact, year after year. Visitors still stroll through aisles and aisles of livestock, from cattle — to sheep — to pigs, and eat greasy fair food while taking in magic and music shows. Each year, classic rockers and country artists take the stage and many exhibition halls are filled with award winning visual art, bakery creations, sewing and woodworking marvels.
Daily, Aug. 28-Sept. 7; Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th Street N.E., Salem; admission information to be determined; oregonstatefair.org
SEPTEMBER
Oregonian file photo
Art in the Pearl
Art in the Pearl takes over the North Park Blocks during Labor Day weekend. The festival attracts more than 100 artists whose creations range from wooden furniture, to carving, to photography, to paint, to textile arts. Artists demonstrate their crafts, and kid-friendly activities are offered each day.
Various times Saturday-Monday, Sept. 5-7, in the North Park Blocks; free; artinthepearl.com
Mark Graves/Staff
Rose City Comic Con
Costumes, costumes and more costumes are the name of the game when nearly 70,000 fans, dressed as their favorite characters, show up for this annual event. The convention includes celebrities and special guests, hosting panels, cosplay fashion shows, memorabilia booths and gaming tournaments.
Various times Friday-Sunday, Sept. 11-13, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; admission TBA; rosecitycomiccon.com
Beth Nakamura/Staff
Pendleton Round-Up
The Pendleton Round-Up has so many years of success and draws crowds from all over the country. Pro rodeo competitions happen daily at 1:15 p.m. But that's not all; Visitors are treated to yummy barbecues, vendors, live music, parades and the Happy Canyon pageant.
Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 16-19, Pendleton; rodeo tickets start at $25; pendletonroundup.com
Mark Graves/Staff
Mount Angel Oktoberfest
Sometimes it's sunny, sometimes it rains, but the Oktoberfest in Mount Angel is a good time in any weather. The tiny Willamette Valley town held its first Oktoberfest in late September 1966. By the mid-1980s, the annual event had become the largest folk festival of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, drawing more than 300,000 visitors a year. German food, music and bier, as well as a community-flavored atmosphere make this a must-do for festival fans.
Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 17-20, in Mount Angel, southeast of Woodburn; bier and wine garden admissions charged, many events free; oktoberfest.org
Dave Killen/Staff
Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival
The annual festival hosted by the Valley Art Association is nearing 30 years of offering a palette beneath your feat. All artists, regardless of age or ability are welcome to grab a square of sidewalk, some colorful chalk and create. Visitors stroll through Forest Grove taking in the original drawings.
8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in downtown Forest Grove; $7-$12 to draw, free to spectate; valleyart.org
OCTOBER
Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Marathon
Plagued in the last few years by award mistakes, poor course markings, and a change in management, Portland's largest road race soldiers on with thousands of runners hoping to score their personal best times, or maybe just to make it to the end of the 26.2-mile course.
Runner's expo Saturday, Oct. 3. Race starts 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, on Southwest Naito Parkway, Portland; portlandmarathon.com
The Oregonian files
Fall Kite Festival in Lincoln City
Oregon coast weather can be so strange. You can go in July and need a hoodie and rain boots, or show up in October in shorts and sunglasses. It's all possible. Lincoln City's Fall Kite Festival could get rained on, but it also could be the most glorious day you've spent on the beach in ages. The annual kite show features expert demonstrations, kite-making workshops, a parade and of course hundreds of colorful kites dancing in the sky.
Various times Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 3-4, on the beach in Lincoln City; free; oregoncoast.org
Mark Graves/Staff
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Tualatin provides the giant pumpkin, a paddle and a life vest. You wear your wackiest costume and try to row that thing, quickly, across the pond.
The 2020 race day is Saturday, Oct. 17. If you want to try it, contact Tualatin for information on how to become a racer; tualatinoregon.gov/pumpkinregatta
Mark Graves/Staff
Witch Paddleboard parade
If trying to maneuver a giant pumpkin across a pond isn't your cup of Halloween tea, maybe standup paddleboarding with a coven of witches sparks some interest. This creepy image was captured by The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com's Mark Graves in 2019, and it's just the sort of thing that helps keep Portland weird.
Late October date TBA, Willamette River; follow the hashtag #PortlandSUPWitches as the event draws near.
NOVEMBER
Oregonian file photo
The Portland Book Festival
Portland Literary Arts calls the Portland Book Festival (formerly known as Wordstock) the Pacific Northwest’s largest celebration of books and writing. Authors sign their works and read from recent releases. You can shop for books, magazines, comics, and other literary work. Expect events for children and more than 40 onstage presentations.
Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave., Portland. Guests, ticket prices and schedules will be announced in 2020; literary-arts.org
Mark Graves/Staff
Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sure, you can spend all Black Friday shopping for those dream deals, or you could sleep in, and go to the tree lighting in Pioneer Courthouse Square instead. You could do both. Each represents the kickoff of the holiday season in Portland. The day after Thanksgiving. a crowd of more than 25,000 Portlanders join in a joyful sing-a-long normally led by Thomas Lauderdale and members of Pink Martini. Once the singing is done, the city "flips the switch" on 14,000 colorful lights strung on the holiday tree.
Friday evening, Nov. 27, Pioneer Courthouse Square; thesquarepdx.org
DECEMBER
Oregonian file photo
Holiday Ale Festival
Stouts, porters and lagers along with winter ales flow from taps during this annual winter celebration of beers. The festival happens under heated tents in Pioneer Courthouse Square in the shadow of the holiday tree. Admission is free, but there are fees for tasting tokens and cups.
The ale festival is generally the first week of December. The 2020 dates have not been announced, but plan for Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 2-6, Pioneer Courthouse Square; holidayale.com
Jamie Hale/Staff
Tuba Christmas 30th anniversary
Nearly 300 musicians fill Pioneer Courthouse Square with large (and loud) brass instruments in this annual Christmas tradition. For 2020, the performance marks 30 years and is sure to fill the skies and warm hearts with holiday musical favorites.
Generally the second Saturday of December, which for 2020 will be Dec. 14, Pioneer Courthouse Square; free; thesquarepdx.com
Oregonian file photo
Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Holiday Sale
You had 12 months' heads-up, but you procrastinated anyway. Now it's nearly Christmas and you've still got presents to buy. And it has to be something cool and unique. We've got you! The annual Crafty Wonderland Holiday Sale is typically the second weekend of December. More than 220 artists' booths fill the Oregon Convention Center, selling everything from cool T-shirts to soap, to kitchen gadgets, to one-of-a-kind artists' works. You're bound to find just the right thing.
Second weekend of December, dates and times to be announced, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd; craftywonderland.com
Ad Choices