Music & fashion show
May 3, 2018
(9 p.m., VIP 8 p.m.)
1.2 miles east
Watch a showcase of local designers and models, hear “fresh” music, and see dancers and aerialists perform during Regenerate Portland at The Bossanova Ballroom for age 21+.
Portland events May 2018
Evita
May 3 - 13, 2018
0.2 miles SW
Evita tells the story of Argentina’s former first lady, with a stunning score by Andrew Lloyd Webber that includes Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, at Brunish Theatre.
Rob Lowe
May 4, 2018
(8 p.m.)
0.2 miles SW
Actor Rob Lowe (St. Elmo’s Fire, The West Wing, Parks & Recreation, Code Black) talks about his experiences in Hollywood at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Button show
May 4 - 5, 2018
43.5 miles south
See antique and ornate buttons at Oregon Button Show and Sale at Quality Suites near Salem. Free.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 4 - 6, 2018
0.5 miles east
Enjoy live entertainment, authentic food, carnival rides, an artisan village, and family fun at Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Bicycle film festival
May 4 - 6, 2018
3.3 miles NE
See short films about bicycling at Filmed by Bike at the Hollywood Theatre, which on opening night has both films and a free street party.
Opera
May 4 - 12, 2018
0.6 miles south
Rigoletto is a court jester whose daughter is seduced by a powerful duke in the operatic masterpiece by Verdi, performed by Portland Opera in Italian with English projected titles at Keller Auditorium.
Marijuana rally
May 5, 2018
(noon to 5 p.m.)
0 miles
Oregon Cannabis Festival promises speakers, bands, and vendors at Pioneer Courthouse Square, plus an afternoon march. Free.
Women’s soccer
May 5, 2018
(5:30 p.m.)
0.7 miles west
The Portland Thorns play the Seattle Reign in an exciting home game at Providence Park.
Craft show
May 5, 2018
1 mile NW
Shop from 200 artists and craft makers at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market at the Oregon Convention Center. Repeats in Dec. Free.
Obstacle race
May 5, 2018
(9 a.m.)
8 miles north
Feel like a kid again at The Great Inflatable Race, which includes at least eight blow-up obstacles you must get over, under, around, or through at Portland International Raceway.
Kentucky Derby party
May 5, 2018
(noon to 5 p.m.)
20.7 miles SW
A $100 ticket to Derby Day Grand Adventure includes a catered lunch buffet, a mint julep, a live broadcast of the race, fashion prizes, and a bottle of wine to take home at Blakeslee Vineyard Estate.
Garden fair
May 5 - 6, 2018
25.8 miles south
Shop for plants and garden decor, eat at the food court, ask a master gardener questions, and choose from 10-minute classes at the Spring Garden Fair at Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby. No pets.
Used book sale
May 5 - 7, 2018
2.7 miles NE
Browse thousands of books and movies at Fall Used Book Sale at the DoubleTree near Lloyd Center. Repeats in October. Free.
Dance cruise
May 5 - Oct. 20, 2018
(Saturdays 11 p.m.)
0.5 miles east
Enjoy two hours of views, a cash bar, and dance hits from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s on the Flashback Dance Cruise aboard Portland Spirit, departing from Waterfront Park for age 21+.
Run along the river
May 6, 2018
1 mile SE
Cinco de Mayo Run/Walk includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and half miler that begin and end at OMSI, followed by a party with prizes.
Silent-film festival
May 9 - 10, 2018
4 miles NE
Watch silent films recently made by Northwest kids under age 21 and accompanied by live music at the International Youth Silent Film Festival at Hollywood Theatre. (See June 7 for global awards.)
Quilt show
May 11 - 12, 2018
7 miles north
Admire hundreds of quilts, see demonstrations, and shop at A Festival of Quilts in Portland Expo Center.
Czech film festival
May 11 - 13, 2018
0.3 miles SW
See five innovative films from the Czech Republic at New Czech Cinema at the Portland Art Museum.
Architecture tour
May 12, 2018
multiple locations
The Mid-Century Modern Tour includes a lecture (Friday 7 p.m.) about the Pacific Northwest Modernism of architect John Storrs, plus a self-driving tour (Saturday) of the inside and outside of five homes he designed, plus an after-party (Saturday 6 p.m.).
Move with the dogs
May 12, 2018
0.5 miles east
Doggie Dash is a 1.5 or 2.5 mile untimed walk/run that begins and ends at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, including breakfast, a beverage, a pet festival, vendor booths, food carts, and canine contests.
Mother’s Day race
May 12, 2018
13 miles SW, or 5 miles east
Run Mama Run! is a 10K, 5K, and kids’ run in forested Mt. Tabor Park, which is preceded by a light breakfast.
Street fair & parade
May 12, 2018
8 miles NW
Kick off the summer street fair season at St. Johns Bizarre, with local music, 70 juried craft vendors, food, a beer garden, and kids’ activities the same day as the noon St. Johns Parade in North Portland.
Women’s run in Hillsboro
May 12, 2018
13.7 miles NW
Hippie Chick Quarter Marathon, 15K & Half Marathon at Ron Tonkin Field is preceded by a kids’ race and followed by a breakfast.
Plant fair
May 12, 2018
21 miles NE
Camas Mother’s Day Plant & Garden Fair features plants, trees, garden art, kids’ activities, live music, and food vendors in pretty downtown Camas, WA. Free.
Geeky art fair
May 12 - 13, 2018
1.5 miles NE
GeekCraft Expo is a curated market of handmade geeky crafts at Oregon Convention Center. Free.
Mother’s Day flower show
May 12 - 13, 2018
5 miles SE
Mother’s Day Show and Sale is a rhododendron show and sale at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Mother’s Day cruise
May 13, 2018
two locations
Portland Spirit offers brunch and dinner river cruises boarding in Portland or Cascade Locks in the Gorge.
Mother’s Day restaurants
May 13, 2018
Portland area
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special brunch, lunch, and dinner menus on Mother’s Day.
Family theater
May 13, 2018
1 mile NW
Peter Pan tells the story of Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell, pixie dust, and pirates, with a mix of both professional and amateur actors at Northwest Children's Theater and School for age 5+.
Mother’s Day walk
May 13, 2018
1.5 miles NW
Attend a reception at Castaway at 10 a.m., and then take the 5K Reigning Roses Walk through NW Portland at 11 a.m. to honor women and support charity.
Mother’s Day zoo brunch
May 13, 2018
3 miles west
Take Mom to the Portland Zoo for a sweet and savory Mother’s Day Brunch, which does not include or require a zoo ticket.
Music festival with beer & tacos
May 13, 2018
6.4 miles north
Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco & Music Festival “is a day filled with craft beer, tasty gourmet tacos, Lucha Libre style wrestling, and live music” at Portland Meadows. Children are OK after 4 p.m.
UFO Festival
May 17 - 19, 2018
38 miles SW
The UFO Festival honors two locals who spotted UFOs, with a costume parade Saturday at 2 p.m., speakers, a movie, live music, a 5K, and kids’ fun at McMenamins Hotel Oregon in McMinnville. Schedule.
Queer documentaries
May 17 - 20, 2018
3.5 miles east
QDoc is billed as the only U.S. festival devoted exclusively to Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) documentaries, at Hollywood Theatre.
Adult brunch at OMSI
May 18, 2018
(7 p.m., VIP 6 p.m.)
1.2 miles SE
A ticket to Marys & Mimosas includes 6 drink tokens for bloody Mary’s and mimosas, plus 4 food tokens for brunch bites, and a chance to explore the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for age 21+.
Adventure race
May 18 - 19, 2018
5 miles south
Questival is a 24-hour race that begins with a check-in party at Sellwood Riverfront Park. Your team of 2 to 6 people completes the challenges assigned by a smartphone app to win prizes. Video.
Skin cancer screening
May 19, 2018
(9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
1.4 miles south
PDX Skincare Festival includes free skin checks, a chance to meet cosmetologists and aestheticians, a 5K run/walk, presentations, exhibits, music, and dancers at OHSU, 2730 SW Moody Avenue. Free.
Train day
May 19, 2018
1.4 miles SE
Portland Train Day includes games, live music, a free museum visit, steam trains on display, train rides, and food carts at Oregon Rail Heritage Center. Free.
Wear a red dress
May 19, 2018
1.4 miles NE
Men and women wear red dresses, drink red cocktails, and dance at the Red Dress Party for charity in the basement of Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Armed Forces Day
May 19, 2018
(9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
12 miles SE
See historic and current military vehicles, uniforms, and equipment, and meet historians at Living History Day at Camp Withycombe. Adults require ID. Free. [Main building is being renovated but the field artillery barn and quartermaster storehouse will be open.]
Obstacle race
May 19, 2018
22.4 miles south
Overcome mud, fire, ropes, and barricades to complete the 3.12 mile Warrior Dash for a medal and T-shirt at Pat’s Acres in Canby.
Seaside wine tasting
May 19, 2018
78 miles NW
Taste wines in local shops with your ticket to Spring Downtown Wine Walk in Seaside. Repeats in Nov.
Art walk
May 19 - 20, 2018
5 miles east
Visit local artists at two dozen locations on Mt. Tabor Art Walk, following the map on their website. Free.
People in the street
May 20, 2018
Located 1.7 miles SE
Walk, bike, or roller-skate on 7 miles of streets when most cars are banned for Southeast Portland Sunday Parkways. Nearby parks offer activities & music. Free.
Bakery sale for depression
May 20, 2018
(1 to 4 p.m.)
2.4 miles NE
Just like people sometimes, cakes, cupcakes, and cookies at the one-day Depressed Cake Shop Portland look gray on the outside but are great inside. Sales at Opal 28 support Baby Blues Connection.
Wildflower Festival
May 20, 2018
115 miles south
Wildflower and Music Festival has flowers on display, plants for sale, experts to answer questions, food, arts and crafts, music, guided walks, and kids’ activities at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene. No dogs.
Animated film festival
May 23 - 27, 2018
4 miles NE
NW Animation Fest celebrates the best work from independent animators in many countries by screening nearly 200 hilarious, dramatic, strange, and inspiring films at Hollywood Theatre. Repeats later in Eugene.
CityFair & fireworks
May 25 - June 10, 2018
0.5 mile east
CityFair has fireworks on May 25 at 9:45 p.m., carnival rides, exhibits, beer, and a food fair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Music concerts June 1-3. No pets. Dates in 2018: May 25 - 28, June 1 - 3 and 8 - 10.
Vampire’s Masquerade Ball
May 26, 2018
1 miles east
Vampire’s Masquerade Ball is a formal gala at Melody Ballroom with gothic and industrial music, a classic midnight waltz, an included buffet, and a no-host bar for age 21+.
Wine country weekend
May 26 - 28, 2018
34 miles SW
More than 150 wineries in the Willamette Valley are open for tastings and tours on Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country.