Queer documentaries
May 2 - 5, 2019
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.
Portland events May 2019
Salem beer festival
May 3 - 4, 2019
47 miles south
A ticket to Cinco de Micro Brewfest includes a glass mug and four tasting tokens, with 75 breweries onsite, food for sale, and musical entertainment in the Salem Convention Center for age 21+.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 3 - 5, 2019
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. No pets.
Marijuana rally
May 4, 2019
(12 to 5 p.m.)
0 miles
Oregon Cannabis Festival promises speakers, bands, and vendors at Pioneer Courthouse Square, plus a march at 4 p.m. Free.
Psychedelic rock festival
May 4, 2019
0.5 miles NW
Sabertooth features rock and psychedelic music, marketplace vendors, and beer tasting at the Crystal Ballroom and Lola’s Room for age 21+.
Craft show
May 4, 2019
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.
Charity party at OMSI
May 4, 2019
(9 p.m.)
1.2 miles SE
A $125 ticket to Gala After Dark includes food, beverages, and entertainment by Pink Martini.
Obstacle race
May 4, 2019
(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.
Garden fair
May 4 - 5, 2019
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.
Run for beer
May 4, 11, 18, 2019
multiple locations each month
The untimed 5K Fun Run is on sidewalks and park trails, followed by a free beer and live entertainment.
Dinner in the country
May 4 - Dec. 14, 2019
multiple location
Dinners in the Field features “stunning wines of Oregon over a six-to-seven course dinner expertly prepared by Field & Vine chefs using ingredients sourced straight from the host and surrounding farms.” (This event has sold out in previous years.)
Run along the river
May 5, 2019
1.1 miles north
Cinco de Mayo Run/Walk includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and half miler that begin and end at Fields Neighborhood Park, followed by a party with prizes.
Architecture tour
May 10 - 11, 2019
multiple locations
The Mid-Century Modern Design Series includes a lecture (Friday) about Mid-Century Modern architecture, plus a self-driving tour of homes (Saturday), plus an after-party (Saturday evening).
Move with the dogs
May 11, 2019
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, and canine contests.
Science festival
May 11, 2019
(1 to 5 p.m.)
0.6 miles NE
Support scientific research, science education, and public policy based on science at the Portland ScienceFest, which includes speakers, workshops, and kid’s activities at White Stag Block.
Silent-film festival
May 11, 2019
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.)
Mother’s Day race
May 11, 2019
13 miles SW, or 5 miles east
Run Mama Run! is a 10K, 5K, and kids’ run in the hilly forest of Mt. Tabor Park.
Street fair & parade
May 11, 2019
8 miles NW
Kick off the summer street fair season at St. Johns Bizarre, with local music, 90 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 11, 2019
(8 a.m.)
13.7 miles NW
Hippie Chick Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K run/walk at Ron Tonkin Field is preceded by a kids’ race and followed by a breakfast with live music and a free mimosa or beer.
Plant fair
May 11, 2019
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.
Mother’s Day flower show
May 11 - 12, 2019
5 miles SE
Mother’s Day Rhododendron Show and Sale includes a judged flower show at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Mother’s Day cruise
May 12, 2019
two locations
Portland Spirit offers brunch and dinner river cruises boarding in Portland or Cascade Locks in the Gorge.
Mother’s Day restaurants
May 12, 2019
Portland area
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special brunch, lunch, and dinner menus on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day walk
May 12, 2019
1.5 miles NW
Attend a reception at Castaway at 10 a.m., take the 5K Reigning Roses Walk through NW Portland at 11 a.m., and join the closing reception at 12:30 p.m. to honor women and support charity.
Mother’s Day zoo brunch
May 12, 2019
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.
UFO Festival
May 16 - 18, 2019
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.
Portland Lindy Exchange
May 17 - 19, 2019
Portland locations
Lindy hop fans dance to jazz and swing bands at venues all over the city during Portland Lindy Exchange.
Bicycle film festival
May 17 - 19, 2019
3.3 miles NE
See short films about bicycling at Filmed by Bike at the Hollywood Theatre.
Rocks & minerals show
May 17 - 19, 2019
7.7 miles NE
Mt. Hood Rock Club Show features demonstrations, kids’ activities, and vendors selling rocks, minerals, fossils, and jewelry at Jackson Armory. Free.
Skin cancer screening
May 18, 2019
(9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
1.4 miles south
PDX Skincare Festival includes free skin checks, a chance to meet cosmetologists and aestheticians, a 5K walk, presentations, exhibits, music, and dancers at OHSU, 2730 SW Moody Avenue. Free.
Wear a red dress
May 18, 2019
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.
Beer tasting on a farm
May 18, 2019
9.3 miles NE
A ticket to Sip of Spring gets you 14 four-ounce samples of beer at Rossi Farms for age 21+. Food for sale. No pets.
Armed Forces Day
May 18, 2019
12 miles SE
See historic and current military vehicles, uniforms, and equipment, and meet historians on Living History Day at Camp Withycombe. Adults require ID. Free.
Wildlife festival
May 18, 2019
14.2 miles SW
Celebrate wildlife and wild places with a ton of family-friendly activities during the Tualatin River Bird Festival at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Free.
Obstacle race
May 18, 2019
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 18, 2019
(3 to 7 p.m.)
78 miles NW
Taste wines in local shops with your ticket to Spring Downtown Wine Walk in Seaside. Repeats in Nov.
Art walk
May 18 - 19, 2019
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 19, 2019
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.
Wildflower Festival
May 19, 2019
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.
Festival of Flowers
May 22 - June 4, 2019
0 miles
See a giant design made from 20,000 flowers during Festival of Flowers in Pioneer Courthouse Square, with live music at noon on some days, followed by a flower sale.
CityFair & fireworks
May 24 - June 9, 2019
0.5 mile east
CityFair has fireworks on opening night (May 24), carnival rides, exhibits, beer, a food fair, and music concerts at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. No pets. (Closed May 28 to 30, and June 3 to 6, 2019.)
Vampire’s Masquerade Ball
May 25, 2019
0.3 miles SW
Vampire’s Masquerade Ball is a formal gala at Portland Art Museum, with gothic and industrial music, a classic midnight waltz, an included buffet, and a no-host bar for age 21+.
Wine country weekend
May 25 - 27, 2019
34 miles SW
More than 130 wineries in the Willamette Valley are open for tastings and tours on Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country.
Charity dessert tasting
May 29, 2019
(6 to 8:30 p.m.)
0.3 miles SW
“Taste the finest cakes, savories, cocktails, and more” at Bake: A Dessert Tasting Event to support charity at the Portland Art Museum.
Extreme motorsports race
May 31 - June 2, 2019
Oregon locations
Oregon Trail Rally begins Friday evening at Portland International Raceway with a rally and driver meet & greet. Dufur and Hood River also host spectator events for this race on gravel logging roads.
Taste of Canby
May 31 - June 2, 2019
25 miles south
Buy samples of wine, beer, and food; hear live music; and shop from vendors at Canby Wine, Food & Brew. Children age 15 and younger are free.
College art exhibition
May 31 - June 7, 2019
8.5 miles SW
Sylvania Creates showcases music, art, writing, and theater created by Portland Community College students and faculty at the Sylvania Campus. Free.