Salem beer festival
May 1 - 2, 2020
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+.
Portland events May 2020
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 1 - 3, 2020
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.
Ceramics show
May 1 - 3, 2020
1.3 miles NE
Ceramic Showcase, billed as the largest U.S. show and sale of pottery, has 150 Oregon and Washington artists at Oregon Convention Center. Free.
Giant art show
May 1 - 3, 2020
1.5 miles NE
Local artists’ guilds join forces to sell ceramic, metal, wood, glass, bead, and hand-woven art at Gathering of the Guilds at Oregon Convention Center. Free.
Queer documentaries
May 1 - 3, 2020
(begins April 30)
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.
Tulip festival
May 1 - 3, 2020
(begins March 20)
35 miles south
See 40 acres of tulips and daffodils in bloom, visit the gift shop & cafe, and check the weekend events schedule for Tulip Fest at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Craft show
May 2, 2020
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 2, 2020
1.2 miles SE
A $125 ticket to Gala After Dark includes food, beverages, and entertainment by Pink Martini.
Obstacle race
May 2, 2020
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.
Run along the river
May 2, 2020
9.4 miles NE
Cinco de Mayo Run/Walk includes a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a kids’ race along the Columbia River, beginning at Kliever Armory and ending at a party with prizes.
Garden fair
May 2 - 3, 2020
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 2 - 16, 2020
(Saturdays)
location varies each month
The untimed 5K Fun Run is on sidewalks and park trails, followed by a free beer and live entertainment. This event repeats monthly, except December.
Dr. Seuss
May 2 - 31, 2020
0.8 miles NW
Watch a family-friendly version of the smash hit musical Seussical featuring the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, and tiny people called the Whos at Northwest Children’s Theater for age 4+.
Architecture tour
May 8 - 9, 2020
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 9, 2020
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.
Silent-film festival
May 9, 2020
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 international awards.)
Street fair & parade
May 9, 2020
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 9, 2020
14.3 miles NW
Hippie Chick Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K run/walk at Hillsboro Stadium is preceded by a kids’ race and followed by a breakfast with live music and a free mimosa or beer.
Plant fair
May 9, 2020
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.
Dinner in the country
May 9, 16, 30, 2020
(5:30 p.m.)
multiple locations
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.”
Mother’s Day cruise
May 10, 2020
two locations
Portland Spirit offers brunch and dinner river cruises boarding in Portland or Cascade Locks in the Gorge.
Mother’s Day restaurants
May 10, 2020
Portland area
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special brunch, lunch, and dinner menus on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day walk
May 10, 2020
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 10, 2020
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 14 - 16, 2020
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.
Adult party at OMSI
May 15 & 27, 2020
(6 to 10 p.m.)
1.2 miles SE
Explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight, and drink beer or wine while learning about robots, tornados, and fossils at
OMSI After Dark for age 21+. This event repeats many times per year.
Bicycle film festival
May 15 - 17, 2020
(party May 14)
3.3 miles NE
See short films about bicycling at Filmed by Bike at the Hollywood Theatre.
Rocks & minerals show
May 15 - 17, 2020
9.6 miles NE
Mt. Hood Rock Club Show features demonstrations, kids’ activities, and vendors selling rocks, minerals, fossils, and jewelry at Jackson Armory. Free.
Wear a red dress
May 16, 2020
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 16, 2020
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. Repeats in October.
Armed Forces Day
May 16, 2020
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.
Art walk
May 16 - 17, 2020
5 miles east
Visit local artists at two dozen locations on Mt. Tabor Art Walk, following the map on their website. Free.
Wildflower Festival
May 17, 2020
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 20 - June 3, 2020
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 (June 3 - 5, 2020).
CityFair & fireworks
May 22 - June 7, 2020
0.5 mile east
CityFair has fireworks on opening night (May 22), carnival rides, exhibits, beer, a food fair, and music concerts at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day. No pets.
Vampire’s Masquerade Ball
May 23, 2020
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 23 - 25, 2020
34 miles SW
More than 130 wineries in the Willamette Valley are open for tastings and tours on Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country.
Canby festival
May 29 - 30, 2020
25 miles south
Buy samples of wine, beer, and food; hear live music; and shop from vendors at Taste & Tunes Festival [formerly Canby Wine, Food & Brew]. Children age 15 and younger are free.
Extreme motorsports race
May 29 - 31, 2020
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.
Starlight Parade & Run
May 30, 2020
0.7 miles NW
Join 325,000 spectators at the 8:30 p.m. Starlight Parade, or wear a costume and run past them in the 7:45 p.m. Starlight Run 5K, which begins and ends at CityFair
in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Taste of Tigard
May 30, 2020
10 miles SW
Buy food & beverages from local vendors at the Taste of Tigard. Live music begins at 11:30 a.m. Free entry.
Brunch festival
May 31, 2020
1.4 miles NE
“Enjoy Portland’s best brunch food and drinks from local restaurants and food trucks” at Portland Brunch Festival, with live music, local artists, and craft vendors in the plaza at The Rose Quarter for age 21+.
Marijuana rally
May 2020
(undated)
0 miles
Oregon Cannabis Festival promises speakers, bands, and vendors at Pioneer Courthouse Square, plus a march at 4 p.m. Free.
Charity dessert tasting
May 2020
(undated)
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.
Psychedelic rock festival
May 2020
(undated)
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+.
Skin cancer screening
May 2020
(undated)
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.
People in the street
May 2020
(undated)
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.
College art exhibition
May 2020
(undated)
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.
Wildlife festival
May 2020
(undated)
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.
Wine tasting at the ocean
May 2020
(undated)
78 miles NW
Taste wines in local shops with your ticket to Seaside Spring Downtown Wine Walk for age 21+. Repeats in Nov.