Ready to see Portland in bloom? From flower farms and unique festivals to parades and art walks, spring is when the City of Roses thrives.
Get ready to experience the natural beauty of Portland and all spring has to offer with this guide featuring 23 spring events taking place between March and May.
Festivals
McMinnville hosts the annual UFO Festival in honor of the area’s famous 1950 UFO photographs.
Photo by Kingofthedead
Portland’s Irish Festival | March 15-17 | Locations vary | $20-$60 | Cheer for local boxers as they take on Irish fighters, join the Shamrock Run, watch Irish dancing and bagpiping, and imbibe a pint or two at Oregon’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Paddy’s St. Patrick’s Day Festival | March 16-17 | Paddy’s Bar & Grill, 65 SW Yamhill St. | $25-$75 | From the festival that made the world’s largest Irish coffee in 2023 comes a giant tent full of bagpiping, Irish whiskey, Guinness, Irish dancing, and green-hued fun.
TAG! Queer Shorts Festival | April 6-7 | Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. | $10-$45 | This year’s lineup of short films made by queer and trans directors is broken into 2-hour programs, including PNW-made films, stories about family dynamics, and social justice.
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival | April 11-13 | Portland Expo Center, 2060 Marine Dr. W. | $10 | Watch demonstrations and browse a wide variety of sewing, quilting, needle art, and craft supplies to jump-start your next creative project.
Fertile Ground Festival | April 12-21 | Locations vary | $35-$75 | After a 2023 hiatus, this city-wide festival returns with a stacked lineup of new, locally-created works spanning a wide range of genres “illustrating that Portland is truly fertile ground for creativity, innovation and daring acts of performance.”
McMenamins UFO Festival | May 17-18 | Locations vary, McMinnville | Free+ | On the heels of ground-breaking Congressional testimonies, this festival’s 24th year could be its biggest yet; expect all the classic fun with costume contests, live music, and fun runs — along with presentations from big names, including former US Navy pilot and UAP witness Ryan Graves.
Portland Rose Festival | May 24-June 23 | Locations vary | Free+ | The long-running city tradition bursts into bloom every May; highlights include CityFair, Fleet Week, parades of flower-laden floats, a “queen’s court” of local high school students, and the Milk Carton Boat Race.
Flower events
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival | March 22-May 5 | Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm, 33814 S. Meridian Rd., Woodburn | $15-$65 | More than 1 million tulips representing 100+ varieties create a 40-acre, multi-color dreamland to explore.
Trillium Festival | April 6 | Friends Of Tryon Creek at Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 S. Terwilliger Blvd. | Free | Explore educational stations in the nature center and along trails, shop for native plants, and visit the Poppy & Finch Mobile Studio as blooming trilliums herald the changing season.
Early Blooming Rhododendron Show & Sale | April 13 | Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, 5801 SE 28th Ave. | $5 | Stroll through the manicured garden grounds, passing bubbling fountains, duck ponds, and a myriad of plants, including rhododendrons and azaleas, which reach peak bloom in April and May.
Outdoor activities
The annual St. Johns Bizarre kicks off Portland’s summer street fair season.
Photo by Jason Quigley
Worst Day of the Year Ride | March 24 | Two routes | $39.95-$59.95 | Put on a costume (one you don’t mind getting rained on) and take a spin through Portland’s west or east side, followed by a food- and drink-filled after party.
First Thursday Street Gallery | April 4 + May 2 | Northwest 13th Avenue and Irving Street | Free | Artists display their works in the street and galleries stay open late, giving community members the chance to immerse themselves in an aspect of Portland’s vibrant creative culture.
SOLVE Oregon Spring Cleanup | April 13-22 | Locations vary | Free | Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at one of 43 different events in the Portland metro area, from picking up litter to planting seedlings.
Bridge to Brews | April 21 | Starting at Tom McCall Waterfront Park | $79-$84 | Run an 8K or 10K race over Portland’s bridges, then celebrate with local beer and cider tastings.
St. Johns Bizarre and Parade | May 11 | North Philadelphia Avenue + Lombard Street and surrounding area | Free, donations accepted | Musicians, artists, food vendors, and local community groups gather for a 15th year of laid-back neighborhood fun.
Mt. Tabor Art Walk | May 18-19 | Locations vary | Free | Equip yourself with the handy online map and set off to find high-quality visual art on display throughout the Mt. Tabor neighborhood.
Shopping, talks + awards
Oregon Beer Awards | April 4 | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., Ste. 203 | $26 | Join brewers and beer lovers as 80+ judges recognize the best brews from around the state.
The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest | April 7 | McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St. | $10 | Contribute a bag of clean, used clothes in good condition and take home a whole new wardrobe.
Oregon Book Awards Ceremony | April 8 | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave. | $12-$65 | Join other readers in honoring the state’s most accomplished writers of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, youth stories, and graphic literature.
Portland Night Market | April 26-27 | 100 SE Alder St. | Free+ | Support 175+ of Portland’s best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks, and retail.
TEDxPortland | April 27 | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St. | $89-$179 | Year 12’s theme is “Alchemy,” with speakers demonstrating “how essential we all are in catalyzing change — in the Rose City and beyond.”
Oregon Wine Month | May 1-31 | Locations vary | Prices vary | Explore our region’s wine industry through special tastings, food and wine pairings, cooking classes, new wine releases, and more.
Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market | May 3-4 | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Admission TBA | Shop locally handmade goods and art at this market that’s historically hosted over 230 vendors.
