Culture

Three miniature human figurines observe tiny pieces of art at the Portland Free Little Art Gallery.
Culture
Portland social media personalities we love to follow
Looking for funny, informative, and awe-inspiring content for your feed? Start with these folks in the City of Roses.
April 19, 2024 02:06 PM
 · 
Ben McBee
Two people strapped together front-to-back fall from an open door of an airplane. The person in back is wearing a closed parachute and has their arms outstretched. A patchwork of fields and greenery stretches out far below.
Culture
Where to take a leap for Leap Day
Let this essential element of the Gregorian calendar inspire you to reach new heights.
February 28, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
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Culture
LAIKA Studios to blaze trail of ‘Coraline’ cats in downtown Portland
‘Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail’ will be a free urban trail featuring sculptures hand-painted by local artists.
February 26, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
An outside view of Multnomah County's Central Library in downtown Portland. The library's second story has oversized arched windows surrounded by red brick, while the lower level is covered in pale gray stone.
City
Central Library debuts renovations with grand reopening in downtown Portland
Multnomah County Library’s largest location, originally opened in 1913, has improved ADA access, new furniture and carpet, a dedicated teen space, and more.
February 22, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A small child of about 4 or 5 plays on a miniature CAT construction machine in the sandbox at DiG PDX.
Live
Kid-friendly activities in Portland
We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Portand has to offer — complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.
February 20, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
The Portland skyline and Mount Hood are bathed in the orange glow of sunset. Map pin icons with green hearts are sprinkled across different locations in the photo.
Culture
Our readers’ local love stories
Help us put our city on the map by submitting your love stories.
February 14, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
About 20 people dressed in colorful clothes and wearing facepaint pose on a parade float.
Events
Calling all class clowns: Portland Rose Festival seeks new aspiring performers
People 13 and older can apply to join the Rose Festival Clowns and add joy to the annual festivities which run for three weeks starting Memorial Day Weekend.
February 12, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A kitchen stage is set up in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square for Feast, a food festival that started in 2012. An audience watches to people behind the counter cooking something.
Events
Asked: Which canceled event or festival would you bring back to Portland?
We’re feeling sentimental about the occasions that brought us together, but somehow ceased to exist.
February 9, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A person wearing several rings and cozy clothes knits using a yellow ochre yarn while sitting on a futon. There are string lights draped around them.
Culture
Answered: Your favorite Portland hobbies
It appears PDXtoday readers are a creative bunch; this is what they do to relax and/or express themselves.
February 9, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
a girl sings on a stage in front of a microphone
Sponsored
Grab tickets for Spotlight: A Family Arts Festival
This family-friendly fest will be most enjoyed by ages 5 and up.
Sponsored by
A glass of whiskey with a lemon peel garnish and a large ice cube.
Play
Raise a glass to happy hour in Portland
Go bargain hunting with our Portland happy hour guide, which highlights drink specials and food discounts throughout the city.
February 8, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Live Wire Radio hosts Luke Burbank (right) and Elena Passarello (center) interview Ari Shapiro on stage in front of a bright red curtain. There are microphones in front of them, as well as a table laden with a water bottle, laptop, and a stack of books. Behind them, musicians sit in the dark.
Events
Play the birthday song: Live Wire Radio is turning 20
The long-running variety show was started in 2004 by two Portlanders with no radio experience; now it’s broadcast weekly on OPB.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A single-story naturalist building with wooden shingles and a blue metal roof with a round sign of a heron surrounded by pine trees.
Culture
Portland Audubon changes name to Bird Alliance of Oregon
The group’s former namesake was an American naturalist and slave owner.
February 6, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Three watercolor paintings sit side by side in triptych formation. The left shows rugged stripes of green with pen drawing, the middle shows a sunset sky background against the Vaux's swifts at Chapman Elementary, and on the right is a branch with two oranges.
Culture
Pick up a new hobby (and put down your phone)
Ditch the doomscrolling for a more creative or relaxing activity.
February 2, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A large group of kids at summer camp posing for the camera in a playful way.
Sponsored
It’s summer camp registration season at the YMCA
Sponsored by
A procession of people holding illuminated lanterns and dazzling LED lights, wearing shiny funky outfits, marches down the street while a MAX train speeds by in the background. The parade is part of the Portland Winter Light Festival.
Events
The Portland Winter Light Festival shines bright in the dark
Each year, the event builds community and adds some sparkle to the dark winter months with illuminating art installations across the city.
January 31, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
A large mostly black dog with pale blond markings on its muzzle and eyebrows. It has folded ears, soft brown eyes, and a long nose.
Culture
Pets available for adoption in the Portland area
Meet your new best friend.
January 29, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A floral arch stands at the edge of a rooftop patio overlooking the city skyline with chairs set in rows in the foreground, lining an aisle.
Play
These Portland area wedding venues take (and cut) the cake
Check out this list of local spots to host your special event.
January 25, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A graphic with cartoon candy hearts that have different gift categories written inside, like "Home Goods" and "Books."
Retail
The best Valentine’s Day gifts for 2024
Shop Valentine’s Day chocolates, couple’s games, cookware, candles, and fuzzy socks to spread the love.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Vagney Hampshire
A flower arrangement from Gifford's Flowers in Portland displays colors ranging from hot pink to purple and lavender with some light blue, white, and yellow mixed in.
Culture
Give these Portland flower shops a sniff
Artful arrangements make a thoughtful gift no matter the occasion
January 22, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Towering redwoods in Portland's Hoyt Arboretum reach high into the fog.
Culture
See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest
Plus, check out the runner-ups.
January 22, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
US 7th Fleet band performs at Sapporo Snow Festival on a stage made of snow.
Travel and Outdoors
Portland’s sister city: Sapporo, Japan
Set your sights on Hokkaido’s capital, which has rich sporting history and ramen culture, plus reasons to visit during all four seasons.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Ben McBee
The trunk of a "tree" extends from the floor of a shop to the ceiling, surrounded by shelves of puzzles and games.
Culture
Finding a new board game isn’t a trivial pursuit at these Portland shops
Embark on an adventure, solve a mystery, terraform a planet, create works of art, and much more from the comfort of your dining room table.
January 17, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
The US Bancorp Tower's windows reflect pinks of a sunset.
Culture
Pantone Color of the Year aesthetics in Portland
Peach Fuzz is the name, and kindness and tenderness are its game.
January 10, 2024
 · 
Katie Molck
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Culture
Answered: Our readers’ 2024 predictions
We asked, you answered. Here’s what locals think will happen this year.
January 9, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Four people sit on wooden folding chairs arrayed in front of a gazebo surrounded by blooming rose bushes on a sunny day.
Culture
Getting married? Reserve a Portland park, garden, or picnic area for your wedding
Portland Parks & Recreation will prioritize in-person reservations on Monday, Jan. 8, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
January 5, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
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Culture
Try this: PDXtoday’s Picture of the Year contest
We’re commemorating 2023 the best way we know how — highlighting local photos through our PDXtoday Picture of the Year contest.
January 3, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
Sun shines through a window on G-Love's lineup of nonalcoholic mocktails, ranging in color from orange to green.
Food
Exceptional nonalcoholic cocktails to sip in Portland
Have as many as you want (trust us, you’ll want more than one).
January 2, 2024
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Sneakers on pavement.
Culture
Walking trends in Portland
Average daily walking trips dropped by 36% in the US between 2019 and 2022 — see how Portland compares.
January 2, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
A 75-ft-tall Douglas fir tree stands in the middle of a red brick public square surrounded by tall white buildings on a sunny winter day.
Culture
How to care for a fresh Christmas tree
Should you use sugar water? What happens to it when the holidays are over? We’ve got you covered.
December 22, 2023
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
Little Crater Lake shines ultra blue, reflecting the surrounding forest.
Culture
PDXtoday’s 2023 wrapped
From how to cheer on the hometown teams to an immersive art experience, here is the content that our readers flocked to this year.
December 21, 2023
 · 
Ben McBee
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