Portland Fall Festivals and Area Events
Are you ready to explore the best Portland fall festivals? I absolutely love Fall and love the idea of celebrating it over and over again! With the awesome harvest festivals, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and more filling up the fall season in the Pacific Northwest. Prepare yourselves, my friends. The whole family is going to have a blast and enjoy some great food, live music, obstacle courses, carnival rides and so much more.
I am in several traveling groups on Facebook and recently saw a question asking about the best places to visit during the fall in the United States and within the 100+ comments, I saw at least 10 of them that suggested various towns in Oregon to enjoy the season! The only places I saw mentioned more were a few towns in New England, so it looks like people from throughout the country recognize how great the area is for the season! Oh, and if we didn’t yet mention it, the autumn season is great in this area because of the mild weather!
Portland Fall Festivals and Area Events
Check out this great list of fall festivals in the Portland area and throughout the Willamette Valley. Portland is great, although, there are some amazing fall festivals in the outlying areas so you may find that the best things-to-do require a short drive. Either way, you are going to have a wonderful time celebrating the season in Oregon!
Annual Portland Greek Festival
The Portland Greek Festival is an exciting cultural event at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. This festival celebrates Greek heritage and traditions and offers a glimpse of various aspects of Greek culture. You’ll see wonderful examples of Greek art, music, food, and dance.
During the festival, attendees can expect to enjoy authentic Greek cuisines, such as souvlaki (grilled meat skewers), moussaka (a layered eggplant and meat dish), spanakopita (spinach and cheese pastry), and baklava (a sweet pastry). Plus, there are typically food booths available for you to buy these Greek treats to take home with you later.
The festival also features live entertainment, featuring Greek music and dance. You can enjoy folk dances, plus performances by musicians playing traditional Greek instruments such as the bouzouki. You’ll also see cultural displays and exhibitions that allow you to learn all about Greek history, art, and religious traditions. Visitors can expect to see vendor booths that feature Greek jewelry, ceramics, and other products.
You’ll typically find that this festival takes place over a weekend in late September or early October. It is a great festival that is super family-friendly! Members of the local Greek community and people from all walks of life who are interested in experiencing Greek culture are welcome.
Portland Book Festival
Do you love books? You are going to love the Portland Book Festival! This is an annual literary event held at the Portland Art Museum that celebrates books, authors, and storytelling. It’s a festival that brings together writers, readers, and book lovers from the local community and beyond. The festival features a wide range of activities and events, including author readings, panel discussions, workshops, book signings, and a book fair. Attendees have the opportunity to hear from renowned authors, discover new voices in literature, and engage in discussions about various literary topics.
Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire
A little over an hour away from Portland, in the small community of Kings Valley, you’ll find a unique festival that’s always a hit. The Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire is “the only fair of its kind in Oregon.” This fair is modeled on the best elements of Shakespearean and Elizabethan times and offers an interactive lesson in the historic Renaissance of 1558-1603.
Mt. Angel Annual Oktoberfest
The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest is a popular annual event held in the town of Mt. Angel, Oregon. Mt. Angel is a smaller city located about 35 miles south of Portland. This is one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Pacific Northwest. This popular festival is known for its vibrant celebration of German culture, featuring traditional Bavarian food, beer, music, dancing, and live entertainment.
In addition to the food, beer, and music, you can also expect to find more fun activities, such as carnival rides and games. This festival is perfect for children and adults alike. Artistic vendors will have booths and you’ll even see a parade and a car show!
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
If you are looking for an old-fashioned fall festival that celebrates local produce, products, and culture, the Hood River Valley Harvest Fest is a great place to be! You’ll find local arts and craft vendors, local wine, apple cider (both regular and hard cider), and beer-tasting opportunities. Here are some of the best drinks and goodies that you can expect to enjoy:
- Cider donuts
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
- Craft Beer Tastings
- Wine Tastings
Sublimity Harvest Fest
If you are more into horsepower than vendor booths, this fun event is for you! The Sublimity Harvest Festival is great fun for those who love tractor pulls and racing. This festival started back in the 70s as a tractor pull competition between local farmers. Competitors come from all across the Western United States to compete with their tractors, trucks, ATVs, and Monster Trucks.
Don’t forget to check out other area Fall Harvest Festivals, Pumpkin Patches, Haunted Houses, and More!!
The Pacific Northwest has a plethora of pumpkin patches and other Fall festivals that are perfect for celebrating the season. You’ll find acres and acres of giant pumpkins for pumpkin picking and corn mazes to explore (perfect for those Instagram photos). You’ll also find great opportunities to take some fun hay rides and explore the beautiful farmlands throughout the Pacific Northwest.
If scary is your thing, check out these great Haunted Haunted Houses in the Salem area.
