Summer events have come roaring back after two years of pandemic-related shutdowns. We’ve gathered more than 50 indoor and outdoor events from all over Oregon and southwest Washington, appealing to all ages. Plenty of your longtime favorites are here, and there’s a sprinkling of newcomers as well. Many are free or low-cost, and many are easily within driving distance of the metro area. Sadly, the Tualatin Crawfish Festival is gone for good, the city announced this spring, and Feast Portland has canceled live events for 2022. Still, the calendar is full. If you’re ready for summer, the summer of 2022 is ready for you.
Note, not all ticket or admission prices were available prior to publication deadlines. Check back with event websites, or watch for updated events listings at Oregonlive.com/events as dates draw closer.
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Portland Rose Festival: The festival kicks off with a fireworks show May 27. Key events include the Starlight Parade on June 4, Junior Parade on June 8, and Grand Floral Parade on June 11. Check out our complete Rose Festival Guide publishing May 27 for more details, or visit rosefestival.org.
Parkersville Day: The Parkersville Heritage Foundation begins a new event to celebrate the history of Clark County. Parker’s Landing Historical Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 based on its archeological value and its association with the Chinook-speaking Native Americans of the area. Parkersville Day will include a Chinookan blessing, storytellers in period clothing, historic family games, a student art display, booths, and a high school brass band performance.
June 4, Parker’s Landing Historical Park near the Port of Camas-Washougal, free; facebook.com/ParkersLandingHistoricalPark
Film still from the movie “RADIX” by Andi Lipo. The film is featured in the annual “Filmed by Bike” festival. Image courtesy of Filmed by Bike
Filmed by Bike Festival: It’s the 20th anniversary of this festival that screens bike-centric films from around the world. The 2022 event will feature new films created by Black, Indigenous, and people of color in its list of 50 movies, including five short films from the first round of BIPOC grant funding. The filmmakers are from Jamaica, Indonesia, and the U.S. (Brooklyn, Santa Cruz, and Portland). Other events include bike rides with featured film makers, late night parties and breakfast on several downtown Portland bridges.
June 9-12, Hollywood Theater and other locations, ticket prices vary; filmedbybike.org
Sisters Rodeo: The first steers were wrestled, and bronc ridden back in 1940, and the small-town rodeo with a big feel returns in June with the traditional rodeo sports as well as extreme bull riding, a parade, cowboy breakfast and more.
June 8-12, Sisters rodeo grounds, Sisters, tickets prices vary; sistersrodeo.com
Bloody Mary Festival: It’s tomato juice and vodka, what could go wrong? This annual Portland festival is a fundraiser for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington and includes several of the Portland area’s favorite dining establishments, voting for the People’s Choice Award and plenty of photo ops for your Instagram feed.
June 11, The Redd, Portland, ticket prices vary; thebloodymaryfest.com
Sandcastle Contest: Oregon’s seaside sandcastle competitions are back in 2022. Cannon Beach’s installment kicks off with a bonfire, smores and live music the night before the contest. There’s still time to register to build your own amazing beach-side creation.
June 10-11, Cannon Beach, free for spectators; cannonbeach.org
The Dark Back Aristocrates are part of Cirque du Soleil’s upcoming tour U.S. 2022.Image courtesy of Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Solel “Alegria”: Likely Cirque’s most iconic production, “Alegria” returns to the Portland Expo Center for a month of shows. The first stage shows debuted in 1994, but this performance has been reimagined for a new generation. Dive into a mystical world sprinkled with visual poetry and acrobatics.
June 16-July 17, Portland Expo Center, tickets start at $49; cirquedusoleil.com/alegria
Gorge Ride: The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway’s annual fundraising ride is back and will take bicyclists through 38 miles of Oregon’s most scenic areas.
June 18, Discovery Center, The Dalles, adult ride $45; eventbrite.com/e/gorge-ride
Juneteenth Parade: The celebration of the 1865 abolition of slavery and the emancipation of African American slaves has been commemorated in Oregon for a half-century. Clara Peoples introduced the tradition from Muskogee, Oklahoma, to her co-workers at the Kaiser Shipyards in Portland 50 years ago, according to the Juneteenth Oregon foundation. This year’s Portland event includes a parade, live entertainment, food and fellowship.
June 18-19, parade starts at the Safeway on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, festival events in Lillis-Albina Park, free, juneteenthor.com
Vancouver will also host a Juneteenth Freedom Day, June 17, Esther Short Park, downtown Vancouver; juneteenthfreedomcelebration.com
An estimated 45,000 people have packed the mile-long route in downtown Portland during Portland Pride Parade. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves/Staff
Portland Pride Festival and Parade: Plans for the annual parade and waterfront park festival are still in the works, but you can be sure it will include a rainbow of colors, lots of supportive folks, live music and vendors. The parade begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 19.
June 18-19, Tom McCall Waterfront Park; festival admission TBA; portlandpride.org
Chamber Music Northwest 2022 Summer Festival: This year’s theme, “Inspirations & Influences” explores how composers are affected by their peers while retaining their own distinct voices. Artists featured during this five-week festival include Anna Lee, Sinta Quartet, Oregon-raised cellist Zlatomir Fung, and British-Singaporean mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron. The festival includes both live and virtual performances.
June 27-July 31, various locations, Portland; ticket prices vary; cmnw.org/concerts-tickets
Tigard Festival of Balloons: Take a different view of festival fun – from the air. Each morning (weather permitting) hot air balloons launch from Cook Park, and early risers can get in on tethered balloon rides. Later in the day, have fun at the carnival site, shop vendor and art booths, listen to live music and sip a microbrew at the festival beer garden. Saturday night features the “Night Glow,” when huge hot air balloons light up the night sky. Sunday includes a car show.
June 24-26, Cook Park, Tigard; admission prices TBA; tigardballoon.org
Tigard Festival of Balloons will be held in Cook Park this June.
Lincoln City Kite Festival: On the beach at the D River State Recreation Site, the annual kite festival is a long-loved family event featuring colorful aerial acrobatics. This year’s schedule includes special trick kite performances, free kids’ kite making workshop, a parade and more.
June 25-25, Lincoln City, free; oregoncoast.org/events
World Beat Festival: The Salem Multicultural Institute festival highlights the cultures and traditions of more than 70 nations through art, music, dance, foods and fun.
June 24-26, Salem’s Riverfront Park, $5 general, ages 14 and younger free; salemmulticultural.org/festival/world-beat-festival
Good in the Hood: Portland’s King School Park will be home to the annual multicultural festival offering a full slate of live music, performance groups, food and drinks, and a parade.
June 24-26, King School Park, free; goodnthehood.org
St. Paul Rodeo: Head to St. Paul for the annual celebration of the roughest, toughest rodeo events, including bronc riding, bull riding, steer roping and barrel racing. The annual event includes fireworks after every evening performance, barbecues, midway rides and games, vendors and a parade.
June 30-July 4, St. Paul, ticket prices vary; stpaulrodeo.com
The St. Paul Rodeo returns in 2022 with four days of rodeo performances and fireworks after every evening show. Oregonian file photo. LC- Mark Graves
Waterfront Blues Festival and Fireworks: The festival that draws music lovers from around the country celebrates its 35th year in Portland with more than 100 performances on four stages. It all culminates in a fireworks show on the Fourth of July. Read more about the lineup here.
July 1-4, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, ticket prices vary; waterfrontbluesfest.com
Molalla Buckeroo: It’s been eerily quiet in the little Clackamas County town east of Woodburn. This summer will once again bring rodeo fans from around the Pacific Northwest for four days of bronc riding, calf roping, cowboy clowning, live music, a dance, carnival games and rides, a golf tournament, parades and a pancake breakfast. Tickets are available now.
July 1-4, Molalla Buckeroo Grounds, Molalla, ticket prices vary; molallabuckeroo.com
Summer Fest 2022 at Fort Vancouver: Although Vancouver’s Historic Trust will not put on its large fireworks display this year, there will still be fun on the grounds of Fort Vancouver as it hosts a Summer Fest in conjunction with the City of Vancouver and the National Parks Service. The family event will offer live music, games, roaming performers, a chalk art area, military vehicle tours of the park grounds and a huge barbecue. The event concludes with a movie in the park at dusk.
July 3, Fort Vancouver, Vancouver; free; thehistorictrust.org
Oregon Country Fair Veneta: The beloved family event just west of Eugene is back this year with a full slate of arts and crafts, live music, performances and chances to just hang out with those who appreciate the spirit of community. Expect plenty of live performances, vendors and delicious foods in a wooded setting. Reminder: All tickets must be purchased in advance.
July 8-10, on the banks of the Long Tom River, 12 miles west of Eugene, tickets $25-$50; oregoncountryfair.org
The 2022 Big Float kicks off at Poet’s Beach located under the west end of the Marquam Bridge. Oregonian file photo.
Mark Graves
The Big Float: Grab your favorite floating device, a life vest, swimming attire and maybe a fun costume and join this huge Willamette River parade of human-powered watercraft. The organizers have announced this will be the final Big Float, as in the 10 years of the event, most of the group’s goals have been met. The final event includes live music on the water, and a marching band on the shore. Profits benefit Human Access Project.
July 9, from Poets Beach, early registration $6; thebigfloat.com
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show: The annual quilt showcase is in its 47th year and draws quilting fans from across the country. The show’s highlight is the hundreds of quilts hanging in the open air all over Sisters.
July 9, Sisters, free; soqs.org/events
Sherwood Robin Hood Festival: Party like it’s the Dark Ages in Sherwood at this annual festival that mixes the modern with the medieval in a weekend of family fun. Expect archery competitions, a Maid Marian court, a castle building contest, a parade and stage shows.
July 15-17, Old Town Sherwood near Sherwood City Hall, free; robinhoodfestival.org
42nd Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival: The Jazz Society of Oregon is working hard on the lineup for the annual festival under the St. Johns Bridge. Enjoy three days of live music, a beer and wine garden, food carts and booths. Bring a low lawn chair or a blanket to sit on.
July 15-17, Cathedral Park, donations encouraged; jazzoregon.org
La Strada Chalk Art Festival: This two-day, open-air arts festival moves to Hillsboro, offering interactive art demonstrations for all ages, vendors, dance groups, live music, but most of all large-scale chalk art to stroll through and enjoy.
July 16-17, downtown Hillsboro, free; tvcreates.org/lastrada
Oak Grove Trolley Trail Festival: This new community event features live music by area performers, retail vendors, free kids’ entertainment, beer and wine, food vendors and more. The festival celebrates the walking/biking trail that winds through the community.
July 16, at Southeast Oak Grove Boulevard between Rupert and Cedar streets, free; hdog.org
Gleaming classic cars line the lawn of Pacific University during the Concours d’Elegance in Forest Grove. File photo courtesy of Forest Grove Concours d’Elegan
Forest Grove Concours D’Elegance: Coming up on its 40th year, the annual classic car show features more than 300 antique, collector and special interest automobiles loved by their owners, and admired by car fans across the region. Judges will assess the vehicles based on quality and authenticity of restoration. You can judge them just on what you think looks the coolest.
July 17, Pacific University, Forest Grove, $8-$20; forestgroveconcours.org
“Encanto: The Sing-along Concert Tour”: We might not talk about Bruno, but we can talk about how this movie soundtrack dominated the Billboard 200 chart for nine weeks this year. Plenty of “Encanto” fans will show up to sing the songs and enjoy the concert experience for the first stop on a country-wide tour.
July 18, RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater (Clark County Fairgrounds), Ridgefield; tickets start at $25; livenation.com
High Desert Classic: This hunter/jumper horse show in Bend draws world-class riders from all over the U.S. and Canada. Each year, 600 horses and their riders gather at J Bar J Boys Ranch to compete for $150,000 in prizes on six grass footing rings. Bring a chair and watch the beauty and athleticism of these teams. Shop the food and vendor booths that will help raise money for the J Bar J nonprofit.
July 20-24 and 27-31, J Bar J Services, Bend, free; oregonhighdesertclassics.org
Admission is always free to the Washington County Fair held in Hillsboro. Oregonian file photo. Rebeca Bagdocimo/File
Washington County Fair: Fair fun is back in 2022 and most Oregon counties are offering up the traditional amusements, including vendors, craft displays, carnival games and rides, and live music. One of the big draws at the Washington County Fair is admission is free. A freshly fried corn dog sounds really good right now.
July 22-31, Westside Commons, Hillsboro, parking is $10 on weekends; bigfairfun.com
Northwest String Summit: What has become a favorite of Americana and bluegrass music lovers will bid a fond farewell this summer as 20 years of live music comes to an end at Horning’s Hideout. The promoters have decided that after 20 years, 2022 will be the last. The lineup includes Umphrey’s McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band and The Greensky Bluegrass. The festival is sold out.
July 21-24, Horning’s Hideout, North Plains, sold out; stringsummit.com
Oregon Brewers Festival: Let’s raise a cold tasty draft to microbrews from all over Oregon descending on Waterfront Park for three days of everything from pilsners to pales, and ciders too. Read more about the festival’s return here.
July 28-30, Tom McCall Waterfront Park, admission prices vary; oregonbrewfest.com
Masked Singer Live Tour: The quirky television singing show sensation comes to Portland on a live tour offering celebrity guests, new performances, and of course, the can’t-miss costuming. Natasha Bedingfield will host and perform on this 50-city North American tour.
July 22, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, tickets start at $40; portland5.com
The Portland Mermaid Parade. file photo/The Oregonian Mark GravesMark Graves
Portlandia Mermaid Parade & Festival: This year’s theme is “Rainbow Waters,” a nod to all the Queer Merfolk. This free, family-friendly, inclusive and body-positive event will include a parade, a splash mob dance party, the crowning of the grand marshal and guest speakers.
July 30, beginning at Poets Beach; free; portlandiamermaidparade.com
Great Oregon Steam-Up: The 52nd annual Steam-Up will welcome thousands of visitors to see displays of early machinery that contributed to Oregon’s agricultural and industrial growth and development. There’s a daily parade that features hundreds of vintage tractors, steam engines, trucks and cars. Guests can also enjoy miniature train rides, trolley rides, old-time threshing, and stroll through the grounds’ 14 open museums and attractions.
July 30-31 and Aug. 6-7, Powerland Heritage Park, Brooks; $18 general, ages 12 and younger free; antiquepowerland.com
Dunefest will be held at Winchester Bay in August. Oregonian file photo. LC- The Oregonian
Dunefest: This annual event typically features high speed racing, family events, a show and shine, treasure hunts and more along the sand dunes of Winchester Bay. The multi-day party in Douglas County is a favorite of sand racers and attracts families for four days of camping and motorsports fun.
Aug. 2-7, Winchester Bay on the south central Oregon Coast, event wristbands $20-$40; dunefest.com
Pickathon: Set amid the forested acreage of Pendarvis Farm on the northwest edge of Clackamas County, this annual festival will use shaded forest areas for daytime concerts and move evening shows to the meadows to help attendees stay cool. The lineup includes cutting-edge jazz from British artists Sons of Kemet, Nubya Garcia and American jazz icon Nate Smith. Also Goth Babe, Faye Webster, Sampa the Great and Quantic.
Aug. 5-7, Pendarvis Farm, Happy Valley, single day tickets $150; pickathon.com
John Mulaney “From Scratch Tour”: Standup comedian, actor, producer and frequent Saturday Night Live writer will make a stop in Portland.
Aug. 12, Moda Center, tickets start at $35; ticketmaster.com
Oregon garlic is king at the annual Elephant Garlic Festival in North Plains. File photo. Jamie Hale/The OregonianLC- Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
North Plains Elephant Garlic Festival: Sure, garlic is the star of the show, as the name suggests, and it shows up in all sorts of foods during this annual festival. Ever have garlic in ice cream? Now’s your chance. Even if you’re not a huge garlic fan, there’s plenty of live music, family events and non-garlic-centric foods to satisfy everyone.
Aug. 12-15, Jessie Mays Park, North Plains, free; funstinks.com
Washougal Art Festival: Local visual artists in a variety of media are jury selected for this annual show. Donated artwork will be raffled off to benefit local arts promotion.
Aug. 13, Reflection Plaza, Washougal, free; washougalarts.org
Junction City Scandinavian Festival: This annual event celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, typically featuring youth and adult dance groups, live music, craft displays and sales, and of course, mouth-watering foods.
Aug. 11-14, in various locations in Junction City; free; junctioncityscandia.org
Explore locations and bridges that are typically off-limits for bikes during the Providence Bridge Pedal. Oregonian file photo/Dave Killen / staffThe Oregonian
Providence Bridge Pedal: One Sunday every summer, bicyclists can take in the view from high atop the Fremont and Marquam bridges, as well as ride across several other Willamette Ride crossings on their choice of five routes. It’s not a race. It’s a celebration of bike culture, and walking, that opens travel to human-powered conveyances for a more leisurely trek across the river. This year’s event honors the memory of former Mayor Bud Clark, a leader in Portland’s early push for more accessible bike options in the city.
Aug, 14, beginning at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, fees vary; providence.org/lp/bridge-pedal
Clackamas County Fair: At this point, the fair has dates posted on its website, and that’s about it. But as the summer goes along, expect a schedule including rodeo events, flower and craft shows, carnival games and rides, and fair vendors offering retail items, foods and more.
Aug. 16-20; Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby, admission TBA; clackamascountyfair.com
Oregon International Airshow/McMinnville: The summer event in McMinnville will feature the Air Force Thunderbirds as well as other aerial stunt teams and flyers. The show is a benefit for local charities.
Aug. 19-21, McMinnville Airport, ticket prices TBA; oregonairshow.com/mcminnville-event-2022
The 76th Annual Banks BBQ, Truck & Tractor Pull: This long-running family event in outer Washington County offers a poker tournament, beer garden, pancake breakfast, car show, and the famous truck and tractor pulls.
Aug. 19-21, Sunset Park, Banks, free; bankssunsetpark.com
The always irreverent PDX Adult Soap Box Derby rockets down Mount Tabor in this file photo from Aug. 20, 2016. Oregonian file photo. LC- Staff
Adult Soap Box Derby: Racers, take on your mark! The call goes out once again for adult soap box racers to bring their mean machines, costumes and personal cheering squads to Mount Tabor for the annual careening down the extinct volcano. Generally, about 40 teams compete each year.
Aug. 20, at the top of Mount Tabor; free to watch; soapboxracer.com
Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival: Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver hosts internationally acclaimed jazz, blues, gospel and pop musicians during this annual event. Sip Northwest wines, view fine art, sample tasty foods and more. This year’s featured artists include Marcia Ball, the Lao Tizer Trio, Shemekia Copeland and Judy Collins.
Aug. 26-28, Esther Short Park, Vancouver, tickets start at $25, ages 12 and younger free with paying adult; vancouverwinejazz.com
Oregon State Fair: This year’s event promises a return to full fair fun including livestock shows, crafts, carnival rides, live music shows, art displays and much more.
Aug. 26-Sept. 5, Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, admission $8-$12; oregonstatefair.org
Check out the prize pigs, and much more at the 2022 Oregon State Fair. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves/The Oregonian
Art in the Pearl: Portland will round out summer with the 26th annual festival of art that fills the North Park Blocks with color, texture, and music over Labor Day weekend. The juried show offers fine art from more than 100 creators in a variety of media.
Sept. 2-5, North Park Blocks, free; artinthepearl.com
Pendleton Round-up: The Roundup is more than 100 years old and features some of the best in cowboy events, a parade, barbecues and much more.
Sept. 10-17, Pendleton, ticket prices vary; pendletonroundup.com
Mount Angel Oktoberfest: Celebrate German culture during this nearly 60-year-old mid-Willamette Valley festival that offers beer and wine gardens, community food booths, arts and crafts vendors, a car show, and Bavarian-inspired music, costumes and dancers.
Sept. 15-18, Mount Angel, some beer and wine gardens charge admission; oktoberfest.org
Mount Angel once again welcomes guests to a full-fledged Oktoberfest in 2022. Oregonian file photo. Mark Graves