Oregon’s reputation as a diverse and LGBTQ-friendly state extends to many communities outside Portland, from the Coast to the Cascades and beyond. Held throughout the year, smaller Pride festivals provide a terrific opportunity to visit different parts of the state. Here are some fabulous ways to celebrate the diversity that makes Oregon great.
Drag Shows and a Queer Circus in the Portland Region
To be sure, Portland goes all out when it comes to celebrating Pride each July with a waterfront festival featuring a drag show by Portland’s own Jinkx Monsoon, an entertainer with two “RuPaul’s Drag Race” crowns and a starring role in the Broadway musical “Chicago.” There’s also a parade that draws thousands of onlookers. Make the most of it all and get a room at The Hotel Zags downtown, where you’ll find a Night Market during the festivities, with LGBTQ+ makers and artisans as well as live music.
Hillsboro, just 25 minutes west of Portland, holds a Pride Month Celebration all month long in June. Past events have included a Pride party and parade in early June featuring DJs, Pride outfit contests (for yourself and your pets!) and trivia with drag queen Poison Waters.
Later in June, Beaverton celebrates pride with Pride Beaverton. The annual event includes a day of tribute bands, Sir Cupcake’s Queer Circus, farmers-market goodies and food, and more.
Wine, Music and Awesome Food in the Willamette Valley
In the Eugene-Springfield area, Eugene Pride unfolds in August. After Portland, Eugene has the largest and most visible LGBTQ+ community in the state. It’s also home to one of the state’s only gay bars outside of Portland, Spectrum, which is a welcoming spot for drinks or a meal anytime — but especially during Pride. Eugene Pride takes place at the scenic Alton Baker Park along the banks of the Willamette River. Watch a diverse mix of bands and performers, chat with local LGBTQ-supportive businesses and organizations at a vendor expo, and sip craft brews in the beer garden.
Also held along the Willamette River, typically in early August, Capital Pride draws locals and visitors to the state’s capital and second-largest city, Salem, for a lively day of entertainment at Riverfront Park. Check the website for other events throughout the year, including group camping trips, hikes and even role-playing sessions for gamers.
Back for another year, the Queer Wine Fest is held at queer-owned Remy Wines in Dayton in late June. The outdoor festival includes wine and food tasting with live music, featuring queer-owned, -made and -grown wines.
Throughout the month of June, the public is invited to enjoy Rainbow Quest, hosted by queer-led organization Wine Country Pride, an inclusive celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in the Willamette Valley, with dozens of local coffee shops, wineries, restaurants, bars and retailers in Yamhill County offering Pride-inspired drinks, food and products. Check the website for more Pride events held throughout the year.
Fabulous Events in Central Oregon and on the Coast
Head to the outdoorsy city of Bend in June to attend the Bend Summer Pride festival. This laid-back and friendly festival features an afternoon of music, food and mingling at downtown’s verdant Drake Park, which sits along Mirror Pond. Join the early 3K fun run/walk before the Pride festival kicks off. Check the website for more details, and come back in winter for Winter PrideFest, which often includes skiing meet-ups at Mt. Bachelor.
Astoria’s annual Pride Celebration comprises three days of gatherings in June throughout this historic and picturesque small city at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Festivities typically include a parade along Astoria’s scenic river walk, an art show, family-friendly events, dance parties and more. Seaside and Manzanita are also hubs for Pride events along the North Coast throughout the month and beyond.
On the Central Coast, Yachats Pride kicks off at the end of May and includes three days of food (including a free barbecue), drinks, live music, games, drag performances and a puppy parade. There’s also a live panel discussion about being queer through the ages, as well as a prom with a circus theme. Lincoln City, Newport and Florence host their own events as well, for celebrations all along the Coast all month long. There’s plenty of Pride to celebrate on the South Coast too, including events in Coos Bay and Brookings.
How to Celebrate Pride Around Oregon
Elsewhere around the state, find celebrations in places like Hermiston, which hosts an all-day celebration in June. You’ll find a parade, vendors selling local goods, panel discussions and more, all at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. Don’t miss the inflatable ax throwing and bouncy houses. In Medford, Southern Oregon Pride organizes a pride celebration in June, as well as other events throughout the year. Hood River, which also celebrates Pride in winter, goes all out for the summer version with a parade that kicks off in June during monthly First Friday festivities. Follow it up with a weekend of drag bingo and a drag brunch at the Hood River Hotel.
For more events, visit Pride Northwest.
