45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival

🍒 The GREAT Cherry Adventure

45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival

April 24 – 26, 2026
🌟 Month-Long Celebration: April 1–30

Presented by Title Sponsor: Tonkin of the Gorge Subaru

Join in The GREAT Cherry Adventure on April 25, 2026 in Downtown The Dalles — plus three days of carnival fun April 24–26 at Lewis & Clark Festival Park.

This year’s festival has been thoughtfully reimagined as the community navigates the City of The Dalles’ First Street construction project. While the footprint looks a little different, the heart of Cherry Festival remains the same — celebrating our region’s agricultural heritage, vibrant community spirit, and world-famous sweet cherries.

For more than four decades, the Northwest Cherry Festival has brought families, neighbors, and visitors together. This year we’re expanding the celebration across the community while keeping many of the traditions people love.

 

🎡 Cherry Festival Carnival

📅 Friday – Sunday | April 24–26, 2026
📍 Lewis & Clark Festival Park

The Cherry Festival Carnival returns with rides, games, and classic festival fun for all ages. Rainier Amusements will be bringing their exciting midway to The Dalles with rides and attractions for the whole family.

The carnival will be open:

🎡 Friday: 4 – 10 p.m.
🎡 Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
🎡 Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Bring the family, grab your friends, and enjoy three days of carnival excitement along the Columbia River.

 

🍒 A Month-Long Cherry Adventure

April 1 – April 30

🍒 Cherry Hunt (Cherry Trail)
📍 Locations Throughout The Dalles

A brand-new month-long interactive experience invites residents and visitors to explore The Dalles in search of hidden art pieces, local business specials, and fun community challenges. Participants can collect points, discover hidden art, and enter drawings for prizes while enjoying local businesses across town.

🏆 Weekly Winners

• Most Points Leader
• Hidden Art Scavenger Hunt Winners

🏆 Grand Prize Awards

• Overall Points Champion
• Passport Drawing Winner

 

🎉 Festival Weekend Highlights

Friday – Sunday

🪟 Window Decorating Contest
📅 Voting: April 22 – April 25
🏆 Winners announced Saturday
📍 Throughout Downtown The Dalles

Local businesses transform their storefronts into festive cherry-themed displays as the community votes for their favorites.

🎸 Little Music City

📅 Friday – Sunday
🎵 Live Music at Local Venues

Local pubs, restaurants, and venues throughout The Dalles will feature live music and entertainment during Cherry Festival weekend.

Visit TDCommunityCalendar.com for the full schedule.

🍒 Saturday, April 25, 2026

Festival Day Across The Dalles

🌅 Morning Events

🏃 CGCC Cherry Fun Run
🕗 8 a.m.
📍 Dry Hollow Road

Organized by Columbia Gorge Community College, this community run kicks off the morning festivities.

👑 Royalty Coronation & Community Breakfast

🥞 Breakfast: 7 a.m.
👑 Coronation Ceremony: 8:30 a.m.
📍 Mid-Columbia Senior Center

Celebrate our Cherry Festival royalty including the Little Royals, King, Queen, and Grand Marshal.

🧸 River City ABATE Teddy Bear & Poker Run
🕘 9 a.m.
📍 Begins at Coastal Farm & Ranch

🎉 Northwest Cherry Festival Parade

🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Begins at 6th & Webber

The largest parade in the Gorge returns with floats, community groups, music, and lots of cherry-themed fun.

🛍️ Daytime Festivities

🛍 Open-Air Vendor Market
🕚 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Federal Street & Tony’s Lot

Explore handcrafted goods, local food vendors, art, and unique finds in the heart of downtown.

🧵 Cherry Festival Quilt Show
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 St. Peter’s Landmark

Local quilting groups showcase beautiful handcrafted quilts as part of this longtime festival tradition.

🚘 KODL Classic Car Show
🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏆 Awards: 3:00 PM
📍 Federal Street (2nd – 4th)

Classic cars and vintage vehicles will line the street in this popular Cherry Festival event presented by KODL Radio.

🏙 Community Fair
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 4th & Washington

Local organizations and community groups come together to showcase programs, activities, and services that strengthen our community.

🎈 Children’s Activity Fair
🕚 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Civic Parking Lot (Off 4th Street)

Family-friendly games, activities, and fun designed especially for kids.

🐎 Dancing Horses
🕝 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 2nd Street & Laughlin Street

A beloved Cherry Festival tradition featuring talented riders and beautifully trained horses performing graceful routines set to music.

🏆 Window Decorating Contest Winners Announced

🌙 Evening Celebration

💃 Cherry Stomp Dance
Featuring the Icons of Rock Tribute Show

🍻 Beer Garden hosted by the Civic

🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Civic Auditorium

The Cherry Stomp Dance, a longtime festival tradition brought back by the Civic Auditorium team, invites the community to gather for music, dancing, and a festive evening celebration.

🌞 Explore More in The Dalles

With nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, The Dalles is a premier destination at the eastern gateway of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Visitors enjoy:

• Hiking & cycling
• Columbia River fishing & recreation
• Wine tasting & local breweries
• Historic downtown shops & museums

Cherry Festival is the perfect time to experience everything The Dalles has to offer.

🧭 Conveniently Located

📍 75 minutes from Portland
📍 75 minutes from Yakima
📍 2.5 hours from Bend
📍 2.5 hours from Tri-Cities

🍒 Join Us for The GREAT Cherry Adventure!

Celebrate tradition, creativity, and community spirit at the 45th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival. We look forward to welcoming you to The Dalles this April.

📧 Questions?
[email protected]

☎ 541-296-2231