Lazy days by the river, family picnics, campouts with stargazing and s’mores — summer in Oregon is about finding your bliss and chasing your sunshine-fueled passions. Whether you’re ready to enjoy live music or theater outside or attend a fair or rodeo, here’s a look at what summer events are on tap statewide.
All Summer
Iconic events like Portland Saturday Market are summertime favorites, along with unique experiences like art and comedy shows, LGBTQ+ nightlife and more in Old Town Chinatown. In downtown Portland, Mike Bennett’s Dinolandia is a favorite for families — an immersive walk-through two-story museum featuring more than 50 species of dinosaurs.
June
Pride Month Events, all month long (Statewide): Let your colors fly at parades, local businesses, parties and other events in celebration of Pride Month in Oregon. Two major events are the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade (June 12-19) and Wine Country Pride, with promotions and festivities throughout the Willamette Valley all month long.
Portland Rose Festival, all month long (Portland): This 115-year-old tradition returns in 2022 to honor the city’s diversity, floral heritage and unity with marquee events like the Grand Floral Parade (June 11), Starlight Parade (June 4), Junior Parade (June 8), CityFair and Fleet Week, and a continuation of the Rose Festival Court and Queen’s Coronation. Check the website for the full schedule and find a way to be part of the action.
Sisters Rodeo, June 8-12 (Sisters): Celebrate “The Biggest Little Show in the World,” a show that’s been entertaining visitors in this Central Oregon town since 1940. Witness the pros bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and more incredible feats.
Waldport Beachcomber Days, June 17-19, 2022 (Waldport): This vibrant coastal community welcomes visitors to its 66th annual summertime tradition, featuring a three-day timber/logging event, car show, parade, vendors’ fair, live entertainment and other activities.
Juneteenth Celebrations, June 18-19, 2022 (Statewide): Celebrate and learn more about the 50th anniversary of Juneteenth in Oregon at the 50th Annual Juneteenth Oregon Event (June 18), the Freadom Festival (June 18), Central Oregon Celebrates Freedom Day (June 18-19) or another event near you.
Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Carving Championship, June 18-19, 2022 (Reedsport): Stop by for the day or buy a four-day pass to see all of the events at this annual tradition, unique to the Southern Oregon Coast. Face coverings are required (and good protection from the sawdust, too) as talented woodcarvers shape logs into animals, totem poles and other fun designs.
Oregon Bach Festival, June 17-July 5, 2022: After a 2-year hiatus, the Oregon Bach Festival returns to Eugene with “A Celebration of Voice,” a series of events at Eugene’s Hult Center for the Performing Arts, the historic Beall Concert Hall on the University of Oregon campus, and local churches. The festival will showcase its award-winning choruses and vocal performances.
July
Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1-4, 2022 (Portland): Celebrating 35 years of music, the Waterfront Blues Festival is Portland’s largest and longest-running music festivals and one of the most renowned in the world. Rock out to top local, regional and national blues artists on four stages at Tom McCall Waterfront Park; watch the fireworks extravaganza; and enjoy family-fun activities (kids 12 and under are free).
La Pine Rodeo, July 2-3, 2022 (La Pine): The “Greatest Little Rodeo in Oregon” is back in action this year as part of the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association. It’s one of numerous summertime rodeos in Oregon, along with Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo (July 20-23 in Madras), Chief Joseph Days Rodeo (July 26–July 31 in Joseph) and others.
Oregon Country Fair, July 8-10, 2022 (Veneta): For the second year in a row, this iconic event will be held virtually. This year’s theme is “Fair in the Clouds,” three days of whimsical performances and demonstrations by a full spectrum of local artists.
The Big Float, July 9, 2022 (Portland): Bring your inner tubes, rafts, paddleboards and other floaty devices for some summertime fun at The Big Float on the Willamette River. Part parade, part party, the event is a celebration of the river that benefits the Human Access Project, a local volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping people connect with their river. Enjoy live music, wild costumes and community connections forged.
Pendleton Whisky Music Fest, July 9, 2022 (Pendleton): Country artists Toby Keith, Cole Swindell and Clay Walker will headline this lively event that makes the top of many concert-goers’ annual trips. See the website for info on food trucks, on-site camping, a pre-concert party and more.
World Athletics Championships Oregon22, July 15-24, 2022 (Eugene): The city of Eugene, aka TrackTown USA, will welcome the world to the reimagined Hayward Field at the University of Oregon for the track and field championships, a major global event being hosted in the United States for the first time. Spectators can tune in to cheer for the 2,000 athletes competing from more than 200 nations across the globe, vying for 49 gold medals. Book your tickets soon and if you’re in town, consider joining a free road event on the streets of Eugene and neighboring Springfield.
Paseo, July 15-17, 2022 (Portland): Inspired by the Spanish custom of the evening walk that re-awakens the city, the Portland Parks Foundation has partnered with arts and social justice leaders from many Portland communities to create a festival of emerging talent designed to not just help “bring downtown back,” but also bring it forward. There will also be a strong presence and focus on BIPOC vendors, parks, health and wellness, and outdoor recreation. It will be held at Portland’s downtown’s South Park Blocks and Directors Park.
Oregon Brewers Festival, July 28-30 (Portland): Founded in 1988, this is one of the nation’s longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals. On the banks of the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, beer lovers can sample from Belgians, pales, pilsners, saisons, sours and lots more, with six food trucks for tasty bites.
August
Pickathon, Aug. 4-7, 2022 (Happy Valley): It’s a rite of passage for many music fans: A 4-day outdoor concert in the idyllic setting of Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, with a cutting-edge lineup of artists. The 2022 lineup includes British jazz artists like Sons of Kemet and Nubya Garcia, fast-rising indie artists like Faye Webster and Goth Babe, and returning roots music greats like Valerie June, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and Cedric Burnside. Also find some of the best up-and-comers, from Canadian country singer Bella White to experimentalists L’Rain and Emma-Jean Thackray and beyond. Buy tickets right away, as they won’t last long.
Sneaker Week PDX, Aug. 4-10, 2022 (Portland): This week-long festival is dedicated to connecting the global sneaker community to Portland’s thriving footwear industry. A variety of passes are available to check out different elements of sneaker culture: music, art, media and content creation, innovation and technology, science, music, food and more.
Theater in the Park, Aug. 26-27, 2022 (Bend): Experience theater for the first time or the 50th at this beloved live event at Drake Park. This year’s production is Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” which retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The outrageous, uproarious and entertaining story will delight audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
Oregon Wine Experience, Aug. 17-21, 2022 (Jacksonville): Wine lovers can look forward to this immersive adventure, set in a new beautiful location, Stage Pass. The signature event will take place under a 38,000-square-foot tent and feature five main events: the inaugural Collectors’ Tasting, Founders’ Barrel Auction, Miracle Auction & Salmon Bake and Grand Tasting. The medal celebration will be broadcast online for all to tune in and enjoy, with an intimate studio audience.
