Portland, Oregon is known for its quirky and unique culture, and one way that this is expressed is through the city’s many carnivals and festivals. From traditional county fairs to modern street parties, Portland has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top carnivals in Portland that you won’t want to miss.
The Oregon State Fair
The Oregon State Fair is one of the most popular carnivals in Portland, attracting over one million visitors each year. Held in late August to early September, the fair features a wide variety of attractions, including carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and agricultural exhibits. One of the highlights of the fair is the impressive collection of prize-winning farm animals on display, including cows, pigs, and chickens.
The Portland Rose Festival
The Portland Rose Festival is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved traditions, dating back to 1907. The festival takes place over several weeks in late May and early June and incorporates a variety of events, including parades, fireworks, and a carnival. The carnival aspect of the festival is held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and features a wide variety of rides and games, as well as carnival food favorites like funnel cakes and cotton candy.
The Multnomah County Fair
The Multnomah County Fair is held annually over Memorial Day weekend and features a wide variety of family-friendly activities. One of the main attractions of the fair is the carnival, which features rides, games, and traditional fair food like corn dogs and caramel apples. In addition to the carnival, the fair also has live music, a petting zoo, and a variety of craft and food vendors.
The Portland Rose City Classic Dog Show
The Portland Rose City Classic Dog Show is a unique carnival experience that is perfect for animal lovers. Held in January at the Portland Expo Center, the dog show features over 2,000 purebred dogs from around the world. In addition to the dog show itself, there are also vendors selling dog-related products and services, as well as demonstrations and seminars on dog care and training.
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby is a modern take on the classic soapbox derby, and it’s a great carnival to attend if you’re looking for something a little bit different. Held in mid-August on Mount Tabor, the derby features homemade soapbox cars racing down a steep hill. In addition to the races, there are also food vendors, live music, and beer gardens.
The Bite of Oregon
The Bite of Oregon is a food-centric carnival that takes place in late August at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The carnival features food vendors from around the state, offering a wide variety of dishes that showcase Oregon’s culinary scene. In addition to the food, there are also live music performances and a beer garden.
The Portland Craft Beer Festival
The Portland Craft Beer Festival is a must-visit carnival for beer enthusiasts. Held in early July at Fields Neighborhood Park, the festival features over 100 craft beers from around the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the beer, there are also food vendors and live music performances.
The Mississippi Street Fair
The Mississippi Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in late July on North Mississippi Avenue. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a beer garden. One unique aspect of the Mississippi Street Fair is the Kids’ Zone, which features activities and games specifically for children.
The Portland Saturday Market
The Portland Saturday Market is a weekly carnival that takes place every Saturday and Sunday from March through December. The market is held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and features a wide variety of vendors selling handmade crafts, art, and food. In addition to the vendors, there are also live music performances and a beer garden.
The Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market is a unique carnival experience that takes place on select weekends throughout the year. The market is held at the Jones Building in the Central Eastside Industrial District and features a variety of vendors selling handmade goods, art, and food. In addition to the vendors, there are also live music performances and a beer garden.
The St. Johns Bizarre
The St. Johns Bizarre is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in May in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances, a beer garden, and a kids’ area with games and activities.
The Portland Highland Games
The Portland Highland Games is a unique carnival experience that celebrates Scottish culture and heritage. Held in July at Mount Hood Community College, the games feature traditional Scottish events like caber tossing and Highland dancing, as well as food vendors and live music performances.
The Alberta Street Fair
The Alberta Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in August on Northeast Alberta Street. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a kids’ area with games and activities. One unique aspect of the Alberta Street Fair is the “Art Car” parade, which features creatively decorated cars driving down the street.
The Belmont Street Fair
The Belmont Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in September on Southeast Belmont Street. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a kids’ area with games and activities. One unique aspect of the Belmont Street Fair is the “Portland Mini Maker Faire,” which showcases local makers and their creations.
The Division/Clinton Street Fair
The Division/Clinton Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in July on Southeast Division Street. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a kids’ area with games and activities. One unique aspect of the Division/Clinton Street Fair is the “Art in the Park” exhibit, which features local artists displaying their work.
The Hawthorne Street Fair
The Hawthorne Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in August on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a kids’ area with games and activities. One unique aspect of the Hawthorne Street Fair is the “Art Walk,” which features local artists displaying their work in storefronts along the street.
The Division/Clinton Street Fair
The Division/Clinton Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in July on Southeast Division Street. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a kids’ area with games and activities. One unique aspect of the Division/Clinton Street Fair is the “Art in the Park” exhibit, which features local artists displaying their work.
The Portland Zine Symposium
The Portland Zine Symposium is a unique carnival experience that celebrates the DIY zine culture. Held in July at the Portland Art Museum, the symposium features a variety of vendors selling zines, as well as workshops and panels on zine-making and related topics. In addition to the vendors, there are also live music performances and a zine swap.
The Portland Queer Film Festival
The Portland Queer Film Festival is a unique carnival experience that celebrates LGBTQ+ cinema. Held in September at the Hollywood Theatre, the festival features a wide variety of films from around the world, as well as panel discussions and parties. In addition to the films, there are also food vendors and live music performances.
The Portland Winter Light Festival
The Portland Winter Light Festival is a unique carnival experience that takes place in February at various locations around the city. The festival features light installations, projections, and performances, as well as food vendors and live music performances. One unique aspect of the festival is the “Fire Garden,” which features fire sculptures and performances.
The Mississippi Street Fair
The Mississippi Street Fair is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in late July on North Mississippi Avenue. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances and a beer garden. One unique aspect of the Mississippi Street Fair is the Kids’ Zone, which features activities and games specifically for children.
The Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market is a unique carnival experience that takes place on select weekends throughout the year. The market is held at the Jones Building in the Central Eastside Industrial District and features a variety of vendors selling handmade goods, art, and food. In addition to the vendors, there are also live music performances and a beer garden.
The St. Johns Bizarre
The St. Johns Bizarre is a neighborhood carnival that takes place in May in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland. The fair features a variety of vendors selling crafts, art, and food, as well as live music performances, a beer garden, and a kids’ area with games and activities.
Conclusion
Portland is a city that loves to celebrate, and the many carnivals and festivals that take place throughout the year are a testament to that. Whether you’re a fan of traditional county fairs or modern street parties, there’s something for everyone in Portland. So grab your friends and family and head out to one of these fun-filled events!
