Summer Events in Oregon & Washington

Summer is finally heating up in the Portland, Vancouver, and Spokane areas! We have this year’s round-up of the best summer events to help you start filling your calendar. Take a look at our calendar for any updated event dates and times.

JUNE

Portland Rose Festival – May 25-June 10
The Portland Rose Festival is a classic way to kick-off the start of the summer. Beginning with fireworks and the CityFair and culminating in the Grand Floral Parade, there are many exciting and fun experiences for the whole family throughout the festival. Don’t miss two of the most highly anticipated Rose Festival events – the Starlight Run and Parade on June 2nd and the Dragon Boat Race on June 9th and 10th.

ArtFest – June 1-3
A free festival celebrating visual and musical artists in Spokane? Count us in! Presented by the Northwest Museum of Arts + Culture, ArtFest is back for its 33rd year. Held in Spokane’s Historic Browne’s Addition Neighborhood, ArtFest features over 150 regional artists, live music, local food, and a beer and wine garden.

The Craft Beer & Wine Fest – June 8-10
As one of Vancouver’s only summer adult beverage festivals, The Craft Beer & Wine Fest showcases the finest in craft beer, wine, and cocktails. The festival has something fun in store for all adults 21 and over, featuring live music, food, games, and more. Proceeds from the festival go to benefit Evergreen School District Foundation.

Festival of Balloons – June 22-24
The fun-filled Festival of Balloons in Tigard provides the exciting opportunity to watch hot air balloons launch in the morning hours and light up at the Night Glow at dusk. The festival, which takes place throughout the day, also includes a carnival, live music, food and craft vendors, a soccer tournament, and plenty of fun for the whole family.

Clackamas County Lavender Festival – June 23-24
Who doesn’t love the smell of lavender? Experience the relaxing aromas on a whole new level at the 12th Annual Clackamas County Lavender Festival. Try your hand at wreath making, watch a demonstration of lavender distillation, taste lavender ice cream and lemonade, and much more.

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival – June 23-24
2018 is the “Year of the Kite” at the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival. Experience two-days packed full of kite flying, kite making, and so much more. Catch the big show-stopping kites each day from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Recycled Arts Festival – June 23-24
The most eco-conscious festival in all of Clark County is the Recycled Arts Festival. Artists featured at the festival have turned objects that would otherwise be lost to a landfill into fantastic creations. All art is made from at least 75% recycled or reused material. Don’t miss entertainment and great activities for the whole family happening throughout the festival.

JULY

Waterfront Blues Festival – July 3-7
Celebrate summer at the Waterfront Blues Festival – billed as the largest blues, soul, funk, and R&B festival this side of the Mississippi. The Blues Fest features four stages of world-class talent, food, vendors, riverboat cruises and more. Over the course of its history, the festival has raised nearly $10 million to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. The event closes each year with a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display. Don’t miss out on this fun celebration of music and community.

Vancouver Fireworks Spectacular – July 4
The largest display of Fourth of July fireworks in the Portland Metro area can be found at the Fort Vancouver National Historic site for the Vancouver Fireworks Spectacular. The show starts around 10:00 pm at the Pearson Airfield, but be sure to arrive early to stake out your spot. Bring your own food and drinks, as there are no vendors at the event this year.

Crave! NW – July 12-15
Crave! NW is the Inland Northwest’s ultimate food and drink celebration. Held at CenterPlace, Crave! features some of the most unique culinary and craft-drink talents of the region. The main events include the Seafood Bash, Crave! Brunch, and the Grand Tasting on Sunday.

The Big Float – July 14
Gather at Tom McCall Bowl Beach for a day of floating and fun on the Willamette River. The Big Float, open to all ages, is a fundraiser for the Human Access Project, and encourages people to get into and on the river. Floaters will march up to Poet’s Beach – floaties in hand – and land back at Tom McCall Bowl Beach to end with a fun beach party.

3 Days of Aloha Ho’Ike & Hawaiian Festival – July 26-28
3 Days of Aloha Ho’Ike & Hawaiian Festival, held at Vancouver’s Esther Short Park, is a free cultural event that attracts over 10,000 visitors each year. Tropical festivities include traditional Polynesian singers, hula dancers, raffles, food, and fun activities for kids. The festival also includes an Aloha 5K Fun Run, hula dancing competitions, and workshops.

Oregon Brewers Festival – July 26-29
Sample craft beer from over 80 craft brewers at the 31st Annual Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland. As one of the nation’s longest-running beer festivals, this event draws a crowd of almost 70,000 people each year. Admission is free, but beer must be purchased using a souvenir mug and drink tokens.

Camas Days – July 27-28
This year, Camas is “Celebrating Papermaker History” at the 44th Annual Camas Days. Historic Downtown Camas is the host of the annual Camas Days celebration. This festival includes a variety of arts and crafts vendors, a parade, concerts in the park, food, beer and wine garden, softball tournament, and the famous bathtub races.

AUGUST

Hillyard Festival – August 3-5
The Hillyard Festival is a community event hosted each year by Hillyard Heritage Celebrations. Head to the Hillyard neighborhood in Spokane for three days packed full of family fun. The festival includes a fun run, live entertainment, parade, fireworks, car show, and much more.

Tualatin Crawfish Festival – August 3-4
The Tualatin Crawfish Festival offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages. The community celebration features live music, a twilight fun walk/run and relay, corn hole tournament, activities for kids, and plenty of crawfish. If you love crawfish, try your hand at the Tualatin Crawfish Eating Contest! The 46-year-old record has been 170 crawfish consumed in 15 minutes. Can you beat it in 2018?

Clark County Fair – August 3-12
Clark County Fair is celebrating a very special 150 years of farm, fun, and family traditions. This fair has all of the offerings of a great summer event, including Grandstand entertainment and concerts, carnival rides and activities, 4-H events, demolition derby, and much more.

Vancouver Brewfest – August 10-11
The summer edition of the Vancouver Brewfest is one of three annual events in Esther Short Park. With over thirty different breweries, this charity fundraiser is a great way to try some local craft beer and cider and support local organizations in need. Have tokens left over from a past Brewfest? Tokens never expire and can be used again at the summer Brewfest!

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival – August 24-26
The 21st Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival combines great wine, art, food, and local jazz music into one award-winning event. With advance tickets starting at just $15/day, you won’t want to miss it.

Oregon State Fair – August 24-September 3
The Oregon State Fair started its yearly tradition of food, farm animals, and fun back in 1858. This year is no exception to the rule with musical performances by Styx, Kool and the Gang, Roots and Boots, Randy Houser, and more. Check the Oregon State Fair website for a full list of activities, concerts, and special events.

Pig Out in the Park – August 29-September 3
Eat up and pig out during Labor Day Weekend at the 39th Annual Pig Out in the Park! Held at Riverfront Park in Spokane, this public market features 47 food booths and 225 menu items. Don’t miss Spokane’s favorite six-day food and music festival. Admission (and fun) is free for all ages.

Summer Events in Oregon & Washington