Put down your pumpkin spice lattes and go out and enjoy some of these fun fall activities happening around Portland, Vancouver, and Spokane! Head to our calendar for more information including locations, times, and any updated event information.
Check out our downloadable list of the best places to visit – whether you’ve just moved here or have lived here your whole life – Download the list and check it twice!
October Events in Oregon & Washington
Fall Festival of the Arts – September 30-October 2
Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Fall Festival of the Arts at Glen Otto Park in Troutdale. Sponsored by the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce, this festival celebrates the community of artists and the West Columbia Gorge!
Wine Walk Lake Oswego – October 1
The Wine Walk in Downtown Lake Oswego allows the community to get to know their neighbors and local businesses, all while enjoying great wine, snacks, live music, and art! Buy tickets to this event while you can as it sells out every year.
Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival – October 1-30
The Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival in Spokane began September 16th, but you can enjoy it all through the month of October. This celebration features two performances every evening, plenty of activities for the kids, and historic displays chronicling 200 years of Chinese cultural history.
Booktoberfest – October 1-2
We can’t think of a better way to raise money for the Spokane Humane Society than an October book sale, or Booktoberfest! Find gently used books, movies, magazines, and more at this two day sale to benefit our furry friends. Who knows? You may just wind up taking home a new family member, too.
Portland Greek Festival – October 1-2
The
Portland Greek Festival is celebrating it’s 65th year as one of the largest festivals of its kind. The festival began as a way to help the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church pay off their mortgage. It’s evolved into an iconic event, designated as an Oregon Heritage Tradition, which gives back to the community each year. Don’t miss the Greek Folk dancing performances and amazing, authentic Greek food for sale!
Hillyard HarvestFest – October 1-2
The Hillyard HarvestFest, is put on each year by the Greater Hillyard Business Association and consists of two days of music, food, street vendors, and more. The highlight of this free event is the award winning line-up of local country artists that take the stage throughout the festival weekend.
Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival – October 1-2
The family-friendly Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival, more affectionately known as Windstock, is great for anyone looking to learn more about kites or enjoy the site of hundreds of beautiful kites at the Oregon Coast. Don’t miss performances by the Featured Fliers throughout the day.
Hood River Valley Harvest Festival – October 14-16
Hood River is known for throwing some fantastic festivals like the Hops Fest and Hard-Pressed Cider Fest. The Harvest Fest is another one to add to your checklist. This weekend long celebration includes all of the elements of fall fun: games, pumpkin carving contests, entertainment, local craft beer and wine, and plenty of delicious seasonal treats.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta – October 14-16
Why attend a Giant Pumpkin Regatta, you ask? The answer is, you’ve probably never seen anything quite like it. The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta is a race at the Tualatin Lake of the Commons, where costumed participants sit inside giant pumpkins and paddle across the lake. The event features a Regatta 5k Run, food, crafts, and plenty of giant pumpkin fun.
Poor Farm Pumpkin Patch & Carving Challenge – October 23
Head to Edgefield for the premiere pumpkin carving event – Poor Farm Pumpkin Patch & Carving Challenge. This contest features nine local carving artists who will work their Halloween magic and create some beautiful pumpkins. You can even pick out and carve your own pumpkin from the patch!
Eek Week – October 27-31
Eek Week at the Portland Children’s Museum is five days of Halloween fun featuring crafts, dance parties, story time, costume contests, and “sugar-free” trick-or-treating. There are plenty of slightly spooky activities for kids of all ages.
6th Annual Great Pumpkin Race – October 29
Craft your own pumpkin race car and head to the Cannon Hill neighborhood of Spokane for the 6th Annual Great Pumpkin Race! This fun benefit for Meals on Wheels of Spokane is a great way to get to know your community and enjoy family-friendly activities like costume and dance contests, photo booths, and of course, great pumpkin races.
Best Pumpkin Patches
We’ve picked out a few of the best pumpkin patches (with some extra fun features) around Portland, Vancouver, and Spokane. Now, all you need to do is go pick the perfect pumpkin!
The Pumpkin Patch
Location: Sauvie Island, Oregon
Reasons to Visit: The Pumpkin Patch is Portland’s “Original Pumpkin Patch” and giant corn maze. While a little bit pricer than other local choices, this patch has one of the best haunted corn mazes in the Northwest and a great local produce market.
Wooden Shoe Pumpkin Fest
Location: Woodburn, Oregon
Reasons to Visit: The famous Tulip Festival locale shifts gears in the fall months to hold an annual Pumpkin Fest. There are just as many family-friendly activities to enjoy like tractor rides, scavenger hunts, and much more.
Lakeview Farms
Location: North Plains, Oregon
Reasons to Visit: Lakeview Farms has all the classic fun of a great pumpkin patch and more. The best part being the train and boat rides (look out for the shark!) that take you to and from the pumpkin patch.
Bi-Zi Farms
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Reasons to Visit: One admission ticket provides you with any size pumpkin you can carry, plus all of the Harvest Festival activities like the corn maze, farm animals, pumpkin launcher, and more.
Vancouver Pumpkin Patch
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Reasons to Visit: Just $6.00 will get you a pumpkin and hay ride – not to mention all of the other free, fun activities this pumpkin patch has to offer kids and adults alike!
Beck’s Harvest House Fall Festival (Green Bluff Farms)
Location: Colbert, Washington
Reasons to Visit: Located just outside Spokane, Beck’s Harvest House Fall Festival featured a Pumpkin Princess, apple picking, a 5-acre corn maze, and a lot more family fun.