Things To See
Spring Events in the Portland Metro Area
Events for foodies, film buffs and nature lovers.
Read MoreSpring Soccer Schedules
Springtime in Portland means soccer time! Go Timbers and Thorns! ...
Read MoreLow dough birthday parties for kids.
When I was a kid, I always dreamed of an throwing a birthday pool party outside in the summer sun, but having a birthday in the dead of winter made that dream impossible. Now that I’m the mom of a winter birthday child, I’ve given a lot of thought to the easiest and least expensive way to throw a winter birthday bash.
Read MoreExplore offbeat and traditional holiday events in Portland.
Do you like your holidays traditional or a little bit offbeat? Either way there’s plenty of holiday cheer for Portlanders to enjoy this season. For an offbeat holiday, start it off right by joining Anticon Santicon, a new take on the Portland underground ritual beautifully recounted in Chuck Palanuik’s classic travelogue Fugitives and Refugees. Part pub crawl, part Santa-themed dress up party, this event will satisfy duel desires for costuming and imbibing. Anticon participants are encourage to meet up under the Paul Bunyan statue in the Kenton district at 12:30pm on December 7th dressed in their St. Nick inspired finery. Follow up your red rampage with a holiday shopping at Crafty Wonderland. Featuring wares by northwest artisans, it’s like having a regional “best of Etsy” gathering under one roof. With everything from fancy toiletries to unique clothing, you’ll find plenty of trendy gifts that feature art by locals. Previous years have also offered an ugly Christmas sweater photo booth, perfect for a family portrait to embarrass and amuse. Crafty Wonderland happens on December 14th and 15th from 11 am – 6 pm at The Oregon Convention Center. Finally, for some wickedly offbeat holiday fun, take in a performance of The Santaland Diaries written by humorist David Sedaris. Based on an essay of the same name, Sedaris drolly recounts his experience working as an elf in Macy’s department store. For any person who’s ever felt jaded by the commercialism of the holiday season, Sedaris’s take on faking holiday cheer for a paycheck will no doubt tickle your funny bone. The show runs through the end of December. For a traditional and family friendly start to the season, why not skip the long lines at your local mall in favor of breakfast with Santa at one of several McMenamin’s locations? Enjoy a hot breakfast and a cup of joe while the youngsters take a turn on Santa’s lap. Check out the McMenamin’s calendar for tickets and times at each location. For a more traditional holiday shopping experience, visit the Expo Center for the annual Christmas Bazaar. Billed as America’s largest holiday bazaar, you’ll find unique gifts of both the handcrafted and commercial variety. With over 1,000 vendors, you’re sure to knock at least a few entries off your shopping list. The Expo Center Christmas Bazaar happens over two weekends: Nov. 29th-Dec. 1st and again on Dec. 6th-8th. Tickets are available online, but you can get in for free this Friday (Nov. 30th) with two cans of food for the Portland Sunshine Division. As far as holiday entertainment goes, it doesn’t get more traditional than the Christmas Revels show. A variety show of sorts, the Christmas Revels combines instrumental and choral music, folk dance, children’s music, drama and poetry to celebrate the winter solstice. A large cast of actors, musicians, and local choral groups come together to produce a show that celebrates the season through song, dance, story and ritual across cultures. This year’s show will explore the traditions of Old Europe presenting music and dance from Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Poland. The show runs Dec. 6th-14th at the Scottish Rite Center...
Read MoreMake a date with Kenton Station.
Oregonlive.com recently featured a neighborhood favorite, Kenton Station. With over twenty beers on tap including a few rare gems, Kenton Station is a good place to grab a burger and a brew, but it’s also steeped in Portland history. The whole place has an air of more than meets with eye with vintage motorcycles on display in the front window to lure in curious passers by. According to historian Jim Spiers, plenty of shady business took place there and according to his article in the St. Johns Review, you can go on a “ghost tour of the basement.” Sounds like a great place for a Halloween date! ...
Read MoreGet your 4th on!
A short list of Portland area 4th of July celebrations: Fireworks show at Tom McCall Waterfront Park is the largest display in Oregon and put on in conjunction with the Waterfront Blues Festival, so it’s going to be crowded. Be prepared to pay for parking, and to do some walking to the event site. The fireworks start at 10 pm, but you’ll want to get down there much earlier for prime viewing. Looking for a more intimate setting for your fireworks display? For the over 21 crowd consider: Portland City Grill or a Portland Spirit Dinner Cruise. If you’re more of the “go large or go home” type, you’ll want to spend the day at Ft. Vancouver. This show purports to be the largest west of the Mississippi, and organizers expect up to 35,000 visitors. General admission is just $5 for adults, but for prime viewing, you’ll pay $50 per adult. Again, get there early and be prepared for long lines getting out. If you’re one of the folks who used to skip the traffic by viewing from Marine Drive on the Oregon side, be aware that the show changed two years ago to prevent those free glimpses from Oregon. Perhaps the most affordable and kid-friendly option will be the Oaks Park. Admission prices are low (just $5 for 16+, and $2 for kids), but if you plan to get there early to enjoy the rides bring extra funds. An all-day deluxe bracelet will run you $25, but there are cheaper options and single tickets as well. There’s also a live concert stage for a free entertainment alternative to the rides. Like a more suburban setting? 4th of July Family Festival at Happy Valley Park features live music, carnival games, vendor booths, and a fireworks display. Estacada Timber Festival has everything you need in a 4th of July festival plus a mechanical bull and lawn mower races. Close in and free, Tigard’s old-fashioned 4th of July Celebration offers all the basics for those budget conscious/crowd wary families. Ditto for West Linn except tack on a centennial celebration for 2013! Have a safe and fun Independence...
Read More
Recent Comments