Summer is here at last! We may be a bit biased but there is no better place to be this time of year than the PNW. The weather is ideal; there are endless opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking; and, we’re happy to report, the 2022 calendar is packed with events and festivals designed to celebrate the season to the fullest.
We’ve included a mix of events in the heart of Portland, plus a number of festivals in Central Oregon, the Hood River area, and Southwest Washington — and a few a bit further out, like Seattle and Lincoln City. In some cases, these events may be a great excuse to plan to make a short road trip!
Summer festivals celebrate everything we love about PNW living, including beer, music, art, wine, and even hot air balloons and kites! Add these much-anticipated Pacific Northwest events to your calendar now!
SKIP AHEAD TO: June | July | August
JUNE EVENTS
Portland Beer Week
Portland, OR | June 17–26, 2022
Portland Beer Week isn’t your average week — in fact, it’s technically not even a week. This 10-day celebration of beer comprises dozens and dozens of events at locations across Portland, considered the “greatest beer city on earth.” Enjoy events big and small, including unique food pairing experiences, chef-driven collaborations, interactive tastings, and educational seminars. Head to the Portland Beer Week website to see exactly what’s in store!
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade
Portland, OR | June 18–19, 2022
Every year since 1994, Pride Northwest has hosted a spectacular two-day celebration promoting acceptance and pride for the LGBTQ+ community at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The Portland Pride Waterfront Festival & Parade is the single largest visibility avenue for our region’s LGBTQ+ community organizations and businesses, where they can attract new supporters and clients, increase their volunteer base, and raise much-needed funds. Portland Pride takes place on Saturday from 12–6 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a spectacular parade starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Gorge Blues & Brews Festival
Stevenson, WA | June 24–25, 2022
The 29th Annual Gorge Blues & Brews Festival takes place in one of the most breathtaking settings — at the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, Washington along the shores of the Columbia River. Here, you will have a chance to enjoy a weekend of live blues music on two stages, kegs of refreshing craft beer, wine and spirits, excellent food, and more. Click here for the music lineup, to purchase tickets, and for more information about this exciting festival!
Tigard Festival of Balloons
Tigard, OR | June 24–26, 2022
The Tigard Festival of Balloons is a place for family and friends to gather, and enjoy the spectacular display of hot air balloons — and so much more. Get there early (before dawn) to see about 20 hot air balloons launch into the sky (weather and pilot permitting), then spend the afternoon shopping at various craft and vendor booths, eating great food from local vendors, and going on carnival rides and playing games. And stick around for the Night Glow, when the balloons light up the night sky once again. This three-day festival was designed to celebrate the Tigard community and provide fundraising opportunities for local nonprofits. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets — a three-day weekend pass is just $12!
Juneteenth Oregon
Portland, OR | June 18–19, 2022
Celebrating its 50th year in 2022, Juneteenth Oregon dates back to the city’s first celebration in 1972. But on the national level, the holiday’s history goes back even further, commemorating the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of African American slaves. The two-day event kicks off with a parade, followed by a variety of festivities, including live music and entertainment, art, food, educational booths, cultural booths, community resources, and a children’s play area.
Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival
Lincoln City, OR | June 25–26, 2022
Make your way to Lincoln City for the annual Summer Kite Festival, a long-standing family vacation tradition. Enjoy two days of kite-flying activities on the beach at the D River State Recreation Site. Click here for the detailed schedule for both days, which includes a kite-making workshop, performances by featured fliers, guided tours on the field, and more.
Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts
Lake Oswego, OR | June 25–26, 2022
For more than 50 years, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts has showcased artwork from more than 600 local, national and international artists. Alongside the artwork, visitors experience live music and performances, kids’ activities, artist demos, and plenty of food. This year, the team is excited to reemerge from COVID-19 with expanded programming, including several unique art exhibits at Lakewood Center for the Arts and George Rogers Park. And as with every year, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts is completely free to the public!
JULY EVENTS
St. Paul Rodeo
St. Paul, OR | June 30–July 4, 2022
Over the holiday weekend, make the trek to St. Paul for the St. Paul Rodeo, which offers five days of top rodeo action, family fun, and a celebration of patriotism. The festivities kick off on June 30 with slack-timed events, carnival rides, food vendors and fireworks, which fill the sky each evening. Don’t miss Patriot Night on July 4, an evening dedicated to those who serve our nation. Click here for the full event schedule for the St. Paul Rodeo and here to purchase your tickets!
Portland Craft Beer Festival
Portland, OR | July 1–3, 2022
Sip local at the Portland Craft Beer Festival, back with all the craft beer your heart desires. This three-day festival at the Fields Neighborhood Park will feature the widest selection of beers, ciders and wine, originating from Portland breweries, cideries and wineries. Friday and Saturday are for those 21 and over, and Sunday is family day and all ages are welcome. Purchase tickets in advance to be a part of this hyper-local beer event!
Waterfront Blues Festival
Portland, OR | July 1–4, 2022
Also taking place over the holiday weekend, Waterfront Blues Festival is Portland’s largest and longest-running music celebration. This long weekend is filled with amazing performances across four stages, lots of food, local vendors, river boat cruises, and more! 1-day tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the gate. Or opt for the 4-Day Pass to receive admission for all four days of the festival!
Summer Fest
Vancouver, WA | July 3, 2022
Free and open to all, Summer Fest will feature a day of live music, lawn games, a movie in the park, lots of summertime food from local vendors, beer and cider tastings, military vehicle history tours, and more at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Pack a blanket for the “Movie in the Park” at dusk (film to be announced)!
Bend Summer Festival
Bend, OR | July 9–10, 2022
Celebrate everything that makes summer spectacular at the Bend Summer Festival, an exciting two-day event in the heart of downtown Bend. Presented by First Interstate Bank, this free festival will include vendors selling fine art and other goods, live music, food and libations, and plenty of family fun, including the Bend Family Play Zone and the Kids Summer Sprint. The beneficiaries of this year’s festival are the Cascade School of Music and the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch.
The Big Float
Portland, OR | July 10, 2022
Celebrate 10 years of “riverlution” at The Big Float X, also known as the Last Blast. That’s right — this is the 10th and final float, so you won’t want to miss this one! This parade/float/beach party is an annual fundraiser event for the Human Access Project, which is a local volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to helping people connect with their river and perhaps even fall in love with it. After the grand parade along the Esplanade, join the flotilla in the river atop your floatation device of choice, then paddle down river to land on the west bank at the Tom McCall Bowl. It is there that Portland’s grandest downtown beach party will be held, complete with live music, food carts, a beer and wine garden, sponsor booths, and a kids’ activities area. Tickets for The Big Float are $10 in advance (before June 30) or $13 (through July 9) and $15 the day of. Participants must bring their own float vessel and life jacket.
Sherwood Robin Hood Festival
Sherwood, OR | July 15–16, 2022
The historic and picturesque town of Sherwood invites you to take part in one of the oldest and most unique community events in Oregon. Established in 1954, the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival features live entertainment on two stages, medieval reenactments, Maid Marian’s Court, Robin Hood and his Merry Men, a popular community parade, a knighting ceremony, a castle-building contest, a teen dance, a kids’ area, crafts, lots of music, delicious food, a beer and wine garden, a vendor village, and much more. Festival admission is completely free! Continue the fun at the International Archery Match between Sherwood, Oregon and Nottingham, England on Saturday and Sunday.
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Portland, OR | July 15–17, 2022
The Jazz Society’s Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is a free three-day concert series taking place in the Cathedral Park neighborhood at the base of the St. John’s bridge. Now in its 42nd year, the festival is the longest-running jazz and blues festival west of the Mississippi. The Cathedral Park Jazz Festival will showcase the region’s best local jazz and blues musicians while recognizing and promoting the many local businesses in this vibrant neighborhood. The event is completely free, but you have many opportunities to support the festival through cash donations and purchasing drinks from the beer and wine garden!
La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival
Hillsboro, OR | July 16–17, 2022
Supported by the City of Hillsboro and the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival is a two-day summer festival in the heart of Hillsboro. Festival goers can engage with nationally recognized and emerging visual artists as they create huge temporary chalk drawings down the center of the street, most averaging 10-by-10 feet. This arts-focused event will also feature live music from local performing artists and art vendors lining the street. Children of all ages are encouraged to take part in hands-on activities provided by local nonprofit organizations. The Chalk Art Festival is completely free to attend!
Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival
Stevenson, WA | July 21–24, 2022
Return to the scenic Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, Washington for the Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival, featuring the best in bluegrass music. Plus, this four-day event will feature workshops, fine craft and food vendors, a beer garden, and nightly dances. You can even camp on-site for a fully immersive and unforgettable experience — get more information and secure your spot here!
Oregon Brewers Festival
Portland, OR | July 28–30, 2022
Considered a craft beer destination across the nation, the Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the longest-running craft beer festivals in the country. About 50,000 people attend this three-day event on an annual basis! Sample handcrafted brews from more than 40 independent craft breweries serving a variety of beers — including Belgians and blondes, pales and pilsners, and saisons and sours. The festival features 100 percent Oregon craft beers and ciders, many of which are first-release products debuting exclusively at the event! There is no admission charge to enter the Oregon Brewers Festival but you must purchase a tasting package for $30 in order to consume beer or cider, which includes a 2022 souvenir tasting mug and 10 tasting tickets.
The Craft Beer & Wine Fest
Vancouver, WA | July 29–30, 2022
Taking place in Vancouver’s Esther Short Park over the course of two days, the Craft Beer & Wine Fest is an opportunity to enjoy 100 craft wines, 60 craft beers, and a new craft cocktail menu, plus live music, excellent food, and fun games. Proceeds from the event benefit the Clark County Food Bank, so your participation helps fight hunger in our community. You won’t want to miss this chance to sample some familiar favorites or, perhaps, discover a few new ones!
AUGUST EVENTS
Pickathon
Happy Valley, OR | August 4–7, 2022
Considered one of Portland’s most renowned music festivals, Pickathon is a three-day celebration of talented artists from both near and far. This exciting celebration of music covers a wide variety of musical genres and is open for all ages. Check out this year’s lineup and get your single-day or weekend tickets. However, the Pickathon team temporarily shut down ticket sales because they were expected to sell out quickly! So check back on their Facebook and Instagram pages for the most up-to-date information.
Clark County Fair
Ridgefield, WA | August 5–14, 2022
Established in 1868, the Clark County Fair was first held in Esther Short Park. Today, the annual event has evolved into a 10-day festival at the Clark County Fairgrounds with endless fun for all ages, including concerts, fair food, grandstand events, contests, carnival rides, livestock shows and much more. Purchase tickets for the Clark County Fair at a discounted rate through August 4!
Seafair
Seattle, WA | August 5–7, 2022
Seafair Weekend Festival is by far one of the most anticipated events in Seattle — and draws crowds from all over the Pacific Northwest. Set on Lake Washington’s 1.5 miles of shoreline, Seafair is the largest boating event, air show and festival all rolled into one. Watch as the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels headline the Boeing Seafair Air Show and the world’s fastest racing boats compete for the HomeStreet Bank Cup. In addition, you’ll discover local food, music, wakeboarding, cars and more!
Sunriver Music Festival
Sunriver, OR | August 8–21, 2022
The Sunriver Music Festival is committed to “expanding the audience for classical music by nurturing the next generation of artistic talent and by presenting a world-class musical experience for Central Oregon residents and visitors.” The orchestra includes professional musicians from around the country, both tenured and new. Their 45th season concert series is the inaugural season for Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell. Click here for the full schedule for the Summer Festival, which includes several musical events throughout the month of August.
Vancouver Summer Brewfest
Vancouver, WA | August 12, 2022
The Vancouver Brewfest is back! Under new ownership for 2022, this annual celebration of craft beer has an updated name and new logo, but the commitment to craft beer remains as strong as ever. Taking place at Esther Short Park, this tasting event will feature 40 Washington craft breweries, local food trucks, and live music! Click here to purchase tickets in advance, which includes eight 5-ounce tastes.
Sunriver Art Fair
Sunriver, OR | August 12–14, 2022
The Sunriver Art Fair is a juried fine art show held in the Village at Sunriver. Stroll around the courtyard to shop directly from fine artists and enjoy food from local vendors. Plus, there will be hands-on crafts for kids! The event is sponsored by the Sunriver Women’s Club, and net proceeds will help support nonprofits in south Deschutes County.
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
Portland, OR | August 20, 2022
Since 1997, the community has gathered atop Mount Tabor for the annual PDX Adult Soapbox Derby on the third Saturday of August each year. A crowd of 7,000–10,000 people watch as home-built creations and their owners race down the side of the hill three times, followed by championship rounds. Winners receive awards for speed, engineering, art and other categories after racers cross the finish line!
Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival
Vancouver, WA | August 26–28, 2022
Experience the best of both the wine and jazz worlds (with a little fine art, delicious food and other exhibitors thrown in!) at the Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. For more than 20 years, the festival has been one of the largest jazz and arts events on the West Coast. Head to Esther Short Park for an abundance of wine sipping and jazz tunes to finish the summer strong.
Happy Summer!
What PNW festivals are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments below!