slides: 20 Fun Fall Festivals And Activities
Saturday, October 04, 2014
Kirsten Nicolaisen, GoLocalPDX Digital Producer
Photo Credit: PJrhymeswithsausage, 2011 Natioinal Beard & Mustache Championships
If you're looking for super cool and Portland-ish fun activities and festivals to spice up your fall, GoLocalPDX is here to help.
There's something for everyone this fall. Really!
Whatever you're into—whether it's a haunted corn maze on Sauvie Island, a floating pumpkin regatta, an All Hallow's Eve dance party at the Crystal Ballroom or the World Beard and Mustache Championships—we've got it for you.
Below are 20 fall festivals and activities. It's your job to have fun at them.
So what are you waiting for?
Related Slideshow: 20 Fun Fall Festivals and Activities
Pumpkin Beer Festival
The Pumpkin Beer Festival offers 25 pumpkin beers, pumpkin-related games, and live street music.
Guests can pair their brews with a pumpkin menu or try a pumpkin cocktail instead.
Where? Green Dragon Bistro & Brew Pub, 928 SE 9th Ave, Portland
When? 11 AM- 12 AM, October 18.
Suggested donation of $5 at the door to benefit Camp Ukandu
More info here
Photo Credit: Joel Olives via Compfight cc
Pumpkin Regatta Festival
The Pumpkin Regatta Festival is a free race across the Tualatin lake in giant pumpkins, plus a 5K run, pumpkin carving, music, entertainment, kids’ crafts, costume contest, and food and drink vendors.
This year marks the festival's 11th anniversary. The event attracts spectators from all over the Pacific Northwest, United States and Canada, and has been featured on national media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, CNN and the Travel Channel, says the city of Tualatin website.
Where? The Tualatin Lake of the Commons, 8325 SW Nyberg St.
When? 10 AM- 4 PM, Saturday, October 18.
More info here
Zombie Walk
Want to see thousands of Portlanders walk and dance down the street dressed like zombies? Well then the Portland Zombie Walk is for you.
Would-be zombies are already practicing their dance moves for the walk, and you can join.
The Zombie Walk is an annual event that started as a flash mob in 2006 by private organizers.
Where? Hollywood Vintage Theater, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97212
When? October 25, time has yet to be determined
More info here
Photo Credit: Gianluca Ramalho Misiti, Zombie Walk 2012
Beard & Mustache Contest
Time to start growing those beards even longer, Portland men. The World Beard and Moustache Championships are almost here!
The 2014 'Just for Men' beard and mustache contest is invading Portland's Keller Auditorium. Hundreds of the world’s best “beardsmen” will put the art of facial hair on display for all to admire.
Where? Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St, Portland, OR 97201
When? 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 25.
More info here
Photo Credit: PJrhymeswithsausage, 2011 Natioinal Beard & Mustache Championships
Thriller Dance Portland
Dancers, Michael Jackson fans, and Halloween enthusiasts, are gearing up for Thrill the World Portland. Dressed in ghoulish attire, hundreds of Portlanders will ring in the Halloween spirit dancing to "Thriller," in Fremont park.
Interested participants can attend dance practices to prepare for the event.
More info here
Event: 3:00 PM, Saturday October 25 at Irving City Park, North East Freemont St., Portland
Dance Practices: 6-8 PM on Friday Evenings: September 26, October 10, 17, 24, and 2-4 PM Sunday afternoons: September 28, October 5, 12, 19.
Photo Credit: iStock
North West Cider Festival
The North West Ciderfest features cider tasting for adults, crafts & games for kids, food carts, a pie-eating contest, and live music.
Ciderfest is a collaboration of the local Muscular Dystrophy Association, and proceeds will help fun MDA's clinics at Shriner’s Hospital and OHSU Medical Center as well as Oregon Neurology Associates and Sacred Heart.
Where? Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland
When? 10 AM-8 PM, October 11
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Apple Tasting
Taste and buy 60 kinds of apples and pears, visit a kids’ tent, see cider making, and hear live music at Portland's Apple Tasting Festival.
Enter the scarecrow contest to win a $100 Portland Nursery gift card. All entrants get a free five-pound bag of apples.
Where? Portland Nursery, 5050 South East Stark St., Portland
When? 10 AM-5 PM, October 10-12, and 17-19
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Distiller's Festival
The 10th annual Great American Distillers festival features tastings from 40 craft distillers, a mixology contest, and special events.
The festival includes seminars, dinners, a product-packaging competition, distillery tours, and a cocktail contest.
All proceeds benefit local and national charities, as well as the Oregon Distillers Guild and Oregon Distillery Trail.
Tickets are $20 general admission (in advance), $25 at the door. VIP tickets are $100
Where? Left Bank Annex, 101 North Weidler St., Portland
When? 5 PM-10 PM, Friday October 24, and 4 PM-10 PM, Saturday October 25
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Haunted Graveyard
There's nothing spookier than a graveyard around the time of Halloween. Visit the Haunted Davis Graveyard in Milwaukie any day or night through the month of October, or wait for special effects Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings for free. The Graveyard will have dancers on Halloween night.
Where? 8703 South East 43rd Ave. Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
When? October 1-31, Monday-Thursday & Sat-Sun dusk-10 PM, Friday, dusk-11 PM
More info here
Photo Credit: Davis Graveyard website
Halloween Fantasy Trail
The Halloween Fantasy Trail is a fun event for families. The lighted trail includes a decorated castle, suspension bridge, tunnel, and maze at Wenzel family farm. The trail costs $5 for adults and $4 for children 12 or under
Where? Wenzel family farm in Oregon City
When? Oct 1-Oct 30, 12 PM-5 PM everyday and 7 PM-10 PM every night.
More info here
Portland Coffee Crawl
Warm up the fall with coffee, coffee, and more coffee.
The LAB a nation-wide caffine crawl organization is partnering with many local coffee shops and roasters throughout the four quarters of Inner Portland. Portlanders can join the coffee crawl and see what these local baristas have to offer.
Where? Several Portland Coffee Shops, see a list of participating shops here
When? October 16-17
More info here
13th Door Haunted House
Time to get scared. At the 13th Door Haunted House of Oregon guests will detailed sets, animated creatures, theatrical actors, and "horror."
Where? 3855 SW Murray Blvd., Beaverton
When? October 1-31, weekdays 7 PM-10 PM, weekends 7 PM-11 PM, and 7 PM-Midnight on Halloween.
More info here
Photo Credit: Paul Bearers, 13th Door website
Halloween Dance Party
Are you over 21 and looking to celebrate Halloween out on the town? McMenamins Crystal Ballroom hosts an ’80s Video Dance Attack Halloween Party. The party includes big music videos, colorful lights, music, and dancing.
Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 day of.
Where? The Crystal Ballroom, 1332 West Burnside St., Portland
When? 8 PM, October 31
More info here
Haunted Corn Maze
The Haunted Corn MAiZE is more than a four-acre trail through a cornfield sure to spook you this season. The haunted maze is for families and people of all ages who like Halloween and like to be a little scared.
The maze goes on regardless of the weather and The MAiZE staff asks that guests not bring, flashlights, dogs, or masks to the event.
Tickets cost $12.
Where? 16511 North West Gillihan Rd., Portland, (On Sauvie Island at
The Pumpkin Patch)
When? 7 PM-10 PM, October 10- November 1
Photo Credit: iStock
Halloween on a Farm
Have a rustic fall experience by celebrating Halloween on a farm. Halloween on a Farm has many locations in the greater portland area that each include pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes.
Where? See a list of all farms offering Halloween activities here
When? October 1-31
Photo Credit: ginnerobot via Compfight cc
Zombie Zip Line
If you like zombies and zip lining, or want to try zip lining as a zombie, than wear a costume to ZombieFest at Tree to Tree Aerial Adventure Park
Where? 2975 SW Nelson Road Gaston, OR 97119
When? October 18-19 and 25-26
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Killer Beer Week
Brewpublic celebrates its six year anniversary with a 10-day party. Killer Beer Week returns with various craft beer events throughout the Portland metro area.
Brewpublic will release more details including new locations and new events to added to the mix.
Where? Various locations in Portland
When? October 17-26
More info here
Photo Credit: jenny downing via Compfight cc
Fright Town
Do you like goblins, ghouls and ghosts? Do you like to be scared? If so, Fright Town is the place for you. Fright Town is one of the biggest haunted events in the North West and, features three haunted houses in one location.
Where? Exhibit Hall beneath the Memorial Coliseum
at the Rose Quarter, Portland
When? Wednesday-Sunday, October 3-November 1
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Trick or Treat Alberta
Trick or Treat Alberta Street is a fun Halloween event for the kids. The first 400 costumed kids to trick or treat at Umpqua Bank will receive a special trick or treat bag thanks to event sponsors.
All the businesses on Alberta street will be handing out treats.
Where? Alberta St. in North Portland
When? 3:30-6 PM, Friday October 31
More info here
Photo Credit: iStock
Pumpkin Beer Festival
Pumpkin Regatta Festival
Zombie Walk
Beard & Mustache Contest
Thriller Dance Portland
North West Cider Festival
Apple Tasting
Distiller's Festival
Haunted Graveyard
Halloween Fantasy Trail
Portland Coffee Crawl
13th Door Haunted House
Howloween at the Zoo
Halloween Dance Party
Haunted Corn Maze
Halloween on a Farm
Zombie Zip Line
Killer Beer Week
Fright Town
Trick or Treat Alberta
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