A round up of what’s going on in Portland this week including festivals, concerts, comedy, trivia, happy hours, movies, & more!
Ring in 2024 in Portland With Free TriMet Rides on New Year’s Eve | Bus, Max, Streetcar
TriMet is bringing back free rides on New Year’s Eve in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Ride MAX, buses and Portland Streetcar for free after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve!
Win Tickets ($80): Portland Folk Festival @ Crystal Ballroom | Thunderstorm Artis, Rainbow Girls, ALO, Glitterfox, Greg Holden & More!
January 12-14 @ Crystal Ballroom – Portland’s Folk Festival began in 2018 at McMenamin’s White Eagle as a way for Portland musicians to come together to celebrate the burgeoning local scene and enjoy each other’s craft.
Savannah’s 2023/2024 New Year’s Eve Bash @ UnderBar in Vancouver | Champagne Toast, Hosted by Savannah O Bennington
December 31 @ UnderBar – Ring in your New Year with The Queen Of Fun, Savannah O Bennington and your Favorite Local Performers this year!
2024 New Year’s Day Rehab Brunch @ The EastBurn Public House | Eggs Benedict, Scramble, Hash, $3 Mimosa Refills
Recover from NYE with us from 8am-3pm as we start off 2024 with an extra special brunch!
Rage at the Rose New Year’s Eve 2023/2024 @ Alberta Rose Theater in NE Portland | Featuring The Saloon Ensemble w/ Cat’s Meow Burlesque and Kris Deelane & The Hurt
December 31 @ Alberta Rose Theater – This New Year’s Eve The Saloon Ensemble joins forces with Izhonny & Pink Lady DiAnn’s The Cat’s Meow!
Portland in the News: Returning The Elk Statue; Outdoor Ice Rink; Growing Sports Impact & More! | December 21, 2023
An outdoor winter ice rink is now open in downtown Portland.
Five gray wolves from Oregon were released in Colorado this week in an effort to re-establish the species there.
And the city has taken the first steps toward restoring the Elk statue to its island on Southwest Main Street.
The Grand Exhale New Year’s Eve 2023/2024 Gala @ Alberta Abbey in NE Portland | Featuring NIK WEST with DJs TAKIMBA and SUNSEI
December 31 @ Alberta Abbey – Bring in the New Year with funk priestess extraordinaire NIK WEST and special guest DJs TAKIMBA and SUNSEI.
Win Tickets ($40): Odie Leigh @ Aladdin Theater | w/ The Official Bard of Baldwin County
January 12 @ Aladdin Theater – Once described as “folk-misfit,” Odie Leigh’s songwriting reflects an earnest and fervent search for identity through the confusion of growing up culturally-adjacent in an area with so much history, tradition, and faults.
2024 Brine, Brew & Barrel Fermentation Festival @ Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland | Marketplace, Tastings, Workshops, Presentations & more!
January 12-14 @ Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites – Brine, Brew & Barrel Fermentation Festival celebrates the multi-cultural culinary tradition of fermented products.
Posada Navideña Free Anniversary Party @ Smart Donkey | DJ Rass Andre, Food & Drink Specials
Smart Donkey celebrates two years on December 23 with a party and food & drink specials.
Portland in the News: 400 Hidden Santas, New Bear Cubs Arrive at Oregon Zoo, White Christmas? | December 14, 2023
A pair of orphaned bear cubs have found a new home at the Oregon Zoo.
There’s 400 Santas hidden somewhere in Portland. Can you find them?
And The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a white Christmas in Portland, but the National Weather Service says chances are low.
Listen to This: An Evening with Alex Ross and 45th Parallel @ Patricia Reser Center for the Arts | Readings w/ Acclaimed Author & Music Writer
January 26 @ Patricia Reser Center for the Arts – Acclaimed author and music writer Alex Ross joins the virtuosos of 45th Parallel for an evening of words and music, a unique concert experience that will entertain, edify, enlighten, and exhilarate!
ShanRock’s Triviology Presents Sunday Trivia @ The Knock Back on Alberta in NE Portland | Prizes
Triviology returns to Alberta! ShanRock’s Triviology is delighted to be back on one of its favorite streets.
Dongzhi: Tangyuan Vs. Jiaozi @ Lan Su Chinese Garden | Winter Solstice Celebration, Lanterns, Rice Balls, Dumplings, Live Music
Lan Su invites the community to join in its Winter Solstice festival, Dongzhi, with extended open hours on December 22nd and 23rd.
Win Tickets ($80): New Year’s Eve Weekend w/ The Garcia Birthday Band @ Mission Theater | Good ol’ Grateful Dead Cover Band
December 29-31 @ Mission Theater – The beating heart of the Pacific Northwest’s GD community, Garcia Birthday Band’s ever-expanding fanbase is an experience unto themselves.
Win Tickets ($40): The Taylor Party (21+) @ Revolution Hall | Dance Through All The Eras
December 30 @ Revolution Hll – Experience an Enchanting evening, singing and dancing through all of the iconic eras, creating The Story of Us.
Win Tickets ($70): Joe DeRosa: Never Promised You A Rose Garden @ Mission Theater | Comedy Central, Better Call Saul
March 15 @ Mission Theater -Joe DeRosa has made a name for himself in comedy and entertainment with six top-ten charting stand-up albums and a multitude of performances on television, radio, and in comedy clubs across the country and around the world.
Win Tickets ($50): Treaty Oak Revival @ Crystal Ballroom | Texas/Red Dirt Country, Southern Rock, Punk
Up and coming young band Treaty Oak Revival is coming to Portland March 7 @ Crystal Ballroom.
Win Tickets ($60): New Year’s Eve Celebration 2023/2024 @ McMenamins Edgefield | Champagne Toast, Balloon Drop, My Siamese Twin, Cedar Teeth & More!
Celebrate the New Year at McMenamins Edgefield, where the music continues past midnight!
Holly’s Birthday Bash @ Club Privata | Holiday Break, Pacific Northwest’s Premier Lifestyle Club
December 22 @ Club Privata – Club Privata is opening during the holiday break for the first time for a very special celebration weekend.
Shelly Sings Sinatra! A Swingin’ New Year’s Eve w/ Chance Hayden’s Desert Room All Stars @ McMenamins Al’s Den | Champagne Toast, Featuring Bill Athens and Brent Follis
December 31 @ Al’s Den – Put on your black dress, grab your fedora and sashay on down to Al’s Den for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve of Ol’ Blue Eyes favorites as the ball drops into 2024!
2023/2024 New Year’s Eve Weekend @ White Eagle Saloon in North Portland | Dead Sometimes Grateful Dead Tribute, Flashback NYE Dance Party
Ring in the 2024 in North Portland at the famous White Eagle Saloon featuring Dead Sometimes on December 30 and Flashback New Years Eve on December 31.
Portland in the News: Gingerbread Castle; Second Best City for Sweets; Krampus Parade & More! | December 7, 2023
Looking for something exciting to do this weekend? You’re in luck, WalletHub has ranked Portland the 13th most fun city in America.
One fun thing you can do is see The Benson Portland’s Gingerbread castle, on display through December 30.
And this weekend’s Krampus Parade celebrates the naughty side of Christmas.
Ceramics Northwest Pop-up Gallery @ Pioneer Place Mall in Downtown Portland | Holiday Gift Ideas, Featuring 35+ Ceramic Artists
Through December 31 @ Pioneer Place Mall – Come explore the exceptional work of 35+ ceramic artists in a one-of-a-kind pop-up gallery.
Free Monday Night Trivia in St. Johns w/ Bridgetown Trivia @ Havalina | Prizes, Cocktails, Dog Friendly
Bridgetown Trivia is your neighborhood pub trivia game done right. Havalina features cocktails, draft beverages, and trivia… what more could you ask for?
Win Tickets ($66): GRAMMY Award Winner Lukas Nelson + POTR @ Crystal Ballroom | Country Rock, Roots, Americana
February 21 @ Crystal Ballroom – Sticks and Stones was written solely by Nelson with the hope of bringing people together at the forefront of his mind, bringing upbeat energy and a sense of fun.
Win Tickets ($50): Floater @ Crystal Ballroom | Rock, Alternative Rock
December 30 @ Crystal Ballroom – With intense and unforgettable live performances, their fan base has grown over the years to a fever pitch and Floater fans are legendary for their dedication.
Win Tickets ($78): The Motet + Too Many Zooz @ Crystal Ballroom | Funk, Soul, Jazz, Rock
December 29 @ Crystal Ballroom – Formed over two decades ago, the funk six-piece The Motet have learned to work as an interlocking unit, with each member bolstering one another towards the best creative output.
Win Tickets ($70): New Year’s Eve 2024 w/ Bridge City Sinners @ Crystal Ballroom | w/ The Dreadnoughts Pete Bernhard (Of The Devil Makes Three)
December 31 @ Crystal Ballroom – From the misty, pine-covered hills of the Pacific Northwest hail the Bridge City Sinners, who span the continuum from prohibition-era jazz to Appalachian death folk.
Win Tickets ($60): New Year’s Eve Celebration @ McMenamins Kennedy School in NE Portland | Champagne Toast, Balloon Drop, Outer Orbit featuring Arietta Ward, Lost Ox
Celebrate 2024 at McMenamins Kennedy School, where the parties continue past midnight!
Win Tickets ($80): New Year’s Eve 2023/2024 w/ Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe @ Revolution Hall | w/ Polyrhythmics
December 31 @ Revolution Hall – KDTU has electrified audiences around the world from the fields of Naeba in Japan at the infamous Fuji Rock Festival to the hallowed stage of Madison Square Garden.
Free Sundays @ World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum | Family Fun, Bird’s-eye View of a NW Forest, Learn About Forest Opportunities & Challenges
Free Sundays Nov 5-Dec 17 – World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum invites visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they impact our lives.
Portland in the News: Burnside Bridge Rebuild; Stomp Style Cheer; & Get Ready for a Lot of Rain | November 30, 2023
Get ready for the rain! Forecasters are saying Portland could see a month’s worth of rain in the next 7 days.
Starting in 2027, Burnside Bridge will be closed for 5 years for a seismic rebuild.
And Amtrak is adding two more daily round trips between Seattle & Portland.
Win Tickets ($70): Umphrey’s McGee @ Crystal Ballroom | Eclectic Improv-rock
March 16 @ Crystal Ballroom – In the twenty-five years since eclectic improv-rock band Umphrey’s McGee formed, their sound has been an amalgamation of genres, moods, and tempos.
Win Tickets ($80): Fred Armisen’s Comedy for Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome @ Crystal Ballroom | w/ Musical Guest Def Rain
Crystal Ballroom presents Fred Armisen’s Comedy for Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome on December 15.
Win Tickets ($80): New Year’s Eve 2023/2024 w/ Samantha Fish @ Aladdin Theater | w/ Sgt. Splendor, Blues Rock, Country, Funk, Bluegrass
December 31 @ Aladdin Theater – Over the course of her career as an award-winning artist, singer/songwriter/guitarist Samantha Fish has brought extraordinary power to her self-expression, capturing her inner world in combustible riffs, visceral rhythms, and spine-tingling vocal work.