Portland Old-Time Music Gathering

Image courtesy of Portland Old-Time Music Gathering

Get ready to dance to the beat of Appalachian-style string band music at the Portland Old-Time Music Gathering.

The grassroots, volunteer-run festival was born from a simple idea: meaningful music happens when people come together for the joy of playing, listening and sharing. The event strives to create the same warmth and authenticity you’d find swapping tunes in a friend’s living room or porch.

This event has a range for free and paid events. Here’s the schedule:

Portland Old-Time Music Gathering

The Portland Old-Time Music Gathering is January 14-18, 2026, at multiple venues in Portland. This year’s event features 26 performers, including Judy Hyman, Jeff Claus, Jake Blount and Clinton Davis. 

The event features concerts, workshops, jams, kids’ activities and square dancing. 

Here’s the schedule:

Wednesday, January 14

7:30 p.m. Opening Jam at Moon and Sixpence Pub, 2014 NE 42nd Ave. The event is 21+ and free to attend. 

Thursday, January 15

1-5 p.m. Hosted Jam with Melissa Takush at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

2-4 p.m. Hosted Jam with Midwest Tunes with Brian and Sarah Zimmerman at Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. This event is free to attend. 

7 p.m.-late Hosted Jam with Scott Killops at NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

8 p.m.-late Honky Tonk Kickoff Show with The Waysiders, Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms Band at Spare Room Lounge, 4830 NE 42nd Ave. The event is 21+ and free to attend. 

Friday, January 16

1-5 p.m. Hosted Jam with Judy Lungren at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

2-4 p.m. Hosted Jam at Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N. Mississippi Ave. This event is free to attend. 

5-11:30 p.m. Open Jamming at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Friday tickets to the venue are $25. 

6-7 p.m. Music in the Bar with Annika Brooks, River Scheuerell and Gus Tritsch at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Friday tickets to the venue are $25. 

8 p.m. Friday Night Concert with Jake Blount, The Bubba Award, Judy Hyman, Jeff Claus, Gus Tritsch and Huck Tritsch at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Friday tickets to the venue are $25. 

10 p.m.-late Hosted Jam with: Ellie and Annie Davis at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

10 p.m.-late Ragtime Jam with Genavie and Sandy at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

Saturday, January 17

noon-6 p.m. Instrument workshops, kids events, jams, sing-alongs and more at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Saturday daytime tickets to the venue are $10. Kids 16 and under attend for free. 

1-5 p.m. Hosted Jam with Roger Applegate at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

3-5 p.m. Americana Happy Hour with several performers at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

3:45-4:45 p.m. Afternoon Concert with Clinton Davis at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Saturday night tickets to the venue are $25.

6-7 p.m. Music in the Bar with Cookhouse (Sophie Enloe, Maggie Lind and Patrick Lind) at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Saturday night tickets to the venue are $25.

7:30-10:30 p.m. Giant Square Dance with Katy and the Kates, Rats Gone to Rest, Annie & Ellie Davis and Friends and a raffle drawing at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta St. Saturday night tickets to the venue are $25.

10 p.m.-late Hosted Jam at The Canote Brothers at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

Sunday, January 18

1-4 p.m. Sunday Cabaret an open mic-style show hosted by Brooks Masten at the Spare Room Lounge, 4830 NE 42nd Ave. This event is free to attend.

1-5 p.m. Hosted Jam with Ken Torke and Mark Wardenburg at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

2:30-5 p.m. Portland Slow Jam at the Genesis Project, 6725 SE Kelly St. This event is free to attend. 

7 p.m.-late Hosted Jam with The Canote Brothers at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is free to attend. 

7-9 p.m.Square Dance with Big Chimney Barn Dance at The Showdown, 1195 SE Powell Blvd. This event is 21+ and $12. 

8 p.m.-late Tunes at the Moon with The Horsenecks and members of Foghorn Stringband at Moon and Sixpence Pub, 2014 NE 42nd Ave. This event is 21+ and free to attend.

Monday, January 19 

6:30 p.m. Show and Open Mic with The Canote Brothers at the NW Portland Hostel, 479 NW 18th Ave. This event is all ages and free to attend.

For more information, along with tickets and the lineup of workshops, visit the Portland Old-Time Music Gathering event page. 

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