Portland Winter Light Festival. Photo by Brooke Hoyer.
Portland winters are long, dark and rainy. Bring a little light, music and culture into the drizzly season at these Portland winter festivals. Find one that sparks your interest.
From dazzling light displays to cultural festivals, Portland winters a filled with opportunities for the community to come together and celebrate.
Embark on a journey through the heart of Portland’s winter celebrations, where the city’s unique charm converges with the enchanting allure of the colder months.
2024 Portland Winter Festivals
Photo by Jonathan Ley courtesy of Portland Japanese Garden
O-Shogatsu
January 7
Portland Japanese Garden invites you to kick off the year of the rabbit during O-Shogatsu, Japanese New Year. Celebrate the start of a new year and hope for happiness and prosperity in the months ahead. For the celebration the garden is decorated in Kadomatsu, traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches. Special activities are included with general admission, $21.95.
Portland Jewish Film Festival
January 9-14
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is hosting the annual Portland Jewish Film Festival, an event that promises to captivate audiences with its diverse lineup of thought-provoking films. The screenings feature five new full-length films and two selected shorts that explore the complexity, history and joy of Jewish life. Tickets are $12 per screening.
Studio Ghibli Film Fest
January 12-February 25
Join the month long celebration of Japanese animation during the Studio Ghibli Film Festival at OMSI. For 38 days, experience 21 unforgettable adventures from the acclaimed animation studio. Tickets are $8 per film.
Image courtesy of Mt. Angel Volksfest
Volksfest
February 2-4
Head to Mount Angel for the annual Volksfest featuring authentic German and local food, beer and wine along with live music and family-friendly entertainment. Tickets are $10.
Portland Winter Light Festival. Photo by Amy Sakurai
Portland Winter Light Festival
February 2-10
Portland Winter Light Festival is a citywide art display featuring illuminated art installations, vibrant performances, and kinetic fire sculptures throughout the city. For its 9th year, the festival will have more than 120 art displays. On weekends, the event will feature three anchor locations with food carts, artwork and amenities located in the heart of Portland. This event is free to attend.
Logo courtesy of Cascade Festival of African Films
Cascade Festival of African Films
February 2-March 2
In celebration of Black History Month, Portland Community College is hosting the 34th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films. The films celebrate Africa’s achievements, expose its failures, and reveal possibilities for a hopeful future. You can choose to watch the films in-person or online.
Chinese New Year
February 7-March 2
Portland’s most popular Chinese New Year Celebration is back at Lan Su Chinese Garden. The festival features hanging red lanterns, cultural displays, family-friendly activities and more. General admission for the daytime festival is $14. Lantern viewing evenings are also available on select nights.
Photo courtesy of Nordic Northwest
Fastelavn Nordic Kids Carnival
February 11
Fastelavn is a Danish holiday marking the transition from winter to spring. Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly activities, snacks, beverages and entertainment. Tickets are $10.
Photo courtesy of Mysti Krewe of Nimbus
Portland Mardi Gras Parade
February 13
Celebrate Fat Tuesday at the most authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras experience in the Pacific Northwest. Every year, the Portland Mardi Gras Parade on North Mississippi Avenue. The free, family-friendly event starts at 7 p.m. View all the activities and performers.
Photo by Anna Tis from Pexels
Portland Seafood and Wine Festival
March 1-3
The Portland Seafood and Wine Festival features more than 100 exhibitors ready to serve you a delicious bounty from our state. Along with seafood, craft beer, cider, and distilled spirit vendors are more than 30 of Oregon’s finest wineries offering tastings. Tickets are $16.
2023 Events
I will update these events as soon as 2024 details are announced.
Photo courtesy of the Oregon Latvian
Koleda Winter Solstice Festival (2023)
Follow in the footsteps of ancient winter traditions at Koleda, a Slavic winter solstice festival. The Oregon Latvian Society is hosting a day of revel, feasting, dressing up as animals and magical creatures, singing carols, dancing and telling fortunes for the whole community. Tickets are $25.
Want more Portland freebies, events and deals? Subscribe to my newsletter (only one email a day), and follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
You may also like:
Portland Living on the Cheap is a member of 
[…] ← Portland Winter Festivals […]