Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival

Photo courtesy of Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival

Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival invites everyone to dress up as merfolk or other mythical water creatures for a walk downtown.

Since 2016, the Portlandia Mermaid Parade has been a free grassroots artistic event celebrating our community’s connection to Portland’s rivers and all things mermaid and water mythology. It is a family-friendly, body positive and identity inclusive event open to all.

The name Portlandia honors Raymond Kaskey’s river goddess sculpture that sits atop the Portland Building entrance in downtown.

Here’s how you can participate or watch the 2024 event.

The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival is Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 12-4 p.m. Participation in the parade is free, open to all ages and you do not need to register in advance.

The theme of the 2024 event is Under the Sea of Dreams.

The event begins at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The parade starts at the Japanese American Historical Plaza and travels south to Poet’s Beach. The route travels along sidewalks and is ADA friendly. The parade takes 30-45 minutes.

Get your best merfolk or mythical water creature costume ready and join in on the fun. Small decorated hand push floats, wagons, bicycles, and pedi-cabs that can fit on the sidewalk are highly encouraged!