If you can’t find something to do this weekend, you’re really not trying – at all. From large outdoor music festivals, to stage plays, to Portland Pride, and the 40th birthday of Pioneer Courthouse Square, this weekend is packed with events for all ages. And if all those people in one place is not your scene, check out the Film Noir movie weekend at the Hollywood Theater and sit in the dark away from the hustle and bustle.
44th Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
The Jazz Society of Oregon welcomes a full slate of jazz greats to the festival this year including Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys, Tyrone Hendrix & the PDX Soul Collective, Lo Steele, Bobby Torres, and the 10-member Nigerian Afrobeat group Jujuba. Spread a blanket on the grass and enjoy three days of live music in north Portland’s lovely Cathedral Park. Vendors will offer food and drinks. Alcohol can only be consumed in the beer and wine garden. The festival is free but donations go toward more live jazz in Portland.
4:30-10 p.m. Friday, 1-10 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, July 19-21, Cathedral Park, 8706 N. Bradford St.; free; jazzoregon.org
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
Broadway Rose Theater in Tigard celebrates the legendary musician Carole King with a stage show starring Merideth Kaye Clark in the title role. Enjoy the story of King’s early career and life alongside her most icon songs including “So Far Away,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.”
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, and continues 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. most Saturdays-Sundays through Aug. 18, Deb Fennell Auditorium, 9000 S.W. Durham Road, Tigard; tickets $35; broadwayrose.org/beautiful.
Washington County Fair
Ahhh how we love county fairs. And the Washington County Fair is a favorite for metro area residents, especially on the west side of Interstate 5. Enjoy all the carnival rides and games, 4H displays, livestock barns open to the public, and fair food you come to expect. Also, this year’s musical lineup is pretty cool with a concert by Jacquie Roar, who made it to the finale in Season 24 of “The Voice.” There’s also several tribute bands including a Taylor Swift cover band, and outdoor family movie nights on Sundays. As always, admission to the fair is free.
Gates open 5 p.m. Friday July 19. Gates open 10 a.m. on Saturdays-Sundays, 5 p.m. weekdays through July 28, Westside Commons 801 N.E. 34th Ave., Hillsboro; free admission; bigfairfun.com.
Noir City Film Festival
Writer, film historian, and founder of the Film Noir Foundation Eddie Muller returns to Portland for a weekend-long festival of classic and obscure noir films from the 40s-50s. The weekend pass ($50) gets you admission to all six Noir City films and Saturday’s conversation and book signing with Muller. Some events are sold out. Get your tickets early.
Various times beginning 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, and continuing through Sunday, July 21, Hollywood Theatre, 4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd; ticket prices vary with single films $12; hollywoodtheatre.org.
Sherwood Robin Hood Festival
If you prefer your summer festivals have a Medieval flare, this is your weekend. The annual Robin Hood Festival offers a professional archery tournament, live music, stage shows, a parade, plenty of food booths (including whole barbecued turkey legs), a Maid Marian contest, and more.
Various times Friday-Saturday, July 19-20, at throughout Sherwood; free admission; robinhoodfestival.org.
Tacos, Tequila & Taps Festival
Hungry for tacos? Ilani is the place to be as the resort hosts a weekend of tacos, tequila, and tap brews. Expect a wide range of taco styles, fine tequilas and mescals, and local and national beers.
Two sessions - noon and 5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, on the garage rooftop, ilani Resort, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield; $39; ilaniresort.com/ilani-tacos-tequila-taps-fest/.
“The Little Prince”
The Northwest Children’s Theatre welcomes back alumni as they perform onstage and behind the scenes in this journey through the galaxy with two unlikely companions: The Aviator and the mysterious Little Prince. This sweet story addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with $20-$25 suggested.
Opens 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20, and continues various times Saturday-Sunday through Aug. 4. Sensory friendly show noon July 28, ASL-Interpreted performance noon Aug. 4, The Judy, 1000 S.W. Broadway; nwct.my.salesforce-sites.com.
Portland Pride Festival and Parade
Portland Pride celebrates 30 years in 2024 and welcomes all to a weekend of celebration, inclusion, visibility, and of course, fun. The Waterfront Festival will offer vendors and live entertainment including a show starring drag artist Jinkx Monsoon. The parade is Sunday morning beginning in the north Park Blocks and ending on Southwest Naito Parkway.
Festival hours noon-8 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 20-21, Waterfront Park. $10 donation suggested. Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 21; portlandpride.org
And, if you need some help getting ready, head to HappyLucky for a Pride pre-party featuring Saturday Pride “Get Ready With Me” event with fashion tips, treats, vibes, good music, and everything in between. Gear up, drag out, disco nap, fuel up, and connect with one another.
4-9 p.m. Saturday, July 20, outdoors at 615 S.E. Oak St.; free; happylucky.com.
Pioneer Courthouse Square 40th Anniversary Party
Did you buy a brick to help build Pioneer Courthouse Square back in the 80s? It’s possible you did that as much as 40 years ago as “Portland’s Living Room” celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Enjoy free cupcakes and music provided by the Portland Festival Symphony, Albina Music Trust, and 3 Leg Torso during this summertime celebration.
4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave; free; thesquarepdx.org/event/40th-anniversary.
Portland Highland Games
This popular Gresham-area festival returned in 2023 paired down a bit with fewer “games” and more cultural performances including Scottish dancing and bagpiping groups. In 2024, expect a unique Scottish experience featuring pipe bands, bagpipers and drummers, dancers and fiddlers. Scottish clan tents and learn about Scottish history. Vendors will also offer regional Scottish products and gifts.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 S.E. Stark St., Gresham; admission $30 adult, $10 ages 6-17, additional fee for whisky tasting events; phga.org.
World War II living history encampment
The National Park Service at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is hosting a free living history group encampment on Saturday. Families can learn the stories of America’s fighting forces during World War II. Meet costumed volunteers as they portray members of various US Army units from World War II including medics, cavalry, infantry, and personnel from the US Army Air Corps, Women’s Army Corps, and more. View the uniforms, weapons, tents, equipment, and vehicles from the period.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Fort Vancouver, 1001 E. Fifth St., Vancouver; free.
50th Anniversary of the Concours d’Elegance Car Show
The longest-running Concours d’Elegance in the Pacific Northwest celebrates 50 years this summer with more than 300 classic and modified cars on the tree-lined campus of Pacific University. This year also celebrates 100 years of Chrysler. It’s a Sunday of stunning automobiles, live music, food, and a beer garden. All proceeds benefit Rotary Club Foundation Scholarships and community service projects.
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, July 21, Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove; tickets $10-$25 and ages 12 and younger are free; forestgroveconcours.org.
“Steinbeck’s People,” Staged Reading
Cygnet Salon’s July staged literary reading is a selection of excerpts from three of John Steinbeck’s most beloved books: “East of Eden,” “Cannery Row,” and “The Grapes of Wrath.” Marilyn Stacey and Don Alder have curated the selections. The readings give Steinbeck’s most clear-eyed view of humanity and insight into the grand workings behind social conflicts.
7 p.m. Monday, July 22, 21Ten Theater, 2110 S.E. 10th Ave; tickets are pay-what-you-will starting at $10; 21ten.org/event.
New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Enjoy a night of traditional foundation brass band music that also incorporates a blend of genres, including bebop jazz, funk and R&B/soul. This unique sound, described by the Grammy Award-winning band as a “musical gumbo” is what’s on the menu this Thursday at Alberta Rose.
8 p.m. Thursday, July 25, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $45 adavance, $55 day of; albertarosetheatre.com/event.
- If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com ; @trafficportland
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