Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!
All weekend
Holiday Ale Festival in Pioneer Courthouse Square: Admission is free; the beer is not. Free rootbeer for designated drivers. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.
Festival of Nativities in Vancouver: Display of more than 600 nativity scenes from around the world, artwork, live music, and children’s activities. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (10509 SE 5th St, Vancouver), noon to 9:00 pm. Live nativity performance on Saturday at 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Friday, December 5
Holiday Celebration in Multnomah Village: The Village tree will be lit at 6:42 pm. All evening, carolers, Santa and local merchants will spread Christmas cheer. For more information, visit the Multnomah Village website.
Tree Lighting Celebration in Beaverton: Children’s crafts, tree lighting, music, Santa and more. Beaverton Round Fountain Plaza (12600 SW Crescent St, adjacent to the Beaverton Central MAX Station), 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Holiday Celebration in Tualatin: Tree lighting, arts and crafts for the kids, Santa, treats, and more. Tualatin Commons (8325 SW Nyberg St), 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Tree Lighting Celebration in Camas: Tree lighting, caroling, Santa, refreshments, kids’ activities and more. Downtown Camas, 6:30 pm. For more information, visit the Camas website or download this flyer.
Free First Friday Night at Portland Children’s Museum: Admission to the museum is free from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Repeal Day Celebration: Dewar’s Scotch Whisky and McMenamins celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition with a free show featuring Langhorne Slim, Fogatron, flappers, fire dancers and more. Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the event website.
First Friday Art Shows and Openings:
The Big 100: One night only—100 artists. 10 works a piece. 1,000 pieces of art. Olympic Mills Commerce Center (107 SE Washington). 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
First Friday East Portland Gallery Art Walk: Several galleries on the East side open their doors to the public from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the first Friday of each month. Go to this website for the list of galleries. In addition to those, Bowl of Thistles and Tilde will also host artist receptions.
The 100th Monkey Studio (110 SE 16th Ave): Two art shows featuring 10 artists, as well as pieces by the Zimbabwe Artist Project. Live music and treats. Also showing: “Painted Positive,” a movie by Terry Haines. All ages welcome. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Destroy Store (1712 E. Burnside St): reception for artists Steve Mathews, Charlie Kraft and Chris Haberman. Beer compliments of Widmer. Beats courtesy of Infamous 1. 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Press Club: reception for artist Dan Kohler, 7:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Q Center (69 SE Taylor Ave): reception for artists Paul Francis Fukui and Paul Soriano. 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Holiday Train Event: Staver Locomotive (2537 NW 29th Ave) invites all to see their display of model steam locomotives. If you wish, you can bring a donation of cash, TriMet tickets or gift cards for Friendly House. 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website
Strangled Darlings (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 8:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
Greg Clarke (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Chickweed (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Contributing writers of “Hunger and Thirst: Food Literature” will speak at Looking Glass Bookstore (7983 SE 13th Ave) at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Saturday, December 6
Christmas Ship Parade will be cruising in Camas starting at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Lighting of Maddax Woods in West Linn: Enjoy a magical walk down a lit, accessible path through the Woods and to the viewing platform on the Willamette River. Free hot chocolate. 5785 River Street, West Linn, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Caroling Parade and Tree Lighting in Hillsboro: Meet at 4:45 pm at the Glenn and Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center (527 E. Main St) and carol your way to the Civic Center. Stay for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting on the Civic Center Plaza and more caroling at 5:15 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Tree Lighting Festivities in Tigard: Join friends and neighbors in downtown Tigard at 5:30 pm for a holiday tree lighting event. Santa will arrive at Liberty Park at the corner of 99W and Main Street to light the tree around 6:00 pm. Visits with Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, music from Radio Disney, and more. For more information, visit the event website.
Milwaukie Umbrella Parade & Tree Lighting: Decorate an umbrella and join the parade starting at the Waldorf School parking lot at 4:15 pm (21st and Monroe). Milwaukie High School Marching Band will lead the procession up Main Street and back to City Hall (10722 SE Main St) where the festivities will be capped with the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa, and treats at 5:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Community Celebration in West Linn: Music, treats, holiday cookie decorating, a visit with Santa, sing-a-longs, and more. Central Village (21900 Willamette Dr), 5:30 pm–9:00 pm. For more information, visit event website
Winter Festival in Sherwood: Parade begins at 4:00 in old town Sherwood. Tree lighting at 5:00 pm. Other activities during the day. For more information, visit this blog or the Sherwood website.
Holiday Eats ‘n Treats: Q Center invites the LGBTQ community and allies to enjoy free breakfast, holiday film clips, and ornament-making from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. 69 SE Taylor Ave. For more information, visit the event website.
Season of Lights Concert: Peter Zisa and other prominent Portland musicians will perform Chanukah and Christmas music. While there is no charge for the event, guests will have an opportunity to support community charitable organizations benefiting children. Old Church (SW 11th and Clay), 7:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Lincoln Crockett and Jim McKeon (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
Brady Goss (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
The Brothers Jam (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Woodstock Library 100th Birthday Party: The celebration includes cake, music with guitarist Ronnie Robins, and fun. Woodstock Library (6008 SE 49th Ave), 4:00 pm to 5:45 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Penny’s Puppet Productions will treat families to a spinoff of “The Mitten,” a traditional Ukrainian tale. Free tickets for seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 10:30 am–11:30 am. For more information, visit the event website.
Children’s book author Addie Boswell will talk about her book “The Rain Stomper!” at Sellwood-Moreland Library (7860 SE 13th Ave) at 11:00 am. Kids will receive coloring sheets and bookmarks, as well as learn how to make a baton that they can twirl like Jazmin does in the book. For more information, visit the event website.
Sunday, December 7
Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration in Happy Valley: Musical entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, refreshments, Santa, and more. Happy Valley City Hall (16000 SE Misty Dr), 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Authors Ursula Le Guin, Judy Jewell, Maura Conlon-McIvor and George Byron Wright will be chatting and signing books at Twenty-Third Avenue Books (1015 NW 23rd Ave) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Author J. A. Jance will talk about her book “Cruel Intent” at 2:00 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website. She will also be speaking at Murder by the Book (3210 SE Hawthorne Blvd) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the MBTB website.
“Mystery Train” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Sunday Cinema Classics at St. Johns Library: “Meet Me in St. Louis” will be showing at 2:00 pm. Free tickets for limited seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program, at 1:30 pm. 7510 N. Charleston Ave. For more information, visit the event website.
Morgan Spurlock’s “What Would Jesus Buy?” will be showing at 6:30 pm at Moreland Bible Church (1648 SE Ellis). A community potluck will begin at 5:30 pm before the movie. For more information, visit the event website
Irish Dance Show at Hillsboro Main Library: Maldon Meehan and her talented musicians and dancers will perform original choreography of Irish dance, modern dance, sean-nos dance, Cape Breton step dance, and American cloggin. Appropriate for all ages. Light refreshments will be served. 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, please contact me.
Each day from December 1 through December 25, Amazon will unveil a new holiday song available to download free for a limited time. It’s the coolest advent calendar I’ve ever seen.
The songs so far are:
Dec. 1: “Why Can’t It Be Christmas All Year,” Rosie Thomas
Dec. 2: “Elf’s Lament,” Barenaked Ladies with Michael Bublé
Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!
Friday, November 28
Macy’s Holiday Parade: The parade starts at 8:45 am at Lincoln High School (1600 SW Salmon St). Marching bands, costumed characters and inflatables will travel north on SW 14th Ave and then east on Alder St in downtown Portland. KGW has more information here.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square: The big tree will be lit at 5:30 pm. Concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer with the Brown Sisters, Portland’s Mayor and Santa will lead the crowd sing-along in this annual community celebration. For more information, visit the event website.
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Lake Oswego: The giant sequoia tree at Fifth Street and A Avenue will be lit at 5:00 pm. Enjoy free coffee, cocoa and spirited caroling. Then walk to Millennium Plaza Park to enjoy another tree lighting, free refreshments, live music, and a visit with Santa. For more information, visit the event website.
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Vancouver: At Esther Short Park (W. Columbia St and 8th St) starting at 5:00 pm, the fun will include kids’ activities, holiday music, a tree lighting ceremony, Santa and more. For more information, visit the event website.
Holiday Event at Bridgeport Village: Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive and light up the tree. The Tualatin Valley Community Band will perform. 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Saraveza Grand Opening Shin Dig: On Friday, free hotdogs and beer tastings starting at 4:00 pm. The fun continues on Saturday with more free beer, hot dogs and pasties starting at noon. 1004 N. Killingsworth St. For more information, click here and here.
Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) will perform at The Monkey & the Rat (131 NW Second Ave). Peter will sing “Light One Candle,” “Puff the Magic Dragon,” and many other favorite folk tunes with special guests. 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Nicole Sangsuree (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
The Senate (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Will West & The Friendly Strangers (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Movies at Tigard Library: The Tigard Library (13500 SW Hall Blvd) will show two movies: “WALL-E” at 2:00 pm; “Iron Man” at 6:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit the event website.
Movie Marathon at CubeSpace: The folks at CubeSpace will be watching movies all day, and you’re welcome to join in. Bring your leftovers, your knitting (crocheting, embroidery or anything else that one does while watching movies) and settle in starting at 10:00 am. 622 SE Grand Ave. For more information, visit the event website.
Saturday, November 29
Pearl District Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Big Reveal: A tree lighting ceremony will take place in Jamison Square (between NW Johnson St and NW Kearney at NW 10th Ave) at 5:00 pm. McKenna, a recipient of a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, will wave a magic wand to light the tree. Oregon Repertory Singer’s Brillante Choir will perform. Free Wish stars and other gifts and goodies will be handed out to guests and families. For more information, visit the event website. This event is part of the Pearl District Holiday Big Reveal where holiday window displays by more than 70 merchants will be simultaneously unveiled at 10:00 am. Businesses will be offering special programs, free cider and hot chocolate and other treats on Saturday and Sunday, November 29–30. Click here for more information.
Spirit of Christmas Events in Gresham: In downtown Gresham starting at 10:00 am, events will be happening throughout the day including a petting zoo, hayrides, crafts, entertainment and more. At 6:00 pm, Santa will arrive, the tree will be lit, and there will be a parade and fireworks show. For more information, visit the event website. Click on the link “More information” to access the complete schedule (PDF file).
Mega Craft Workshop at Tigard Library: Drop in for an assortment of craft projects for children, teens and adults. Refreshments will be served. 13500 SW Hall Blvd, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Lighting of Maddax Woods in West Linn: Enjoy a magical walk down a lit, accessible path through the Woods and to the viewing platform on the Willamette River. Free hot chocolate. 5785 River Street, West Linn, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Saraveza Grand Opening Shin Dig: The fun continues on Saturday with more free beer, hot dogs and pasties starting at noon. 1004 N Killingsworth St. For more information, click here and here.
Metal Record Release Party: Come be a part of the release of the fourth album by Metal. Some refreshments will be provided. Artistery (4315 SE Division St), 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Egg Plant/Boy and Bean (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
Eric John Kaiser (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
The Cowboy Heroes (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. All ages until 10:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
Sunday, November 30
Spirit of Christmas Events in Gresham: Events continue at Gresham Station Shopping Center. For more information, visit the event website. Click on the link “More information” to access the complete schedule (PDF file).
Trevor Blake: The Approximately Omnidirectional Ephemeralization of Richard Buckminster Fuller: One of Portland’s resident Buckminster Fuller scholars presents an innovative meditation on the man who urged us all to “do more with less.” Portland Center Stage (Mezzanine), Gerding Theater at the Armory (128 NW Eleventh Ave), 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
“The Royal Tenenbaums” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Michael Dean Damron (website) will perform at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. Ages 21+. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, please contact me.
Genesis Community Fellowship is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 26, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
From Genesis:
This is your special invitation to come down and join us for turkey and all the trimmings for FREE. If you know someone that would benefit from a warm meal, please bring them along. Great home-cooking and friendly folks guaranteed!!! We want you to feel loved and served in our house. So please, come on in out of the rain and join us. Come as you are…ALL are welcome.
Genesis Community Fellowship is located at:
5425 NE 27th Avenue (corner of 27th & Killingsworth)
Portland, OR 97211 Map
503.281.9472
The #9 bus stops in front of the church.
For more information about Genesis Community Fellowship, visit their website.
Portland Christian Center is putting on a massive Christmas concert featuring more than 250 singers, live orchestra, children’s choir, youth choir and more.
If you’d like to attend, go to the PCC website now to reserve your tickets. A couple of shows have already “sold out.” As of this moment, available shows are:
Friday, December 5, 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 7:30 pm
Friday, December 12, 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 13, 4:30 pm
Saturday, December 13, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 14, 4:30 pm
Sunday, December 14, 7:30 pm
Portland Christian Center is located at:
5700 SW Dosch Road
Portland, OR 97239 Map
Admission is free for all events below. Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 31
Halloween events: View the list here. And be sure to check the comments for updates.
Saturday, November 1
Day of the Dead Procession and Altar Build: Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave) will host a series of activities in honor of the Day of the Dead, including a sugar skull decorating session, community altar build, procession through the Pearl and Old Town, movies and more. 3:00 pm–7:00 pm. Visit the Someday Lounge website for all the details.
Day of the Dead Celebrationhosted by the Portland Early Learning Project: This event includes storytelling, crafts, singing, traditional Mexican music and more. Urban Grind Coffeehouse (2214 NE Oregon), 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Day of the Dead Celebration at Capitol Hill Library: Celebrate the Day of the Dead with skeletons, crafts and more. 10723 SW Capitol Hwy, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Hawaiian Holiday Bazaar in Vancouver: This event includes Hawaiian and ethnic foods, hula from Oregon and Washington area halau, Hawaiian music, and arts and crafts on sale from local artisans and distributors. Jefferson Middle School, 3000 NW 119th St, Vancouver, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
GreenWalks: Explore Hoyt Arboretum with a guide from Portland Parks & Recreation. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Appropriate for adults and families. Meet at the Visitor Center at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. For details, visit the PP&R website.
Wilsonville-Kitakata Celebration: Wilsonville is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its sister-city relationship with Kitakata, Japan, with a ceremony and reception at City Hall at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Sidestreet Reny (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
Gideon Freudmann (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Dry County Crooks (website) will perform at Rock Creek Tavern at 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the Rock Creek Tavern website.
“The Paley’s Place Cookbook”: Chef Vitaly Paley will talk about “The Paley’s Place Cookbook” at 2:00 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside. For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
Children’s book author David Michael Slater will read “Cheese Louise” and help kids do some writing of their own at the Tigard Library at 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Sunday, November 2
Day of the Dead Celebration: Gumbo Gifts and Gallery (3636 N. Mississippi) invites the community to bring photographs, candles, and other items of commemoration to place on a public altar to celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Activities also include making papel picado (“cut paper”) and offerings of pan de muerto, a sweet bread made just for the event. For more information, visit the event website.
Portland Opera Preview: This lecture/concert will cover historical background, composer information and musical selections from “Fidelio.” Central Library, 2:00 pm–3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Groundation will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 4:30 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
Ben Darwish (website) will perform at Someday Lounge at 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the Someday Lounge website.
Greg Clarke will perform old-time and bluegrass music at the Sellwood-Moreland Library (7860 SE 13th Ave) at 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Jon Koonce (website) will perform at Edgefield at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Southwest Washington Wind Symphony: The SW Washington Wind Symphony opens its fourth season by showcasing band classics from the early 20th century and the “blues” at the Mountain View High School Auditorium (1500 SE Blairmont Drive, Vancouver) at 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Sunday Cinema Classics at St. Johns Library: “On Moonlight Bay” will be showing at 2:00 pm. Free tickets for limited seating will be available 30 minutes prior to the program. For more information, visit the event website.
“The Devil’s Backbone” will be showing at Press Club at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, please contact me.
Excited that Halloween is on a Friday this year? Me too. So much so that rather than waiting until Friday (when I would normally publish the list of free weekend events), I decided to publish a list of free Halloween events right now.
If you know of any other free fun happening on Halloween (kid-friendly or adult-only), please share by writing a comment.
Free events for the rest of the weekend will be posted on Friday.
Be safe and have fun out there!
Halloween events for October 31:
Davis Graveyard in Milwaukie: For 10 years, Jeff and Chris Davis have transformed their property into an award-winning spooksville. The house is on the corner of Johnson Creek Boulevard and SE 43rd, and is open daily for viewing. On Halloween, lights and special effects will be on from dusk until 11:00 pm, and the street will be closed to vehicles. For more information, visit the Davis Graveyard website.
Halloween at Kennedy School: Bring your kids-in-costume and wander the halls for treats. After trick-or-treating, check out two free performances of H.G. Wells’ “The Island of Dr. Moreau.” Trick-or-treating runs from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and the performances will begin at 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Wieden + Kennedy Halloween Party: Every year W+K opens its doors to the public and creates a spooky playland for the kids to explore. Dressing up is not mandatory, but it is encouraged. 224 NW 13th Ave, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the W+K blog or the W+K website.
4th Annual Howl-o-ween: Neighborhood Notes invites families to celebrate Howl-o-ween at Isobel’s Clubhouse (300 block of NW 10th Ave) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Some of the clubhouse’s neighbors will be passing out treats, and each family will receive a complimentary digital photo of their ghoul or goblin courtesy of Kenneth Aaron Photography. For more information, visit the Neighborhood Notes website.
Trick-or-Treating at Pix: Both Pix Patisserie locations will be giving away free macaroons and chocolates to anyone (of any age) who stops by in costume. For more information, visit the Pix website.
Mexican Sugar Skull Celebration: In honor of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), decorate Mexican Sugar Skulls at SpielWerk Toy Store (7956 SE 13th) from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. More information can be found at DIY Alert.
Halloween in the Sumner Neighborhood: Neighbors, parents, grandparents, guardians and of course all young goblins are invited to put on their favorite costumes and enjoy a night of games and treats. Helensview High School (87th & NE Sumner) from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. More information can be found on Neighborhood Notes.
Not So Spooky Storytelling at Woodstock Library: Families are invited to hear some not-so-scary stories. And, if you’d like, wear a costume and participate in a parade. 6008 SE 49th Ave, 4:30 pm to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Halloween at Music Millennium: Party includes a performance by Eagles of Death Metal, a costume contest, and treats. 3158 E. Burnside, 6:00 pm. Thanks to PDX Pipeline for the heads up.
Adult costume party at Airplay Cafe: The party includes live music by Gavin Wahl-Stevens, James Sasser and Quinn Allan. Drink specials when you come in costume. 701 E. Burnside St, 8:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Harvest Festival in Lents: The Harvest Festival is fun, free and open to everyone. Come enjoy food, crafts and games. Free books and clothing closet. Pilgrim Lutheran Church (4244 SE 91st Ave), 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. For more info, call Jean @ 503.774.2497 or 503.777.3541.
Halloween Movie Night at Architectural Heritage Center: AHC (701 SE Grand) will host a showing of “The Haunting” at 7:00 pm. Treats will be provided. Please register in advance: 503.231.7264 or info@visitahc.org. For more information, visit Neighborhood Notes.
Safe Trick-or-Treating in Gresham: From 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, trick-or-treaters are invited to Main Avenue in Historic Downtown Gresham where merchants will be handing out candy and other treats. For the event, Main Street will be closed to vehicles. For more information, visit the Gresham website.
Harvest Fest in Lake Oswego: Dress up the kids and head over to Millennium Plaza Park from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for trick-or-treating, crafts, games and a puppet show. You can also bring your favorite pumpkin dish to be judged by Gert Boyle, Chairman of Columbia Sportswear. Transition Projects will be accepting donations of coats and blankets. For more information, visit the Lake Oswego website.
Safe Trick-or-Treating in West Linn: At Cascade Summit Shopping Center (22500 Salamo Road), participating businesses will hand out treats to costumed visitors from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the West Linn website.
Halloween Costume Party at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse: All ages are invited to enjoy live music by Jon Koonce & One More Mile, food and drink specials, spooky holiday fun and more. And sure, you can dress in costume. 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
For more events, both free and not free, check out:
Portland Center Stage is offering $10 tickets for the October 31 performances of “Guys & Dolls” and “R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE.” For your money, you’ll not only see a great show, but also get to close the night with free food and a chance to win season passes. The catch: You have to dress up like your favorite Broadway character. But that’s not too hard, is it? Okay, you don’t have to dress up, but it would be more fun if you did.
Dress up like your favorite Broadway character and get $10 tickets to the Halloween performance of Guys & Dolls or R. Buckminster Fuller: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE. Then stay for the party and enjoy complimentary beer from Deschutes Brewery, as well as wine and a few treats, and a costume contest (judged by the Portland Center Stage costume shop) where you could win a pair of “Broadway at Home” season passes to PCS. It’s the most fun you can have off stage this Halloween.
Looking for something different to do on Halloween?
Miracle Theatre is offering a 2-for-1 ticket deal for their Day of the Dead show “La Carpa del Maestro.” When you purchase one regular adult ticket online, you will get a second regular adult ticket free. The offer is good only for the October 31 performance at 8:00 pm.
“La Carpa del Maestro” is an original bilingual (Spanish-English) production. As Tim Krause, Marketing Director of Miracle Theatre, describes: “This is not a Halloween show, but a warm and sentimental show to celebrate el Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, when we welcome back the spirits of those who have gone before us.”
The show is suitable for families with children 5 and up (children under 5 are not admitted to the theatre).
Author David Wolman will talk about his book “Righting the Mother Tongue” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W. Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
Author David Heatley will talk about his book “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s Books on Hawthorne (3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
Art Opening and Reception for “Un Bijou”: Artist Susan Lake explores themes of nature, balance, and the role of humans in the world through her art. She works in pencils and watercolors, as well as fabric art and needle-felting. Children are welcome at the event. Gossamer (2418 E. Burnside St), 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
“Steeped,” the first Portland-made narrative film produced by wideshot studios, is making its long-awaited debut, alongside other films and music videos made by the wideshot team. The screening is at Mount Tabor Legacy on SE 48th and Hawthorne at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Author Molly Gloss will talk about her book “The Hearts of Horses” at the Cedar Mill Community Library (12505 NW Cornell Rd) at 6:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
“Haunters,” a high-production, locally produced documentary, profiles the fascinating subculture of the haunted attraction industry and people who produce home-made & backyard “haunted house” events. Featuring an original soundtrack by Portland band, Point Line Plane. Starts at 10:00 pm sharp at Someday Lounge (125 NW 5th Ave). For more information, visit the event website.
Saturday, October 25
ParkFest 2008: Come Play & Have Your Say: The event will include workshops, discussion groups and information tables on the future of Portland’s park, as well as lots of recreational activities and class demonstrations for folks of all ages. University Park Community Center (9009 N. Foss), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Lead-Safe Kids Fair: The event includes lead-free toy giveaways, blood lead testing, kids’ activities, toy and dishware/pottery lead screening (up to 4 items per household), lead poisoning prevention workshop and more. Community Room at IRCO (10301 NE Glisan St), 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
East Portland/Montavilla Halloween Carnival: Kids aged 10 years and under, with an accompanying adult, are invited to an evening of carnival games, face painting, crafts and more. Tickets for activities are 4 for $1. Bring 2 cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank and receive a maximum of 4 free tickets per family. Wear a costume and march in the parade at the end of the night. East Portland Community Center (740 SE 106th Ave), 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
St. Johns Spooktacular: Kids aged 3 to 11 years are invited to enjoy carnival games, face painting and more at St. Johns Community Center (8427 N. Central) from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Tickets for activities are 5/$1. Every can of food you donate for the Oregon Food Bank will earn you 1 free bag of popcorn. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit the event website.
Halloween Party at A Children’s Place Bookstore: The festivities will kick off with a reading from local author Dale Bayse followed by activities and ghoulish good times for all. 4807 NE Fremont St, 11:00 am. For more information, visit the event website.
”Gourdy Pumpernickel’s Harvest Surprise”: The Mudeye Puppet Company presents this all-new, all-original, all-ages puppet show about a determined but slightly silly farmer who never gives up. Hillsdale Library (1525 SW Sunset Blvd), 11:00 am–11:45 am and noon–12:45 pm. Free tickets for seating will be available at the reference desk 30 minutes prior to the first program, at 10:30 am. For more information, visit the event website.
Ledding Library’s Halloween Party: Kids of all ages are invited to the library at 2:00 pm for games, crafts, and non-spooky magic by magician Curt Nelson. Costumes are welcome. For more information, visit the library website.
5th Annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin: Giant 800-pound pumpkin boats will compete in a zany and exciting series of heats. This year’s event will include pumpkin decorating, music, hot food and drinks and more. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Lake at Tualatin Commons (8325 SW Nyberg St). For more information, access the flyer here (PDF file).
Happy Valley Harvest Fest: Come to Happy Valley Park from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for live jazz music, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, a pumpkin recipe contest and more. About 300 free pumpkins will be given away. More information can be found at the Happy Valley website or OregonLive.
Happy Valley Volkswalk: Happy Valley will also host a Volkswalking event beginning at 8:00 am at Happy Valley Park. The event includes short, guided walks for families, as well as 5K and 10K walks. More information can be found at the Happy Valley website or OregonLive.
African American Alliance Homeownership Fair: Home buying and homeownership professionals will lead workshops for future homeowners, current homeowners and seniors. Free ice cream and activities will occupy the kids. Emanuel Hospital Atrium (501 North Graham), 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
World Wide Sketch Crawl: A sketch crawl is a drawing marathon. Think pub crawl without the pub (or with the pub if you desire). Join the Portland group downtown at 10:00 am. Meet at the Starbucks on SW Park (at Clay). We’ll sketch around the South Park Blocks and share our sketches with each other. For more information, visit the event website.
GreenWalks: Explore University Park with a guide from Portland Parks & Recreation. 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Appropriate for adults and families. Meet in front of the Community Center at 9009 N. Foss Ave. For details, visit the PP&R website.
Ehren Ebbage (website) will perform at Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside) at 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the Music Millennium website.
Ali Wesley (website) will perform at East Burn (1800 E. Burnside) at 10:00 pm. Visit the East Burn website for more information.
Lisa Stringfield and Lara Michelle (both formerly of Carmina Piranha) will perform at Press Club at 8:30 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Eric John Kaiser (website) will perform at Edgefield at 7:00 pm. For more information, visit the Edgefield website.
Annie Bloom’s Books 30th Anniversary Party: From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, bring the kids for cake, food and fun. From 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, a reception for local authors will be held at O’Connor’s Annex. In the bookstore, local musicians Dick Weissman and Tim Roth will be playing at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, respectively. Food, drink and lively conversation will flow into the late hours. For more information, visit the event website.
Sunday, October 26
Portland Zombie Walk 2008: Zombie aficionados are invited to dress up and roam together through the streets of downtown Portland. Meet at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 4:00 pm exactly. For more information, visit the event website.
Festival of Faith 2008: Join members of 24 different faith groups for a day of music, dance, art and discussion. Talk with followers of Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Bahai and other faiths. Portland State University Smith Memorial Student Center, 3rd Floor Ballroom (1825 SW Broadway), 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Moreland Monster March: Kids and their parents will be marching down Milwaukie & Bybee Avenues decked out in their Halloween costumes. The Monster March starts at 3:00 pm from Llewellyn School and ends there. Lots of fun and lots of candy. Neighborhood Notes has a bit more info.
Spooky Stroll Halloween Parade & Events in West Linn: Costumed moms, dads, kids and on-leash pets are all invited to participate. The approximately three-quarter mile stroll starts and ends at Tanner Creek Park. There will be music, crafts, candies, cookies and hot drinks for everyone to enjoy. 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
“Who Killed the Electric Car?” will be showing at Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd). Doors open at 4:30 pm; film starts at 5:00 pm. All ages. For more information, visit the event website.
Children’s book author Addie Boswell will read from her new picture storybook “Rain Stomper” and lead kids in a writing and drawing activity. Tigard Library (13125 SW Hall Blvd), 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Press Club will host the world premiere of Loch Lomond’s new video “Blue Lead Fences” at 8:00 pm, followed by a showing of the Mel Brooks classic “Young Frankenstein” at 9:00 pm. Press Club is located at 2621 SE Clinton St, 503.233.5656.
Author Alan Cheuse will talk about his book “To Catch the Lightning” at 7:30 pm at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside (1005 W Burnside). For more information, visit the Powell’s website.
Envisioning America: Jews and the Making of the Broadway Musical: A lively afternoon of conversation and song exploring the Broadway musical and the vivid, pioneering contributions of Jewish artists to the genre. Presented by Portland Center Stage. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave),12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
Wonder Woman Day: The all-ages event will include a quartet of comic book creators signing Wonder Woman comics and special art prints, as well as a silent art auction with over 150 of the world’s top artists contributing original art, plus costumed super-heroes on-site, raffles, and more. A benefit for Raphael House, Bradley-Angle House and Portland Women’s Crisis Line. Excalibur Comics (2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd), noon to 6:00 pm. Click here for more information.
If you know of any other free events happening this weekend, please write a comment about it. If you’d like me to include an event in a future round-up, please contact me.
