For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.
February
The Portland International Film Festival, Portland. Although not one of the country's top film festivals, plenty of interesting foreign films and documentaries are shown. Screenings are held at various theaters around the city. tel. 503/221-1156; www.nwfilm.org. Last 3 weeks of February.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland. This 9-month-long repertory festival features about a dozen plays -- some by Shakespeare and others by classical and contemporary playwrights. tel. 800/219-8161 or 541/482-4331; www.osfashland.org. February through October.
Newport Seafood and Wine Festival, Newport. Taste local seafood dishes and wines while shopping for art. tel. 800/262-7844 or 541/265-8801; www.newportchamber.org. Last full weekend in February.
March
Tulip Fest, Woodburn. Bold swaths of color paint the landscape at the Wooden Shoe Bulb Company's annual celebration of tulips. tel. 800/711-2006 or 503/634-2243; www.woodenshoe.com. Late March to early May.
April
Hood River Valley Blossom Festival, Hood River. Celebrates the blossoming of the orchards outside the town of Hood River. tel. 800/366-3530 or 541/386-2000; www.hoodriver.org. Third weekend in April.
May
Mother's Day Rhododendron Show, Portland. At Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, blooming rhododendrons and azaleas transform the tranquil garden into a mass of blazing color. tel. 503/771-8386. Mother's Day.
Memorial Day Weekend in the Wine Country, throughout the wine country surrounding Portland. This is one of two weekends celebrated by Willamette Valley wineries with special tastings and events. Many wineries not usually open to the public open on this weekend. tel. 503/646-2985; www.willamettewines.com. Memorial Day weekend.
Boatnik, Grants Pass. Jet boats and hydroplanes race on the Rogue River. There's also a parade and carnival. tel. 800/547-5927; www.boatnik.com. Memorial Day weekend.
June
Sandcastle Day, Cannon Beach. Artistic sand-sculpted creations are created along the beach. tel. 503/436-2623; www.cannonbeach.org. Early June.
Sisters Rodeo and Parade, Sisters. A celebration of the West in this duded-up Western-themed town near Bend. tel. 800/827-7522 or 541/549-0121; www.sistersrodeo.com. Second weekend of June.
Portland Rose Festival, Portland. From its beginnings back in 1888, the Rose Festival has blossomed into Portland's biggest celebration. The festivities now span nearly a month and include the nation's second-largest all-floral parade, a starlight parade, rose queen contest, music festival, and dragon-boat races. tel. 503/227-2681; www.rosefestival.org. Most events (some of which are free) take place during the middle 2 weeks of June.
Britt Festivals, Jacksonville. Performing-arts festival with world-class jazz, pop, classical, folk, and country music, plus dance and musical-theater performances in a beautiful natural setting. tel. 800/882-7488 or 541/773-6077; www.brittfest.org. June through September.
Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene. One of the biggest Bach festivals in the country. Tickets go on sale in mid-January. tel. 800/457-1486 or 541/346-5666; www.oregonbachfestival.com. Late June to mid-July.
July
Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland. This is Portland's biggest summer party and takes place in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Expect lots of big names in blues. tel. 503/973-FEST [3378]; www.waterfrontbluesfest.com. Fourth of July weekend.
Oregon Country Fair, Eugene. Counterculture craft fair and festival for Deadheads young and old. tel. 541/343-4298; www.oregoncountryfair.org. Second weekend in July.
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, Sisters. During this large outdoor quilt show, the entire town gets decked out in colorful handmade quilts. tel. 541/549-0989; www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org. Second Saturday of July.
Da Vinci Days, Corvallis. Three-day celebration of science and technology with performances, art, interactive exhibits, children's activities, food, and wine. tel. 541/757-6363; www.davinci-days.org. Third weekend in July.
Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland. One of the country's largest festivals of independent craft brewers features lots of local and international microbrews and music. tel. 503/778-5917; www.oregonbrewfest.com. Last weekend in July.
August
Mount Hood Jazz Festival, Gresham (less than 30 min. from Portland). For the jazz fan, this is the most important festival of the summer. tel. 503/661-2700; www.mthoodjazz.com. Mid-August.
Oregon State Fair, Salem. A typical agricultural state fair, although with wine and home-brew competitions. tel. 800/833-0011 or 503/947-3247; www.oregonstatefair.org. The 12 days before and including Labor Day.
September
Eugene Celebration, Eugene. Street party celebrating the diversity of the community. Festivities include the crowning of the Slug Queen. tel. 541/681-4108; www.eugenecelebration.com. Early September.
Salem Art Fair & Festival, Salem. The largest juried art fair in Oregon, under the trees in Bush's Pasture Park, with musical entertainment and food booths. tel. 503/581-2228; www.salemart.org. Second weekend in September.
Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire, Kings Valley (near Corvallis). Go back 500 years to celebrate the age of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare with jousting and period costumes in an Elizabethan village. www.shrewfaire.com. Second weekend of September.
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, Mount Angel. Biergarten, Bavarian-style oompah bands, food booths. tel. 503/845-9440; www.oktoberfest.org. Second weekend after Labor Day.
Pendleton Round-Up, Pendleton. Rodeo, Native American pageant, country-music concert. tel. 800/457-6336 or 541/276-2553; www.pendletonroundup.com. Mid-September.
October
Fall Kite Festival, Lincoln City. Kite carnival including a wide and wild variety of kites, plus kite fights, kite-making demonstrations, and other activities. tel. 800/452-2151; www.oregoncoast.org. Mid-October.
Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, Hood River. Under tents set up on the waterfront, enjoy fruit products of the region, crafts, and entertainment; drive the Fruit Loop to visit farm stands and wineries. tel. 800/366-3530 or 541/386-2000; www.hoodriver.org. Third weekend in October.
November
Stormy Weather Arts Festival, Cannon Beach. Celebration of the rainy season features lots of live music, a gallery walk, and a quick-draw art event in which artists have 1 hour to paint a picture. tel. 503/436-2623; www.cannonbeach.org. First weekend in November.
Wine Country Thanksgiving, Willamette Valley. About 30 miles outside of Portland, more than 100 wineries open their doors for tastings of new releases, usually with food and live music. tel. 503/646-2985; www.willamettewines.com. Thanksgiving weekend.
Holiday Lights and Open House at Shore Acres State Park, Charleston. Extravagantly decorated gardens near dramatic cliffs at the Oregon coast. tel. 541/888-2472; www.shoreacres.net. Thanksgiving through December.
Holiday Festival of Light, Ashland. More than a million lights decorate the town. tel. 541/482-3486; www.ashlandchamber.com. Thanksgiving through December.
December
Holiday Parade of Ships, Willamette and Columbia rivers in the Portland area. Boats decked out in fanciful holiday lights parade and circle on the rivers after nightfall. www.christmasships.org. Mid-December.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
