With a rallying cry of “Keep Portland Weird,” it is no wonder Portland, Oregon hosts events with artistic flair and local flavor. In the month of November, activities range from walking tours for the city’s visitors to celebrations of art, film and coffee for natives and tourists alike. Whether events are standing weekend or monthly occurrences or annual festivals, November in Portland proves that dull moments are hard to find.
For tourists new to Portland who are looking for a little history and culture, the city offers daily walking tours, covering topics as far ranging as art and history, chocolate and culinary, criminal and ghostly. These multiple award winning tours range in price form $19 to $60 per person as of September 2010, though group and private tours are also available.
Portland Walking Tours
701 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97204
503-774-4522
portlandwalkingtours.com
Running every Saturday and Sunday from March through December, the Portland Saturday Market is an arts and crafts open-air fair. Located in Old Town/Chinatown, the market dates back to 1973 and offers shoppers a chance to skip the mall scene and buy art directly from the artists. The Market brings over 250 artist and food booths together, with entertainment on the main stage every weekend.
Portland Saturday Market
SW Ankeny and Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97209
503-241-4188
portlandsaturdaymarket.com
The Northwest is known for coffee, and Portland’s annual Coffee Fair , hosted at the World Forestry Center, is a celebration of all things joe. The fair teaches caffeine addicts about different roasts, brewing the perfect cup, and coffees from around the world. For an $8 ticket (as of September 2010), attendees will taste test and sample until they vibrate.
World Forestry Center
4033 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221
503-228-1387
worldforestry.org
The only women’s collective to produce an annual festival showcasing women in music, film, visual and performance art, Siren Nation’s festival aims to inspire women of all ages to create art and highlight the achievements of women in art. Lasting all weekend long and ranging over several different venues, the festival features live music, art shows and an arts and crafts sale.
Siren Nation Women’s Music and Art Festival
PO Box 12110
Portland, OR 97212
sirennation.org
The annual Northwest Video and Film Festival showcases short, feature and documentary films. Films are judged by guests judges, who in the past have included Matt Groening, Gus Van Sant and Bill Plympton. Winning films go on to tour Northwest media arts centers, universities and museums. The week-long event is hosted out of the Portland Art Museum's Northwest Film Center.
Northwest Film Center
934 SW Salmon
Portland, OR 97205
503-221-1156
nwfilm.org
After Thanksgiving passes, Portland swings into holiday spirit with a festival of lights that ranges from neighborhood decorations to the tree lighting ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square and animated animal light displays at Portland’s Zoo. With over 200 animals that jump, swing and pop out of bushes, these sculptures turn the zoo into a multicolored haven for animal lovers of all ages.
Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, OR 97221
503-226-1561
oregonzoo.org
The first Thursday of every month Portland's Pearl District provides art lovers with a chance to walk the galleries and see what’s on display while enjoying wine and music. With a variety of galleries participating, art of many mediums and styles is within walking distance, allowing people to shop and chat with other art lovers and the artists themselves. Hours run from 6 to 9 pm.
Downtown Art Gallery Association
308 SW First Ave, Ste158
Portland, OR 97204
503-295-4979
firstthursdayportland.com
