Memorial Day Weekend in Portland is a great chance to spend time with family or friends and experience vivid emotions. Events that take place throughout the long weekend will provide plenty of memories. It's a time to thank the fallen soldiers for the protection of peace and democracy. Memorial Day Weekend is also the beginning of the summer season, which means a lot of exciting festivals and activities.
During Memorial Day Weekend, locals and guests alike can visit CityFair's Rose Festival, the Opening night fireworks show at Waterfront Park, the Multnomah County Fair, the Vanport Mosaic Festival, or the Holi Spring Festival at Topaz Farm. These events are worth attending for those who want to have a good time.
Rose Festival CityFair (May 24-June 9, 2024)
The urban festival takes place over three weeks in late May-early June at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. During this time, visitors will be able to enjoy carnival rides, games, food vendors, live entertainment, exhibits, and other entertainment. On Friday, May 24, the fair will be open from 5 pm to 10 pm; on Saturday, May 25, from 12 pm to 10 pm; and on Sunday and Monday, May 26-27, visitors can come from 12 pm to 9 pm. The organizers will inform guests about the price of the tickets later. Last year, there was a fantastic opening night fireworks show at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Being part of the Portland Rose Festival, it is one of the signature events, attracting visitors from across the region. The Festival features three flower parades and some other activities. The greatest highlight of the festival is the Grand Floral Parade on June 8, 2024. It has been a beloved annual tradition for over 100 years. More about the Portland Rose Festival. The Council officially recognized Portland's Rose Festival as the city's Official Festival.
Vanport Mosaic Festival (May 18-June 1, 2024)
Vanport used to be the second-largest city in Oregon but was destroyed by a catastrophic flood on Memorial Day in 1948. The flood killed at least 15 and displaced 18,700 residents. Vanport was home to a multicultural community and was never rebuilt. However, the memory of the city is preserved by the organization Vanport Mosaic, which conducts The Vanport Mosaic Festival, an annual event held in Portland to commemorate the history and legacy of Vanport City.
The Vanport Mosaic Festival aims to preserve and share the stories of those who lived in Vanport, including the experiences of African American residents. The festival typically includes a variety of events, such as film screenings, panel discussions, performances, walking tours, and exhibits. During the festival, visitors can get a lot of interesting and important information about the history of Vanport and its impact on the broader Portland community.
Multnomah County Fair (May 25-27, 2024)
The Multnomah County Fair runs on May 25-27, 2024, at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland. The three-day family-friendly fair includes competitive exhibits, a pioneer village, musical and stage performances, a car show, small animal activities, and fair foods. Guests can also enjoy rides at Oaks Amusement Park. The gates open from 12 pm to 7 pm with free admission; parking is $5.
Annual Holi Spring Harvest Fest at Topaz Farm (May 25, 2024)
The 2nd Annual Holi Spring Harvest Fest is held at Topaz Farm and features dancing, music, dance demonstrations and lessons, powder mischief, farm animals, and mouth-watering South Asian food. This year's headliner is DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid. The Bollywood and Bhangra dance party will feature Dholi Adam McCollom, Anjali's Gulabi Gang dancers, and Gurpreet Dhillon's PDX Bhangra dance troupe. Color throws will take place every hour from 5 pm to 7 pm. A packet of colors is included with each ticket, and additional packets can be purchased on the farm. An organic powder made from flowers, seeds, and vegetables from India.
