Cultural Events, Festivals & Celebrations

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8 Seconds- Juneteenth Rodeo Annually: June Founded by Portland-based photojournalist Ivan McClellan, the first Black rodeo in the Pacific Northwest offers an immersive experience into the world of professional rodeo competitions alongside delicious food, music, and family fun.

The monumental full day event will unite our community, immersing the audience in the western lifestyle. From activities on the grounds and brand activations, to barrels, bulls, and music inside the arena.

Come celebrate the cowboys of today and the legacy of Black rodeo. Featuring some of today’s bravest riders, nastiest bulls, tastiest food, and live beats from, this will be an experience like no other.  Held at the Portland Expo Center.

All Things Family: Annual BIPOC Family Conference Annually: Check website for details This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow as a family. Join us for a jam-packed schedule of engaging workshops, interactive activities, and inspiring speakers, all curated to support the unique needs for Black and Brown families.

Discover the secrets to successful parenting, strengthen your family bonds, and gain valuable insights into raising happy and healthy kids. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or guardian, this conference is for you!

Our expert speakers will cover a wide range of topics, including effective communication, positive discipline strategies, and how to foster a loving and supportive family environment. You'll leave with practical tips, new ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose in your family life.

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Bike and Bite, Coalition of Black Men Annually: Check website for details Bike and Bite is one of the Coalition of Black Men health initiatives. It’s a fantastic opportunity to promote health, wellness, and community spirit. This exciting event is open to both our members and the local community in Portland, Oregon. Participants embark on a scenic 20-mile bike ride through the city, with bikes provided by our organization, so there is no need to rent or purchase one. Before the ride, a health expert expounds on the benefits of healthy living, especially staying active and social. Additionally, the expert guides participants through a series of stretching exercises to help prevent injuries. After the ride, our organization, with support from its generous donors, provides a delicious and healthy meal.

The Black Cultural Festival Annually: Summer Eugene, OR The Black Cultural Festival is a day for people of Afro descent, our families, and close friends to join together in celebration of our vibrant culture and community. It is an event created for us by us, and supported by organizations, companies, and people like you – who want to aid in unifying and uplifting our local Black community.  The Festival is a production of The Black Cultural Initiative.

Black History Festival NW, World Stage Theatre  Annually: Feb The Mission of Black History Festival NW is to celebrate, honor, and elevate the rich tapestry of the African Diaspora in the pacific northwest through arts, education, and advocacy.

Black Liberation Ride Annually: June/Juneteenth Black Liberation Ride in 2024 - a community bike ride for Black + Brown Portlanders, hosted on Saturday, June 15th, in observance of Juneteenth - aka the celebration of the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African - aka Black Independence Day! This ride is a moment to come together, take up space, and celebrate in solidarity by riding around Portland.

This ride is centered around the Black / Brown community.  This ride is kid-friendly, NO DROP, and open to all rider levels.

Want to join but you don't have a bike? Reach out to @brownsugarbathbomb or @the_genius_prince_ on Instagram, and we'll get you hooked up with a ride, courtesy of BIKETOWN.

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The Cascade Festival of African Films Annually: Feb-March The Cascade Festival of African Films is the longest-running annual, non-profit, non-commercial, largely volunteer-run African Film Festival in the United States. We are committed to the following:

  • Developing knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the richness, complexity, and diversity of African peoples and their cultures.

  • Building community and encouraging open, honest dialogue by bringing people together to view African films, meet African filmmakers, participate in after-film discussions, and debate issues of personal and global significance.

  • Encouraging inclusiveness and accessibility by offering the festival free of charge.

  • Creating an audience for African film in Portland, Oregon, and its environs.

  • Serving as a resource of information about African cinema.

  • Working with Portland Community College to build a library of African cinema for use by students, faculty, staff, and the public.

  • Sharing our passion for and knowledge of Africa and African cultures through film.

Celebration of Black History, Portland Trail Blazers Annually: Feb Black History Month is a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor the legacies of barrier-breakers, changemakers, and culture shapers. Black history and Black culture is ingrained in the fabric of our society through beauty, art, music, literature, innovation, sports and so much more. We are celebrating the beauty, strength, and resilience that define Black History and the influences of a culture that enriches us all.

Clara Peoples Freedom Trail Parade & Juneteenth Celebration, Juneteenth OR Annually: June Juneteenth OR is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and strengthening communities and sharing knowledge of the history of Juneteenth. This is a community empowered festival. Juneteenth is an annual celebration of freedom. The Oregon celebration has been active for over 50 years.

Come Thru Market: A Market Centering Black and Indigenous Farmers and Makers Annually: May-Oct Come Thru Market is an incubator market centering Black and Indigenous Farmers, Makers, and Friends. We support BIPOC growers in taking their small business dreams to the farmers market environment. It’s a vibe - Come Thru and get what you need. We are an anti-racist market.

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Equitable Giving Circle: Free Market for Black & Brown Folks Weekly: Thursdays We are a femme-led, women-led and Black-led organization. Inspired by the women’s giving circles before us, the identity of our leadership is a driving factor in our commitment to building BIPOC community in Portland and our mission of making large economic deposits into the BIPOC economy in Portland while also encouraging community healing and immediate impact.

Come to our weekly free market for Black & Brown folks where you can get fresh produce, pantry items, proteins and more! 

Market located at: Alder Commons 4212 Northeast Prescott Street Portland, OR, 97218

Equitable Giving Circle: Holiday Extravaganza Annually: Dec Centering Black Joy for the Holidays! An Event for Black Families and Youth. Get ready for a festive celebration filled with joy, laughter, giving, and holiday spirit. Attendees can expect to leave with holiday gifts to support their holiday celebration. We will have wellness and household items, toys of all kinds, Black Santa, and holiday snacks.

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Freedom Festival Annually: June We are an all-star team of passionate book lovers and community builders from the best book club in all of Portland, Prose Before Bros! Started in 2018, PBB is a community for WOC who are underrepresented and often ignored (especially in the literary world) and gives them a space to be seen and heard. PBB is now a book club with over 400 members!

Following the success of PBB, a group of us got together to figure out how we could expand this idea of building community but for the larger BIPOC community in Portland. We already knew that Portland is one of the most literate cities in the country and our library system one of the largest in the world. So how could we build something that incorporates the literary community but also centers Black and Brown voices and their stories? Just like PBB, we wanted to create a space where POC can exist without explanation, and so, The Freedom Festival was born.

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Good in the Hood Annually: June The Good In The Hood (GITH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by the parents and staff of Holy Redeemer Catholic School with a vision to raise funding for the school and to celebrate diversity. The GITH staff of volunteers has continued that tradition and provides a viable venue to maintain ‘Unity in the Community’ (our motto) and most importantly, the ability to provide scholarships to enrolled college students.
This annual three-day festival is the largest of its type in the Pacific Northwest and takes place annually on the last weekend of June. It opens with a parade that travels through Northeast Portland and ends at the site of the festival. The festival site provides a setting where businesses are able to share their resources, small businesses are able to sell their products, and where locally and nationally renowned musicians perform their extraordinary talents.

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Joyous Kwanzaa Celebration, Beaverton Black Parent Union Annually: Dec Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.

This Kwanzaa is a partnership between Tualatin Parks and Recreation and the Beaverton Black Parent Union (BBPU). Kwanzaa is a time for communities to come together to remember the past and to embrace African American traditions of food, music, love, and unity. Bring your family and friends for this joyous community event!

Juneteenth Celebration at Miracles Club Annually: June BBQ, music, vendors, kids' activities, live entertainment & guest speakers.

Juneteenth Central Oregon, The Father’s Group Annually: June Bend, OR The annual Juneteenth Central Oregon celebration is rooted in education, entertainment, and fostering a vibrant and safe environment for the community. Joined by the African and Caribbean Community, our event promises an immersive experience filled with authentic African, Caribbean, and African American cuisine, art, music, and education. Embrace the cultural tapestry through enlightening educational activities, captivating entertainment, and a shared culinary journey that celebrates the diverse heritage of our communities.

Juneteenth Community History Walk Annually: June Salem, OR The Willamette Heritage Center, Oregon Black Pioneers and Just Walk Salem Keizer host an annual community history walking tour to celebrate the Juneteenth Holiday. The vision for this event, which started in 2023, was to bring people together to walk as a community and follow in the footsteps of local families whose lives were impacted by slavery and emancipation. The walk tells these families’ stories by visiting the physical locations in which they lived, worked, worshiped, and commemorated the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. We hope to feature a new family or individual each year and further document and celebrate Salem’s early Black community.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, The Skanner Foundation Annually: Jan The Skanner Foundation invites the community to share breakfast and celebrate the life, work, and vision of civil rights icon the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. with its annual breakfast celebration.

The MLK Dream Run Annually: Check website for more details The MLK Dream Run is an annual fundraiser for the Soul District Business Association. Participating in this event supports:

  • Small Business Training Program - Business coaching, referrals that matter, branding, marketing and promotion

  • Our Youth Entrepreneurship Program (ages 16 -24). Teaching professional development, expanding business skill set, and operating a successful business.

Multnomah County Library Events: Culturally-Specific Programming Monthly: Check website for events and dates Activities, Classes, and Programs catered to the Black community.

My Hair My Health PDX (MHMH PDX) Health Event Annually: Check website for dates My Hair My Health PDX annual events have consisted of keynotes, panel presentations, documentary screenings, vendors, workshops, food sampling, movement breaks, demonstrations and give-a-ways. 

My People's Market Biannually Launched in November 2017, My People's Market grew from a desire to create pathways for entrepreneurs of color to connect with the travel industry and new market opportunities. 

My People's Market is a collaborative event organized by Travel Portland and Prosper Portland. The marketplace is aimed to advance opportunities for business owners of color by connecting them to the travel industry and other professionals who can help expand and scale their businesses. All the vendors are sourced from Mercatus. This event is one of a series of connection opportunities for the Inclusive Business Resource Network of Prosper Portland.

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Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL), Black & Beyond the Binary Collective Annually: 1st Tuesday of August NOSL is an annual event that takes place on the first Tuesday of August, where we redefine and reimagine what safety means for our communities. Shifting away from fear, punishment, and criminalization and towards building power relationships and creating true safety in our communities, #WeKeepUsSafe

NW Black Comedy Festival Annually: Feb Dirty Angel Entertainment presents the annual NW Black Comedy Festival which includes live performers, live podcasts, multiple nights showcasing new and upcoming comedians as well as headliners from around the country.

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OMSI Black Community Science Night Annually: Oct In partnership with the community, OMSI is proud to host our third-annual Black Community Science Night! This family friendly event welcomes visitors of all ages for a night of museum exploring, science demos, lectures, and cultural entertainment. All are welcome!

Featuring music, science demonstrations, planetarium shows, access to our featured exhibit, Exquisite Creatures Revealed!, as well as our Natural Sciences exhibit Playing With Light. Science Playground will be open for the little ones and we will have activities for all ages.

(See website in the Fall for date announcement)

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The Pan African Festival Annually: Check website for details The Pan African Festival is an annual festival that includes live entertainment, cultural foods, arts and crafts, and much more. Pan African Festival emphasizes promoting health equity, economic development, providing employment and educational opportunities and building community awareness. These are essential components to empower Pan Africans (Africans, Afro Latinix, Caribbeans and African Americans) and their allies to pursue societal changes which shift social and other determinants of health. Pan African Festival is dedicated to providing the necessary space to talk about, and fight for, social justice.  

PDX Jazz Festival Annually: February PDX Jazz Festival is an annual festival celebrating jazz music and culture through live performances and educational programs in Portland, Oregon, and surrounding communities. Through its year-round programming and partnerships, PDX Jazz aims to elevate jazz as a critical component of Portland’s thriving arts scene, honors special jazz anniversaries and legends, along with feature performances by legendary artists. 

PitchBlack Annually: Check website for event dates What if the ‘Whitest City in America’ led the way in bridging the support and amplification of Black owned businesses? What if the capital talks shift from simply being about money and moved toward the importance of social capital as well?

The Portland Black Music Expo Annually: Check website for dates The Portland Black Music Expo is a multi-day entertainment experience and cultural conversation which unifies and reflects the richness of Black people and their culture. This production combines live entertainment in a variety of Black-influenced genres, informative panel discussions, and a hub for community resources. The Expo highlights artistic elements of the Black experience in an inclusive space intended to promote, uplift, and empower patrons from diverse backgrounds both personally and professionally. 

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RACE TALKS Monthly Events: Check website for details RACE TALKS envisions a world beyond superficial connections where race, ethnicity, gender, and religion are no longer barriers to connecting with others, but a means to enhance cross-cultural connections through deep and shared experiences.

RACE TALKS monthly forums are uniquely focused around race dialogues that lift up the voices and experiences of marginalized communities.

Reclaiming Black Joy, ACHIEVE Coalition Annually: Summer Every summer, Multnomah County REACH and Multnomah County Community Adolescent Health (CAH) work with the ACHIEVE Coalition, community organizations, local vendors and volunteers to host a series of gatherings celebrating Black and African culture, resilience and joy.

This "creative place-making initiative" draws hundreds to thousands of participants every year for food, music, culture and family-friendly fun to promote anti-violence and community rebuilding in Portland's historic Black neighborhoods. These gatherings are an exercise in kinship and redevelopment after years of divestment, gentrification and marginalization.

Reclaiming Black Joy events offer a range of free activities including food, music, poetry readings, hair braiding and haircuts, raffles, information on services, face painting, photo booths, vaccinations and more. These events take place at various parks and community hubs and revitalize businesses and neighborhoods while connecting people to community health resources and other initiatives.

Rose City Cigar & Soul Festival Annually: Summer This 3-day celebration is not just about cigars and music— it's about Community, Culture, and Connection. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable weekend where you'll engage with fellow enthusiasts, celebrate the rich heritage of soul music, and experience the vibrant culture of the Rose City. With rooftop venues, live music, educational sessions, and networking opportunities, this festival is a true celebration of the community that brings us all together.

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Say Hey!® Quarterly Say Hey!® is the largest quarterly multicultural networking event in the region.  It’s a chance for professionals of color who have recently relocated to Oregon and southwest Washington to be introduced to the community, meet other professionals and community leaders, and connect.  Everyone is welcome to join the largest multicultural networking and uplifting community event.

Sneaker Week Annually: Summer Sneaker Week PDX is an experiential marketing platform that bridges the gap between the global sneaker community and Portland’s thriving footwear industry. We exist to create a more equitable and diverse industry by celebrating diverse cultures, addressing barriers to entry, and promoting entrepreneurship to contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous Oregon.  

Soul Stroll, The Miracles Club Annually: August Soul Stroll is an annual event dedicated to promoting health awareness within the African American community.

Our aim is to provide accessible physical activity programs that enhance overall health and well-being, formerly hosted by the African American Health Coalition for 22 years.

Soul 2 Soul, Bridge-Pamoja Annually: Check website for dates Experience the power of unity and celebration at Soul 2 Soul, a two-day festival dedicated to engaging, invigorating, and empowering the African Diaspora and African Americans in Oregon. Join us for live music, spoken word, African dancing, drumming, cultural food, health screenings, vendor booths, children’s activities, and more. Together, let's repair bridges and celebrate Black resilience

Soul 2 Soul embraces the importance of family and offers engaging activities for children, ensuring that everyone, regardless of age, can participate in this celebration of unity and resilience. Come and experience the joy, the laughter, and the connection that this vibrant festival brings.

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Trans Diaspora of Resilience, Black & Beyond the Binary Collective Annually: November 20 Each year on November 20, we remember the thousands of trans people worldwide who have been murdered just for being their true selves. We especially grieve the loss of so many Black and migrant transgender women. And we honor the resiliency of all trans people of color who are still here, thriving, and fighting for freedom.

Born out of a shared frustration with white-dominated Trans spaces, Black & Beyond the Binary Collective and our homies at Ori Gallery and Forward Together collaborate to bring you a night of celebrating our Transcestors, each other, and visions of a better future than the one we've been handed. We know exactly how many of us parish to anti-trans violence every year and the thousands more that go unrecognized. We want to celebrate with each other while we are alive. Give us our roses while we are here! Fight to liberate and create joy for Black TQNI+ folx now before we are killed. 

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Vanport Jazz Festival Annually: Check website for dates Portland’s jazz scene rose to a crescendo and over time, like the flood that dispersed it, evaporated in fragments. People passed away. Venues closed. But the audience remained, waiting for the music to return.

Today, the Vanport Jazz Festival intends to carry the torch of those musicians who moved to Oregon for work and filled the air with art.

We pay homage to this legacy by hosting a jazz experience for the modern day. We invite living members of the Vanport community, national-caliber talent, and jazz aficionados everywhere to discover this legacy and experience the revival.

The Vanport Mosaic Festival Annually: May-June Join us for two weeks of memory activism to explore the many silenced histories that surround us, and Repair, Reclaim, and Re-imagine our collective story.

The events will take place in various venues in Portland and are free/sliding scale.