A guide to Portland's summer street fairs
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Planners said the Belmont Street Fair attracted about 22,000 people in 2023. Photo: Belmont Area Business Association
Summer street fair season in Portland means day trips to other neighborhoods to sample their food and take over their bars.
Why it matters: After seven months of gloom, street fairs are the ultimate warm-weather celebration of the city's neighborhoods.
State of play: Smaller fairs such as the Foster Summer Soiree start at Laurelwood Park from noon-5pm on Saturday.
- Here are some larger fairs to also put on your calendar:
Details: One of the more popular street takeovers of the season, nearly 40,000 people swarm the streets, home to staples like Fresh Pot, Paxton Gate and Black Wagon. Don't forget to snag a dairy-free scoop at Kate's Ice Cream to cool off.
Best bit: Musicians bookend each intersection, and don't miss the Grandfather's Rib-Off competition for barbecue.
When: 10am-10pm, Saturday, July 13, N Mississippi Avenue between N Fremont and Skidmore streets.
Details: Montavilla's main street, Stark, is busy again, and this fair features over 120 vendors and three music stages including Kid Villa.
Best bit: Stand in line for Yaowarat or wander around Mr Plywood? Why not both?
When: 10am-6pm, Sunday, July 28, SE 76th Avenue and SE Stark Street.
Details: Spas, tutoring businesses and a Kids Zone at Wild Hearts Wellness …This is the mild side of town.
Best bit: The pet parade. As if Portlanders needed another reason to dress up their dogs.
When: 10pm–4pm Saturday, Aug. 3. NE Fremont Street from NE 42nd-NE 51st avenues.
Details: Multnomah Village's traditional event includes an art fair, food carts and over 125 vendor booths. The Kids Zone is at the Multnomah Arts Center.
Best bit: The parade.
When: 9am–6pm, Saturday, Aug. 17, SW Capitol Highway between SW 31st and SW 37th avenues.
Details: The vintage clothing capital of Portland goes car-free for a day for better access to its many secondhand favorite boutiques, gift shops and restaurants.
Best bit: It's the city's longest-running fair with two beer gardens.
When: 11am–5pm, Sunday, Aug. 25. SE Hawthorne Avenue from SE Cesar Chavez to SE 30th Avenue.
Details: Procrastinators will surely show for this happening – as it's the last fair of the season. Belmont is known for its bustling restaurant scene, so don't skip the tinga tacos from Taqueria Los Punales or a dirty martini at Old Pal.
Best bit: Watching parents run after their kids in the Kids Zone.
When: 10am-5pm, Saturday, Sept. 14. SE Belmont Street from SE 33rd to SE 39th avenues.