Fall is upon us and November is in sight.
Before you succumb to the blankets and coffee on your comfy couch, grab your rain boots, flannels, and beanies and jump into a few November events in and around Portland.
Here’s a list of some things on my “hmmm, that’s interesting” list for November in Portland. I hope you check a few out. (And if you do, let me know! I’d like to hear about your experience and perspective!)
Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival, October 31 – November 5
Ready for a week of the best of over 400 independent film submissions from artists from all around the Northwest? Mark off October 31 – November 5 on your calendar for the Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival. Join over 35,000 attendees this nationally acclaimed event this November in Portland. Hosted by the Northwest Film Center, an arm of the Portland Art Museum, Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival is in its 45thyear.
And if you want to jump into November a day early and in style, check out the Scary-Oke opening night celebration at the Portland Art Museum’s Fields Ballroom. It’s not just singing, but also a costume content and interactive set pieces that will leave you shivering through half of November.
Get your weeklong pass here.
Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest, November 3-4
Vegan and gluten-free are staples in the Portland food scene. As a result, it’s no surprise that we have our own gluten-free festival. With over 100 vendors, it’s like celiac heaven! For this November in Portland, there are free samples, presentations, and demonstrations all weekend. Run by Gluten Free & More magazine, it’s well-funded and well received, and the largest expo like it in the area!
Grab your tickets here.
Portland Book Festival, November 10
Portland’s famous Wordstock has a new name this year: The Portland Book Festival. And this year, a plethora of national and local authors converge on Portland at the Portland Art Museum on November 10 from 9am to 6pm. Before you non-readers scoff, it’s just like Woodstock — just as groovy, just as transformative — only instead of music, it’s all about books. And it’s the Northwest’s biggest book festival. There will be more than 100 authors, 9 stages, popup readings, and 13 writing workshops. If words are your thing, it will be worth your time to show up. If you’re a reader, don’t miss the opportunity to meet a few authors. And if you’re just the curious type, know there will be food trucks, a book fair with dozens and dozens of vendors, and lots of entertaining options for kids, too!
Find out more and purchase your $15 tickets at LiteraryArts.org.
Lit Crawl Portland, November 9
To fully prep for the Portland Book Festival (and to throw back a few beers) as only Portlanders can, join Lit Crawl Portland. Not only does this add a bit more flavor to literature, it’s quirky, crazy, and celebrated all over the world from San Francisco to London, NYC to Austin. In true Portland fashion, you can rest assured it will be weird and may or may not involve a pirate bar.
You can read more about it here, and track all the venues on the Lit Crawl Portland Facebook page.
Christmas Lights
It’s not all scary movies and books in Portland, though! November is when the tree lighting ceremonies, bazaars, and holiday concerts begin as well! Check out this quick list of holiday musts that begin on November 23:
- Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting
- Winter Wonderland Drive-through light show at Portland International Raceway
- Lights at the Grotto
- ZooLights
No matter what you choose, enjoy your November in Portland and make the most of the season change. Life is for living — so let’s all have fun at it, too!