When winter begins, the deer’s nose on the city’s iconic “Portland Oregon” sign lights up like Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer.

November Events

Portland welcomes the holidays and the winter season with these November events.

When winter begins, the deer’s nose on the city’s iconic “Portland Oregon” sign lights up like Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer.

Though the temperature gets cooler, Portland’s events scene starts heating up every November. Special seasonal offerings include the annual Portland Book Festival in downtown Portland, special shopping events and Thanksgiving traditions. Read on for some of our favorite November events and things to do in Portland, or check out our full events calendar to see everything on offer.

The Portland Book Festival

Reinvented in 2015 as a one-day celebration, the Portland Book Festival draws more than 100 authors each year. The largest celebration of literature and literacy in the Pacific Northwest includes an extensive book fair, large-scale events, smaller panels, on-stage conversations, and readings, all held at and around the Portland Art Museum.

The Portland Book Festival

Portland’s premier book festival features more than 100 authors every November.

Markets and Art Walks

The Portland Holiday Market comes every year to the Portland Expo Center. Featuring anything from clothing to home decor or craft items to leather goods, the market is a great place to get all of your holiday shopping done early. Combining the vibes of an art show, a live street concert, and an open-air bazaar, the Portland Saturday Market has been a beloved Rose City tradition since 1974. The largest arts-and-crafts fair in the country is open every Saturday in November. The First Friday Art Walk takes place year-round in Portland’s vibrant eastside. Art openings at galleries and open spaces set the scene and can include group art shows, open maker spaces and lively performances.

More About Portland in November

What is the average November temperature in Portland?

In November, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, and everything is getting a little colder. The average high for the month of November is 52 degrees Fahrenheit (12°C), and the average low is 42 degrees Fahrenheit (6°C).

Is November a good time to visit Portland?

November is a great time to visit Portland. Whether you are inclined to enjoy the crisp fall weather, go on a winter walk, or start your holiday celebrating early, Portland offers a wide range of activities to delight all visitors.

What should I pack when visiting Portland in November?

We recommend packing several layers and a rainproof jacket for a trip to Portland in November. Old-school Portlanders tend to shun umbrellas, but they can come in handy to shield glasses and faces from heavier showers. To avoid getting stuck in the mud or drenched in a puddle, a pair of rain boots is also worth bringing on your trip to Portland.

Held twice a year, My People’s Market brings together dozens of local artists, entrepreneurs and creatives of color for live music, networking and shopping. The November market is an early kickoff to the holiday shopping season and draws attendees who shop, eat, drink and dance throughout the weekend. Shop Small Win Big is another great way to get a jump on holiday shopping — this holiday sweepstakes lets you earn raffle entries for awesome prizes when you visit and shop at participating local businesses.

November Traditions

The Ha Ha Harvest Comedy Festival brings amazing comedy to the Rose City throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. The festival holds performances across the city on ten different stages, and in 2023, a film and screenplay competition was introduced.

Kick off the holiday season with Wine Country Thanksgiving, when wineries throughout the Willamette Valley offer special tastings, food pairings, live music, holiday discounts and other wine-country experiences. Discover a delicious local pinot to pair with your holiday celebrations, or find the perfect gift for the wine lover in your life.

Join in honoring all Veterans, past and present, at the annual Portland Veterans Day Parade. The parade is made of marching bands, floats, vehicles and marching veterans and makes its way along northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, concluding with a closing ceremony.

Every year, the Lan Su Chinese Garden celebrates the beauty of chrysanthemums and their significance to Chinese culture during the month-long Celebration of the Chrysanthemum. A symbol of longevity and wealth, the beautiful bloom is showcased in floral designs and cultivation demonstrations throughout the gardens.

Wine Country Thanksgiving

During Oregon’s premier tasting and cellar-stocking event, many local wineries open their doors to the public, offering samples of favorite selections.

Celebrate

Holiday Lights

On the day after Thanksgiving, thousands of people gather in downtown Pioneer Courthouse Square to see the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony of the spectacular 75-foot-tall tree and celebrate the official start of the holiday season. Also starting the day after Thanksgiving is the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto, featuring nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church, and civic choirs. The annual holiday ZooLights display at the Oregon Zoo has gotten a grown-up spinoff. For two nights every November, BrewLights takes over the zoo. Tickets include adult-only access to the festive display and samples from local breweries.