Best Time To Visit Portland, Oregon - Full Month By Month Guide

Portland is known for amazing things to do outdoors, funky and weird neighborhoods and its beer but when is the best time to go to Rose City?

The best time to visit Portland is from June to September when the weather is warm and dry and the music and beer festivals are on. The roses bloom through the summer months, so book early as this is also the busiest time of year for tourists.

Read on to find exactly when the best months to come to Portland are and to see our month-by-month guide to the best events and festivals.

Contents:

1. Overall Best Time To Visit Portland
2. Portland weather chart
3. Tips for visiting Portland
4. Portland travel seasons
5. Full Month by Month Guide

Overall best time to visit Portland In 2023

The summer months and early September are hands down the best time to visit Portland whether you're looking for good weather or want to attend the many festivals and events in the city.

The only real downside of visiting Portland in the summer is that hotel prices are higher and more people tend to come from June to September, but it's not a big deal.

Best time to visit Portland for Good Weather

Summer months from June to September offer the best weather in Portland with the sun shining and the skies clear, and long warm days.

Temperatures stay above 68°F (20°C) with peak summer days hitting the high 80s (over 30°C).

With the sun rising before 5:30 a.m. and setting at around 9 p.m., it's perfect weather for exploring the city or going on a hike nearby.

Best time to visit Portland for Exploring the Outdoors

June to September to catch the best weather and the numerous events hosted in the city along the Willamette River with Tom McCall Waterfront Park seemingly hosting a festival every week.

Hiking near Portland and exploring some of the amazing nature around is best when it's warm and dry.

Best time to visit Portland for the Beer

Portland is famous for its beer and has one of the most vibrant craft beer and ale scenes in the country.

There are 75 breweries in the city of Portland and this number is growing every year with local versions of fruity Belgian beers to cloudy wheat ales on tap all over town.

The best time to visit Portland to dive into the beer scene is either in September and October or June and July.

The fresh new batch of beer grown using this year's crop can be tried at the local breweries from mid-September on or come earlier in the season when the Portland International Beer Festival and the Oregon Brewers Festivals come to town with hundreds of local, national and international beer makers turning up.

Best time to visit Portland for Saving Money

December to January are the cheapest months to come to Portland.

Flight and hotel prices are at their lowest as the tourist season hits its annual low.

The weather is also wet and miserably cold, so you have to weigh up whether the cost savings are worth it.

Tips for visiting Portland

Best time to visit Portland for Trying Local Wine

Portland sits in the Willamette Valley - one of the most prominent wine regions in western USA.

There are a huge number of wineries up and down the valley including a few located in Portland itself with bars and tasting rooms.

You can try the local wine all year round but there are special events through the year that are great to attend.

Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country (May) and Wine Country Thanksgiving (November) are perfect as over 130 wineries open up their cellars and wine tasting rooms for special events.

Best time to visit Portland for the restaurants

Going to Portland from July to mid-September is great if you want to catch the restaurants and bars opening up their yards and setting up tables outside in the sunshine.

Alternatively, the Portland Dining Month happens in March with over 100 local restaurants participating and offering cut price meals and interesting menus.

Best time to visit Portland for Concerts and Music

The summer months are the best time to visit Portland for concerts and music.

A number of places host outdoor concerts and events through the summer including the Oregon Zoo Summer Concert series as well as festivals such as the Waterfront Blues Festival and the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, which both happen in July.

Best time to visit Portland for Families and Kids

Any time from May to September will work well for those visiting with children.

The crowds in Portland are higher in the summer, but the great weather makes up for it and the kids will love seeing the city in its best light with the sun shining.

The outdoor seating at restaurants makes stopping by as a family a whole lot easier and the kids will love the festivals and summer events more than trudging through museums or being indoors.

Best time to visit Portland to avoid crowds

If you want to avoid the tourist crowds, come to Portland between November and March.

January and February tend to be very quiet with few people about. Tourist numbers are low in November and December but the festive season draws out the locals to venues and shops around the city.

Just remember that the weather in Portland during the winter months will be cold and can be a bit miserable. Which is precisely why there won't be many people about.

Portland travel seasons

Visiting Portland in the Summer (June to August) - High Season for Tourists

The summer months are the hottest and driest in Portland and this is the time when tourists flock to visit the Rose City.

Neighborhood festivals, summer concerts and the Farmers' Market are all on during the summer which, combined with the beer festivals draws the crowds.

The busy tourist season is not as bad as some other locations and you should be able to book at reasonable rates if you look two or three months in advance. The tourists and hotel rates come down a fair amount after the Labor Day Weekend.

Visiting Portland in Spring and Fall (April to May & September to October) - Shoulder Seasons

The weather is reasonably warm and the rainfall is still much lower than in the winter which makes spring and fall months moderately popular with visitors to Portland.

September tourist numbers tend to be a little higher as the weather stays very warm but the numbers die down considerably by the time October arrives.

The two main draws for tourists over shoulder seasons are the flower blooms and the rose season in particular starting in the middle of April and the fall leaves that come in October.

Visiting Portland in Winter (November to March) - Low Season

The winter months and adjoining parts of late fall and early spring and cold and very wet. Rain can be persistent and can go on for days in the middle of the winter which means the tourist numbers are at their lowest.

A lot of activities and things to do around Portland are focused on the outdoors. Many festivals and events happen in the city's parks and on the Willamette River, so the winter months are relatively quiet.

Hotel prices are at their lowest in December and January with these months traditionally seeing the fewest tourists.

When to visit Portland - Month by Month Guide

January

January in Portland is cold and the winter rains continue to fall with over 6 inches of rainfall (or snow) through the month.

Snowfall is rare, but the strong winter winds can make it feel very cold and bring changing weather day to day.

Average temperature (daily high): 47°F / 8.3°C
Average precipitation: 6.1 in / 160 mm

January Events in Portland

• Portland Folk Festival - An annual festival celebrating folk and Americana music over a long weekend.
• Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden - A 2-week celebration starting at the end of January and lasting into February with cultural performances, traditional dances and evening lantern light displays.
• Portland Boat Show - One of the largest off the water boat shows in the United States, you can check out boats and yachts in the warmth of the Portland Expo Center.

February

February remains cold and wet, although rainfall drops from the highs of December and January.

Daytime temperatures increase to average highs of 50.8°F (10.4°C) with night-time frost melting in the afternoon.

Average temperature (daily high): 51°F / 10°C
Average precipitation: 4.6 in / 120 mm

February events in Portland

• Portland Jazz Festival - An all genre jazz festival with performers playing everything from slow blues to modern jazz fusion across 15 different venues in Portland.
• Portland Mardi Gras Parade - Head to the Mississippi neighborhood for the exuberant annual event
• Portland Winter Light Festival - A week of color, art and performances across Portland celebrating local artists.

March

While March remains relatively cold and wet, the frosty nights that last from December to February finally disappear.

Expect variable conditions with some days breaking 60°F (16°C) while others sitting just above 40°F (4°C).

Average temperature (daily high): 56°F / 13°C
Average precipitation: 4.5 in / 110 mm

March events in Portland

• Oregon Seafood and Wine Festival - The festival in early March lets you try wine from across Oregon with over 30 wineries attending and the delicious local Dungeness Crab that is in season.
• Kells St. Patrick's Festival - 3 days of Irish singing, dancing, green costumes, beer at Kells Irish Pub, the giant tent set up behind it and along Pine Street.
• Winter Music Festival - expanded from only playing Blues music to a broader 2-stage festival over 1 day.

April

April is a transitional month with mixed weather and a big difference between the start and end of the month.

Rainfall continues reducing although it will still rain every other day. Daily highs may reach into the 70s (above 21°C) towards the end of the month as flowers begin to bloom.

Average temperature (daily high): 61°F / 16°C
Average precipitation: 3.4 in / 86 mm

April events in Portland

• Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest - 30 miles south of Portland, but super popular with the locals is the annual Tulip Fest which starts at the end of March with the main bloom happening in the first half of April.
• The One Moto Show - a huge motorbike event where thousands of bikers descent on Portland to celebrate biker culture.

May

May is the start of the warm summer season in Portland. Daily highs climb to 67.4°F (19.7°C) and you should see a few days with temperatures in the 80s (over 27°C) in late May.

Rainfall is lower than earlier on in spring, but there will still be plenty of wet days so pack an umbrella.

Average temperature (daily high): 67°F / 20°C
Average precipitation: 2.6 in / 65 mm

May events in Portland

• Oregon Wine Month - The Willamette Valley runs south from Portland and over 130 wineries and tasting rooms host tastings and special events over a weekend in late May.
• Portland Rose Festival - Where else do you go to see the best rose bushes, than Rose City? The month-long event spans the last week of May and early June with parades and multiple different events all over Portland.

June

Summer arrives in earnest in Portland in June. daily highs average at a consistently warm 72.9°F (22.7°C) and you should expect some days to break into the high 80s (above 30°C).

Rainfall eases off with around 5 days of any meaningful precipitation during the whole month of June and the summer fog that affects much of the Pacific coast is not a thing in Portland due to its inland location.

Average temperature (daily high): 73°F / 23°C
Average precipitation: 1.7 in / 43 mm

June events in Portland

• World Naked Bike Ride - The World Naked Bike Ride series comes to Portland at the end of June highlighting the environmental impact of transport by cycling completely nude through the city.
• Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts - These concerts last from June to September hosting famous bands and performers on the big stage.
• Portland Pride - An annual celebration of Oregon's LGBTQ community with a festival and parade running along the Waterfront Park on the Willamette River
• Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts - Bringing together 600 artists from across the United States and beyond, the festival runs 6 large art exhibits as well as live music, art demos and other events.

July

The beautiful summer weather makes July a perfect month to go to Portland.

Daily highs are 79.6°F (26.4°C) on average and even the night-time lows are a balmy 57.4°F (14.1°C) making the long days pleasantly warm.

July is the driest month of the year with rain being very rare and you will typically get a few days that go over the 90°F (32°C) mark so bring your sunscreen.

Average temperature (daily high): 80°F / 26°C
Average precipitation: 0.6 in / 15 mm

July events in Portland

• Waterfront Blues Festival - Another event at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, the Waterfront Blues Festival happens at the beginning of July with 4 stages and a packed agenda of blues, soul and funk.
• Oregon Brewers Festival - Portland is probably the most famous city in the U.S. in terms of its craft beer and this is exactly what the Oregon Brewers Festival is all about. It takes place every year in late July in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
• Portland Craft Beer Festival - Local breweries come together for an event full of music, fun and - of course - beer!
• Cathedral Park Jazz Festival - Listen to jazz for free at this 3-day event under the St. Johns Bridge with every kind of jazz music represented.
• PDX Pop Now! - A volunteer-run music festival promoting up-and-coming local artists on 2 stages with the best of local food trucks and beer.
• The Big Float - A fun event on the Willamette River with music and hundreds of locals doing a "parade" down the river in anything that floats and is human powered from rubber rings to canoes.
• Portland Highland Games - A quirky event that celebrates everything Scottish, complete with bag pipers, Scottish dancers and traditional strength and athletics competitions.

August

August is the hottest month of the year with temperatures nudging marginally higher than July.

The weather continues to be bright and dry - perfect for exploring the city or getting out of Portland to go on a hike.

Expect to spend a lot of time in the sun with a number of outdoor events in August as well as restaurants, bars and cafes setting up their tables in the sunshine outside.

Average temperature (daily high): 80°F / 27°C
Average precipitation: 0.7 in / 18 mm

August events in Portland

• Pickathon - A large music festival that happens on the Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, just outside Portland with a range of music types spread across 6 stages. Ticket numbers are capped and can sell out early.
• PDX Adult Soapbox Derby - The fun event happens on the third Saturday of August with 42 cars making their way down the Mount Tabor course competing in terms of speed or car style.
• Bridge Pedal - One of the largest community bike rides in the world brings thousands of cyclists together as they cycle over a number of bridges over Willamette River.
• Hood to Coast Relay - This Mother Of All Relays is a 199-mile run from Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood to the small town of Seaside, Oregon. Watch the 12-runner teams make their way right through downtown Portland on their way!
• Vanport Jazz Festival - A weekend of jazz and R&B celebrating local and national artists.

September

Early September remains very warm, taking over from August with some days hitting over 85°F (32°C).

As the month progresses, the average temperatures drop to below 60°F (16°C) although it will remain relatively dry all the way through.

Average temperature (daily high): 75°F / 24°C
Average precipitation: 1.5 in / 39 mm

September events in Portland

• Time-Based Art (TBA) Festival - 10 days of contemporary art of different genres performed by artists from across the world alongside exhibitions, workshops, lectures and other events.
• Feast Portland - An amazing food festival that combines cooking demonstrations, tasting events and food competitions as well as having local wine and beer on show.
• Art in the Pearl - One of the top arts and crafts festivals in the country takes place over Labor Day Weekend in Pearl District's North Park Blocks - it's free and there are over 100 artists as well as music and food.
• Portland Dragon Boat Festival - Teams from all over the world compete in dragon boat racing in Hong Kong style racing boats.

October

Fall season comes in October and the weather becomes changeable - temperatures can oscillate a lot with some days stretching above 80°F (over 27°C) while later on in the month, daily highs can sit a little above freezing.

Rainfall becomes more frequent in the second half of October announcing the arrival of the wet season in Portland.

Average temperature (daily high): 63°F / 17°C
Average precipitation: 3.4 in / 87 mm

October events in Portland

• Portland Open Studios - Artists around Portland open up their studios to visitors in the second and third week of October so you can see them at work and learn about their craft.
• Portland Film Festival - A mix of events from showings based on category to panel discussions and interviews to all night after parties in late October.
• Portland Marathon - Watch on as 10,000 runners make their way up and down the banks of Willamette River, crossing 4 bridges in the process. The different Portland neighborhoods have a cheering competition which makes this marathon super fun to watch.
• West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta - The locals celebrate October's pumpkin crop with a race across Tualatin Lake on top of floating giant pumpkins. Why? Because Portland.

November

The winter rains take hold in November as the temperatures drop.

Expect most days to have rain and unlike some other destinations, these rains come in slow drip-like fashion through the whole day rather than an afternoon burst.

Nighttime lows hit 41.4°F (5.2°C) with overnight frosts happening towards the end of the month.

Average temperature (daily high): 52°F / 11°C
Average precipitation: 6.7 in / 170 mm

November events in Portland

• Holiday tree lighting - A big event with the switch turning on 14,000 lights on Pioneer Courthouse Square with thousands of people joining in festive singing along with Pink Martini band members - the infamous international band was founded in Portland.
• Wine Country Thanksgiving - Over 140 wineries in the region around Portland open up their wineries, cellars and tasting rooms for special events, wine tastings, wine and food pairings and a lot more.
• Portland Book Festival - A 1-day event with famous authors and an amazing range of different kinds of books - takes place on the South Park Blocks in the Portland Art Museum.
• Portland Queer Film Festival - A long running film festival that focuses on movies that are made by, about or have a particular focus on the Queer community in the classic Cinema 21 movie theater.
• ZooLights - Over 1.5 million lights all over the Oregon Zoo starts at the end of November and runs through to the beginning of January from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

December

December is the coldest and wettest month of the year in Portland. Daily highs average 45.1°F (7.3°C) while night-time lows are at 36.5°F (2.5°C) with frequent dips below freezing point.

While snow only happens occasionally, expect it to be icy with strong cold winds.

Average temperature: 45°F / 7°C
Average precipitation: 6.9 in / 180 mm

December events in Portland

• Holiday Ale Fest - There seems to be a beer festival every single month in Portland and December is no exception with 5 days of ale drinking and 50 breweries taking part in downtown Portland.
• Christmas Ships Parade - A popular local event where ships big and small parade up and down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers for 15 nights in the run up to Christmas.
• Crafty Wonderland Art and Craft Market - This market with over 250 artists showcasing and selling their art at the Oregon Convention Center happens in May and December although the December edition is a lot more festive!