Top 9 Oregon Food Festivals You Should Visit

Oregon is known for everything from Stumptown Coffee to Tillamook Cheese. But did you know that the Beaver State is also home to some of the most interesting and entertaining foodie events in the country? Check out nine of our favorite long-standing Oregon food festivals.

Northwest Food & Wine Festival

Portland

We’re kicking off the list with the renowned Northwest Food & Wine Festival hosted in Portland, Oregon. This premier event celebrates everything the Northwest has to offer in the way of wine, beer, spirits and food. Designed to appeal to foodie enthusiasts, wine connoisseurs and industry experts, you are bound to have a full and rewarding experience if you add this festival to your fall bucket list.

See more: Oregon Gift Guide of Locally Made Products

Portland Polish Festival

Portland

If you’ve never been to the Portland Polish Festival, you’re missing out on some spectacular food, music and entertainment – not to mention the 15,000 pierogies consumed over the course of the festival. These savory dumplings filled with things like cheese, onions and potatoes are reason enough to make the trek to this delightful weekend event. But if that’s not enough to convince you, maybe putting on your dancing shoes and learning how to polka will.

Newport Seafood & Wine Festival

Newport

There aren’t many food festivals during the winter months, but the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival is a horse of a different color. For more than 30 years, the coastal town of Newport has welcomed thousands of tourists and locals alike to enjoy hundreds of regional wines and dishes from a variety of culinary experts. Whether you show up for the wine, the seafood or both, you’re guaranteed to leave satisfied.

See more: How Oregon Food Programs Promote Farm-Fresh Eating

Astoria

Known for deep fjords, wooden churches and chilly winters, Scandinavia refers to the countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. But you don’t have to travel across the Atlantic to enjoy all the scrumptious dishes these countries have to offer. In the summer, the annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival gives attendees the chance to enjoy delicious food amidst a background of Scandinavian music, dance and theatrical entertainment. Be sure to check out various handmade crafts and artisan goods available while you’re there.

Oregon Chocolate Festival

Ashland

Who wouldn’t love a festival completely dedicated to chocolate? That’s why thousands of visitors flock to Ashland every year to enjoy fine chocolate treats and chocolate-inspired products at the Oregon Chocolate Festival. Perhaps you want to take a workshop on wine and chocolate pairings, hear an educational lecture on the history of chocolate or watch a few chef demonstrations over the course of the weekend. Or maybe you just want to attend the chocolate brunch, the chocolate cocktail party or join expert judges as they choose the winner of the chocolate dessert contest. No matter how you want to spend your time here, you really can’t go wrong.

See more: Oregon Entrepreneurs Excel in Food Business

Wild About Game

Portland

Playfully nicknamed “the meatiest celebration in the Northwest,” Wild About Game is an event that celebrates the farmers, butchers and purveyors of specialized game, as well as the chefs who incorporate the meat into their dishes. Hundreds of people attend the festival, which includes a competition between some of the finest chefs in Portland and Seattle. From duck and partridge to venison and rabbit, you never know what you might find to try at this unique foodie festival.

Astoria Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival

Astoria

When spring finally arrives in the Northwest, there’s no better place to be than the Astoria Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival. After all, who doesn’t want to celebrate the warmer weather with delicious coastal cuisine, wine tasting, and arts and crafts? You can expect to find more than 150 vendors at the event, which means you may want to bring an extra tote bag or two so you can bring home some of the finest food and drink the region has to offer.

Blackberry Arts Festival

Coos Bay

The Blackberry Arts Festival in Coos Bay celebrates none other than the beloved blackberry. From blackberry-inspired art to blackberry treats and drinks, this treasured, family-friendly festival features a wide variety of blackberry jellies, jams, candies and wines on display downtown. You might even be inspired to bake some berry-inspired goodies of your own when you get home. You’ll also enjoy live music all weekend long as you shop, sip and sample to your heart’s content.

See more: Oregon Pear Producers Share the Fruits of their Labor

Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival

Mount Pisgah

Pumpkin tends to be the star of the fall, but we can’t forget about the humble mushroom. The people at Mount Pisgah honor the popular fungus with a family-friendly day of fun at the Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival. Peruse a mushroom exhibit featuring hundreds of species or learn how to cook and preserve wild mushrooms from the experts. There are even guided nature walks for those who want to dive a little deeper into the art of foraging. Don’t forget to buy a souvenir to take home with you to commemorate your visit. Donations and purchases at the festival support native habitat stewardship and environmental education efforts.