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Geek Week
The world's only citywide comic con returns for ten days of geek culture across Portland, and there's plenty happening in the district.
Kick things off Thursday, September 10 at Hey Love with The Geeking Hour, an evening of enchanting elixirs, devilish delights, and a first glimpse into the mystical realm of Geek Week PDX.
From there, more than 100 unique events and over 200 partners take over small businesses citywide, spanning tabletop and video games, parties and tours, live shows and movies, literary events, trivia, art and crafts, and cosplay. Whatever corner of geek culture you claim, there's something here for you.
Central Eastside spots on the schedule include Guardian Games, Urbanite, Twilight Cafe & Bar, and Birdie Time Pub and Mini Golf, to name a few.
Making a weekend of it? Jupiter is offering 10% off September rooms with code GEEKWEEK.
Dirty Shirley presents Shirley's Temple
Three years of Dirty Shirley. Two nights. 20 sketches. No repeats. One final, unholy offering of our greatest hits to the One True Shrimp God. Welcome to Shirley’s Temple.
Ominous events are unfolding in Portland. Have you noticed them? The skies have darkened and the dreams are coming faster now. Hard-boiled eggs un-boiling; pet snakes eating themselves like little freaks, root chakras expanding and contracting to the rhythm of the sinister pulsatile hum that issues from the Willamette. It’s clear now: Dirty Shirley is transforming and it promises to shake the very roots of civilization (in the Southeast, specifically).
20 sketches performed across two nights with no repeats. 3 years of sketch comedy condensed into one weekend. All written by Dirty Shirley and performed by Her clerics and followers: those practitioners of the accursed art of being a silly goose.
One hour to tug at your heartstrings then genitals like a feral orangutan, howling with anguish and laughter into the empty cosmos.
One night only to say goodbye to the infernal cult that crawled forth from the Coven long ago.
Featuring the talents of:
HB Bergeson: @florencexmachina
Benny Burnett: @proud.dance.mom
Dakota Strickland: @funnydumpster
Sofia Sullivan: @subarulabubu
Alex Beeken @drinksmopwater
and special guests:
Raz Mostaghimi @razmostaghimi
Oscar Abbott @nancydrew1st
Laughs for All: As part of our mission towards access to comedy, we offer 10% of tickets at a discounted rate to make it more affordable for those who otherwise would not be able to attend. These tickets are first come, first served, so we recommend buying them online ahead of time, and any remaining will be sold at the door.
Brewlagoon Block Party
Spend the afternoon at the second year of this block party with flash tattoos, live music, a DJ, pup portraits, live caricatures, games, and local makers and artists. Free and all ages, with proceeds benefiting Street Dog Hero.
Free, all ages, and open to the public.
Urban Gleaners Summer Supper
Urban Gleaners' Third Annual Summer Supper – a one-of-a-kind walk-around tasting experience that celebrates Portland’s vibrant food scene, highlights the power of upcycled ingredients, and supports our mission to fight food waste and food insecurity in our community.
This unforgettable evening features a collection of Portland’s most acclaimed chefs, each crafting inspired small plates using gleaned and upcycled ingredients, transforming what’s often discarded into something extraordinary. Complementing the culinary creations will be a curated selection of local beer, wine, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages from some of the region’s favorite vendors.
Early Bird ticket pricing will be limited and available until July 8th, so grab your tickets early to secure your spot! All proceeds, including additional contributions, will go directly to supporting Urban Gleaners' programs that aim to reduce food waste and food insecurity in the Portland Metro Area.
RESTAURANTS
Nodoguro, The Malarkey, Akadi, Sugarpine Drive-in, Javelina, Planted Based Papi, Salt & Straw, Urban Gleaners, Kachka, Gabbiano's, Sammich, Bar Nouveau, Sebastiano's, Pizza Thief, L'Echelle
BEVERAGES
Straightaway Cocktails, Bauman's Cider, Post Familiar, Commensal Fermentation, Dappled Tonic, More to come...
Open-Mic StorySLAM Nine to Five
The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition in which anyone can share a true, personal, 5-minute story on the night's theme. Sign up for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show! Tonight’s theme is…
NINE TO FIVE:
Prepare a five-minute story about being on the clock. First jobs and corporate climbing. Dream gigs, survival works, side hustles. Water cooler gossip, awkward HR meetings. Burning the midnight oil or goofing off on the company dime. Passion projects that fuel you or counting the minutes until happy hour. Is it your calling? Or just a paycheck? Punch in. Punch out. Repeat. What a way to make a livin'!
Tickets for Portland's StorySLAMs go on sale 3 weeks prior to the show date at 3 PM ET.
Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. Admission is not guaranteed for late arrivals. All sales final. As many as 10 tickets may be available at the door for all of our StorySLAMs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tabor Dance
This weekly community dance party comes to the Central Eastside select Wednesday’s this summer.
NestFest
Explore Portland's home design scene at this weekend celebration marking the launch of Nester, Willamette Week's annual home design magazine. Designers, makers, artists, and small businesses come together for a marketplace, immersive exhibits, and free panels on everything from how designers think to what turns a house into a home.
Transportation Parking Advisory Committee
Learn more about and influence the transportation, parking and mobility options in the Central Eastside.
We Believe in Portland
Gather your coworkers, friends, family, or neighbors and join hundreds of volunteers for the 2026 We Believe in Portland Fall Cleanup. We'll kick off at WonderLove before heading into Portland's Central Eastside to help create cleaner, more welcoming neighborhoods. After the cleanup, return to WonderLove to celebrate with fellow volunteers, enjoy live music by Baz Moto, and support a great local business with food and beverages available for purchase.
One City. One Community. One shared commitment to a cleaner Portland.
Portland Flea
Browse over 100 vendors offering fashion, accessories, vintage finds, handmade goods, home items, food, drinks, and other treasures. Free to attend, pet and family friendly, and happening every last Sunday of the month through October.
ADX Fest
A new, region-wide art and design festival celebrating Portland’s creative independents! Events throughout the month of October.
Portland Night Market
175+ of Portland's best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks and retail.
First Friday Open Studios & Art Walk
Portland's original art walk comes alive on the first Friday of every month in the Central Eastside!
Step inside the studios of over 45 local artists working right here in the Central Eastside at East Creative Collective and Art Design Xchange, and explore our ever evolving murals, galleries, pop-ups, curious corners, good scenes, and better people.
Date: First Friday of the Month! 6 — 9 pm
Location: Open Studio’s at East Creative Collective, 211 SE Madison St. and ADX, 417 SE 11th Ave. For all of this month’s participating locations, visit firstfridaypdx.org
Milagro Central Eastside Muertos Celebration
Take part in Portland's longest-running Día de Muertos celebration, now in its 31st year, with altar displays and community events across the district. At the center is Marigolds y Memorias, an original production following an elder as they guide a younger generation through building an altar. Proudly supported by the Better Together Grant.
Zak Toscani & The Taking of Portland 123 (Early & Late Shows)
Board a private streetcar for an hour of standup with some of Portland's best comedians as it loops around the city, no stops along the way. Early and late shows available, with Pacific Standard hosting a pre and post show hang out. Ages 21 and up. Proudly sponsored by Central Eastside PDX.
Early show: 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Late show: 9:00 – 10:00 pm
Marigolds y Memorias
Watch an altar take shape through song, dance, and theatrical vignettes in this original production inspired by the traveling carpa tradition. Guided by an elder, a younger generation learns the meaning behind each element of a Día de Muertos altar. Directed by Juliana Morales Carreño. Proudly supported by the Better Together Grant.
MusicCraft NW
See, hear, and play instruments, gear, and pro audio built right here in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This one-day public expo brings together internationally respected icons and emerging innovators, with work available to purchase directly from the people who design and build it. Proudly supported by the Better Together Grant.
Portland Flea
Browse over 100 vendors offering fashion, accessories, vintage finds, handmade goods, home items, food, drinks, and other treasures. Free to attend, pet and family friendly, and happening every last Sunday of the month through October.
Transportation Parking Advisory Committee
Learn more about and influence the transportation, parking and mobility options in the Central Eastside.
First Friday Open Studios & Art Walk
Portland's original art walk comes alive on the first Friday of every month in the Central Eastside!
Step inside the studios of over 45 local artists working right here in the Central Eastside at East Creative Collective and Art Design Xchange, and explore our ever evolving murals, galleries, pop-ups, curious corners, good scenes, and better people.
Date: First Friday of the Month! 6 — 9 pm
Location: Open Studio’s at East Creative Collective, 211 SE Madison St. and ADX, 417 SE 11th Ave. For all of this month’s participating locations, visit firstfridaypdx.org
Portland Flea
Browse over 100 vendors offering fashion, accessories, vintage finds, handmade goods, home items, food, drinks, and other treasures. Free to attend, pet and family friendly, and happening every last Sunday of the month through October.
Portland Night Market
175+ of Portland's best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks and retail.
First Friday Open Studios & Art Walk
Portland's original art walk comes alive on the first Friday of every month in the Central Eastside!
Step inside the studios of over 45 local artists working right here in the Central Eastside at East Creative Collective and Art Design Xchange, and explore our ever evolving murals, galleries, pop-ups, curious corners, good scenes, and better people.
Date: First Friday of the Month! 6 — 9 pm
Location: Open Studio’s at East Creative Collective, 211 SE Madison St. and ADX, 417 SE 11th Ave. For all of this month’s participating locations, visit firstfridaypdx.org
Portland Night Market
175+ of Portland's best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks and retail.
First Friday Open Studios & Art Walk
Portland's original art walk comes alive on the first Friday of every month in the Central Eastside!
Step inside the studios of over 45 local artists working right here in the Central Eastside at East Creative Collective and Art Design Xchange, and explore our ever evolving murals, galleries, pop-ups, curious corners, good scenes, and better people.
Date: First Friday of the Month! 6 — 9 pm
Location: Open Studio’s at East Creative Collective, 211 SE Madison St. and ADX, 417 SE 11th Ave. For all of this month’s participating locations, visit firstfridaypdx.org
Sunday Crafternoon: Miniature Furniture
Turn bottle caps into ottomans and beer caps into wire frame chairs at this self-guided crafting session using reuse materials. All supplies provided at the new Central Eastside education studio. Ages 5 and up, with youth accompanied by an adult. Tiered ticket pricing available.
Portland Flea
Browse over 100 vendors offering fashion, accessories, vintage finds, handmade goods, home items, food, drinks, and other treasures. Free to attend, pet and family friendly, and happening every last Sunday of the month through October.
Summer of Wonder
Head to the rooftop for a community EDM night with a rotating lineup of local DJs, craft cocktails, food vendors, and skyline views across Portland. This week features an all Sync Up Collective lineup. Ages 21 and up, with free limited RSVP before 10 pm.
UP UP UP Inc. Crane Circus
Watch the street transform into an outdoor circus with a flatbed truck stage, a hand-cranked crane lifting aerialists into the sky, and a 100-year-old baby grand piano providing live music. This touring nonprofit circus brings acrobats, opera divas, and an hour of whimsical, all-ages wonder. Food trucks on site, donation-based admission.
Special Event: Molly Kearney
Catch stand-up from Molly Kearney, currently starring as Barb on the CBS comedy series DMV and the first non-binary cast member in Saturday Night Live history. The Cleveland native was previously a cast member of The Lincoln Lodge, the nation's longest running independent stand-up showcase in Chicago. Make a date of it with the couple's package, which includes two premium seats and a $90 food and beverage credit.
Tabor Dance
This weekly community dance party comes to the Central Eastside select Wednesday’s this summer.
Transportation Parking Advisory Committee
Learn more about and influence the transportation, parking and mobility options in the Central Eastside.
Portland Festival of Cinema, Animation & Technology
Take in six days of independent film and animation with more than 170 films from 31 countries, plus filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions with LAIKA artists, and immersive VR and dome experiences across four OMSI venues. Highlights include the Pacific Northwest premiere of The Vale: Origins (pictured), fresh off its world premiere at San Diego Comic-Con.
Summer Shred Music Festival
Spend the day with local rock, metal, and punk bands in the heart of the district. This free, volunteer-run annual festival gives emerging Portland artists a platform to reach larger audiences while keeping live music accessible to everyone. Grab a drink at the beer garden, browse local vendors, and refuel at the food court.
Sin Filtro
Catch a night of bilingual improv performed in both English and Spanish. The show plays with the duality of being bilingual in the US, Latinx culture, and telenovela tropes, building a full set of Spanglish magic from a single audience suggestion. No fluency required, just come ready to laugh.
Pick It Up, Portland!
Join a citywide day of action to make Portland cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming. Volunteers gather at five locations across the city, including right here in the district, to remove litter and care for shared community spaces. Come out for cleaner streets, safer parks, and a brighter environment for everyone who lives, works, and plays here. All ages welcome, and advanced registration is suggested.
Bigfoot Adventure Cruise
Set out on a high-speed jetboat tour exploring the history and lore of Bigfoot. This 80-mile roundtrip journey travels from Portland to Multnomah Falls with exclusive narration by Cliff Barackman of Animal Planet's Finding Bigfoot, plus a live guide sharing sightings and legends along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Running select days through September 26, it's fast, thrilling, and packed with Northwest scenery.
Portland Mercury's Burger Week
For one week only, Portland-area spots are slinging one-of-a-kind burgers for just $10 each, with vegan and veggie options in the mix. Grab a free mobile pass to check in at locations across town for a chance to win prizes. Participating district spots include Birdie Time Pub, Boke Bowl, Breaking Buns at Alchemy Cider, Bunk Bar, Clarklewis, Creepy's, Dimo's Italian Specialties, Loyal Legion, Nicholas Restaurant, Pacific Standard, Wayfinder Beer, White Owl Social Club, and Wolf's Head Portland.
PDX Hot Sauce Expo
Bring the heat to the 9th annual celebration of all things spicy. Sample hot sauces from 45 companies, catch action-packed wrestling on the Stage of Doom, and enjoy craft beer, specialty cocktails, and food trucks throughout the day. Dogs welcome, kids 10 and under free.
First Friday Open Studios & Art Walk
Portland's original art walk comes alive on the first Friday of every month in the Central Eastside!
Step inside the studios of over 45 local artists working right here in the Central Eastside at East Creative Collective and Art Design Xchange, and explore our ever evolving murals, galleries, pop-ups, curious corners, good scenes, and better people.
Date: First Friday of the Month! 6 — 9 pm
Location: Open Studio’s at East Creative Collective, 211 SE Madison St. and ADX, 417 SE 11th Ave. For all of this month’s participating locations, visit firstfridaypdx.org
Ghosts of Summer: Tombstones and Tomes
Celebrate the wonderfully weird at this summer festival for Halloween lovers. Step into a world of spooky crypts and dark magic with creepy cocktails from Raven's Manor, an escape room preview from Scaregrounds PDX, indie horror films, drag shows, flash tattoos, frozen custard, and local vendors.
Elementals Opening Night
Explore the natural world through painting, natural materials, and ceramics. Featuring the work of art therapists Lindsay Spina and Cynthia Veum alongside art teacher Rick Shearing, the exhibition draws from the elemental forces that shape our environment to explore how creativity fosters growth and connection. On view through the end of August.
Untapped Trivia Night
Put your knowledge to the test at this free weekly trivia night. Every Tuesday brings four rounds, the occasional audio round, and prizes for the top three teams plus one wildcard pick. Grab a cocktail, a local brew, or one of the bar's sought-after smash burgers and settle in for the fun.
Breakfast on the Bridges
On the last Friday of every month, volunteers roll up to serve hot coffee and pastries to bike commuters. Two of the four bridges sit right here in the district, the Tilikum Crossing and the Blumenauer Bridge, with breakfast also happening on the Steel and Flanders bridges across the city. Stop by on your way to work, school, or wherever you and your bike are headed.
WORD UP! A Black Literary Kick Back
Big Mood Books and Artheaux host an afternoon of literature, art, and community, featuring all Black vendors, live performances, and music in Depave's Future Green Plaza. Come celebrate creativity right here in the district.
Bauman's Presents: Meet City Council Candidate Kellie Torres
Bauman's on Oak presents a casual evening with Portland City Council candidate Kellie Torres over complimentary snacks and good company. Hear directly from a candidate, ask questions, and connect with neighbors who care about Portland's future. Whether you live in District 3 or elsewhere in Portland, it's a relaxed way to get informed and meet the people shaping the conversation.
Suzie with a Z: Suzie Toot One Woman Show
Catch RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 breakout star Suzie Toot on her all-new solo tour. This acclaimed actor, singer, and dancer sings and taps her way through Vaudeville and Broadway herstory in an evening as ridiculous, theatrical, and cerebral as the woman herself.
Portland Thai Festival
We're proud to sponsor this vibrant celebration of Thai culture right here in the district. Experience the essence of Thailand through food, traditions, and community, coming together to support local businesses and connect over a shared love of culture and food.
Hawthorne Asylum & Lone Fir Cemetery Presentation
Explore the history of Portland's 19th century Hawthorne Asylum and Lone Fir Cemetery through historic images and stories. This presentation by Norm Gholston traces the cemetery's past and looks ahead to its future.
Chris Karns (of Pretty Lights Live Band) with The Bad Table
Catch world champion turntablist Chris Karns for a high-energy night of scratching, beat juggling, and genre-bending mixing. A DMC World DJ Champion and core member of Pretty Lights, Karns blends hip-hop, electronic, and bass into a sonic experience all his own.
Jessie Weitzel Le Grand: Astral Accessories
Step into a new body of sculptural work that reimagines obsolete technology like rotary phones and computer motherboards as enigmatic relics from alternate realities. Blending ceramics, natural elements, and outdated devices, the exhibition explores connection, memory, and the mysteries left behind when communication breaks down.
Kann x Evening Land
Sit down to a curated tasting of Evening Land wines from the Eola-Amity Hills paired with a bold Haitian-inspired menu. This six-course dinner is built in layers, with each course designed to reveal a different facet of the wines' structure, aromatics, and sense of place.
