The official start of summer is just around the corner which means Oregon’s summer festival season is upon us. Get ready for sunshine filled days, outdoor activities and especially live music! Oregon has an eclectic mix of music festivals that will satisfy a wide assortment of different genres and audiences. There are festivals featuring indie rock, country, pop, bluegrass/folk, electronic, classical, jazz… and much more. Some festivals cater to a local audience while others last for 3-4 days and attract attention from around the country. And all though this year some of the most well known festivals like MusicfestNW and What the Festival aren’t happening there are still plenty more events to cater to all your musical needs this summer.
Check out our list of the festivals you don’t want to miss in summer 2018:
Waterfront Blues Festival
The Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland is the largest blues festival on the West Coast and this year it’s celebrating its 31st year. There will be performances by George Thorogood, The Revivalists, The Mavericks and Beth Hart. This festival isn’t just fun and full of great music. It is also the number one fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank (raising over $10 million and 1,000 tons of food for hunger relief in its 30+ years).
Wednesday-Sunday, July 4-8, Tom McCall Waterfront Park. All ages. waterfrontbluesfest.com
Pendleton Whiskey Music Fest
Now in its second year, the Pendleton Whisky Music Fest will kick-off with a performance by Precious Byrd and DJ Sovern-T on Main Street. Blake Shelton and Pitbull headline the festival this year. The festival takes place at the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds just one month before the annual rodeo.
4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14, Round-Up Stadium, Pendleton. All ages. pendletonwhiskymusicfest.com
Northwest String Summit
The premier Bluegrass, roots, Americana music festival of the Pacific Northwest, held annually at Horning's Hideout, is the ultimate festival for the biggest names in bluegrass. Enjoy camping, yoga and craft vendors during this four-day festival.
Tuesday-Friday, July 19-22, Horning’s Hideout. All ages. stringsummit.com
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Now in its 38th year, the festival is the longest running jazz and blues festival in the Portland Metro area. The Festival features the region’s best local jazz and blues musicians while also fostering and promoting community and local business.
Friday-Sunday, July 20-22, Cathedral Park. All ages. jazzoregon.com/cpjazz
PDX Pop Now!
Celebrating 15 years, PDX Pop Now! is Portland’s premier all-ages art and music festival. There will be about 30 local acts for this year and the free event runs for two days under the Hawthorne Bridge, with local of music, vendors, food, and games to keep everyone entertained.
Saturday-Sunday, July 21-22, AudioCinema. All ages. Pdxpopnow.com
Pickathon
It's been 20 years since the start of Pickathon, the “biggest little music festival in the Northwest.” Taking place each year at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley (about 30 minutes outside of Portland), Pickathon is a unique multi-day outdoor music experience, with over 50 bands.
Friday-Sunday, Aug. 3-5, Pendarvis Farm. All ages. Pickathon.com
Vanport Jazz Festival
The Vanport Jazz Festival pays tribute to the former city of Vanport, which was destroyed by flooding in 1948, and its once thriving jazz music scene. Held at the historic site, now Portland Meadows, the festival is a cultural revival of Vanport, featuring renowned jazz musicians and artists. This year's event will feature Najee, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler and more.
10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Portland Meadows. All ages. Vanportjazzfestival.com
Willamette Country Music Festival
The town of Brownsville hosts some big names in country music for the four-day Willamette Country Music Festival. This year legendary band Alabama will grace the stage over the weekend along with Eric Church, Lady Antebellum and Kid Rock.
Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 16-19, Brownsville. All ages. Willamettecountrymusicfestival.com
Walnut City Music Festival
The Walnut City Music Festival, McMinnville's seven-year-old music event, will be bringing Indie rockers The Helio Sequence, Stone Foxes, Kuinka and many more headlines to this year’s festivities.
Friday-Saturday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, McMinnville. All ages. walnutcitymusicfest.org
For more information on concerts happening this summer check out these sites:
Also be sure to catch NiaSounds own Terry Robb who will be touring all throughout Oregon this summer. You can see his touring schedule here: www.terryrobb.com/tour