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Portland spring brings blossoms, outdoor events like the Rose Festival, beer festivals and relief from winter’s cold rainy weather. By mid-spring, Portland experiences high temperatures in the mid-60s and average lows in the mid 40s. Ah Portland in spring – the worst is almost over! Every year, it’s the same feeling as the grey and rain of winter starts to lift and the city starts to bloom. Warmer weather is coming, friends! But first, let’s savor some fine Portland spring weather and adventures. Jump ahead:
35 Things to Do in Spring in Portland, Oregon…
1. Cherry blossoms around the city
Viewing the cherry blossoms at Waterfront Park is like the unofficial kickoff to Portland spring in mid-March to April.
2. Blossoms and blooms
It’s not just cherry blossoms that are popping all around the city. Spring brings plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, lilacs, rhododendrons, azaleas and all kinds of other blooms sprouting up. Say yes to blossoms! And pay a visit to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
3. Escaping the rain
Did you know that Portland is actually less rainy in spring than fall or winter? It’s true! The months of April, May, and June combined get about 7.5″ of rain. Compared to our rainiest month of December which gets 6.8″ of rain all on its own!
4. Japanese Garden
Spring is a marvelous time to visit the Japanese Gardens in Washington Park. In spring, the garden transforms with new buds and sakura (cherry blossoms).
5. Spring gardening
Nothing says spring like kicking off garden season with a visit to your favorite garden center or nursery in Portland! Need help planning? check out my Garden Planning Spreadsheet!
6. Final Blazers games of the season
Spring is the last of the basketball games of the season at Moda Center.
7. Smell the roses
You don’t even have to stop and smell the roses in Portland during spring. (Although, yes, you’ll want to!) The roses are so fragrant that you can just smell them when you bike or drive by Portland’s rose gardens. Visit Peninsula Park in North Portland and the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park.
8. Patio drinks and dining
More enjoyable patio and street-side seating season is here! Order a rum horchata and tacos at Por Que No and stay awhile!
9. Oaks Park
Get that nostalgic vibe with a visit to Oaks Park in Sellwood. Rollerskating at Oaks Park, rides, or just walk at nearby Oaks Bottom.
10. Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Take a day trip down to Woodburn’s Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. The festival runs from mid-March to May 1 and with rows and rows of tulips and Mt Hood views, it’s a sight to see. But beware, it can get really crowded on weekends!
11. Fair weather biking season
Whether you’re an all-season biker or a fair weather biker, can we all just agree that it’s more fun to bike in nice weather? Yes and yes!
12. Pastel colored treats
It just feels like spring to order colorful macarons. Make ’em, buy ’em, eat ’em!
13. Comedy
Well it sure felt good to laugh yourself silly at the Bridgetown Comedy Fest (RIP) every spring. Anything else funny, please share!
14. Spring bike tune-up
Head to your favorite local bike shop for a tune-up or new bike accessory shopping!
15. Day trips to Mt Hood
Spring is a beautiful time to do the Mt Hood loop drive through Hood River and Parkdale. The weather is finally warming up and Portland day trips are on our mind!
16. Portland Farmer’s Market season
Nothing says spring like a visit to the PSU Portland Farmers Market! Hello, colorful chard!
17. Spring picnics and Portland views
Spring in Portland is a great time for picnics and views and Portland city hikes. Council Crest is one of my favorite spots for this. And you can get some muddy hiking in if you want to make a hike out of it. Another favorite spring picnic spot is Mt Tabor.
18. Rose Festival
Every spring welcomes the Rose Festival at Waterfront Park, with CityFair at the end of May, the Starlight Parade, Dragon Boat races, and finally the Grand Floral Parade.
19. Spring walks and coffee shops
A spiced chai at Extracto Coffee and a neighborhood wander.
20. Buying new plants
I love a spring visit to one of Portland’s many plant shops. My favorites are Pistil’s and Garden Fever!
21. Mother’s Day brunch
Spring is here and so is waiting in line – or not – for breakfast. Here’s a tip, take your mom on a pre-Mother’s Day brunch date to beat the crowds. Here are some of my favorite Portland brunch spots.
22. Hoyt Arboretum
Spring walks in Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park. The spring blossoms start with trillium and magnolia trees in bloom. Check out Hoyt’s guide by month.
23. Shamrock Run through downtown
Running the Shamrock Run is a fun way to kick off spring running. Most years it tends to pour, but maybe this year we’ll get lucky!
24. Spring trips to the coast and whale watching
Spring whale watching season is mid-March to the end of May. So take an Oregon coast day trip, the Three Capes Scenic Loop has some great spots for whale watching or the Central Coast is prime whale watching territory. Or hikes near Manzanita and Oswald West State Park.
25. Spring beer festivals
You can find beer festivals in Portland during any season. For spring, check out the Portland Farmhouse and Wild Ale Festival, Nano Beer Fest, or venture a bit further to Central Oregon for Bend Brew Fest.
26. Antiquing in Sellwood
Is antiquing just more optimistic in spring? Maybe just shopping in general, with the better weather.
27. Spring sunsets
Spring sunsets – and gaining an hour of daylight – praise be!
28. Kayaking
Spring is a much more enjoyable kayaking season than winter. Here are my favorite spots around Portland to kayak and SUP.
29. Meandering the Eastbank Esplanade
As the weather warms up, we all flock to the waterfront – Eastbank Esplanade, Springwater Trail to Sellwood, Hawthorne Bridge and more.
30. Live music
Spring usually brings more tours through Portland before the summer festival seasons start to pick up. Shows at Doug Fir and Mississippi Studios.
31. Portland brewery fire pits
Beers by the outdoor fire at our favorite Portland breweries.
32. Gorge waterfall hikes
Did you even take a spring hike in the Gorge – unless you post a picture of it to Instagram with the caption “Don’t go chasing waterfalls…” Hmmm. But really, waterfall hikes in the Gorge & post-hike drink and lunch at Thunder Island Brewing or Gorges in Cascade Locks is a favorite spring activity.
33. Pedalpalooza starts
June welcomes the start of Pedalpalooza.(PSA: most of the month of June is still spring – not summer!) Pedalpalooza is a month of bikey fun. And last year it was Bike Summer, so we’ll see how 2022 shakes out.
34. Summer Solstice ride or run
Wave farewell to spring and welcome summer with a summer solstice ride, run, or walk around the city.
35. Planning out all your summer adventures
With 13 weeks of summer, it’s time to start planning all your summer fun!
Portland Spring Weather
Spring weather in Portland is quite mild. The spring months of March and April actually have less rainfall than October and November. April can still feel rainy and cold, but temperatures are more moderate with an average high of 61 degrees and lows in the mid 40s. But we usually have a couple days in the mid 70s.
By May it’s perfect shoulder season, and one of the best times to visit Portland. While the average high temp for May is 68, there are always a few 80 degree days sprinkled in. And lows can still drop down to the mid-30s at night. So you really need to be prepared for all weather in May.
Spring Events in Portland
Spring is officially March 19, 2024 through June 21, 2024, although we often think of the spring season as the months March through May. Here are our favorite Portland spring events (for the latest full event list, check out Travel Portland).
Portland in March
- Cherry Blossoms at Waterfront Park – mid-March to early April
- Shamrock Run – St Patrick’s Day run at Waterfront Park
- Portland Public Schools Spring Break – March 25-19, 2024
- Portland Dining Month (TBD for 2024) – 3 course meals for cheap from fancy restaurants!
- Easter Sunday – March 31, 2024
>>More about Portland in March – events, weather, and things to do.
Portland in April
- Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn – mid March to early May
- Holland America flower gardens in Woodland, WA – mid-April to mid-May
>>More about Portland in April – events, weather, and things to do.
Portland in May
- Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Waterfront park – early May
- Portland Rose Festival – late May to early June
>>More about Portland in May – events, weather, and things to do.
Portland in June
- Pedalpalooza – month of June
- Sunday Parkways bike rides begin – mid-June
- Portland Pride – second weekend of June
>>More about Portland in June – events, weather, and things to do.
What’s your favorite thing about spring in Portland?
Portland in Spring was originally published in 2013, and has been updated for 2024.
Alecia Stewart-Malone
April 24, 2013 at 1:14 pmHey Olivia!
I just found your blog through bootsnall and love it! I just moved to Vancouver, WA a few months ago (lovin’ it, by the way) and have also been dreaming/planning a rtw trip for almost two years now, so just about everything I find on your blog is helpful times two! I’m trying to explore the magnificent pacific northwest so between this fanTASTIC weather and this newfound discovery of your blog, i’ll be busy until fall…and maybe even after that (while still planning my journey of a life time on the side, mind you :-))
I just thought I’d post some love from across the river.
Aleci
kristi
April 1, 2013 at 8:24 amMy favorite thing is the cool weather. We don’t get many days where the weather is breezy, low in temp, and low in humidity. May hits quick and it can be miserable. I also love the flowers, especially the bluebonnets.