Hello spring – It’s here and if you weren’t quite ready for outdoor festivals and events earlier in the May, you’d better have your wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen at the ready. Let us tell you about several fun weekend events (many of them free) that will have you outside with a front-row seat to the action including a wacky UFO parade in McMinnville, wild whitewater action in Estacada, and marching band madness in Hazel Dell. We’ve also got plenty of indoor events including two artist studio tours and several dance shows.
McMenamins UFO Festival Thousand of alien fans land in downtown McMinnville during the annual McMenamins UFO Festival. Oregonian file photo. (Sean Meagher/The Oregonian/Sean Meagher/The Oregonian)
McMenamins’ UFO Fest (McMinnville)
McMenamins claims its UFO festival is the nation’s second largest. We’re not sure how many of you must attend to claim the #1 spot, but it would be worth a try, no? Meet experts on alien sightings, abductees, and plenty of believers in this annual “out of this world” weekend party that includes speakers and panel talks, the costume-filled UFO Fest Parade, a fun run, Alien Pet Costume contest, and plenty of great beer and food.
Various hours (check the online schedule) Friday-Saturday, May 15-16, mostly hosted at Hotel Oregon, and in downtown McMinnville; ufofest.com/events.
Amity Art Collective Studio Tour
And while you’re in Yamhill County, you might as well plan on visiting the Amity Art Studio Tour. This free event offers a chance to see artists at work in their own studios and witness what’s new in media ranging from pottery to woodwork, painting to blacksmithing.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, May 15-17. Tour maps with addresses and details on the studios available at amityartcollectivetour.com/2026-maps; free.
A&E best bets Map of the Clackamas Whitewater Festival site southeast of Estacada. (handout/Map courtesy of festival promoters)
40 Years on the River: Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival
Outdoor water recreation enthusiasts gather in Estacada this weekend for the return of this annual festival (aka Clack Fest) that brings together kayakers, rafters, and other paddle‑sport fans for whitewater fun. Founded in 1984, it’s one of the longest‑running whitewater festivals in the country and focuses on friendly competition, river safety, and community bonding. The weekend features races and events, as well as on‑shore activities like vendors, test boat demos, music and opportunities to watch the action from the riverbank.
Various hours Friday-Sunday, May 15-17, Upper Clackamas River, about 15 miles southeast of Estacada near the Carter Bridge (see website for detailed driving directions); free to spectate; clackfest.com/schedule.
Steinway Piano Series – Spring 2026 Residency
The weekend of passionate piano music kicks off with “Mystics and Romantics” performed by Dmitry Rachmanov and continues with guest artist and PSU faculty master classes on Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss this chance to hear world-renown artist Rachmanov live and learn from the best during the master classes.
7 p.m. Friday, May 15, Lincoln Recital Hall, PSU Campus, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.; tickets $15-$30. Classes 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday which are free and open to the public. See the schedule here: pdx.edu/music-theater/steinway-piano-series.
Austin | Archibald + Uddin: A Shared Evening of Dance
These evening performances showcase works in progress by Portland artist Linda Austin and visiting collaborators Renée Archibald and Lisa Uddin. Austin shares solo pieces of a new group work premiering in 2027 that draws inspiration from “The Waves” by Virginia Woolf. Archibald and Uddin present “In Lignancy,” a multidisciplinary duet exploring embodiment, care, and strain through dance and collaboration.
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 15-16, Performance Works NorthWest, 4625 S.E. 67th Ave.; tickets start at $15; tickettailor.com/events/pwnw.
Gathering in the Garden
Gardening season is bursting on the scene this year with early warm weather and more plant sales than you can shake a hoe at. This Eastmoreland gardening event offers live music, a silent auction, and sales of organic plant starts, indoor and outdoor shrubs, garden art, ceramics, and more. There will also be hands-on learning opportunities as well as free hand pruner sharpening (one per visitor).
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Eastmoreland Garden Park, at the corner of Southeast Bybee Boulevard and 27th Avenue; free admission; facebook.com/search.
A&E best Bets The PSU Comics Confluence Festival is this weekend. (Justin Allen/Photo by Justin Allen)
Comics Confluence Festival
Portland State University’s School of Film (with help from Dark Horse Comics and the Comics Studies program) offers its second annual celebration of comic book magic. Learn more about the art and craft of comics through workshops and panel discussions led by comics industry professionals. See work by students, recent graduates and emerging professionals. If you love comics, this is the place to be.
1-7 p.m. Saturday, May 16, Lincoln Hall, PSU campus, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.; free; pdxcomicsconfluence.com/home.
Spring at Mount Tabor A sunny Friday afternoon by Reservoir 5 at Mt. Tabor Park in Southeast Portland. (Jamie Hale/Jamie Hale/The Oregonian)
Mt. Tabor Art Walk
There are many open studio-type art walks in the Portland metro area, but this one is a sure favorite. This locals-only show and sale welcomes more than 40 juried neighborhood artists at 26 sites in the Mount Tabor neighborhood. Download a map at the website then walk this lovely and classic Portland district to view visual art including photography, glass, jewelry, fabrics, mixed media, ceramics and sculptures.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17, at 26 studios in Mt. Tabor; free; https://www.mttaborartwalk.com
A&E best bets Hazel Dell Parade of Bands. (Kyle Davies/Photo by Kyle Davies)
Hazel Dell Parade of Bands
This Vancouver-area parade theme is “Honoring Our Nation, Celebrating Our Neighbors” in 2026. Organizers expect 120 entries which includes 25 marching bands as well as community groups, equestrian units, and other entrants. The parade was originally designed to give school bands more public opportunities to perform. This family-friendly tradition sees sidewalks along the route filled with spectators, sometimes reaching as many as 20,000. Come early to secure a spot. Road closures in the area start at about 9:30 a.m.
Parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Fire District 6, and Northeast 88th Avenue, travels south on Hazel Dell Avenue, turns left onto 63rd Street and then continues north on Highway 99. The disbanding area is Northeast 78th Street; parade map available here: hdscba.org/wp-content/Parade-route-map.png.
“Kingdom of Cards”
Grab the kids and head to Alberta Rose Theatre for this whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” themed aerial acrobatics showcase. Afterglow Aerial Arts offers a journey through the looking glass, featuring student performers showing off their skills. The all-ages event includes snacks and drinks and a raffle. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
1 and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, Alberta Rose, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets start at $15; albertarosetheatre.com/afterglow-aerial-arts.
Portland Ballet – “Current/Classic”
The Portland’s Ballet’s Youth Company is featured in this performance of a mixed repertoire. The pieces highlighted span more than a century of ballet history and include excerpts from Marius Petipa’s “Sleeping Beauty,” Dennis Spaight’s “Gloria,” and a new work by choreographer Nick Le-Jurica created for The Portland Ballet’s dancers.
2 and 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17, Portland Ballet Studio Theatre, 6250 S.W. Capitol Highway; tickets $10-$30; theportlandballet.org/performance.
2025 Sunday Parkways There are plenty of fun things to do during Sunday Parkways. Oregonian file photo. (Matthew Kish/Matthew Kish | The Oregonian/OregonLive)
Southwest Portland Sunday Parkways
Biking season is in full swing and you can discover cool new places to peddle at one of several Portland Sunday Parkways summer events. This Sunday, explore southwest Portland along this 2-mile loop for bikers and a 2.6-mile route for walkers. Along the way enjoy live entertainment, all-ages activities, food vendors, and community markets. These events are free and seek to connect communities across Portland. The open-street event has no official start or end location. Visit any of the parks listed below and start your tour there.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Gabriel Park, Village Park, Multnomah Village, and Spring Garden Park. Details: portland.gov/sunday-parkways/southwest-event-2026
Cascadia Day
This group that brings together artists, musicians, educators and community members is using the anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens to highlight a place-based way of living that’s rooted in ecology, community and stewardship. Learn what you can do to respond to environmental and social challenges in your community.
4 p.m. Monday, May 18, TaborSpace, 5441 S.E. Belmont St.; sliding scale admission starting at $5 via the website: luma.com.
“We are Taiwan”
Enjoy an immersive performance that celebrates Taiwanese American Heritage Week with a mix of dance, music, singing, and theater. The National Taiwan University of Sport Dance Company and the Taiwanese Association of Greater Portland offer this engaging look at Taiwan’s many cultural influences – from folk traditions to contemporary expression. The program includes some audience interaction to help bring the experience to the people.
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, Winningstad Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; Tickets $17-$32; portland5.com/event/we-are-taiwan.
— If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.