The Portland Rose Festival has inspired the public to gather and celebrate against a backdrop of historic external forces for 115 years, demonstrating how our community can carry on traditions, honor diversity and celebrate unity. In 2023, it's time to FOCUS ON FUN! Everyone is invited to the Rose Festival's big events like the Grand Floral Parade, Starlight Parade, Junior Parade, CityFair and Fleet Week, and follow along as we announce the Rose Festival Court and results of the Queen's Coronation. Now and always, we welcome Portlanders and visitors alike to celebrate our floral heritage and community spirit. All are welcom.

Schedule of Events

May 22, 2023

Bloom Tour

Spring has officially sprung in Downtown Portland and Old Town with the first annual Bloom Tour, which features twenty-six stunning large-scale floral installations that are sure to capture attention during Portland's Rose Festival.

The Bloom Tour is part walking tour and part art show with a focus on supporting some of Portland's unique shops, restaurants and hotels. Even the Lan Su Chinese Garden will be hosting a large-scale dragon boat themed floral installation, so follow the tour map and explore them all!

Running from April 14 to June 30, the Bloom Tour will showcase the work of 19 talented artists and florists who have designed and created these eye-catching art pieces that can be viewed rain or shine. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this is a can't-miss opportunity to explore the city, capture some truly amazing photos and show your support for the Downtown and Old Town communities.

Click Here for Bloom Tour Locations

May 26, 2023

5pm-10pm: CityFair - Opening Night Fireworks presented by Xfinity

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

5:00 PM - Rose Festival Opening Night & Fireworks presented by Xfinity at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Nothing says "Let's get the Focus on Fun started!" quite like carnival rides, live music, food, drink and fireworks! Expect to see the skies light up over downtown Portland with a fireworks display choreographed to its own soundtrack (best seen and heard inside CityFair). Come to the Dick's Auto Group Community Stage for a full concert by the Nu Wavers will warm up the crowd and the fireworks begin just after dark.

Opening ribbon cutting: 5pm
Nu Wavers: 8:45pm
Fireworks begin: 9:50pm

May 27, 2023

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

May 28, 2023

2:30pm: International Youth Silent Film Festival International Pacific NW Regional at The Hollywood Theatre

Experience modern silent movies created by our next generation of filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest, as they compete for top honors. Awards will also be presented, with a top prize of $1,000. Movies will be accompanied by live theatre pipe organ played by Nathan Avakian. Films feature live action, as well as animation, stop motion and CGI, so there will be something for everyone!

Cost:
General Admission: $15.00
Senior (65+): $10.00
Student (with ID): Free

10:00 AM - Rose Festival Treasure Hunt

The treasure being searched for in this event will be a small (approximately 2.5-inch by 3-inch) block of Lucite with a special Rose Festival Medallion embedded inside.

Click here for MAP - https://cdn.saffire.com/files.ashx?t=fg&rid=RoseFestival&f=2021_Map_of_previous_finds.pdf

12pm-9pm: CityFair - Ukulele Jam & Sing Along

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

12pm-9pm: CityFair - Kids, Clowns & Characters at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

June 1, 2023

1:00 PM - Rose Festival Art Show at Oregon Society of Artists

June 2, 2023

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Brews & Lights
Oregon Brewers Festival Tap Takeover

June 3, 2023

9:00 AM - American Heart Association Heart & Stroke Walk at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Check-In Opens at 7:30am
Walk Begins at 9:00am

Portland - 1 Mile Route Map
Portland - 3 Mile Route Map

6:30 PM - The Toyota Starlight Run

3.1 miles of fun in downtown Portland

Portland's most popular fun run, the Starlight Run, is the wacky warm-up act for the CareOregon Starlight Parade is starting and finishing on Naito Parkway at Rose Festival CityFair.

The 46th Annual Starlight Run will start at 6:30 p.m. The traditional costume contest will be held at 5:30 p.m. The route will follow the path of the CareOregon Starlight Parade and operate as an out-and-back course in 2023.

Schedule:
4:00PM: Bib Pick-Up Opens
5:00PM: Costume Contests Pre-Judging Begins
5:30PM: Costume Contest - main street
6:30PM: Race Begins

8:00 PM - CareOregon Starlight Parade

A Twinkling, Summer Night Downtown
The CareOregon Starlight Parade is the one of the Rose Festival's most popular events offering electrified funky fun for everyone. From traditional marching bands and flood-lit floats, to glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and unique hand-built entries, you'll see representation from Portland's diverse community groups (and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region), creating a vibe like no other on Portland's downtown streets. Events like the Starlight Parade are essential to a vibrant and healthy community.

The Starlight Parade continues a longtime festival tradition from the early 1900s, when illuminated floats built on electric trolley cars made their way through the city on trolley tracks. Today, participants light up the night with approximately 100 illuminated entries drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to downtown Portland. Don't miss the fun of one of the Rose Festival's best and brightest traditions!

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Brews & Lights
Oregon Brewers Festival Tap Takeover
CareOregon Starlight Parade (adjacent on SW Naito Pkwy)
One More Time Around Again Marching Band Concert at Salmon Springs Fountain
Corgi Jamboree (1pm - 3pm)

June 4, 2023

85th Annual Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest

Royal Rosarian Judging

Join us in the 2023 Rose Garden Celebration in Portland, the Rose City!

The Royal Rosarian Rose Garden Contest is open to all rose growers within 20 miles of Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon. No garden club membership is required to enter the contest. Entry is free, and all are invited!

3:00 PM - Rose High Tea at Colwood Golf Center
Cost: $85

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Brews & Lights
Oregon Brewers Festival Tap Takeover

2:30 Registration and Check-in
Mimosa Bar & Fancy Cocktails (No Host Bar)

3:00 High Tea Event
1st Course: Tea Service with mini scones with honey, jam, butter and clotted cream
2nd Course: Tea and Cocktail Service with finger sandwiches (egg salad, cucumber, lox and assorted other sandwiches)
3rd Course: Tea and Cocktail Service with mini desserts, tea cakes, shortbread, and other sweets.

3:45 Fundraising Event
3:45 History of Afternoon Tea
4:00 Rose Festival Presentation
4:15 President's Address
4:25 Live Your Dream Award Winner
4:35 Paddle Raise to Contribute

June 7, 2023

Fleet Week at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Since 1907, visiting ships have made their way to Portland's waterfront. The City of Roses is known to be a favorite port of call for military (and non-military) visitors, as Portland's citizens thank them and make them feel welcome. The Portland Rose Festival is extremely fortunate to be one of a few U.S. Ports of Call for a courtesy visit from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy. Their arrival commemorates a relationship with the Navy that has lasted more than 100 years, and over 80 years of visiting Portland during the Rose Festival. It is a significant commitment by the Navy to make Rose Festival Fleet Week one of the premier Fleet Week events in the country.

Tips for ship tours:
Bring your government issued ID
Visitors will pass through an airport-style security screening checkpoint and may be subject to personal search
Visitors must wear closed-toe shoes
Bags, strollers, and wheelchairs are not allowed on board, and there is no 'holding area' for personal items
Do not bring any items on the prohibited items list
Visitors must be physically able to maneuver on board, including climbing narrow ladders

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Fred Meyer Junior Parade at Hollywood District

From the moment the lovable Fred Bear cuts the ribbon to kick off the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, fun reigns. Children come from all parts of the city to join in: dressing in costume, transforming wagons into floats, decorating their bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with their friends and family. Elementary and Middle School marching bands fill the Hollywood District with song, and dance teams add swirls of color to the celebration. No matter how they participate in this pint-size parade, the kids enjoy their moment in the spotlight on Fox 12 Plus live, local television.

Early in the Portland Rose Festival's history there were celebrations of our community's children. In 1918, a group of six kids in the Hollywood District were sorely disappointed that their beloved Rose Festival had to be cancelled due to World War I. So, they decided to hold their own parade - with a procession of two bicycles, a tricycle and an express wagon carrying their own Queen traveling down NE 44th Street. Having been an official Rose Festival event since 1936, the Junior Parade is the nation's oldest and largest children's parade.

Click Here for Parade Route Map

June 8, 2023

1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Spring Rose Show at Lloyd Center

The Portland Rose Society Annual Spring Rose Show is the largest and longest-running rose show in the nation. The exquisite beauty and fragrances of this yearly show emanate from more than 4,000 blooms. Entry is open to anyone, and all entrants are encouraged. Rose growers from across the Pacific Northwest participate, and some 6,000 spectators from across the country are expected to visit this year’s Spring Rose Show. Sparkling trophies go to those entrants who grow the most beautiful roses.

Cost: Free

June 9, 2023

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Queen's Coronation presented by Unitus Community Credit Union at Oregon Square

Who will become the next Queen of Rosaria? One of Portland's most time-honored traditions continues as the 2023 Rose Festival Court is presented, and the new reigning Queen is named during this special investiture ceremony. The Queen represents Portland and the Rose Festival for one year at appearances throughout the country and abroad. When choosing a Queen, judges consider each Court members' leadership and scholarship achievement, school activities, civic involvement, volunteer service, communication skills, and overall impression. Meet the 2023 Rose Festival Court presented by Unitus Community Credit Union.

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Floats & Boats for Final Weekend
Rose Festival Fleet Week

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Spring Rose Show at Lloyd Center

The Portland Rose Society Annual Spring Rose Show is the largest and longest-running rose show in the nation. The exquisite beauty and fragrances of this yearly show emanate from more than 4,000 blooms. Entry is open to anyone, and all entrants are encouraged. Rose growers from across the Pacific Northwest participate, and some 6,000 spectators from across the country are expected to visit this year’s Spring Rose Show. Sparkling trophies go to those entrants who grow the most beautiful roses.

Cost: Free

June 10, 2023

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Dragon Boat Race at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

The Rose Festival is proud to host the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races, an event that has been bringing an exciting Chinese tradition to Portland for more than two decades, beginning in 1989.

Held on the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge, the races feature exciting four-team heats held every nine minutes. More than 60 different teams – local, national and international – compete in boats graciously provided through the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association.

This event is Free to the public.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Grand Floral Parade

A cherished highlight of the Portland Rose Festival, this popular procession is more than just a spectacular floral-filled parade — it’s a beloved annual tradition. For more than 115 years, Portland families, visitors and community groups have been making memories at the Grand Floral Parade. A colorful reflection of local, regional and international communities, the parade draws hundreds of thousands of cheering viewers of every age, along a route makes it two-mile march along Portland's east side city streets.

Each year the parade features the traditional large all-floral floats we all love, as well as the popular mini-floats that help make the Grand Floral Parade so unique! With bands, equestrian units, marching groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, dancers, llamas, flags and so much more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Click here for Parade Route Map

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Floats & Boats for Final Weekend
Rose Festival Fleet Week
Grand Floral Float Showcase (adjacent on SW Naito Pkwy)
Quantum Quest Pinball Fest

June 11, 2023

12:00 PM - Celebrate Pride Drag Bingo at Milwaukie Community Center

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Oregon Jewish Museum Free Opening at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: International Youth Silent Film Festival Global Awards at Hollywood Theatre

12pm-9pm: CityFair at Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Enjoy Entertainment, Food and Rides on the Waterfront!

Rose Festival's waterfront activities all take place at beautiful Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park, in downtown Portland.

At Rose Festival CityFair, you'll find your favorite fair features - carnival rides, fair foods, interactive exhibits, and constant entertainment - all nestled between the urban energy of the city and the natural beauty of the Willamette River.

Focus on Floats & Boats for Final Weekend
Rose Festival Fleet Week
Grand Floral Float Showcase (adjacent on SW Naito Pkwy)
Dragon Boat Race (adjacent on Willamette River)

June 17-18, 2023

12:00 PM - Juneteenth Oregon Parade & Festival at Lillis-Albina Park

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth "Independence Day" or "Freedom Day," is an annual holiday to commemorate the day Union troops enforced the abolition of slavery and the liberation of all enslaved African Americans.

For more information click here

June 24, 2023

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Good in the Hood

The Good In The Hood Parade is Saturday at 11:00 AM (GITH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by the parents and staff of Holy Redeemer Catholic School with a vision to raise funding for the school and to celebrate diversity.

June 25, 2023

11:00 AM - 2023 Milk Carton Boat Race

Home-built milk carton boats compete for prizes and bragging rights at the Westmoreland Casting Pond, hosted by the Royal Rosarians.

Schedule:

10:00 - 11:30 AM: Check In: Onsite Boat Registration and Boat Inspection

11:45 AM Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM Race Start
Adult Single-rider (Class One)
Child Single-rider (Class Two)
Adult (2 riders) (Class Three)
Child (2 riders) (Class Four)
Mixed Ages (2-4 riders, adults and children) (Class Five)
Adult Multi-rider (3-4 riders) (Class Six)
Child Multi-rider (3-4 riders) (Class Seven)
Heats and Final Races as needed
People’s Choice Parade

2:30 PM AWARDS CEREMONY (Photos and Awards at this time)

For more information click here

12:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Gresham Golf Course

Come play golf or just hang around and see some great Rose Festival memorabilia. Golf starts at noon, scramble format with a shotgun start. Prizes to the winning team and runner up, as well as KP and longest drive (Men's and Women's).

For more information click here

Date: May 1-June 25, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Portland, OR 97202

Click here for more information