Fall is here, and Portland is officially entering its coziest season.
The leaves are changing, pumpkin is everywhere at the grocery store and suddenly a rainy Saturday sounds a lot more appealing when there’s a cozy dinner waiting at the end of it.
If you’re looking for things to do this fall, we rounded up some great fall activities near Portland. Check them out below!
1. Spend a Day at a Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
You really can’t make a list of fall activities in Portland without including some of our amazing pumpkin patches.
There are plenty of options around the area, but Bella Organic Farm, Lee Farms and Liepold Farms are all worth checking out this year.
Bella Organic on Sauvie Island has its annual corn maze open daily through October 31, with the pumpkin patch running from September 26 – October 31. They also have a haunted corn maze on Friday and Saturday nights through October 30.
Lee Farms in Tualatin is hosting its Fall Festival from September 19 through October 31, with pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals and other fun fall activities.
If you’re on the east side of Portland, Liepold Farms in Boring is hosting its Fall Festival September 26–27 and October 1–31. Their 2026 corn maze has a golden-pumpkin adventure theme, along with the usual fall farm fun, hay rides, shopping and more.
Pick your perfect pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze and grab something warm to eat afterward. That’s basically the perfect fall Saturday.
2. See the Fall Colors at the Portland Japanese Garden
The Portland Japanese Garden is one of the best places to slow down and enjoy the changing colors. Take a walk through the gardens, grab a coffee afterward and enjoy a little bit of quiet in the middle of the city.
If you’re bringing little ones, the Garden is also hosting Storytime in the Family Studio on October 10, with fall-themed stories geared toward kids ages 3–8.
3. Watch Giant Pumpkins Race
The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta takes place in Tualatin on Sunday, October 18, 2026. People from around the country gather to race hollowed out giant pumpkins across the lake. There is also pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, food and other activities throughout the day.
The event itself is free with lots of fun activities for the whole family. The weekend also includes Pumpkins and Pints on October 17 at Stickmen Brewing Company for the 21+ crowd.
4. Check Out Portland Open Studios
Portland Open Studios takes place October 10–11 and October 17–18, giving you the chance to visit the studios of more than 100 local artists.
It’s free and self-guided, so you can spend the day wandering around Portland, checking out different artists and seeing where they actually make their work. It’s a fun and unique fall activity, and there’s always the possibility of finding something really cool to hang in your home.
5. Head to the Oregon Zoo for Howloween
The Oregon Zoo is getting into the Halloween spirit with Howloween on October 17, 18, 24 and 25.
The event is geared toward kids ages 2–10 and includes costumes, trick-or-treating, entertainment and special animal activities.
One of the highlights is the Squishing of the Squash on October 17, when the zoo’s elephants get to smash giant pumpkins.
Honestly, this might be one of the best fall activities of all!
6. Take a Day Trip to Hood River
If you have a free Saturday, head to Hood River.
The Hood River Valley Harvest Festival runs October 9–11, with local food, music, vendors, a farmers market and plenty of Oregon beer, cider, wine and spirits.
Kids under 12 get in free, so it’s an easy family day trip, but it’s also a fun excuse to make a weekend of it with friends.
And obviously, leave room in the car for apples, pears and whatever else you find along the way.
7. Go See Some Fall Art
Looking for something a little more low-key? The Portland Art Museum has several things happening this fall, including its Fall Member Artists Show, running September 25 through October 31.
The museum is also hosting a Miller Family Community Free Day on October 25, with free admission and family-friendly activities.
And if spooky movies are more your thing, PAM CUT is hosting Vintage Spooky throughout October, with screenings of classics like The Shining, Hocus Pocus, Rosemary’s Baby and Night of the Living Dead.
8. Celebrate Oktoberfest at Oaks Park
Oaks Park is hosting Oktoberfest September 25–27, complete with German food, beer, cider, wine, live music, dancing, vendors and even wiener dog races.
There’s also a Kinderplatz for kids, so you can bring the whole family along to enjoy a fun weekend at Oaks Park.
9. Go on a Ghost Tour
For those who like their fall activities a little on the spooky side, Portland has plenty of ghost stories.
A Night with Ghosts offers guided walking tours exploring Portland’s paranormal history and local legends. Tours are available throughout September and October, with dates continuing through November 1. It’s a fun and unique date night if you’re tired of going to the same 4 restaurants for dinner over and over again.
10. Go to The Fear PDX
If a ghost tour isn’t quite enough, there’s always The Fear PDX. The haunted attraction runs September 26 through November 29, with multiple haunted houses and scare zones.
The Fear PDX is definitely more of an adults-and-older-kids activity, but if getting scared is your idea of a good time, it’s definitely worth checking out.
11. Take a Fall Drive
Last but not least, keep it simple.
Pick a Sunday, grab a coffee and head out of Portland. Drive through the Gorge, head toward Hood River, stop at a farm or orchard, or just find a pretty stretch of road and see where you end up. You don’t need a full itinerary to enjoy fall in Oregon.
Get Out and Enjoy Fall
There are plenty of ways to enjoy fall in Portland, whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids, planning a date night or just want an excuse to get out of the house. Pick a pumpkin. Watch a giant pumpkin race. Go see some local art. Take a drive. Or cozy up with something warm in the crockpot and put a good movie on. There are tons of great ways to enjoy the autumn season here in Portland.