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The best overall time to visit Portland is mid-June through September, when rain drops to under 40mm a month and daytime highs sit between 22°C and 27°C (72°F to 81°F). If you want dry weather and can handle a little heat, July and August are the warmest and sunniest months. If you’d rather save money and avoid crowds, May and September offer near-summer conditions with fewer tourists and lower room rates. This best time to visit Portland guide breaks down each season by cost, crowds, and what’s actually happening. For Portland weather by month, see our Portland weather by month.
Best Time to Visit Portland for Weather: June to September
June through September is Portland’s dry season. Rain totals just 13mm to 34mm per month, and you’ll get roughly 280 to 330 hours of sunshine a month. July and August average highs of 27°C (81°F), ideal for hiking Forest Park, kayaking the Willamette River, or a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge. The tradeoff is peak prices: downtown hotel rooms run US$200 to US$350 per night, versus US$120 to US$180 in the off-season. Book at least two months ahead for July, when the Waterfront Blues Festival and the last weeks of the Rose Festival fill hotels. For best neighborhoods in Portland, see our best neighborhoods in Portland.
Best Time to Visit Portland for Lower Prices: May and September
May and September are the shoulder-season sweet spot. May averages 19°C (67°F) with about 48mm of rain spread across 12 days, and the city’s roses and gardens are at their peak. September averages 24°C (75°F) with just 33mm of rain and empties out after Labor Day, so mid-September hotel rates drop 20 to 30 percent below July. Both months let you enjoy outdoor patios, the food carts, and the things to do in Portland list without summer crowds. For Portland travel tips, see our Portland travel tips.
Best Time to Visit Portland in Fall and Winter: October to February
October brings fall foliage and the return of rain (69mm), plus the Portland Film Festival and the start of Timbers soccer season wrapping up. November through February is the wet season, with 101mm to 142mm of rain each month and highs of 8°C to 11°C (46°F to 52°F). It’s the cheapest time to visit, with rooms from US$90 to US$150 a night, and it’s ideal for Powell’s Books, the Portland Art Museum, and coffee shop culture. December hosts the popular Peacock Lane lights and the Christmas Ship Parade. Avoid visiting in January if you dislike relentless grey skies; it’s the cloudiest month.
Best Time to Visit Portland: Events Calendar by Month
| Month | Key Event |
|---|---|
| February | Portland Seafood & Wine Festival |
| March | PDX Jazz Festival |
| April | Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest (Woodburn, 45 min south) |
| June | Portland Rose Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival |
| July | Oregon Brewers Festival (late July) |
| August | PDX Pop Now music fest, Pickathon (early August) |
| September | Feast Portland food festival (mid-September) |
| December | Peacock Lane lights, Christmas Ship Parade |
For full details on specific dates and venues, see our Portland events and festivals guide, and for where to base yourself, read where to stay in Portland.
