Portland doesn’t play host to anything like Coachella or Primavera or Glastonbury, and thank god for that. Those dark carnivals are so blown out—they’re more for being seen and “influencing” instead of the actual music. What Portland does have is a bunch of music festivals that pull big names while still highlighting local and up-and-coming artists in more intimate (in festival terms) settings, allowing festival goers to connect more deeply with the music and each other. It’s completely understandable when people say they’re not into music festivals, though I think those who say that are picturing those monster fests with 100,000+ people all trying to see Taylor xcx or whoever the fuck. There’s a lot to be said for being able to find your pals after standing in the beer and merch lines, especially when that first cap is starting to hit.
Start mapping out your summer with this handy breakdown of some Portland-area music festival favorites. We’ll see you front and center!
Homie Fest
June 27–28
The homies behind Homie Fest took a seven-year sabbatical, but they’re back, baby! The much beloved, sorely missed festival has found a perfect home at Central Eastside favorite Swan Dive, and will be hosting two stages between the two floors. Homie Fest’s sixth iteration pops off June 27 and 28 and—in collaboration with the booker buds at Lonely God—a pretty stellar lineup has been announced. Featuring Portland-area bands exclusively, the fest serves as a crash course in local music with professors Nonbinary Girlfriend, Snugsworth, and Public Pleasure learnin’ us good. Julimar, Saloli, and E.M.A. are also enrolled in this School of Rock, and as upper classmen, they’re gonna teach us something, too. Puerta Negra and Orquestra Pacífico Tropical, the late night headliners (deans in this analogy) of this Portland Music University, play at 1 am on their respective nights, setting a very groovy tone that will carry the sock hop into the wee hours. I better hear you say “present” when your name’s called at Homie Fest roll call. (Swan Dive, June 27–28, tickets here and here, 21+)
Project Pabst
July 26–27
Back for its second year after taking a break between 2017 and 2024, Project Pabst takes over Tom McCall Waterfront Park on July 26 and 27. If, like me, you thought the 2024 lineup was pretty mid with a few highlights, wipe those tears away! PP is back with a vengeance this year, hungry to prove that it’s Portland’s favorite music festival. The lineup is unbelievably stacked with a conscious energy switch between the two days, allowing you to choose your own adventure between the more punk rock sets of day one and the indie/emo joy of day two. I’ll be there with bells on both days to catch some longtime favorites I thought I would never see live as well as checking out some new artists I’ve been digging on in recent years. First day fest faves include Iggy Pop, Devo, the Damned, the Exploding Hearts, and Mannequin Pussy—these headliners are bonkers in-and-of-themselves, but the fact we’re being treated to an Exploding Hearts reunion show is not only exploding my heart but my mind as well! Day two’s lineup is the perfect comedown from the high octane of day one, featuring sets by Death Cab for Cutie, Cap’n Jazz, Dustbunny, and more. I don’t care what you too-cool-for-school jabronis say about Death Cab, they rip; I never thought I would get the chance to see Cap’n Jazz live; and Dustbunny are one of Portland’s best bands right now. Leave the kids at home for this one, it’s 21+ and sponsored by thee working class beer. Check out our more expansive breakdown of Project Pabst 2025 here and have a listen to the playlist we pulled together for the occasion below! (Tom McCall Waterfront Park, July 26–27, tickets here, 21+)
Pickathon
July 31–August 3
There’s a special place in my heart for campout festivals and Pickathon is for sure one of the region’s premiere examples. Tucked back into the woods at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, I frequently hear Pickathon described as magical, immersive, and so, so sweet. The lineup this year is pretty nail-on-the-head Portland with bigger names including local heroes Portugal. The Man and the once Portland-based dreamer Haley Heynderickx. One thing Pickathon is especially good at is booking heaps of local talent to complement the headliners—some of this year's favorite smaller acts include Jenny Don’t and the Spurs, Dougie Poole, and J.R.C.G. If there’s a lineup conflict where two bands you’re dying to see are playing at the same time, don’t worry: every act plays twice so you’ll be able to catch everyone you’re trying to see! I would be remiss not to mention that the person I was most looking forward to this year has now split the scene forever: Michael Hurley passed away in April and will be sorely missed at this year’s festival. Beyond the fun lineup, Pickathon is full of art, a wildly diverse selection of food, and truly just a good time. PRO TIP: Our Arts & Culture editor Suzette Smith is a big fan of biking out to Pendarvis! She tells me that biking is a great way to a) beat traffic leaving the fest, b) get some exercise, and c) help Mother (Earth). (Pendarvis Farm, July 31–Aug 3, tickets here, all ages)
Northwest Hardcore Fest
August 16–17
Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest bioregion plays host to some of the best hardcore punk music in the world, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that our fair city hosts Northwest Hardcore Fest. Since 2023, under the programming direction of Chip Nooo, the fest has been bringing the best and brightest (AKA toughest and loudest) touring hardcore bands to Portland while simultaneously giving platform to the region’s smartest and wittiest (AKA fastest and most punishing) acts. This year, Chip has teamed up with Friends of Noise and the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) to present a summit of hardcore like we’ve never seen and are likely never to see again (at least until the next fest). New Jersey’s Bayway, the Bay Area’s Outta Pocket, and SLC’s Mask are confirmed and ready to rip some heads off while regional bands like Eugene’s Boltcutter with Portland’s Dry Socket and 2 The Teeth are ready to chop it up over the two days in mid-August. Don’t look like a n00b—get your battle vests ready, lace up those New Balances, and always remember… WALL TO WALL OR NOT AT ALL! Check out our more expansive exploration of Northwest Hardcore Fest here. (PICA, Aug 16–17, tickets here, all ages)
PDX Pop Now!
September 12–14
Back again at Midtown Beer Garden, PDX Pop Now! is expanding this year and will be shutting down SW Harvey Milk between 4th and 5th for outdoor activities as well as taking over the JK Gill Building to offer two stages, an artist and makers market, local food vendors, interactive family activities, and a street fair! Though the lineup hasn’t been announced yet, I have it on good authority that 25+ bands will serenade us over the three-day celebration. If previous year’s lineups are anything to go by, it’ll be a real treat for the eyes and ears. As always, PDX Pop Now! is free, all ages, and open to the public—the Holy Trinity of accessibility. (Midtown Beer Garden, Sept 12–14, all ages)
Out of towners:
We Portlanders love a weekend getaway, whether it’s out to the coast, over the mountain to Central Oregon, or up to visit our big sister Seattle. With the love we have for exploring the PNW in mind, I’m including a couple favorite festivals further afield. Load up the Subaru, queue our Portland Summer Fuzz playlist, and hit the dusty trails to catch these worthwhile festivals outside the tri-county area.
FairWell Festival (Redmond, OR)
July 18–19
What might not be apparent to readers is that I’m a huge country head—there’s a separate section in my record library for country albums, and one of my biggest, most visible tattoos is a Patsy Cline piece (shout out to Kimber Fowler). That said, Redmond, Oregon’s FairWell Festival is deeply up this cowgirl’s alley. This year, the fest’s most exciting headliner is Sturgill Simpson performing as Johnny Blue Skies, a moniker he adopted last year allowing him to release new music with less fanfare. Classic country fans also have cause for celebration with the inclusion of Dwight Yoakam, Tanya Tucker, and Marty Stuart playing across the two-day festival. Hilariously (and perfectly), Ludacris—yes, thee Luda—is also playing this country music hayride. That might come as a shock to some, but I lived in Bend for four years and this lineup is a spot-on reflection of Central Oregon’s music taste. (Deschutes County Fairgrounds, July 18–19, tickets here, all ages)
Bumbershoot (Seattle, WA)
August 30–31
Growing up in Seattle in the ’90s, Bumbershoot was ubiquitous. My first B-shoot was 2005, when I saw the New York Dolls and lost a shoe crowd surfing for the first time in the Stooges pit. To this day, one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make was choosing to see the Blood Brothers over AFI when they were booked at the same time at Bumbershoot 2006, but I digress. Post the late-’00s, Bumbershoot felt like it was becoming one of those big blown-out festivals pouring too much money and focus into big touring acts and I stopped going. The fest took a break in 2020 (planned pre-pandemic) before relaunching under new management in 2023. I made the pilgrimage last year for the classic Labor Day festival, and it truly felt like a homecoming—the festival had downsized and created a scene that felt more like the community-oriented festival the PNW knew was still in there. I’ve got big, big love for Bumbershoot, and the festival’s lineup this year is a whopper...Weezer, Scowl, and Bob the Drag Queen are the most exciting touring acts. As always, the festival has booked some Seattle jewels, this year’s diamonds include Pretty Girls Make Graves, Digable Planets, the Murder City Devils, and Capitol Hill’s own Fleetwood Snack. (Seattle Center, Aug 30–31, tickets here, all ages)
