PORTLAND, Oregon — The month is nearly over and spring is nearly here, with plenty to do across the Rose City during the final days of not only the month of love but Black History Month. If you're looking for something fun to do, you have options. From the Portland Jazz Festival to Oregon Craft Beer Month to Portland Sandwich Week, there's something for everyone.
Here are 8 things to do around Portland this weekend.
Portland Jazz Festival
When: Feb. 16 - March 2
Where: More than 30 venues across the Portland metro
What's going on: The Portland Jazz Festival is back for its 21st year in the Rose City. The two-week event is put together by the nonprofit PDX Jazz each February to celebrate Black History Month. The festival kicked off with a sold-out show by award-winning musician Jon Batiste at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland.
To learn more regarding event schedules and tickets, click here.
Oregon Craft Beer Month
When: Feb. 2-25
Where: Local restaurants citywide
What's going on: It's the hoppiest time of the year! Mark your calendars for many events centered around beer. Throughout the month of February, there will be special releases, brewery highlights and more. The Oregon Brewers Guild is putting on the event and wants to help encourage people to visit and support Oregon craft breweries across the state.
View the full list of events here.
Cascade Festival of African Films
When: Feb. 2 - March 2
Where: Portland Community College, 705 North Killingsworth Street, Portland
What's going on: In celebration of Black History Month, the Portland Community College Cascade Campus is offering this free in-person festival to the public. The festival will showcase films that celebrate Africa's achievements and show Africa through the eyes of Africans. The films that will be showcased this weekend are "Goodbye Julia," "Catching Feelings" and "Four Daughters." The festival is free to the public all month long.
Learn more about this event here.
Studio Ghibli Film Festival
When: Jan. 12 - Feb. 25
Where: Empirical Theater at OMSI, 1945 Southeast Water Avenue Suite 100, Portland
What's going on: The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry brings back its Studio Ghibli Film Festival. The event runs until Feb. 25, giving the audience an opportunity to experience 21 films from the acclaimed animation studios. Certain screenings will include special guest speakers. Some of the films on the list for this weekend include "Howl's Moving Castle," "My Neighbor Totoro" and more.
To learn more and see the film festival schedule, click here.
Rose City Polar Plunge
When: Feb. 24, 10 a.m.
Where: Willamette Park Boat Ramps, 6500 South Macadam Avenue, Portland
What's going on: The race and plunge is back for another year. The Polar Plunge is a chilling tradition for a good cause. The money raised goes to Special Olympics Oregon. So if participating in a run or jumping into frigid water – or both of those things for a good cause sound good to you, this is the event for you. Anyone interested in participating is asked to register ahead of the event.
Learn more about this event here.
Portland Mercury's Sandwich Week
When: Now until Feb. 25
Where: Multiple locations across Portland
What's going on: Portland Sandwich Week is here, featuring $8 bites all across the city from Feb. 19 through Feb. 25. More than 40 restaurants are participating in this year's celebration, featuring a bounty of flavors squeezed between two slices of bread, from crispy chicken, saucy pork, gooey cheese and overall saucy goodness.
Learn more about this event here.
Black Artists of Oregon Convening
When: Feb. 24 - 25
Where: Portland Art Museum, 1219 Southwest Park Avenue, Portland
What's going on: Seeking a deeper look into Black arts stewardship, collecting, and caretaking. Well, you're in luck. The Portland Art Museum will be looking into all these practices in connection to the museum's Black Artists of Oregon, a day-and-a-half filled with sliding scale convening which includes panel discussions, lectures, and performances tailed to Black institution building and nurturing Black art talent.
Learn more about this event here.
Agate and Mineral Show
When: Everyday up until Feb. 25
Where: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), 1945 Southeast Water Avenue, Portland
What's going on: Calling all rock enthusiasts! The Oregon Agate and Mineral Society's fancy rock show celebrates 73 years at OMSI this upcoming weekend. Offering hands on activities and interactive demos. Trained professionals will be using saws to cut large slabs, form shapes, and create designs before following up with an intricate polishing process that makes them shine. There will be dozens of exhibitors from the Northwest showcasing cut, shaped, and polished rocks. Show proceeds will be donated to OMSI’s Hancock Field Station in the John Day River Valley, a fossil-rich area prime for educating upcoming geologists.
Learn more about this event here.
Sabinna Pierre is the curator of "Things To Do" for KGW's digital platforms. Know of an event you'd like to see featured? Let her know! Email her at SPierre@kgw.com. Follow Sabinna on Instagram @SincerelyBinna.