Portland’s Spring 2025 Event Guide: Music, festivals, theater and more await!

Published 12:57 pm Saturday, February 1, 2025

: Allison Goldberg performs her live comedy dating show, "Love Isn't Blind," in 2024.

This is shaping up to be an exciting and diverse lineup of cultural events, concerts, and festivals in the Portland area! Whether you’re into music, theater, comedy, or outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone this spring.

Moda Center concerts

While the summer concert season awaits, the indoor season continues at local clubs and big venues like the Moda Center. For more, visit rosequarter.com

Some big concerts:

Feb. 25, The Deftones
Feb. 26, Tyler, The Creator
March 14, Heart
March 15, Kelsea Ballerini
March 20, Kane Brown
March 26, Danzig
April 20, Phish
May 7, Disturbed
May 10, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

African Film Festival

Oregon Symphony

One of Portland’s big attractions it the Oregon Symphony, and its upcoming schedule at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall includes concerts performed or presented by the symphony (see full lineup at orsymphony.org; most concerts are 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays, and 2 p.m. Sundays). Highlights: “Bach & Mendelssohn: Grace and Grandeur,” Feb. 22-24; “Amadeus in Concert,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28; “Copland & Sibelius: Sounds of Spring,” March 8-10; “The Music of the Rolling Stones,” March 15-17; “Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony,” April 5-7; “Beethoven Symphony No. 6,” April 12-14; “Adventures in the Great Outdoors,” 2 p.m. April 27; “Prom Night at the Symphony,” 7:30 p.m. May 3; “Impressions of the Sea,” May 10-12; “Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue,” May 17-19.

Portland’5 events

Always keep an eye out for events at Portland Centers for the Performing Arts (portland5.com). Among the upcoming events:

White Bird Dance — The Portland presenting company White Bird Dance (whitebird.org) welcomes Noche Flamenca, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26-27; Changmu Dance Company, 7:30 p.m. March 19; Grupo Corpo, as part of We Are One Festival, 7:30 p.m. April 30, all at Portland’5 venues.
Metropolitan Youth Symphony — MYS ensembles will play their “Community Concert, Downtown!” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at Newmark Theatre. In addition, MYS appeals to the video game and movie fans out there with “Music for Millions: Film and Video Games,” a concert that will include music by famed composer John Williams and more, 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2 at Newmark Theatre. See playmys.org.
Kathy Griffin — The comedian takes to the stage on her “My Life on the PTSD-List” tour at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 at Newmark Theatre.
Jake Shimabukuro — The famous ukulele player performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 at Newmark Theatre.
Aziz Ansari — The comedian on his “Hypothetical Tour,” stops at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13.
PassinArt: A Theatre Company — The group presents “Dot,” March 20-April 13 at Brunish Theatre.
The Jefferson Dancers — This elite youth company under the guidance of Artistic Director Steve Gonzales, puts on its annual performance April 17-19 at Newmark Theatre.
“Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles” — An electrifying concert experience celebrating the timeless music of the legendary Fab Four, and it’s 7 p.m. April 23 at Keller Auditorium.
Verselandia! Youth Poetry Slam Championship — High school poets compete at 7 p.m. April 24 at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit in Concert — Star Entertainment presents music from the movies by The Orchestra and Choir of The Shire, 11:30 a.m. May 11 and 7:30 p.m. May 12 at Newmark Theatre.
Diana Krall — The jazz singer makes a tour stop in Portland, May 19 at Keller Auditorium.
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit — This acclaimed musician performs at 8 p.m. May 20 at Keller Auditorium.

Helium Comedy Club

The comedy club that hosts national acts is always a place to check out. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 S.E. Ninth Ave., will feature the likes of Craig Robinson (Feb. 27-March 2). They have shows all week long, and headliners on weekends (heliumcomedy.com/portland).

Portland Center Stage

It’s the biggest theater in Portland, and Portland Center Stage stages “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” March 2-30 at The Armory (pcs.org/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf). The story: George and Martha have invited a young couple — Nick and Honey — over for a nightcap. As the drinks start flowing and skeletons claw their way out of their closets, the couples soon learn that marriage isn’t all fun and games. Hilarious and harrowing, one of the theater’s beloved classics, Edward Albee’s dark comedy is as fresh now as it was at its premiere more than 60 years ago.

Broadway in Portland

The Broadway in Portland season continues through the spring. The big show is returning as “Hamilton” stages March 4-23 at Keller Auditorium. It’s the epic saga of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation, it’s fit with a score that blends hip hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway music. Also, “Life of Pi” stages April 8-13 at Keller Auditorium. And, “Six,” about the six wives of Henry VIII telling of and 500 years of historical heartbreak and 21st century girl power, stages April 29-May 4. All info can be found at BroadwayInPortland.com.

Tulip Festival

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn opens in late March and stays open till early May — the peak time for the beautiful colors on the tulips. “We generally expect the best overlap of colors in mid-April. Every year is different as our tulips bloom based on growing degree days,” publicity says. It’s located at 33814 S. Meridian Road in Woodburn (wooden shoe.com/events/tulip-fest).

Outdoor concerts

The outdoor concert season gets underway in May, as the newly renamed Cascades Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington hosts legendary UK band Simple Minds on its “Alive & Kicking Tour 2025) on May 16. It’s the band’s biggest North American live run in four decades. It’ll be a big 1980s concert: Soft Cell and Modern English also perform (cascadesamphitheater.com). Meanwhile, watch for outdoor concerts guide at portlandtribune.com.

Vanport Mosaic

The people, city and legacy of Vanport, 77 years after the devastating flood, will be commemorated in the 10th annual Vanport Mosaic Festival. More information about the spring event (usually in May) can be found online. More: vanportmosaic.org