smith-rock-state-park-what-to-do-june_1973139512_cuhvog What to Do in Oregon in June — June 7 is State Parks Day, which means waived day-use and camping fees at such spots as Smith Rock.

Between Pedalpalooza, the Pickles, and picnics at the park, there’s plenty to keep Portlanders close to home in June. But the rest of Oregon is calling, too, with crab derbies and bull riding and very impressive sandcastle architecture.

Pride

Various Dates | Across the state

As it has for the last couple of years, Portland Pride’s waterfront festival and parade will take place in July, but in June you can still find LGBTQ+ celebrations across the state, from Bend to Brookings, Monmouth to Hood River. Don’t sleep on the weekendlong extravaganza in Yachats June 6–8, with a “Gays in Space” theme and a David Bowie cover band, drag bingo, and puppy parade.

Thu–Sun, JUNE 5–8 | ASTORIA

The Astoria-set movie turns 40 this year and the town goes appropriately big, with a four-day party featuring a cast-and-crew panel, bus tours to filming locations, a scavenger hunt, a costume contest, and an ’80s-themed prom. Some events have sold out already, so get on it, Goonies fans.

State Parks Day

Sat, june 7 | across the state

What better way to celebrate one of the nation’s best state park systems than by keeping your money in your wallet? Think free parking, free fishing, and even free campsites. A tradition since 1998, State Parks Day brings a slew of special events: Enjoy covered wagon cooking demos and cuddle baby goats during Festival of the Land at the Cove Palisades, look through a telescope at L.L. Stub Stewart’s star party, or join a guided hike at Tryon Creek. Day-use fees are waived at the 25 parks that require them, and it’s also a free fishing weekend, meaning that anyone can crab, clam, or fish for free June 7 and 8.

Sat, June 7 | Rockaway beach

Regrettably, not a race among crabs. Instead, the good people at Kelly’s Brighton Marina put number tags on 26 crabs and release them in the morning. Derby entrants catch as many as they can, and bring them to the marina by 5pm for tickets to a drawing with a grand prize of $1,000. The event ($10 entry) is a fundraiser for the Mudd Nick Foundation and Animal Haven by the Sea Rescue. Plus: vendors, raffles, an oyster eating contest, and live music starting at 6pm.

Oregon Gin Festival

Sat, June 7 | Bend

Oregon has beer fests and cider fests and whiskey fests—and, as of last year, a gin fest, courtesy of Bend’s Oregon Spirit Distillers. Fifteen gin distilleries from across the state will have their wares to sample, and a bar will serve cocktails. A food cart, local vendors, and live music round out the bill.

Sisters Rodeo

Wed–Sun, June 11-15 | Sisters

The rodeo circuit lights up Central Oregon for the 85th year of the “biggest little show in the world.” Catch professional bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and rustling. Plus, hundreds will line the streets Saturday morning for a parade featuring rodeo queens, wagons, costumed riders, classic cars, and even corgis.

Savor Southern Oregon

FRI & SAt, June 13 & 14 | Jacksonville

Bigham Knoll, a restored schoolhouse in Jacksonville, plays home to a new festival celebrating Rogue Valley wine. Expect more than 50 wineries, tasting events, and courses on the terroir and varietals of the region.

Silverton Strawberry Festival

Sun, June 15 | Silverton

The quaint Willamette Valley town of Silverton has since 1951 hosted a celebration of that most luscious fruit, and will this year serve strawberries with biscuits and ice cream for $8—or for free, if you’re under two or over 80.

Juneteenth

Various dates | Across the State

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and asserted control of the Confederate state, thus freeing some of the last remaining enslaved people in the nation. Find community celebrations across Oregon, including on June 14 in Lincoln City and on June 21 in Oregon City and Portland.

cannon-beach-sand-castle_JT22F1_zmqpjt What to Do in Oregon in June — Sandcastle architecture rises to new levels at Cannon Beach’s annual contest.

Fri–Sun, June 20–22 | Cannon Beach

Back in 1964, an enormous earthquake in Alaska triggered tsunamis down the West Coast. Cannon Beach flooded, and the water knocked out a critical bridge. Stuck in relative isolation, locals built sandcastles to keep themselves entertained. Sixty-one years later, they’re still building. The 2025 event kicks off on Friday with a live demo, and the main affair is Saturday, when groups in divisions from young “sand fleas” to masters start building at 12:15pm. Final judging takes place at 5:15pm. Who will reign supreme? Only those who use natural materials found on the beach, and “no coloring, paint, flour, sugar, starch, adhesives, or cement.” Saturday ends with a beach party and bonfire. Stick around till Sunday for a 5k fun run.

Fri–Sun, June 20–22 | Astoria

While the Northwest is home to many descendants of Scandinavian immigrants, festival organizers stress that anyone can discover their “inner Viking” at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, which will host a beer garden, an Icelandic horse area, armor-making demonstrations, a midsummer pole raising and dance, meatball and æbleskiver eating contests, and the coronation of Miss Scandinavia 2025.

Glide Sasquatch Festival

Sat, JUne 21 | Glide

The Douglas County town of Glide welcomes believers and skeptics alike to its fourth annual festival devoted to all things Sasquatch. This year’s event promises an array of musical guests, a trio of speakers, and food trucks, plus bounce houses, face painting, and a mechanical bull. As the event poster reads: “Where the feet are big and the party is bigger.”

lincoln-city-kite-festival_700377193_ikf4wi What to Do in Oregon in June — Catch a cornucopia of kites in Lincoln City.

Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival

Sat & Sun, June 21 & 22 | Lincoln City

This annual fest draws professional kite fliers to the coast for two days of airborne affairs. Both Saturday and Sunday bring performances, art kite displays, carnival games, and free kite-making workshops.

June 27–July 13 | Eugene

Since its humble beginnings in the ’70s, this event has grown to be one of the largest Bach celebrations in the US. Opening night features Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 1” (and some Bach, of course) conducted by Jos van Veldhoven, and the coming weeks include a Grammy-nominated oratorio created in response to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a sunset concert celebrating the 500th birthday of Italian Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and a reconstruction of Bach’s lost “Markus Passion.”

Queer Wine Fest

Sun, Jun 29 | Dayton

In coordination with Wine Country Pride, Queer Wine Fest returns to Remy Wines (owned by former McMinnville mayor Remy Drabkin) for its fourth year. The event was established to connect wine enthusiasts and travelers with a growing network of LGBTQ+ winery owners, makers, and growers from across the country. Expect a bevy of wines, live music from Camp Crush, and food from Renegade Mobile Kitchen.

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