February is just the worst in Portland. Here are our best tips for things to do that will get you out of the house and enjoying even this month:
Clinton Street Theater is celebrating Black history with films. Some of what they’ll screen include:
- Feb. 3: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
- Feb. 12: Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
- Feb. 28: The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Other Black History-related celebrations include Curious Comedy’s NW Black Comedy Festival (Feb. 16 - 22). And don’t miss The Sun Ra Arkestra, a pioneer of Afrofuturism, (Feb. 25 - 27).
💡 Portland Winter Lights Festival | Feb. 6 - 14
The annual city event to light up the dark month is full of Portland-style fun. It's a delightful reason to visit downtown — and neighborhood spots — all decked out in bright colors.
Pioneer Courthouse Square during February’s festival. (Amrik Kerketta / Portland Winter Lights Festival)
♥️ Valentine’s Day Dinner | Feb. 14
If you’re looking for a night out for Valentine’s Day, there are a lot of places offering special dinners. Bridgetown Bites has the run-down, including:
- Javelina, which serves Native American cuisine, has a 7-course tasting menu they're calling acred Fire that costs $185 per person. (They had a few reservations as of late last week.)
- French-influenced Canard, which has a 3-course dinner, had some late times available at their East Burnside location, as of Friday.
- Plus: Doe Doughnuts special heart-shaped “conversation starter” doughnuts you can pre-order for the occasion.
♨️ Willamette Sauna Festivaali | Feb. 14 - 15
Milwaukie will host a sauna festival on Valentine’s Day weekend. More than a dozen different mobile saunas, invited to town by SaunaGlo, will gather on the waterfront.
- Plus: Two other options for soaking in the heat will also get you scenic views of the river. There’s a new floating sauna. Or Yacht Tubs are available for soaking and touring.
🥟 Dumpling Week | Feb. 15 - 21
Dumplings are a cozy food and a good antidote for this usually wet, cold month. Plus, they’re a Portland specialty. More than 40 restaurants across town participate in Dumpling Week and span the range of different cuisines.
- Related: Portland’s best dumplings. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
🐷 Mardi Gras Parade | Feb. 17
North Mississippi Avenue hosts our own local celebration of Mardi Gras. The theme this year is Sea of Love, so we’re hoping for some fanciful sea creature costumes.
