One of the biggest events of the year is the Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon! This event has been a big part of life in Portland since 1907. It is organized by the volunteer-run non-profit Portland Rose Festival Association and includes three parades and a variety of other celebratory activities. This year, it’s happening from May 26 to June 11, 2023, so get excited and get out there to enjoy all it has to offer. Read on to learn all about it!

Portland is known as The City of Roses. The Portland Rose Society was founded in 1889 by Georgina Burton Pittock who grew roses in her garden and she invited her friends over to enjoy them. Soon, high society in Portland was obsessed with roses and they were planted all over the city.
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The rest is history, and today, Portland celebrates its beautiful and fitting nickname with the annual Portland Rose Festival every year.
This festival is so much fun for everyone and it really brings Portland together. There are many events over the two weeks of this festival for people to enjoy. There's a fun run, for example.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook
There are also dragon boat races.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook
A queen and her court are chosen from local high school seniors.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook

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But best of all, there are parades. There are actually three large parades during the Portland Rose Festival. One is at night, one is just for kids, and then there's the big one — the Grand Floral Parade. It's full of floats made of flowers.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook
It's actually the second-largest floral parade in the nation, after the Rose Bowl Parade in California. The floats are incredible. They're all made of flowers!
So many of the costumes are beautiful and eye-catching. You're sure to have a great time.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook
And, you never know what else you'll see and do during this festival. One thing is for sure, though — as soon as this year's Portland Rose Festival is complete, you'll be looking forward to the next one.
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook
It's fun for the whole family! Don't miss it!
Portland Rose Festival/Facebook

The Portland Rose Festival is one of Portland’s biggest and most exciting events and it’s something that every Portlander can enjoy. Even more than that, anyone who attends — Oregonian or not — is sure to have a fantastic time. Don’t miss this event and plan your participation in it today! You’ll love everything about it. Have fun!

Portland is a wonderful place for party people — it has festivals all year long. Looking for more? Check out our list of 11 unique festivals in The Rose City!

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