Festival Happenings

On the Grounds

FIREWORKS

Celebrate the Fourth of July with us and downtown Portland’s only large-scale fireworks display! We’re thrilled to return to our annual tradition of a sensational fireworks display over the mighty waters of the Willamette River. Set to a soundtrack of classic blues, soul and funk this is a Fourth of July celebration you won’t wanna miss!

WELLNESS ON THE WATERFRONT WITH KNOT SPRINGS

We are welcoming back our series, Wellness On The Waterfront in partnership with our friends at Knot Springs, Portland’s wellness social club centered on health and good times. Wellness On The Waterfront offers morning wellness classes at the Front Porch Stage. All classes are $17 per person and start at 9:30 am (60 min).

• Power Flow Yoga with Aurora – Saturday, July 6 | This class connects breath to movement through flow-based sequencing. Flow Yoga builds body awareness and strength for students looking for faster-paced yoga. All levels welcome! Bring your mat if you have one (we’ll also have a few on hand for you to borrow!).

• Cardio Dance with Linda – Sunday, July 7 | Cardio Dance gives you an opportunity to connect with your body, move with your breath and raise your heart rate. Start with mindful warm-ups and evolve to choreographed movement matched with song. Throughout this guided class, you will feel empowered to move in ways that feel powerful to you. No previous dance experience needed; simply bring a pair of shoes you can move in. This class will be accompanied by three world-class percussionists from Portland Afro-pop group, Jujuba: Nojeem (Nigerian master talking-drummer), Alex (Ghanaian master drummer), and Jeff (supporting percussion).

MUSIC EXPERIENCES

As if four stages over four days with 100+ acts wasn’t enough – we’ve got even MORE musical stylings at the festival. From a harmonica blowoff to intimate workshops there’s so much to explore! Here’s what happened in 2024:

Journey to Memphis Finals | From Blues Fest to Beale Street! Have you ever wanted to play at the Blues Fest? Does your favorite local blues band deserve a spot in the bright lights? Since 1999, the Cascade Blues Association has been hosting a contest, Journey to Memphis, to send local acts to represent our region at The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The finals are hosted on the Festival’s Front Porch Stage. And if winning isn’t exciting enough, the Waterfront Blues Festival always commits to booking the Journey to Memphis winning acts to play on the main stages at the following year’s festival. Check back soon to learn about this year’s competition.
Kim Field’s Harmonica Blowoff | Internationally known harmonica ace Kim Field will return to the Waterfront Blues Festival as the host of the annual Harmonica Blowoff. Field has assembled an all-star bill of harmonica wizards, including Hank Shreve, Steve Bailey, and Nic Clark, all backed up by Field’s world-class band, the Perfect Gentlemen.
Crossroads Conversations | These specially curated conversations connect fans with the movers and shakers in the music industry.
Friends of Noise Showcase | Friends of Noise (FoN) is a non-profit arts organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. FoN seeks to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry, by hosting all-ages concerts throughout Portland, providing professional development for teen sound engineers, and empowering youth to advocate for themselves. FoN will present some truly gifted all-ages talent at the Waterfront Blues Festival, with performances and stage crew support at the Crossroads Stage.

DANCING

We know y’all like to shake what your momma gave you and we are here for it! Whether you’re an all-star boogier or new to the dance floor – we can’t wait to get down with you at the fest. Each year the Front Porch Stage hosts a variety of dance lessons from West Coast Swing to Zydeco, and everything in between. Rather sit back and watch the professionals? We are happy to host the Portland Blues Experience dance prelims too!

MARKETPLACE

Forgot your sunglasses? Need a hat (or some earrings made of guitar picks)? Wanna take home a little piece of Oregon? We’ve got you, friends! Check out all the awesome merchants that were at the 2024 festival.

FAMILY FUN AT THE PLAYIN’ GROUND

We love our Blues Fest families and we’ve got a whole super fun area for families to gather at the fest – The Playin’ Ground. In collaboration with our friends at Mike Bennett Studios and Bennett Buddies, The Playin’ Ground will feature new Bennett Buddies characters, music activities, art, face painting, kids dance lessons and more. Be sure to check out the full schedule of family fun activities at The Playin’ Ground!

And don’t forget, thanks to our friends at Buick GMC of Beaverton kids 12 and under get in free to the festival.

Blues Cruises

AHOY, BLUES FANS

Cruise the beautiful Willamette River and hear the sweet sounds of live music on the decks of the Portland Spirit. Each Blues Cruise features three intimate stages and an all-star lineup. A full bar and food are available for purchase. Stay tuned for the lineups and set sail this summer!

FOOD + DRINK

Stay hungry and come thirsty blues fans! The festival has LOTS of delicious bites and beverages from Portland’s world famous culinary community —with options for every eater (Omnivores! Vegans! Gluten Free!) and drinker (beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic).

The festival offers an incredible lineup of craft beverages from award-winning beers to the world-famous wines of the Willamette Valley to hand-crafted cocktails. Here’s just a few of the beer and wine brands who were at the 2024 fest: 10 Barrel Brewing, Kona Big Wave, Union Wine Company, White Claw, Pelican Brewing Company, Portland Cider Co, and non-alcoholic options from Best Day Brewing. Craving a cocktail? Milagro Tequila, Reyka Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, Drambuie and Bulleit Bourbon will quench your thirst.

And whether you’re starving or just looking for a snack, we’ve got an awesome array of food options at the festival.

AROUND TOWN

COMMUNITY CONCERTS + EVENTS

Catch us popping up all around Portland before the festival! To stay in the know about all of our community concerts and events, sign up for our newsletter.

WBF POP UP CONCERT AT WONDERWOOD SPRINGS’ YE OLDE GAY FAIRE

Saturday, June 1 | 12-2 pm | 7410 N Chicago Ave

We’re bringin’ some tunes to Ye Olde Gay Faire at Wonderwood Springs. The Faire is from 10am-4pm at Wonderwood Springs with over 30 queer vendors, face painting, a unicorn visit and SO much more including an awesome set with Juliet & The East + Jack10. Entry is free!

FIRST THURSDAY AT KEEN GARAGE

Thursday, June 6 | 6-8 pm | 505 NW 13th Ave

Don’t miss The Gold Experience at the KEEN Garage during First Thursday in the Pearl. We’ll also be giving away free GA 1-Day tickets for every pair of shoes purchased at the KEEN Garage that evening!

SUMMER DECK CONCERT AT KNOT SPRINGS

Wednesday, June 12 | 6-8 pm | 33 NE 3rd Ave

In partnership with our friends at Knot Springs featuring Lilla, this free community concert will be held on the lovely outdoor deck of Knot Springs and The Yard (rain or shine).

JUNETEENTH COMMUNITY CONCERT

Wednesday, June 19 | 5-7 pm | 8371 N Interstate Ave

In partnership with our friends at Oregon Contemporary and Friends of Noise featuring LaRhonda Steele + Zyanna, this free community concert will be held in Oregon Contemporary’s beautiful outdoor courtyard (rain or shine).

WBF AT THE PORTLAND TIMBERS

Saturday, June 22 | 5:30-7 pm | Providence Park

The Blues Fest will be partying with the fans at the Portland Timbers Game on Saturday, June 22. Catch LaRhonda & Steele Band outside the stadium before the game. Get tickets for the game, or just pop outside of Providence Park for free and bring your dancin’ shoes!

WBF PRESENTS: THE BLUES BROTHERS AT HOLLYWOOD THEATRE

Saturday, June 29 | Q&A: 5:45 pm, Film: 6 pm | 4122 NE Sandy Blvd

The Waterfront Blues Festival presents a special screening of The Blues Brothers with a Q&A session with special guest Curtis Salgado, the inspiration for the movie! Get your tickets at hollywoodtheatre.org.