Happy Friday.
It's the last full weekend before Halloween, and the calendar is stacked. A 10th-anniversary costume dance party with glow necklaces for everyone, a hayride past dozens of pumpkin people, the real Halloweentown with a special guest from the movie, and a Sunday-afternoon symphony premiere. Here's how to spend it.
Fri, Oct 23 · 8pm · 21+ · Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, Portland
The Crystal Ballroom's annual Halloween bash turns 10 this year. Expect 90s and 2000s music videos on a giant movie-sized screen, a ballroom decorated for the occasion, and complimentary glow necklaces for everyone at the door. Costumes are encouraged but not required. A photo booth is included with entry, and the costume contest kicks off at midnight.
The venue says this event has sold out every year, so grab tickets early.
Plan it: Pick your decade, wear something you can dance in, and plan your ride home. It's 21 and over.
Event details → https://www.crystalballroompdx.com/events/278005-90s-vs-2000s-halloween-costume-glow-ball/
Sat–Sun, Oct 24–25 · 11am–9pm · Downtown St. Helens
St. Helens is the real filming location for the Disney Channel classic Halloweentown, and every October the downtown leans in. This weekend, Judith Hoag, who played Gwen in the original movie (and April O'Neil in the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film), joins the festival. Plaza entry is free; some attractions may be ticketed.
It's about 30 miles northwest of Portland, so make a day of it. Parking has been tight in past years.
Plan it: Arrive before 11am, eat before you go if you hate lines, and bring layers.
Halloweentown info → https://www.spiritofhalloweentown.com
Sat–Sun, Oct 24–25 · 10am–5pm (last admission 4pm) · Yacolt, WA
Pomeroy Farm's weekend tradition is a hayride down Pumpkin Lane, a path lined with dozens of handmade "pumpkin people" scenes. You can also pick a pumpkin, say hi to the farm animals, join in the kids' activities and explore the historic farmstead. The house and blacksmith shop are open on October weekends, depending on volunteer availability.
Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for kids 3–11. Kids 2 and under are free, and parking is free. Pumpkins are sold separately.
Plan it: Some food and coffee vendors may be cash only, and there is no ATM on site. Service animals only.
Farm details → https://pomeroyfarm.org
Sun, Oct 25 · 2pm · Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
A new work by Portland musician, writer and storyteller Gabriel Kahane, William Grant Still's Symphony No. 4, "Autochthonous," and Copland's Lincoln Portrait, which draws on the 16th president's writings. A thoughtful Sunday matinee that leaves your evening free.
Tickets and details → https://www.orsymphony.org
Friday night. Dinner downtown, then the Glow Ball at the Crystal Ballroom at 8. Prefer a quieter night? Twin Peaks: A Conversation With the Stars is at the Aladdin Theater at 7:10pm (check the Aladdin's page for the guest lineup).
Saturday across the river. Pumpkin Lane in Yacolt in the morning, then the free 81st Chrysanthemum Show (2–5pm, HH Hall Building, Vancouver) and the Monster Mash Stage Show at Vancouver Mall (2–4pm, free). End the night at Pigeons Playing Ping Pong at Revolution Hall.
Sunday, big and small. Make the road trip to Halloweentown, or stay in town for the symphony at 2pm and The Dillinger Escape Plan's final Calculating Infinity shows at Revolution Hall that night.
FRIDAY
Laser Queen — 6pm, OMSI (Portland)
Lenny Pearce: Toddler Rave World Tour — 6pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Portland)
Paul Cauthen — 7pm, Roseland Theater (Portland)
Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11am–6pm, $10–$12, Velvet Acres (Vancouver)
Dine the Couve — through Oct 31, restaurants around Vancouver
SATURDAY
Open Saturday at Pearson Field — 10am–3pm (Vancouver) FREE
Birds of a Feather Art Show — 11am–6pm, Ridgefield Art Gallery (Vancouver) FREE
Rosemary's Baby — 2pm, Whitsell Auditorium (Portland)
Scary-Oke fundraiser — 3–7pm (Camas)
Cherry Poppin' Daddies — 7pm, Star Theater (Portland)
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Sqwerv — 7pm, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Daði Freyr — 8pm, Crystal Ballroom (Portland)
SUNDAY
Guys and Dolls — 2pm, Stumptown Stages, Winningstad Theatre (Portland)
Eyes Without a Face (4K) — 2pm, Whitsell Auditorium (Portland)
Gabriela Montero (Portland Piano International) — 4pm, Portland State University (Portland)
Logic & G-Eazy — 7pm, Theater of the Clouds (Portland)
The Dillinger Escape Plan: Final Calculating Infinity Shows — 8pm, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Frankie Cosmos — 8pm, Aladdin Theater (Portland)
The Glow Ball, the symphony, Twin Peaks at the Aladdin and the Whitsell film screenings are all under a roof. Add the history and art tours at the Crystal Ballroom and the Mission Theater if you want a daytime option.
Mon 10/26 — Julia Jacklin, Crystal Ballroom (Portland)
Wed 10/28 — Psycho in Concert with the Oregon Symphony, 7:30pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Portland)
Wed 10/28 — Everclear, Lucky 7 Tour, Crystal Ballroom (Portland)
Sat 10/31 — Halloween Pet & Parent Costume Contest, 4pm, Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland) FREE
Sat 10/31 — 80s + 90s Video Dance Attack Halloween Party, 8pm, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Dates, times, and prices come from public event listings and past editions. Please double-check the organizer's page before you head out.
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