Happy Friday.
It’s the second weekend of October, which means spooky season is officially in full swing. This one has a retro arcade takeover downtown, horror movies under the stars across the river, a real movie-set Halloween town, and a corn maze that only gets scary after dark. Here’s how to spend it.
Fri–Sun, Oct 9–11 · Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr Blvd
Running since 2006, this is one of the biggest classic-gaming gatherings on the West Coast. Past editions have filled the convention center with a free-play arcade and pinball floor, a marketplace full of rare cartridges and consoles, tournaments, and panels. Come for the nostalgia, stay because you’ve been on the same Galaga machine for an hour.
It’s a good one to bring a group to: kids get a crash course in what their parents did with quarters, and the collectors in your life will lose an afternoon in the vendor aisles.
Plan it: Take the MAX to the Convention Center stop and skip the parking. Hours, ticket tiers, and guests change year to year, so check the official page before you go.
Expo details → https://www.travelportland.com/events/retro-gaming-expo/
Fri–Sun · 5pm showtimes · Clark County Event Center, 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield
Watch scary movies from your car, with costumed monsters wandering the lot and a snack bar to keep the popcorn coming. This weekend’s lineup: Final Destination: Bloodlines on Friday, Evil Dead Burn on Saturday, and the original Blair Witch Project on Sunday.
The same crew runs a haunted house in Kelso, Fri–Sat 7–11pm, if you want to turn it into a double feature.
Plan it: Bring blankets and a fully charged car radio setup. Saturday is the likeliest to sell out, so book ahead.
Showtimes and tickets → https://ridgefield.cinemaofhorrors.com
Sat–Sun, Oct 10–11 · 11am–9pm · St. Helens
St. Helens is the real filming location for the Disney classic Halloweentown, and every October the whole waterfront town leans in. Walking around is free; tickets are needed for the official attractions.
Parking and shuttles have been tight in past years, so go early. Portland Spirit is also running a “Ghostly Voyage” cruise Oct 10–11 from 10:15am to 5:15pm. The event runs weekends through Nov 1, so this isn’t your only shot.
Plan it: Aim to arrive before 11am, and eat before you go if you hate lines.
Halloweentown info → https://www.spiritofhalloweentown.com
Fri–Sat, Oct 9–10 · 6:30–10pm · Sauvie Island · Free admission
A 15-acre pumpkin patch with 50+ varieties, hay rides, and after dark, a corn maze with actors waiting around the corners. Admission to the farm is free.
Prefer daylight? The farm is open 9am–6pm, and the daytime “5 Kind Acts” corn maze is a gentler way in.
Plan it: Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy and bring a flashlight for the walk back to the car.
Farm details → https://www.bellaorganic.com/haunted-corn-maze/
Saturday in Portland. Spend the day at the Retro Gaming Expo, then head to the Aladdin Theater for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame concert at 6pm. If you still have energy, the Mystery Ship Masquerade kicks off at 10pm.
Saturday across the river. Grab dinner in Ridgefield, park at the Clark County Event Center for the 5pm drive-in showing of Evil Dead Burn, and let the costumed monsters keep you company between reels.
Sunday, slow. Stroll Portland Open Studios (10–4), catch The Addams Family at the PAM CUT (2–4pm), and wrap up at the Bitchcraft Fair at the Convention Center before it closes at 6.
FRIDAY
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter + Rue Morgue — 7pm, Clinton Street Theater (Portland)
Friday the 13th costume party — 9pm, Dots Cafe (Portland)
Molly in the Mineshaft — 7:30pm, Hillsboro (Westside)
Haunted History Walking Tours — Downtown Vancouver, $20
SATURDAY
Kids Book Sale, Rose City Reads — 11am–5pm, $1 books (Portland)
The Shining at the PAM CUT — 2–4pm, Whitsell Auditorium (Portland)
Oregon Music Hall of Fame concert — 6pm, Aladdin Theater, live auction, with M. Ward, Steve Berlin, Calobo (Portland)
Dinner Detective — 6pm, Embassy Suites (Portland)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986) — 7pm, Clinton Street Theater (Portland)
ilani Oktoberfest — Ridgefield, check times (Vancouver)
Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market — Saturday morning (Clackamas)
Thrill the World practice — 11:30am–1pm, Irving Park (Portland) FREE
Pacific NW Reptile & Exotic Animal Show — Hillsboro, check hours (Westside)
SATURDAY–SUNDAY
Portland Open Studios — 10am–4pm (Portland) FREE
SUNDAY
Bitchcraft Fair — noon–6pm, Convention Center (Portland)
Sips & Sights tasting cruise — 1:30pm (Portland)
Great Columbia Crossing 10K — Astoria–Megler Bridge (Vancouver)
The Retro Gaming Expo and Bitchcraft Fair are both under a roof. Add the Titanic exhibit at OMSI (through Oct 18), The Stars We Do Not See at the Portland Art Museum (Wed–Sun), and theater: Pride & Prejudice closes Sunday, plus Guys & Dolls and And Then There Were None are still running.
Mon 10/12 — Iron & Wine, Revolution Hall (Portland)
Tue 10/13 — Tuesday Night Jazz, Négociant (Portland) FREE
Thu 10/15 — Lookout Landscape reception, 6:30pm (Portland) FREE
Oct 16–18 — Sitka Art Invitational (Portland) FREE
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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