November in Portland is when the city trades patio season for rain jackets, good books and a whole lot of lights. The days get short, but the calendar fills up fast, and plenty of it happens a quick drive from our Portland dispensary on NE Columbia Blvd, near PDX. Here's what's on for November 2026, with dates we checked against each event's own site.
Down on our Southern Oregon farm, the outdoor season is behind us and the rescued steer and alpacas have the fields mostly to themselves. Up here in Portland, things are just getting going.
Early November in Portland: Portland Book Festival (Nov. 2 to 8)
The Portland Book Festival has grown into a full week this year, running November 2 through 8 across about 10 indoor and outdoor spots in Southwest Portland, including the South Park Blocks, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the Portland Art Museum. The big day is Saturday, November 7, with programming from 10am to 6pm. Many readings, workshops and pop-ups are ticketed separately, so check Literary Arts before you go.
It's a rainy-day plan that actually feels like a plan. Bring a tote bag. You will buy more books than you meant to.
Downtown's tree arrives (Nov. 10)
Pioneer Courthouse Square kicks off the downtown holiday season with the tree arrival on Tuesday, November 10, from 11am to 12:30pm. It's a quick, very Portland moment: a giant tree rolling into the middle of the city. If you're downtown for lunch, it's worth the detour.
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo (starts Nov. 20)
ZooLights runs November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, opening nightly at 4:30pm. Heads up on the off nights: the zoo lists ZooLights as closed November 24 to 26 (Thanksgiving week) and on December 25. Tickets are required and prices vary by night, so book ahead on the Oregon Zoo's site. The zoo is on the west side at 4001 SW Canyon Road, so plan on crossing the river.
November in Portland after Thanksgiving: lights, a tree and the Blazers
The Friday after Thanksgiving, November 27, is the busiest night of the month, and most of it is on our side of town or easy to reach from it.
Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway
Winter Wonderland opens November 27 and runs through December 31 at Portland International Raceway, 1940 N Victory Blvd in North Portland. It's a drive-through light show, and tickets are priced per vehicle, not per person. Hours run 5pm to 10pm Monday through Thursday and 4:30pm to 11pm Friday through Sunday (and 4:30pm to 11pm every night December 16 to 25). Since you're behind the wheel the whole time, whoever drives stays sober. No exceptions.
The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights
Over in Northeast Portland, The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights runs November 27 to December 30 (closed Christmas Day), 5pm to 9:30pm. The entrance is at NE 85th and Sandy Blvd, parking is free, and general tickets are $17.95 online ($19.95 at the gate, card only). Value nights start Monday, November 30.
Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting
The 42nd annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday, November 27, from 5:30pm to 6:45pm at Pioneer Courthouse Square, with a sing-along led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. Get there early. Downtown fills up fast that night.
Blazers vs. Warriors at the Moda Center
Same night, over at the Rose Quarter: the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center on Friday, November 27 at 6:30pm. The times overlap with the tree lighting, so pick one: tree or tip-off. Either one beats a mall on Black Friday.
Planning a November visit near PDX
If you're heading out to any of the above, our shop at 851 NE Columbia Blvd is an easy stop on the way. We're about 11 minutes from PDX, with free parking. Here's what to know:
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 7pm.
Payment: Cash only. There's an ATM inside.
Prices: Tax is included in every price you see, so the shelf price is what you pay. There's a $20 ounce every day (the strain rotates).
ID: Bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing you're 21 or older.
Order ahead: Browse and order on our live menu, then pick up in store.
Holiday-week hours can shift, so check our Visit Us page before you head over around Thanksgiving. Flying out of PDX? It's fine to swing by while you're in town, but cannabis stays in Oregon and off the plane. Our guide to the dispensary near PDX covers the details.
Want more around the neighborhood? Our North Portland near PDX guide rounds up local spots close to the shop, and last month's October in Portland guide has more fall ideas.
Oregon cannabis, farm-direct, all season long
November is a good month to slow down and look at where things come from. We grow our own on a 60-acre farm in Southern Oregon, where we earned Jackson County's first recreational grower license back in 2015, and we bring it straight to Portland without a middleman in between. That's why our everyday prices stay low year-round, not just on sale days. The crew behind the counter can tell you how it was grown, dried and cured, because that's our work.
So whether you're between the book festival and a bowl of pho, or killing time before a ZooLights slot, come say high. We're at 851 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97211, a short drive from PDX. Grown by us. Priced fair.
Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of the reach of children.