When people think of music festivals, they tend to think of big names like Coachella or Woodstock. While these larger festivals have become popular in mainstream media and garnered historical repute, local festivals showcase emerging musical talent and jubilant atmospheres.
“My generation tends to think of Coachella, just because it’s one of the more relevant festivals to pop culture, but it goes so much further back,” says Clara Miller, a Franklin Post alum and graduate of the class of 2019. They explain that, “The history of music festivals really goes back to Ancient Greece.” The origins of the modern music festival trace back to 582 BCE, with the cultural and sporting competitions of the Pythian Games. The Games, which took place in Ancient Greece, included music and poetry competitions in honor of Apollo, the Greek god of arts and music.
Since the days of Ancient Greece, music festivals have evolved quite a bit. Still, attending one remains an enjoyable activity for many. So, if you’re thinking of exploring the world of music events this summer, don’t look far — you can have your very own festival-filled summer right here in the Beaver State.
Oregon Country Fair
July 11-13, 2025 in Veneta, OR
Oregon Country Fair is an annual, three-day festival celebrating art and music. Oregonians have been enjoying the Fair since it opened in 1969 as the Renaissance Fair. “I’ve been going to [the] Fair since I was little, and it is an amazing environment,” says Tuula Dubrawsky, a junior at St. Mary’s Academy. It is a nonprofit organization, and as Dubrawsky says, “It is also entirely volunteer-run, so truly everyone there wants to be there and is excited about it.” This summer, the Fair will offer live music on over 17 stages, as well as culinary and artistic experiences. Tickets start at $50 a day, but can be purchased for the whole festival.
FairWell Festival
July 18-19, 2025 in Redmond, OR
FairWell Festival is a country music festival located at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond. It debuted in 2023 and returns for the summer of 2025. This summer, there will be over 30 performances, which include Americana Music Award winner Tyler Childers and Grammy winner Sturgill “Johnny Blue Skies” Simpson, who are headlining. One-day tickets start at $139. Discounted two-day passes for students are also available.
Pickathon
July 31 – Aug. 3, 2025 in Happy Valley, OR
Considered “the Best Indie Festival in the Country” by the music and film magazine Paste, Pickathon is not a cookie-cutter festival experience. It leaves the traditional open-field style festival behind and welcomes its visitors to forest paths and meadows at Pendarvis Farm. This summer, Oregon’s own Portugal. The Man and Haley Heynderickx will appear at the festival, among many other artists. Tickets start at $223 for a day ticket, making it more expensive than similar festivals in Oregon. Its price is a nod to the unique and out-of-the-box experience Pickathon gives its visitors.
No matter which festival you may choose to attend, Oregon’s summer offerings are about more than just music. They reflect the spirit and values of the communities that attend and host them. Throughout history, festivals have expressed the culture of their time and, as Miller comments, “[They are] a reflection of the current social climate.” But if you can’t make it to any big festivals this summer, there will be live shows all over the Portland area, from Hawthorne to Pioneer Courthouse Square to the waterfront. Whether you make it to Veneta, Richmond, Happy Valley, or simply watch someone play guitar on a street corner, I encourage you to make music a key part of your life this summer.
