Things to do in Portland this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Last weekend for Lan Su's chrysanthemums
By Lou P. and the Portland Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
The chrysanthemum showcase at Lan Su Chinese Garden ends Sunday. Elsewhere, the Oregon Buddhist Temple holds its holiday craft fair, Kennedy School turns 111, and libraries mark Native American Heritage Month with authors and a fancy shawl dance. For something bigger, the Oregon Symphony is playing with Portugal the Man.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase
Lan Su Chinese Garden's Chrysanthemum Floral Design Showcase has been up since Nov. 5 and closes Sunday, Nov. 15.
Lan Su's annual chrysanthemum showcase brings floral work from local designers and featured artist Toni Tibbits, plus cascading waterfall mums and 81 varieties of chrysanthemums around the garden. You can vote for your favorite design.
Through Sunday · Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, 97209
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
NAHM Celebrating Native Stories: Author Michaela Goade
Saturday at 11 am
East County Library
Picture book artist and author Michaela Goade, a Tlingit and Haida tribal member, leads a family discussion. Her Berry Song artwork inspired the library's early childhood space. Free tickets are available 30 minutes before storytime.
Wild Mustangs of Oregon
Sunday at 2 pm
Central Library
Cheri Arthur, an ambassador for American Wild Horse Conservation, covers the history of Oregon's wild horses and Velma Johnstone, the first woman advocate for wild horses and burros. She also explains land management challenges and ways to get involved.
Powwow Presentation of Fancy Shawl Dance
Sunday at 3 pm
Sherwood Public Library
Veronica Yellowhair dances the Fancy Shawl Dance and shares educational and cultural stories for Native American Heritage Month. Free, open to all, and no registration is needed.
WITH KIDSbring them
Once Upon a Suggestion: An Improv Show for Kids & Their Families
Sunday at 2 pm
Bridge City Improv, 1924 SE Monroe St, Milwaukie, OR, 97222
Bridge City Improv players in fun costumes spin tales of heroic adventures and faraway lands from suggestions shouted out by the audience. Geared for ages 4 to 10, though younger and older folks are welcome. Family tickets are available at the door.
Open House at the Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society
Saturday at 10 am; also Sun 10 am
Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Historical Society, 2505 North Vancouver Avenue, 2505 North Vancouver Avenue, Oregon, 97227
See the largest HO scale model of the Columbia Gorge and surrounding areas in the Pacific Northwest. Along with general admission, there's a roughly hour-long guided VIP tour behind the scenes of the club.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Kennedy School’s 111th Birthday Bash
McMenamins Kennedy School is throwing itself a party for its 111th birthday.
Saturday · McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave., Portland, Oregon
DATE NIGHTfor two
Tampopo
Sunday at 7 pm
PAM CUT's Tomorrow Theater, 3530 SE Division St., Portland, OR, 97202
Gwenyth Aggeler: Classical Guitar Recital
Friday at 7 pm
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 6700 NE 29th Ave, Portland, or, 97211
Classical guitarist Gwenyth Aggeler plays an intimate recital with a Portland Youth Philharmonic string quartet. It comes the night before her appearance with the orchestra at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and is part of a week celebrating classical guitar.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
11th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at OBT
Saturday at 9 am
Oregon Buddhist Temple, 3720 SE 34th Ave., Portland, OR, 97202
More than 30 artists and crafters sell their work at affordable prices across two floors of the temple. Admission is free and there are tasty concessions, making it an easy place to start holiday shopping.
All-Ages Square Dance
Friday at 6 pm
Village Ballroom, 704 NE Dekum, Portland, OR, 97211
A family-friendly square dance with live music from Caroline Oakley & Old Time Highway. No experience or partner needed, and an open old time jam in the lounge starts an hour earlier.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- THU 7:30 PMOregon Symphony presents Portugal the Man, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
- FRI 7 PM; ALSO 9:30 PMFred Armisen: Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome, Newmark Theatre
- SAT 7 PMBrett Goldstein: Sex, Death & Small Talk, Keller Auditorium
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Portland, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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