5 Weekend Events in Vancouver, WA & Portland (Sept 11–13, 2026)
5 Weekend Events in Vancouver, WA & Portland Not to Miss (September 11–13, 2026)
This weekend has a little of everything, live bluegrass on the Columbia, a big-name comedian at ilani, a full convention center of cosplay in Portland, dragon boats racing the Willamette, and a genuinely useful recycling drop-off if you've been sitting on a pile of packing foam. Whatever your pace this weekend, there's something on this list worth building a Saturday or Sunday around.
For more on what makes Clark County worth exploring beyond the calendar, check out my guides to Vancouver, Washington and the best sunset spots around town.
Here are five events worth knowing about this weekend in Vancouver, WA, Ridgefield, WA, and Portland, OR.
Styrofoam Recycling Drop-off — Vancouver, WA
Running all weekend at Kindred, this drop-off accepts clean, dry polystyrene coolers, packing blocks and sheets, and packing peanuts for $5 per standard trash bag-sized load, which helps cover transportation to the local recycling center. As someone who loves this planet, I think it's genuinely worth carving out ten minutes this weekend to keep this stuff out of the landfill instead of the trash can.
What to Expect
- Accepted: clean, dry, white polystyrene coolers, packing blocks/sheets, and packing peanuts
- Not accepted: broken/diced foam, biodegradable foam, or anything with tape, film, or residue
- $5 per standard trash bag-sized load
- Open Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Keep your foam pieces as whole as possible before you bring them in, don't break it down to save space. Overly broken material is hard to inspect and often gets rejected, so a little care up front makes sure your load actually gets recycled.
The Waterfront Vancouver Bluegrass Festival — Vancouver, WA
A free weekend of traditional pickers and contemporary string bands right on the banks of the Columbia River. Saturday's lineup includes the Jason Carter Band, Stillhouse Junkies, The Rosa Lees, and Jackstraw; Sunday brings Never Come Down, Whiskey Deaf, Tuesday String Band, and Thunder Ridge.
What to Expect
- Free, all-ages bluegrass festival on the Vancouver waterfront
- Eight bands across two days, traditional and contemporary string music
- Easy access by car, bike, foot, or public transit
- Parking available at The Waterfront Vancouver Parking Center, 700 W. Columbia Way
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and get there early for a good spot, this stretch of the waterfront fills in fast on a nice September afternoon.
Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour — ilani, Ridgefield
Comedian Nikki Glaser, fresh off becoming the first woman to solo-host the Golden Globes, brings her stand-up tour to the Cowlitz Ballroom at ilani for two nights. Expect her signature shockingly honest, no-holds-barred style.
What to Expect
- Two nights of stand-up from one of comedy's biggest current names
- 8 p.m. showtime both nights
- Cowlitz Ballroom at ilani, just north of Vancouver in Ridgefield
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
ilani fills its lot fast on show nights, give yourself extra time for parking or look at rideshare if you're coming from further south in Vancouver.
Rose City Comic Con — Portland
A Travel Portland Editor's Pick, Rose City Comic Con is produced locally with a weird-and-wonderful Pacific Northwest vibe. Comics and their creators remain the cornerstone, but fans of all ages will also find celebrity guests, video and tabletop gaming, cosplay, anime, and sci-fi/fantasy throughout the weekend.
What to Expect
- Three days of comics, cosplay, gaming, and celebrity guests
- Friday afternoon/evening hours, full days Saturday and Sunday
- A Travel Portland Editor's Pick for 2026
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Badges go fast for a con this size, grab tickets online ahead of time rather than counting on walk-up availability.
Portland Dragon Boat Festival — Portland
Since 1989, Portland and its sister city Kaohsiung, Taiwan, have shared this tradition of dragon boat racing on the Willamette. Teams of friends, coworkers, cancer survivors, and schools spend the summer practicing for three-ish-minute sprints ending under the Hawthorne Bridge, with food, music, and non-stop energy along the water all weekend. A Travel Portland Editor's Pick.
What to Expect
- Free, family-friendly spectator event on the Willamette waterfront
- Colorful dragon boat teams racing all weekend
- Food and music along Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- A Travel Portland Editor's Pick for 2026
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Races run close together, so plan to post up along the water near the Hawthorne Bridge finish line for the best view of the sprints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's happening this weekend in Vancouver WA and Portland (September 11–13, 2026)?
This weekend includes the Waterfront Vancouver Bluegrass Festival and a styrofoam recycling drop-off at Kindred in Vancouver, Nikki Glaser's comedy tour at ilani in Ridgefield, and Rose City Comic Con plus the Portland Dragon Boat Festival across the river in Portland.
Is the Waterfront Vancouver Bluegrass Festival free?
Yes, it's free and open to the public, September 12–13, 2026, at Vancouver Waterfront Park, 695 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA.
Where can I recycle styrofoam in Vancouver WA this weekend?
Kindred, at 2213 Main St in Vancouver, is running a styrofoam recycling drop-off Friday through Sunday, September 11–13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. It's $5 per standard trash bag-sized load and only accepts clean, dry, unbroken polystyrene.
When does Rose City Comic Con happen this year?
Rose City Comic Con runs September 11–13, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, with hours from 1 to 8:59 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Is the Portland Dragon Boat Festival free to watch?
Yes, watching the Portland Dragon Boat Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park is free. It runs September 12–13, 2026, all day both days.
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Cassandra Marks
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA License ID: 201225764
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA License ID: 201225764