Fall Kickoff Events in Vancouver and Portland 2025 - Best September Festivals & Activities

Fall in the Pacific Northwest is all about crisp mornings, golden leaves, and weekends filled with adventure. If you’re looking for the best ways to kick off the season, you’re in the right place. This guide to Fall Kickoff Events in Vancouver and Portland 2025 highlights can’t-miss festivals, parades, cultural celebrations, and outdoor activities happening throughout September. Whether you’re a local ready to dive into autumn traditions or visiting the area for the first time, these events will help you make the most of the season.

GRO Parade of Homes 2025

📅 Dates: September 5 – September 21, 2025 (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
🕒 Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: The Nines at Camas Meadows, 4700 NW Camas Meadows Dr, Camas, WA 98607
💲 Cost: $15
🌐 Website: GRO Parade of Homes

About the Event

How could I be a realtor and not mention the Parade of Homes? The 47th annual GRO Parade of Homes, presented by the Building Industry Association of Clark County, is one of the most anticipated events of the year for anyone who loves architecture, design, and dream homes. Hosted at The Nines at Camas Meadows, this showcase features six spectacular homes that highlight the best in modern living—from chic condos to expansive estates.

What to Expect

✨ A self-guided tour through six newly built homes
✨ Cutting-edge technology in lighting, plumbing, and appliances
✨ Inspiration in textures, colors, and design trends
✨ Indoor–outdoor entertaining spaces that scream Pacific Northwest lifestyle
✨ Opportunities to chat with trusted builders, designers, and real estate pros

Pro Tip

Bring a notebook—or use your phone—to jot down your favorite ideas. Whether it’s a kitchen design, a cozy fireplace feature, or smart home tech, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to bring back to your own home (or your future one!).

Ridgefield Multicultural Festival 2025

📅 Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Ridgefield – 113–131 S Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
📞 Phone: (360) 857-5019
💲 Cost: Free
🌐 Website: Ridgefield Multicultural Festival

About the Event

The 8th Annual Ridgefield Multicultural Festival is all about celebrating the rich diversity of our community. Hosted as part of Ridgefield’s First Saturdays, this family-friendly festival brings together food, music, art, and traditions from around the globe—right in the heart of downtown.

What to Expect

🌎 Live cultural performances and music throughout the day
🎨 Hands-on crafts and interactive activities for all ages
🛍 A mix of First Saturday vendors and Farmers Market favorites
🍲 Delicious foods that highlight flavors from different cultures
👨‍👩‍👧 A welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for families and neighbors alike

Pro Tip

Come hungry and ready to explore! Try something new at one of the cultural food vendors, then take time to stroll the market booths for local produce and handmade treasures.

Portland Dragon Boat Festival 2025

📅 Dates: September 6–7, 2025
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM daily
📍 Location: Tom McCall Waterfront Park – 1403 S Harbor Way, Portland, OR 97201
💲 Cost: Free
🌐 Website: Portland Dragon Boat Festival

About the Event

Get ready for one of Portland’s most exciting waterfront traditions! The Portland Dragon Boat Festival brings together teams from across the region for two full days of high-energy races, culture, and community fun. Held along the Willamette River at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, this free event is a can’t-miss way to experience late summer in the city.

What to Expect

🚣 Thrilling dragon boat races all weekend long
🍲 Food trucks and local vendors serving up tasty eats
🍻 A lively beer garden with a front-row view of the finish line
🎶 Music, entertainment, and family-friendly activities
☀️ Plenty of September sunshine and festival vibes

Pro Tip

Arrive early, grab a coffee or breakfast from a local vendor, and stake out a good spot along the river. The view of boats gliding across the water against Portland’s skyline is unbeatable—and makes for some great photos!

Rose City Comic Con 2025

📅 Dates: September 5–7, 2025
🕒 Times:
• Friday: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Programming until 10 PM)
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Programming until 10 PM)
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Oregon Convention Center – 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
💲 Cost: Badges on sale now
🌐 Website: Rose City Comic Con

About the Event

Portland’s premier pop culture convention is back! Rose City Comic Con (RCCC) is the ultimate 3-day celebration of everything geeky and wonderful—comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, sci-fi, fantasy, and more. Now in its 13th year, RCCC has grown into a community hub where fans of all ages can meet their heroes, connect with fellow fans, and immerse themselves in a weekend of creativity and fun.

What to Expect

🎭 Incredible cosplay from fans and pros alike
📚 Comic creators, artists, and writers sharing their work
⭐ Celebrity guests from TV, movies, and gaming
🎮 Tabletop and video gaming zones to explore
🛍 A massive vendor hall packed with collectibles and unique finds
👨‍👩‍👧 Fun for all ages, with kid-friendly programming and activities

Pro Tip

Plan ahead! RCCC is huge, so download the event schedule early and map out which panels, meet-and-greets, and booths you don’t want to miss. And if you’re cosplaying—bring comfy shoes. You’ll thank yourself by Saturday night!

Chapman Swift Watch 2025

📅 Dates: September 1–30, 2025 (Daily)
🕒 Time: Around 6:00 PM (arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset)
📍 Location: Chapman Elementary School – 1445 NW 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97210
💲 Cost: Free
🌐 Website: Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon)

About the Event

Every September, Portland hosts one of the most magical (and free!) natural spectacles—the Chapman Swift Watch. Thousands of tiny Vaux’s swifts migrate from Canada to Central and South America, and at sunset they swirl dramatically in the sky before funneling into the Chapman Elementary School chimney for the night. It’s a nightly show of nature, community, and pure Portland magic.

What to Expect

🐦 Up to 16,000 swifts circling the sky before roosting
🦅 Bonus drama: hawks and raptors sometimes swoop in for a hunt
🌳 A grassy hillside packed with families, bird lovers, and curious onlookers
📚 Volunteers from the Bird Alliance of Oregon sharing fun facts and answering questions
🎉 A cozy, neighborhood vibe—almost like an outdoor block party with birds as the headliners

Pro Tip

Get there early with a blanket, snacks, and binoculars. Sunset shifts from ~8 PM at the start of the month to ~7 PM at the end, so time your visit accordingly. Be a good neighbor: use public transit, respect the school grounds, and leave no trace.

Also See: Fall Wildlife and Birdwatching in Southwest Washington: Best Local Spots

Fall Kickoff Events in Vancouver and Portland 2025: Wrap-Up

September is the perfect time to get outside, connect with the community, and welcome the season with unique local traditions. From touring stunning homes and celebrating cultural diversity to cheering on dragon boat races, geeking out at Rose City Comic Con, or marveling at thousands of swifts swirling at sunset—there’s something for everyone. These Fall Kickoff Events in Vancouver and Portland 2025 are more than just dates on the calendar; they’re your ticket to creating autumn memories you’ll carry into the season ahead.

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Cassandra Marks (Realtor Cas)
REALTOR® · REAL Broker · Licensed in WA & OR
⭐ 5.0 Rating | 44 Google Reviews | 105 Homes Sold | $55.7M in Sales

Written by Cassandra Marks, known as Realtor Cas, is a top-rated real estate agent helping families and retirees relocate to Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR. With over a decade of industry experience and a reputation for tough-but-kind negotiation, she makes moving organized, confident, and even fun.

📞 Contact Cassandra