Vancouver Portland Events: Dumpling Week & Lunar New Year
Vancouver Portland Events: Dumpling Week & Lunar New Year
This week brings an incredible celebration of culture, community, and culinary delights across Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. From Portland's 12th annual Dumpling Week to Vancouver's vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, the Pacific Northwest delivers diverse entertainment and experiences for every interest.
Food lovers can explore creative dumplings from 40+ Portland restaurants during the week-long PDX Dumpling Week 2026 celebration. Community gardeners can share and discover new plants at Kindred Vancouver's free Plant & Seed Swap. Sports enthusiasts have their pick of competitive pickleball tournaments and barrel racing action. And families can ring in the Year of the Horse with lion dances, red envelopes, and festive celebrations at Short and Sweet in downtown Vancouver!
From steamed momos to lion dances, from plant swaps to pickleball tournaments, this week offers the perfect blend of food, culture, sports, and community connection in the greater Portland-Vancouver area.
Dumpling Week Portland (Year 12!)
Portland's beloved Dumpling Week returns for its 12th year, bringing together over 40 restaurants to celebrate dumplings in every form—savory and sweet, steamed and fried! This citywide culinary adventure showcases the incredible diversity of Portland's restaurant scene, from traditional Chinese xiaolongbao to creative fusion creations you won't find anywhere else.
Explore handmade Nepalese momos, Russian pelmeni, Thai wontons, Italian ravioli, and everything in between. Each participating restaurant creates unique dumpling dishes specifically for this week-long celebration. Whether you're a dumpling purist or an adventurous eater, you'll discover new favorites as you explore Portland's diverse neighborhoods and food cultures. It's the perfect way to warm up this February while supporting local restaurants!
What to Expect
- 40+ participating restaurants across Portland featuring specialty dumplings
- Global dumpling styles: Chinese, Nepalese, Thai, Russian, Italian, and fusion creations
- Traditional steamed dumplings, crispy potstickers, soup dumplings, and dessert dumplings
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available at many locations
- Week-long event perfect for a dumpling crawl with friends
- Opportunity to discover new restaurants and neighborhoods throughout Portland
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Visit the Dumpling Week website to browse the complete list of participating restaurants and their special creations—each spot offers something unique! Make it a week-long adventure by trying dumplings from different cuisines and neighborhoods. Popular spots include Sherpa Kitchen for Nepalese jhol momos, Kachka for Russian chicken pel-migiana, and Shanghai's Best for traditional xiaolongbao. Many restaurants offer both dine-in and takeout, making it easy to sample multiple locations. Document your dumpling journey on social media and tag participating restaurants—Portland's food community loves celebrating local culinary adventures! Pro tip: Come hungry and bring friends so you can order multiple dishes to share and compare. Some restaurants may sell out of their specialty dumplings on busy evenings, so arrive early or call ahead for popular spots.
Lunar New Year 2026 - Year of the Horse
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and ring in the Year of the Horse with a vibrant community celebration in downtown Vancouver! This festive event brings together neighboring businesses for an extended Lion Dance performance and block party atmosphere filled with music, culture, and community spirit. This year's celebration is bigger than ever, creating an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
The highlight of the event is the spectacular Lion Dance performance starting at 2:30 PM right outside Short and Sweet. Experience the traditional red envelope ceremony—a meaningful way to participate in Lunar New Year customs by "feeding" the Lion with cash placed in red envelopes, symbolizing luck, happiness, and prosperity for the coming year. With live DJs, vendors, interactive activities, and special surprises, this celebration honors Asian Pacific American culture while welcoming everyone to join in the festivities!
What to Expect
- Traditional Lion Dance performance starting at 2:30 PM (arrive early—fills up fast!)
- Red envelope tradition: "Feed" the Lion for luck and prosperity (envelopes provided)
- Lucky red envelope giveaway with every purchase during the event (while supplies last)
- Live DJs providing festive music throughout the celebration
- Interactive Spin & Win wheel with prizes
- Local vendors (to be announced)
- Free goodie bags for kids (while supplies last)
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Arrive before 2:30 PM to secure a good viewing spot for the Lion Dance—this is the highlight of the celebration and draws large crowds! Bring cash in small bills if you'd like to participate in the traditional red envelope ceremony (envelopes will be provided at the event). This is a beautiful cultural tradition where you "feed" the Lion to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year. Park in nearby downtown Vancouver lots or use street parking on Main Street. The event takes place right outside Short and Sweet at 1001 Main Street, making it easy to grab treats before or after the festivities. Make a day of it by exploring other downtown Vancouver shops and restaurants. This family-friendly celebration is a wonderful way to experience and honor Asian Pacific American culture in our community. Don't forget to arrive early if you want one of the lucky red envelope giveaways—they go quickly!
Plant & Seed Swap
Spring is near, and it's the perfect time to grow your garden and your community! Join Kindred Vancouver for a joyful three-day Plant & Seed Swap where you can share, discover, and celebrate the abundance of nature. This free community event brings together gardeners, plant lovers, and green-thumbs-in-training to exchange plants, seeds, and gardening knowledge.
Bring plant starts you've been propagating, seeds you've saved or have extras of, or plants you no longer want but know someone else would love. Take home new-to-you plants and seeds to kickstart or refresh your garden for the season ahead. Don't have anything to bring? No problem—everyone is welcome to browse and take what they need! This event is all about sharing, connecting, and celebrating abundance. All leftover plants and seeds will be donated to Little Free Libraries, schools, and community spaces to spread the joy of gardening even further.
What to Expect
- Free three-day plant and seed exchange event in downtown Vancouver
- Bring plant starts, saved seeds, or unwanted plants to share with the community
- Take home new plants and seeds for your spring garden
- No plants to bring? No problem—everyone welcome to browse and take!
- Connect with fellow gardeners and plant enthusiasts
- Leftover plants donated to Little Free Libraries, schools, and community spaces
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
This three-day event gives you multiple opportunities to participate, so check the Kindred Vancouver Facebook page or call ahead for specific daily hours. Bring plants or seeds labeled with their names and any care instructions to help fellow gardeners. If you're propagating plants specifically for the swap, start a few weeks in advance—small potted starts are perfect for sharing. Even if you're new to gardening or don't have anything to contribute, this is a wonderful learning opportunity where you can ask questions and get advice from experienced gardeners. Bring reusable bags or boxes to carry home your new plants and seeds. Located at 2213 Main Street in downtown Vancouver with street parking nearby. This event embodies Vancouver's community spirit and commitment to sustainability. It's a beautiful way to prepare for spring while connecting with neighbors who share your love of growing things!
2026 February PNW PIG Chase Pickleball Tournament
Kick off 2026 with the February PNW PIG Chase—a premier pickleball tournament series hosted by Pickleball Is Great at Club Green Meadows! This three-day tournament features ALL ROUND ROBIN format with playoffs, ensuring everyone gets plenty of court time and competitive play. The PIG Chase series awards prizes at the end of the entire series, making each tournament count toward your overall standings.
Age brackets will be determined following the close of registration but will strive to include Under 50, 50-59, and 60+ divisions. Each day features different event formats: Saturday brings Women's Doubles and Men's Mini Singles, Sunday showcases Mixed Doubles competition, and Monday wraps up with Men's Doubles and Women's Mini Singles. Whether you're a seasoned tournament player or looking to test your skills in competitive play, this well-organized event offers a fantastic weekend of pickleball action!
What to Expect
- Three full days of competitive pickleball tournament play
- ALL ROUND ROBIN format with playoffs for maximum court time
- Age-bracketed divisions: Under 50, 50-59, and 60+ (determined by registration)
- Saturday: Women's Doubles & Men's Mini Singles
- Sunday: Mixed Doubles
- Monday: Men's Doubles & Women's Mini Singles
- Part of the PIG Chase series with prizes awarded at series end
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Register early at pickleballtournaments.com as spots fill up quickly for popular PNW tournaments! The round-robin format is perfect for players who want guaranteed match play rather than single-elimination brackets. Bring multiple paddles, plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen—three days of tournament play is a marathon! Club Green Meadows is a well-maintained facility with quality courts. If you're new to tournament play, the Mini Singles events on Saturday and Monday are a great way to ease into competitive pickleball with shorter, faster-paced games. The age-bracketed format ensures you're competing against players in similar age groups, making matches more balanced and enjoyable. Don't forget this tournament counts toward the overall PIG Chase series standings, so every match matters! Plan to stay for the full day as round-robin scheduling can vary. This is also a fantastic social opportunity to meet other pickleball enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest.
CCBR Jackpot Award Series - Barrel Race
The Clark County Barrel Racers present their February Jackpot Award Series race at the Clark County Saddle Club in Battle Ground! This exciting equestrian event showcases the speed, skill, and partnership between horse and rider as competitors navigate the classic barrel racing cloverleaf pattern. Part of an ongoing jackpot series, this race offers thrilling competition and the chance to earn awards throughout the season.
Note that February's jackpot is scheduled for Sunday instead of the usual Saturday slot. Pre-entries are handled through Saddlebook, where you'll need to create an account to register. Whether you're a competitor, horse enthusiast, or simply curious about barrel racing, this event offers fast-paced action and a glimpse into the vibrant equestrian community in Clark County. Spectators are welcome to watch world-class barrel racing talent compete for prizes and bragging rights!
What to Expect
- Exciting barrel racing competition at Clark County Saddle Club
- Part of the CCBR Jackpot Award Series with prizes throughout the season
- Fast-paced action showcasing horse and rider partnerships
- Pre-entry registration available via Saddlebook
- Sunday event (note the schedule change from typical Saturday races)
- Spectators welcome to watch the competition
💡 Pro Tip from a Local
Competitors must pre-register through Saddlebook at saddlebook.com/events/13402—walk-up registration may not be available. Create your Saddlebook account in advance to streamline the registration process. For more details about this and future barrel racing events, join the Clark County Barrel Racers Facebook group or contact Rheta Mote at motebarrel@aol.com. The Clark County Saddle Club is located at 11407 NE 174th Street in Battle Ground, about 20 minutes north of Vancouver. Arrive early to find parking and good viewing spots—barrel racing is a spectator-friendly sport with fast-paced action! Note that this month's race is on Sunday instead of the typical Saturday schedule. If you're new to barrel racing, you'll be amazed by the speed and precision required as horse and rider navigate three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, racing against the clock. Bring sunscreen and layers—the outdoor arena can vary in temperature. This is a great family outing and an opportunity to experience Clark County's thriving equestrian community!
Discover More Local Events & Community Happenings
Sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive expert advice, important local updates, and insider knowledge on the best ways to thrive in this unique region. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about life in the Pacific Northwest, I've got you covered.
Join My Newsletter Contact Cassandra
Cassandra Marks (Realtor Cas)
Categories
Recent Posts
GET MORE INFORMATION
Cassandra Marks
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA | License ID: 201225764
Realtor, Licensed in OR & WA License ID: 201225764