Vancouver WA and Portland OR September 2025 Weekend Events

September is such a special time in the Pacific Northwest—the weather cools, the leaves start to turn, and our communities come alive with celebrations big and small. This year’s lineup of Vancouver WA and Portland OR September 2025 weekend events is full of history, culture, and connection. From haunted walking tours and community fairs to vibrant cultural festivals and even a massive clothing swap, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Haunted History Walking Tours – Clark County Historical Museum

📅 Dates: September 5 – October 31, 2025 (Recurring weekly on Friday & Saturday)
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM (some October tours also at 8:00 PM)
📍 Location: Clark County Historical Museum – 1511 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
📞 Phone: (360) 993-5679
💲 Cost: $20 general admission | $15 CCHM Members
🌐 Website: Clark County Historical Museum Haunted Tours

About the Event
Curious about what haunts the streets and buildings of Downtown Vancouver? The Haunted History Walking Tours, hosted by the Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM), are a spooky seasonal tradition that mix storytelling, research, and personal accounts of the city’s unexplained past. Inspired by Pat Jollota’s book Darkness Next Door, these guided walks offer a glimpse into the eerie and peculiar history of Clark County.

What to Expect
✨ A one-mile guided walking tour with frequent storytelling stops
✨ Haunted lore drawn from real memories, history, and experiences
✨ Tours led by knowledgeable museum guides in the heart of downtown
✨ Limited group sizes (about 25 guests) for an intimate, eerie experience
✨ Costumes welcome — flashlight & weather-ready clothes encouraged

Pro Tip
These tours are popular and dates sell out quickly — book your spot early! They happen rain or shine, so bring a flashlight, wear comfy shoes, and maybe a jacket. Tours are best for ages 10+, but adventurous families with older kids are welcome.

Fire, Fungi, and Community Builders – Nature Day at Columbia Springs

📅 Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕒 Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center – 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver, WA 98683
💲 Cost: Free, no RSVP required
🌐 Website: Columbia Springs

About the Event
Columbia Springs is hosting another fun and educational Nature Day, this time exploring the powerful role of fire, fungi, and keystone species in keeping ecosystems balanced and thriving. This monthly series invites families, students, and curious adults to enjoy hands-on activities in nature, guided by passionate volunteers and educators.

What to Expect
🌲 Explore the importance of fire in healthy forests
🍄 Discover the hidden world of fungi and their role as “nature’s recyclers”
🦫 Learn about keystone species and why they matter
🎲 Hands-on games, science activities, and interactive stations
👨‍👩‍👧 Perfect for all ages—kids, students, and lifelong learners

Pro Tip
Drop in any time between 10 AM and 1 PM—no RSVP needed! Start at the Visitor Center, grab a map, and choose your own adventure through Columbia Springs’ trails and activity stations. Bring comfortable shoes and your curiosity—it’s a great way to spend a Saturday morning outdoors.

Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair 2025

📅 Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
🕒 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Esther Short Park – 605 Esther St, Vancouver, WA 98660
💲 Cost: Free
🌐 Website: Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair

About the Event
Now in its 20th year, the Vancouver Peace and Justice Fair brings together people and organizations dedicated to building a more compassionate, connected, and sustainable world. Held in the heart of Esther Short Park, this community-driven fair celebrates the hard work of local activists, nonprofits, faith groups, artists, and volunteers who are making a difference both locally and globally.

What to Expect
✌️ Exhibits from social justice, peace, and environmental groups
🎶 Live performances and music throughout the day
🎭 Reenactors honoring peace and justice heroes
🌍 Opportunities to connect with grassroots organizations
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 A family-friendly atmosphere with activities for all ages

Pro Tip
This is more than just a fair—it’s a chance to get involved. Come ready to network, learn, and discover ways you can contribute to causes that matter. Bring a reusable water bottle, wear comfy shoes for walking the park, and stay open to meeting inspiring neighbors and community leaders.

The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest 2025

📅 Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
🕒 Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: McMenamins Crystal Ballroom – 1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
💲 Cost: Varies (bring clothes to swap; $5 reusable bag available if needed)
🌐 Website: The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest

About the Event
If you’ve ever wished your closet could magically refresh itself—this is the event for you! The Biggest Clothing Swap in the Northwest transforms Portland’s McMenamins Crystal Ballroom into a fashion lover’s dream. Bring clothes you no longer wear, drop them off, and then “shop” the swap to find new-to-you treasures. It’s sustainable fashion at its best—fun, affordable, and community-driven.

What to Expect
👗 Clothing sorted by type and size (XS–XL upstairs, 2XL+ downstairs)
👠 Shoes, accessories, and stylish finds on both floors
👜 A bag-for-bag swap system—take home as much as you brought (plus a little extra!)
♻️ The joy of giving your clothes a second life while finding new favorites
🎉 A lively, social atmosphere with hundreds of fellow swappers

Pro Tip
Bring a sturdy bag, but if you find more than you expected (which you will!), reusable bags are available for $5. The swap works best with lots of variety, so invite your stylish friends to join you—the more people, the better the finds!

El Grito 2025

📅 Date: Sunday, September 14 – Monday, September 15, 2025
🕒 Time: Sept 14 (1 PM – 10 PM) | Sept 15 (11 AM – 10 PM)
📍 Location: Moda Center & Rose Quarter Commons – 1 N Center Ct St, Portland, OR 97227
💲 Cost: Free
🌐 Website: El Grito Portland

About the Event
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at El Grito, one of Oregon’s most vibrant cultural festivals! This two-day celebration brings the community together with music, dance, food, and tradition. From folkloric and Aztec dancers to live mariachi, salsa, and cumbia, the energy is nonstop and family-friendly.

What to Expect
🌮 Authentic Mexican cuisine and flavors to savor
💃 Traditional folkloric & Aztec dance performances
🎶 Live music spanning mariachi, salsa, cumbia, and pop
🎉 Contests, raffles, and community activities
🇲🇽 The powerful “El Grito de Independencia” ceremony

Fun Fact
Just as the President of Mexico gives El Grito in Mexico City, Portland will host its own spirited version—right here at the Moda Center & Rose Quarter Commons.

Pro Tip
Arrive early, bring the whole family, and get ready for a day of dancing, delicious food, and cultural pride. Admission is free, so this is the perfect way to celebrate community and heritage in Portland!

Conclusion: Vancouver WA and Portland OR September 2025 Weekend Events

The beauty of fall is how it brings us back together—and these Vancouver WA and Portland OR September 2025 weekend events are the perfect reminder of that. Whether you’re savoring authentic food, learning something new, or simply spending time with neighbors, each gathering adds to the story of our community. So grab your calendar, invite a friend, and make time for the experiences that make living here so special.

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