Hello, Washington County! 🎉
Of course, it makes no sense that it’s the last weekend of September already! That said, I’m ready for the cider, Fall leaves, pumpkins, and maybe(?) cooler temps. If you’re excited like I am, there are events this weekend that can help you kick off the season.
I’m looking to partner with some local businesses! If you love this community and want to be featured in the Compass, check out this page ☺️
Always check the event source before heading out, as details can change last minute. I collect events and create this list by hand, so events aren’t automatically updated if there’s a change.
✅ means it’s a free event. If you’re enjoying a free event at a spot with food or drinks, show some love by supporting the venue!
Friday, September 26
- 48th Annual Festival of Quilts
10am-4pm Friday and Saturday, Expo Hall of the Wingspan Event and Conference Center, Hillsboro
See over 300 quilts on display, shop the vendor mall and gift boutique, enjoy free demos, enter the quilt raffle, and join in special National Quilt Month celebrations. - Friday Dance Night ✅
6pm-10pm, Hillsboro Downtown Station Food Carts, Hillsboro
Have a fun night of dancing while enjoy great drinks and food carts. - Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
7:30pm, 18850 SW Alexander St, Aloha
Return to a world of discovery, high-waisted gowns, and one scientist’s dangerous ambition. This new adaptation by Alisa Stewart puts you inches from Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his infamous creation. Forget rows of seats and distant stages. This immersive production places you inside the story. You’ll share the room with the actors, moving with them from scene to scene. Every angle is the best seat in the house, with conversations unfolding just feet away. - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
7:30pm on Friday, 7:30pm and 11:59pm on Saturday, Theatre in the Grove, Forest Grove
The cult classic returns! Join Brad, Janet, and the outrageous Dr. Frank-N-Furter for a wild, interactive Rocky Horror experience featuring iconic songs like “The Time Warp.” Audience kits available with ticket purchase (no outside props allowed). Not recommended for kids. - Samara Joy
7:30pm on Friday and Saturday, The Reser, Beaverton
Samara Joy, the Bronx-born jazz vocalist with gospel roots, has swiftly become one of the brightest voices in modern jazz. After winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she released her breakout Verve debut Linger Awhile, earning Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album. Her latest release, Portrait, co-produced with Brian Lynch, showcases her silky voice, inventive lyricism, and deep connection to the jazz tradition, confirming her as a rising star carrying the music forward with timeless style. - Quirky Fun 80s 90s Band (LOTS of 80s) Lip Bomb ✅
9pm, Coyote’s Bar and Grill, Hillsboro
Enjoy Lip Bomb, a quirky 80s–90s band (mostly 80s). Dance to your favorite hits, enjoy the Best Kazooist in the Northwest, and get ready for a night of fun, laughs, and dancing!
Saturday, September 27
- Health and Wellness Resource Fair ✅
9am-12:30pm, Elsie Stuhr Center, Beaverton
Join the Elsie Stuhr Center for the annual Health and Wellness Resource Fair featuring vendors, informational presentations, health screenings, a vaccination clinic, and raffle drawings. - Run/Walk For Sight And Hearing
10am, Pacific University, Forest Grove
Run or walk a 5K or 10K and support the community. 100% of net proceeds go toward eyeglasses, hearing aids, and scholarships for Audiology and Optometry students. - Harvest 5k
10am-11am, Orenco Woods Nature Park, Hillsboro
Lace up your sneakers and join the Harvest 5K! This fun, non-timed run is open to all ages and fitness levels. Free entry for kids 17 and under. - Family Open Studios ✅
10am-12pm, The Walters, Hillsboro
Drawing and painting will be the focus when you bring the whole family for a free, drop-in art workshop! Explore materials and storytelling together with a bilingual instructor (se habla español). All ages welcome and no registration required. - Neighborhood Ready Workshop ✅
10am-12pm, Tualatin Library, Tualatin
Our Tualatin Neighborhood Ready program offers disaster readiness presentations for residents, neighbors, and local businesses. Trained CERT volunteers provide in-person guidance on topics including family plans, water storage, home emergency supplies, utility shut-offs, evacuation go bags, communication tips, home hazards, and connecting with your neighbors. Space is limited, so be sure to register. - Fall Festival ✅
10am-12pm, Cook Park, Tigard
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, join us for a fun-filled morning at our Fall Festival with family activities, tasty treats, exciting games, and creative crafts. - Dino Day Play
10am-2pm, Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals, Hillsboro
Step into a prehistoric adventure at dino play day! Dig for fossils, meet the fossil team, explore real bones and replicas, and get hands-on with dino crafts and activities. Part of the Worldwide Day of Play, this event is all about joyful learning and family fun. - Oktoberfest in Forest Grove ✅
12pm-7pm, 21st Avenue and Main Street, Forest Grove
Oktoberfest takes over Downtown Forest Grove! Enjoy food, drinks, carnival games, a bounce house, live music, and family-friendly fun along 21st Ave and Main. Break out your dirndl or lederhosen and join this epic annual celebration! - Repair Fair ✅
1pm-4pm, Cedar Mill Library, Portland
Bring up to two clean, portable items and stick around to learn the repair secrets yourself because the best part isn’t just getting your stuff fixed, it’s becoming your own fix-it hero! With a 70% success rate and passionate volunteers ready to share their skills, even if your item can’t be saved, you’ll walk away with new knowledge and maybe some great repair tips. Registration encouraged. - Wine and Wags
1pm-5pm, Collective Market/D’Anu Wines (Parking Lot), 173 SE 3rd Avenue, Hillsboro
Enjoy dog contests like Best Dressed, Best Kisser, Best Trick, and Peanut Butter Licking, alongside local wineries, live music, food trucks, lawn games, a photo booth, caricature artist, and pet-focused vendors and services. - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament ✅
2:30pm-4:30pm, Teen Room Beaverton City Library, Beaverton
Compete in a Super Smash Bros. showdown on the Nintendo Switch! Open to students in grades 6–12. - Zentangle Workshop ✅
3pm-4pm, Office Evolution, Hillsboro
Join Office Evolution Hillsboro for a Zentangle session, a relaxing and creative method of mindful drawing. No experience needed. Designed for adults 30 and under, this event offers a peaceful, meditative few hours of pattern-making. - Queer Plus Youth Group ✅
3pm-5pm, Shute Library, Hillsboro
A safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12–20 to connect, share, and build community. Whether you’re seeking support, friendship, or just a place to be yourself, everyone is welcome. - Pub’s 2nd Annual Oktoberfest ✅
3pm-9pm, Three Mugs Public House, Beaverton
Celebrate the Pub’s Second Annual Oktoberfest with family-friendly fun, giveaways, beer releases, and special menu items. - Watkins in the Grove with Garcia Birthday Band, One Way Out, and Wheels on Fire
4pm, McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove
Celebrate the golden age of jam bands at the 2nd annual tribute to the legendary 1973 Watkins Glen concert! Featuring Garcia Birthday Band (Grateful Dead tribute), One Way Out (Allman Brothers tribute), and Wheels on Fire (The Band tribute). All ages welcome. - Hillsboro Fall into Fashion Show: A Hart and Boldly Fashionable Special Event
6pm, HART Theater 185 SE Washington St., Hillsboro
Step onto the red carpet for the Hillsboro Fall Into Fashion Show! Featuring five local clothing companies, live entertainment, wine & cocktails, and an afterparty at Blue Ox Axe Throwing, all supporting Every Child PDX and families impacted by foster care. Presented by HART, Boldly Fashionable, and Hillsboro Downtown Partnership. - Wicked Sing-A-Long
7:30pm, Hillsboro Christian Church 540 NE Edison, Hillsboro
Join STAGES Performing Arts Youth Academy for a fun family interactive screen of Wicked with a sing-a-long!
Sunday, September 28
- Gathering Market ✅
10am-2pm, Winona Grange, Tualatin
Support local businesses while you shop for one of a kind treasures, enjoy delicious food, and enjoy activities for the kids. - Cat Adoption Event ✅
11:30am-3pm, Pacific NW Pets, Sherwood
Looking for a new furry family member? Visit Pacific NW Pets in Sherwood for a special cat and kitten adoption event! You can adopt on-site and head home with free goodies for your new pet, courtesy of Pacific NW Pets. Please note: the whole family must be present and in agreement for adoptions, and animals are not adopted as gifts. These events can be busy, so plan for 1–2 hours and bring your patience along with your love for cats! - Northwest Region Rock and Blues Live Music ✅
1pm-4pm, Helvetia Vineyards and Winery, Hillsboro
Celebrate the season at our final Music Sunday! Enjoy live rock and blues from Northwest Reign and a complimentary cup of harvest wine punch to toast the harvest.
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Thanks for reading! ❤️ I love this community and connecting with all of you. Have fun and be kind out there. ☀️