wanderwhenyoucanAfter the whirlwind of festivities that is the holiday season, January is a bit of a lull in the Portland activities scene. The weather is often overcast and drizzling, which makes it a great month to check out one of Portland’s fantastic museums, like the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society, or OMSI, or cuddle into a good book at a cozy coffee shop. Or get out and about with celebrations at the Portland Japanese Gardens and MLK day volunteer activities.
Celebrate the New Year At the Japanese Garden
Known as O-shōgatsu (or “standard month”), January 1 is believed to set the standard for the rest of the year. At the Portland Japanese Garden, members can celebrate O-shōgatsu on January 1 with a special members-only day. The public can join in the festivities on January 9. Traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches (Kadomatsu) are on display and visitors can watch the lion dance (shishi-mai) and traditional tea ceremony presentations and listen to koto music. And, of course, wander through the serenity of the gardens.
Local Tip: If you live in Portland or plan to be back during the summer, it is definitely worth getting a membership to the garden. It’s $19 for a daily ticket and only $60 for an individual membership ($45 for students) that gets you special members-only hours and events. But the biggest bonus is you get to skip the entry lines. During the summer those lines can get long, and it’s a delight to breeze right on through. With an $85 membership you can bring a guest with you – perfect for when you get out-of-town visitors.
Enjoy Japanese Food and Culture At Mochitsuki
Mochi is the delectable Japanese rice cake that these days can be found in the freezer section filled with ice cream. At the annual mochi festival held at Portland State University, visitors can watch mochi being made, eat mochi and other tasty treats, and browse local vendors. I attended in 2019 and had a delightful time. (Note: This event was unfortunately cancelled in 2022).
Honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy on MLK Day
For MLK weekend, there are numerous events around Portland that honor Dr. Martin Luther King and his legacy. The Skanner Foundation’s annual breakfast which celebrates Dr. King’s life, work, and visions and is usually attended by local officials, is virtual this year. Hollywood Theater is hosting a free showing of Keep Alive the Dream, a historical film documenting African-American communities in Oregon, which is put on by the World Arts Foundation. Community service is a common way to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. If you don’t have a local charity you already volunteer with, consider joining SOLVE in cleaning up Portland.
Enjoy Cozy Music Festivals
January is the perfect time to get back into the groove with low-key music festivals. The Portland Old Time Music Gathering brings traditional old-time Appalachian style stringband music to various small venues around town, like The Moon and Sixpence Pub, The Village Ballroom and The Alberta St. Pub. Meanwhile, the Portland Folk Festival at the Crystal Ballroom brings folk bands to the McMenamin’s franchise’s downtown concert venue. (Note: The 2022 folk festival was unfortunately cancelled but the Crystal Ballroom is already gearing up for the 2023 festival).
