It’s a big week in events with Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras all happening in the same seven days. You can also go see OBT’s classic “Sleeping Beauty” or learn about the Portland Art Museum’s new David Hockeny exhibit.
Oregon Ballet Theatre – “Sleeping Beauty”
A cursed princess, a fateful birthday, and a century-long sleep form the heart of the classic story ballet “Sleeping Beauty,” which returns to Oregon Ballet Theatre in a popular production that premiered in 2010.
The ballet tells the tale of a princess who, on her 16th birthday, dances with her suitors before a finger prick transforms her fate. The story unfolds as a narrative of magic and darkness, culminating in a love that endures a 100-year wait.
Christopher Stowell, OBT’s former artistic director, created the choreography after the original work by Marius Petipa. The ballet features Tchaikovsky’s score, which will be performed by the OBT Orchestra for all performances.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, performances continue 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; $51-$168, obt.org.
— Grant Butler -The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
Friends of Noise Presents new all ages venue
Get in on the grand opening of a new all-ages music venue The Off Beat, in north Portland. The youth-serving non-profit Friends of Noise celebrates years of community support in offering this new place to gather and explore new music. Opening event bands include Team Dresch, Brown Calculus, Spiderling and Ad Nauseum.
7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, The Off Beat, 8440 N. Interstate Ave.; $15-$20 advance, $25 day of (no one turned away due to lack of funds); friendsofnoise.org.
Sauna Festival
This family-friendly festival of steam and heat gives you a chance to experience the various types and augmentations available in the sauna experience. Do you love a good, relaxing rest in a sauna? This is your weekend. About 20 types will be available to view and at least one of the saunas will be women-only. The textiles showcase will highlight natural fiber public sauna wear for those who like to sauna but don’t love the sweaty feeling of a synthetic swimsuit. The festival also includes live stage music, tents for hanging out in, cold plunging both in the river and on land, food and drinks.
Timed-entry passes (3 hours max) are required via the website. Event times 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 8-11 a.m. Sunday, Milwaukie Bay Park, 11211 S.E. McLoughlin Blvd., Milwaukie; admission starts at $25; saunafestivaali.org.
McMenamins Valentine’s Day Events
It’s not often Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday (the last time was in 2015). You’ve got no excuse for not doing it up “big” this year except maybe lack of imagination. McMenamins has got you if you’re still looking for something to do and are on a budget. Treat your special someone to a night of music, dancing and romance. If you’re on your own, you can still show up and join in on the fun to either of these events:
Valentines Day Dance Party with DJ Fish (21+)
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Blackberry Hall at Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St. Troutdale; $10; mcmenamins.com/events-valentines-day-dance-party.
Valentine’s Day Dance Party (all ages)
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Mattie’s Room at Hotel Oregon, 310 N.E. Evans St., McMinnville; $8; mcmenamins.com/events/valentines-day-dance-party.
Valentines with a Latin Flare
Celebrate love and Latin music with a night of live music by Dina y Los Rumberos and dancing. Bring a date or come on your own. The evening starts with a Salsa dance lesson from Lines Academy, suitable for all levels. Then use what you learned to dance through 10 p.m.
7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; $14 advance, $16 day of; Latin Dance Night with Dina y Los Rumberos.
The Amazing Bubble Man
The Amazing Bubble Man (aka Louis Pearl) makes magic on stage with spellbinding bubble tricks. Have you ever seen a square bubble? Pearl can do it, as well as fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles and bubble volcanoes. Great for all ages.
1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $16.75-$25.75; etix.com/ticket/p/41543720.
David Hockney exhibit opening
Celebrate the opening of “David Hockney: Works from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation” during an opening program that explores the key moments of Hockney’s career. The English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer is an important contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s and is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Curator Catherine Whitney and collector Kimberley Davis are the key speakers. Event ticket includes museum admission.
2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. The exhibit remains on view during museum hours through July 26, Portland Art Museum, 1119 S.W. Park Ave.; tickets $27.50; portlandartmuseum.org/event/david-hockney.
“Rise In Love”
Named for the Toni Morrison quote, the original works of “Rise in Love” draw from the poetry of Alice Dunbar-Nelson, the legacies of tennis greats Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson, and Reverend James Lawson’s conception of nonviolent resistance. The nine-piece event also includes an arrangement of Ezra Weiss and S. Renee Mitchell’s “Vanport’s Siren Song” for Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble’s signature 12-member group. The event is free, but an RSVP is required.
7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, Taborspace, 5441 S.E. Belmont St.; pjce.org/event/rise-in-love2026.
Mardi Gras Parade
On Fat Tuesday, the heart of North Portland beats to the rhythm of brass and drums as the Portland Mardi Gras Parade lights up Mississippi Avenue. This free, family-friendly event welcomes Portlanders of all ages in a celebration of creativity, joy and community. Expect colorful costumes, puppets, dance troupes, marching bands, circus performers, and krewes bringing their own signature flair to the streets. There’s a Kid’s Costume Pageant at Luke’s Frame Shop (Albina at Mississippi) prior to the parade. Businesses up and down Mississippi will host Mardi Gras specials, live performances, and themed events all evening.
7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, North Mississippi Avenue; Full details available at portlandmardigras.com.
Lan Su Lunar New Year
Lan Su Chinese Garden’s popular Lunar New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings return for a multiweek celebration. Choose between tranquil music and lantern viewing evenings or a more high-energy zodiac animal light show by Noble Robot and a live Dragon Dance procession by the Portland Lee’s Association. The nighttime experience includes a mini horse meet-and-greet on opening night followed by nightly crafts and activities, weekend cultural performances and lion dances.
5:30-7 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Feb. 18-March 1; Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 N.W. Everett St.; tickets from $22.95-$32.95 for general admission; lansugarden. org/lunar-new-year. For more events celebrating Lunar New Year visit: oregonlive.com/living/2026/lunar-new-year.
— Chiara Profenna The Oregonian/OregonLive
Comedian Matt Mathews
Mathews started his work life as a wedding photographer in Alabama and began posting comedic videos of his daily farm chores on TikTok during COVID. One of those videos garnered over 13 million views and rocketed him to comedy fame. Join his fans for a night of real and dirty laughs in “Boujee On A Budget,” – the title of his latest tour.
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $87; portland5.com/newmark-theatre/events/matt-mathews.
Oregon International Auto Show
Thinking of a buying a new car? The annual Oregon International Auto Show presents all the latest models from big trucks to all-electric commuting vehicles all under one roof at the Oregon Convention Center. And the show isn’t just for car shopping, many family events happen each day including a pet adoption booth, a display of off-road, tuner, exotics, supercars, hot rod, classic, and retro vehicles, a kids zone and more. There are also “ride and drives” of some models.
Opens 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, continues noon-10 p.m. Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 22, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. MLK Jr. Blvd.; admission $10-$20, ages 15 and younger are free on Sunday, ages 9 and younger free each day; oregonautoshow.com.
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