Events calendar: what to do in Salem for August 2024
August in Salem includes multiple free community festivals, the return of the Oregon State Fair, movies in the park and dozens of concerts, shows and performances to choose from.
Descriptions come from information shared by organizers.
*Starred events are free to attend, though they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Have an event you’d like included in our monthly calendar? Please send it to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander, [email protected] for consideration. Include the date, time, location, a brief description, cost, information about tickets if applicable and a contact email or phone number.
Festivals, fairs and community events
Aug. 3
*Riverfront Family Fest returns to Riverfront Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., put on by Family Building Blocks. With a range of family-friendly activities, Riverfront Park comes to life, providing a safe and fun place for families to spend time with each other and to build new relationships with other community members.
The Salem Jeep Fest is coming to the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center’s Picnic Grove on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free with a $5 parking charge per vehicle. The event includes a car show full of Jeeps, vendors, a tire course, food, music, and a children’s area.
Exotic car lovers should put the Es Fest Car Show on the calendar for Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center. The show includes Japanese, European and domestic cars from the Northwest. The event takes place in the Jackman Long Building. Tickets for the show cost between $10 and $65, and can be purchased online. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Aug. 3-4
The Great Oregon Steam-Up, a celebration of steam-powered machinery and early farming life in Oregon, returns for a second weekend at Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks. Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets $17 for adults, $12 for youth ages 13-17, and free for kids 12 and under. See a full schedule and buy tickets on the event website.
Aug. 10
*Englewood Forest Festival returns to Englewood Park. The free celebration of trees, nature, science and the arts runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It includes hands-on environmental and educational activities like making wildflower seed bombs, as well as music and dance performances and more than 50 local art vendors.
Aug. 23-Sept. 2
The Oregon State Fair is back at the state fairgrounds beginning on Friday and running through Labor Day. The fair includes concerts, entertainment, a carnival, animals, entries, vendors and more. Pre-sale admission tickets for adults cost $10, $8 for children, $1 for seniors. Children 5 and under are free. A pass for admission to all 11 days of the fair is $25. Tickets can be purchased online. Ride wristbands are available for presale, $45 on weekdays and $55 on weekends.
The fair also has concerts most nights, with presale tickets available for acts including Ludacris, Foreigner, the Goo Goo Dolls and Craig Morgan. See the lineup and more information here.
Aug. 31
*Urban Art Fest returns to Riverfront Park this month, bringing local artists, businesses and organizations to the center stage. The free festival will be at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 1- 8 p.m. It seeks to create space for performers of color, empower youth and bring attention to Salem’s housing needs.
Comedy, improv and other entertainment
Aug. 8
Infinity Room presents the Chaos Open Mic at 7 p.m. Comics sign up to do comedy, but they have no idea what they’re in for. Each set contains an element of chaos that is guaranteed to send the show off the rails. Tickets $10 in advance and $15 at the door. 18+ show.
Aug. 15
*Salem’s “Reptile Man,” Richard Ritchey, will be back at the Salem Public Library Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a free show for elementary school aged children. The event will involve learning about live reptiles including a king cobra, a rattlesnake, and a giant python. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show and seating is first-come, first-seated.
RiRi Calienté hosts Drag Time at Infinity Room. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 16+ show, younger guests permitted with a parent or guardian.
Aug. 22
Sexy Talk at Infinity Room at 8 p.m. Come enjoy a steamy stand-up comedy show where hilarious comics riff on audience questions about sex, love, and relationships. Audience members will be able to anonymously text their spicy questions before and during the show. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 18+ show.
Aug. 23
Comedian, actress and writer Kate Willett takes the stage at Infinity Room at 7 p.m. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 18+ show.
Aug. 24
Ricky Winters makes a Salem debut at Infinity Room. James Hartenfeld (Top 5 comedian- Willamette Week) brings his “Jerry Springer-esque” talk show to Infinity Room. As seen on KGW, come see why the PNW is raving about this unique comedy experience showcasing talent from standups and improvisers. Described as “genius,” “masterful,” and “messy,” this show has sold out every time and quickly became a must see for all comedy fans. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Aug. 25
Infinity Room presents The Aussie Comedy Show at 8 p.m. Get ready to laugh heaps with stories from down under by Geoff Tate, Michael Markus and Dan Green! This rollicking show dives into everything that makes Oz unique: from kangaroos in the backyard to Vegemite on toast and the joys of Tim Tams. Tickets $15 in advance and $20 at the door. All-ages.
Aug. 30
A PNW Comedy show for couples, and anyone, comes to the Grand Theatre at 8 p.m. The show, Date Night, includes stand-up, improv and interactive games with the audience. Tickets for a single admission are $15 and tickets for a two person admission are $25.
Live theater, dance and cinema
Aug. 1-4
Theatre 33 closes its summer season with “Gone” by Lolly Ward. A will provides peace of mind as four stepsiblings divide their anticipated inheritance with generosity, suspicion and greed. Shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets free with a suggested $15 donation.
Aug. 2-5
CatVideoFest returns to Salem Cinema, bringing a curated collection of “kooky kitty videos” to the big screen in a fundraiser for Salem Friends of Felines. Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m., Sunday and Monday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.
Aug. 2, 9
*Salem’s First Congregational Church concludes its climate film festival with “Kiss the Ground” on Aug. 2 and “2040” on Aug. 9. Screenings of climate-focused films are at 7 p.m. and followed by a discussion group. Free and open to the public.
Aug. 3
*Theatre 33 will have its final pop-up stage reading with “Wife of Headless Man Investigates Her Own Disappearance.” The new play follows a woman with memory loss who discovers her husband is dead. The show is at 2 p.m.
Aug. 6
“Sunflowers: The Mystery of Van Gogh’s Greatest Masterworks” will play at Salem Cinema. The film goes below the surface to answer questions about the painter’s famous works. The show is at 6 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the event.
Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27
Catch the musical “Oliver” under the stars in Riverfront Park. Chemeketa Community College puts on the play Tuesday evenings starting at 8 p.m. at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. Audiences can bring blankets, low-profile chairs and picnic meals to watch the show. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors.
Aug. 7
“Squaring the Circle,” a documentary about the creative geniuses behind the album art design studio Hipgnosis, will show at Salem Cinema. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $11.
Aug. 9
*In a city divided by water, earth, fire and air, fire element Ember Lumen and water element Wade Ripple discover they have a lot in common. “Elemental,” will show for free at Riverfront Park, part of Salem’s Movies in the Park lineup. The show starts around sunset, approximately 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 10-11
“Metropolis the Musical,” a science-fiction musical based on the 1927 silent film “Metropolis,” shows at the Elsinore Theatre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets for both shows range in price from $49 to $74.
Aug. 11-12
A film of the National Theatre’s production of “King Lear” starring Ian McKellen will play at Salem Cinema. The Sunday show is at noon, and the Monday show is at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Aug. 14
At the Grand Theatre, actor Greg Sestero will come to Salem for a 20th anniversary screening of “The Room,” in which he played the character Mark. The movie starts at 8 p.m. and afterwards there will be a live Q&A with the actor. Tickets are $21.50 with fees.
Aug. 18
Salem Cinema will support Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Clue” by showing the movie ahead of opening night. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 the day of the show, which starts at 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 23
*In “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” veteran Ghostbusters join forces with new recruits to save the world from a supernatural ice age. will show for free at Riverfront Park, part of Salem’s Movies in the Park lineup. The show starts around sunset, approximately 8 p.m.
Aug. 23 – Sept. 14
“Clue,” based on the 1985 murder mystery comedy movie and beloved board game, will show at the Pentacle Theatre this month. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $25, and are half off for students and Oregon Trail Card holders.
Aug. 23, 24, 30, 31
Keizer Homegrown Theatre presents “Lovecrafted.” This horror-filled play is adapted from HP Lovecraft by celebrated playwright Laramie Dean and marks another world premiere written exclusively for Keizer Homegrown Theatre. Four survivors of inter-dimensional terrors share their stories in a secluded cabin. All shows at 7 p.m. Tickets $15, free for Oregon Trail Card holders.
Live music and nightlife
Aug. 1
*Music and poetry open mic night comes to Infinity Room, 7-10 p.m. All-ages, no cover. Sign up beginning in person at 6:30 p.m. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 2
Infinity Room presents Flashbang (rock ‘n’ roll from Salem), Squids and Pretty Suspect (post-hardcore/pop punk/emo from Eugene). Show at 8 p.m., tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 3
Infinity Room presents The Doug Fury’s (Salem-based punk rock), Tigers on Opium (Portland-based heavy psychedelic), and Grand Head (Salem-based doom punk). Show at 7 p.m., tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 8
Grand Theatre hosts a musical speed dating event for musicians to get to know other musicians and find potential bandmates. Musicians are free to bring instruments, but the event is not an open mic. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5.
Aug. 9
*Singer Paul McDonald takes the stage at Grand Theatre following opener Jake and the Hill People. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show is from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. All ages are welcome, and the show is free.
Last Light presents the Amerakin Overdose Artificial Infection CD Release Party at Infinity Room, with special guest performances by Proven and To Die Elsewhere. Show at 8 p.m., tickets $18 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 10
At the Grand Theatre, The Revival Brothers Band will perform a tribute show to the Allman Brothers Band. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $25.
Live music by 2 Shadows, When the Broken Burn and Illusence at Infinity Room. Show at 7 p.m., tickets $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Stone In Love, a Journey tribute, will play at Salem’s Riverfront Park with opener Red Light Romeos. Gates open at 6 p.m. for a 7 p.m. all-ages show. There will be vendors with food and beverages. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 day of.
Aug. 13
At 7 p.m., singer Bryan Hopkins will begin his performance at the Grand Theatre. Tickets for the show cost $20.
Aug. 16
*A free concert in Riverfront Park begins at 6 p.m. at the Gerry Frank Amphitheater. The concert is put on by the city of Salem, Grand Theatre and RiverCity Rockstar Academy. Musician to be announced.
At the Grand Theatre, David K sings and performs as Roy Orbison with a setlist of the musician’s songs from the 1950s and 60s. Tickets for the show range from $25 to $35. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Christiana Zollner, Friendmaker, Maia Van Dyke and Rett Weissenfels perform at Infinity Room Show at 8 p.m., tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Los Angeles Hip Hop artist Casey Veggies will perform at Side Hustle Bar in downtown Salem. The 21+ show starts at 10 p.m., and tickets are $15.
Rich McCloud and Sneaky Special headline a show featuring Afrobeat and hip-hop performers at The BAD Space next to Santiam Brewing. An amazing line up of performers will take the stage and keep you vibing to their infectious beats. This event celebrates diversity, unity, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. Doors at 7 p.m., show runs 8-11 p.m. Tickets $17.85 with fees.
Aug. 17
David K has a second show at the Grand Theatre, this time as singer Buddy Holly. The show revisits Buddy Holly’s career of “sweet ballads” and “rockin’ hits.” Starts at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets sell for $25 to $35.
The New Mistakes, Animals With Clothes On, and Boundless Joy perform at Infinity Room. Show at 7:30 p.m., tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 23
A night of rock band Sublime’s songs kicks off at the Grand Theatre at 8 p.m. A Dylan Santiago Tribute to Sublime is selling tickets online for $15, but tickets will also be available the day of the show for $20.
Aug. 24
Nine musicians come together to put on an Icons of Rock Tribute Show at the Grand Theatre. The show has three acts of classic rock music, including AC/DC, Pat Benatar and Joan Jett and the Blackheart songs. Starts at 8 p.m. and general admission tickets are $25.
Lord Lawrence headlines The Mommy Issues Tour Live at The BAD Space, with featured guests 503 Inferno, Malsuendo, Noah Fence and Stormy Outside. Doors at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets $11.30 with fees. 21+ only.
Aug. 30
Live music at Infinity Room featuring Showtigers (Salem-based alt rock), Barnaby Jones (Portland-based rock), and Hard Neutral (Portland-based sentient prog). Show at 8 p.m., tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets and information for all Infinity Room shows is available on the venue’s event page.
Aug. 31
Several bands and singers perform country music starting at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theatre. Online tickets are $15, and tickets the day of the show are $20.
Classes, workshops and lectures
Aug. 2, 9, 16
Families can learn about Salem’s Indigenous residents, the history of the Oregon Territory and more in a series of weekly summer classes offered on Fridays at the Willamette Heritage Center. Tickets are $10 per person. More information and a full schedule is here.
Aug. 3
Have you ever wondered how to get into canning? The Salem Public Library will show you how for free during the Home Canning How-To event on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Anderson A and Anderson B rooms at the main library location. The workshop is on a first-come, first-seated basis and is open to adults.
Aug. 6
If your kids are interested in exploring Oregon’s underwater environments, the Salem Public Library is hosting the Journey Under the Sea Science Exploration event for kids in kindergarten to fifth grade. The event is on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and takes place in Story Room A and Story Room B at the main library. The free event involves hands-on science learning about kelp forests, reefs, and will inspire kids to protect Oregon’s ocean habitats.
Aug. 24
Since 2019, the Willamette Heritage Center has identified and documented the lives of people who worked at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. Now it’s possible to get a glimpse of the research process during the DIY Research Workshop event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.. The workshop costs $25 per person, and heritage center members receive a 10% discount. Those interested must sign up online by August 23.
UPDATE: This article was updated to reflect that the Aug. 9 Paul McDonald show at Salem’s Historic Grand is free.
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