A guide to Salem’s 2025 summer events
Days are becoming longer and sunnier, a sign that Salem’s outdoor events season is right around the corner.
Here’s a guide to the major community events coming to Salem this June through September.
Pride Parade & Block Party – Saturday, June 7
Downtown Salem.
Organized by Salem Capital Pride, the event will include a march and a block party with food, drinks, entertainment and local vendors to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Salem and beyond.
It will go from noon to 5 p.m.
Make Music Day – Saturday, June 21
Locations throughout Salem.
Performers will play free shows at restaurants, downtown streets, neighborhoods and parks around Salem. Make Music Day is a global, annual event intended to celebrate the summer solstice with arts, music and culture.
“Make Music Day Salem is a celebration of music of all genres played by and enjoyed by people of all stripes,” according to the organizer’s website.
World Beat – June 27-29
Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E.
This year’s edition celebrates “Turtle Island,” a name used by some Indigenous peoples to refer to the continent of North America or the Earth. There will be music, dance, food and traditions of over 60 nations and cultures.
The festival will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. Tickets are not yet available.
Marion County Fair – July 10-13
Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E.
There will be rides, livestock, live performers, contests and more at the annual county fair.
Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for seniors and kids ages 6-11 and free for kids under 5. Admission is free for all ages on Thursday, July 10.
MIG Fest – Saturday, July 19
Minto Island Growers, 3394 Brown Island Rd. S.
The annual music festival that brings ska and punk performers to play on a farm is entering its fifth year. Among the performers this year are California punk band Bad Cop/Bad Cop, New York ska band Memphiskapheles and Portland Latin Skacore band Los Mal Hablados. There will also be locally grown organic food available for purchase. The event will go from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are available online.
IRONMAN 70.3 – Sunday, July 20
Near Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E.
Registration to compete in Salem’s popular annual triathlon has closed, but spectators are welcome to watch hundreds of world-class athletes swim, bike and race through a course that includes Riverfront Park, wine country and the Willamette River. Learn more on the event’s website.
Hoopla – July 22-27
Oregon State Capitol
Hoopla is the biggest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament in Oregon and is the second-largest in the United States. Spectating is free. More information about the event and how to register as a player is available online.
Great Oregon Steam Up – July 26-27 and Aug. 2-3
Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Rd. N.E.
The 55th annual Great Oregon Steam Up will run for two weekends to celebrate machinery and steam power and share the industrial history of Oregon. There will be food vendors, a miniature train, a passport hunt for kids to collect stamps, a logging demonstration, a sawmill in operation, tractors and many other vehicles.
The event will go from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Tickets are $17 for adults, $12 for youth ages 12 to 17 and free for kids ages 11 and under. They can be purchased online.
Family Fest – Saturday, Aug. 2
Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E.
An annual health and safety fair with family-friendly activities, the event is focused on increasing the quality of life for children and parents in the community. It is organized by Family Building Blocks and will go on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free to attend and more information is available online.
Englewood Forest Festival – Saturday, Aug. 9
Englewood Park, 1260 19th St. N.E.
A free festival celebrating nature, community and art that features music and dance performers, workshops and other activities for all ages. It will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Applications for artists, performers and food vendors are still open.
Salem Art Fair & Festival – Sept. 12-14
Bush’s Pasture Park, 890 Mission St. S.E.
The Salem Art Association puts on the weekend-long event, which includes artist booths, live entertainment and more. Applications for vendors, performers and volunteers are still open. Day passes and 3-day passes and prices are available for purchase on the fair’s website.
4th of July Spectacular – Friday, July 4
Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E.
Featuring live performers such as Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, the Independence Day celebration will also include food, rides and a fireworks display.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and the headliners’ performance starts at 8 p.m. The event ends at 11 p.m. Tickets for the day-long event start at $45 and can be purchased online.
Oregon State Fair – Aug. 22-Sept. 1
Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E.
This year, the state fair will span 11 days and include a carnival, music performances, competitions and 185 acres of activities to explore.
Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 6-12, $3 for seniors over 65 and free for kids 5 and younger. The fair will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are not yet available for purchase.
Punx in the Park – Sunday, Aug. 31
Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E.
A free day of punk music open to the public that focuses on youth wellbeing and safety. There will be local punk bands playing, free donated food and clothes for youth, food trucks, a craft station, youth speakers and nonprofits tabling. It is organized by Punx with Purpose.
Pride in the Park – Saturday, Sept. 20
Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E.
In its annual pride celebration, Salem Capital Pride will host booths from local queer vendors, free resources, food trucks, drag performances and activities for all ages. It takes place in September to avoid conflicts with other Pride events in June, which is Pride Month.
Organizers are looking for volunteers and vendor applications open Sunday, June 8.
Contact managing editor Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Alan Cohen is an intern at the Salem Reporter and an undergraduate at Willamette University. Born and raised in Spain, he has also been involved in student journalism for three years, and is passionate about bringing a voice to underrepresented communities through ethical reporting.
