Hood River Celebrates Harvest Season With Back-to-Back Waterfront Festivals

Sep 3

Written By Columbia Community Connection

From Visit Hood River:

By Katie Kadlub

Hood River, Ore., Sept. 3, 2026 — Hood River welcomes the peak of harvest season with two signature waterfront celebrations on back-to-back October weekends. The second annual Hood River Orchard & Ale Festival and the 44th annual Hood River Valley Harvest Festival bring together the flavors, makers, and scenery that define fall in the Columbia River Gorge.

The festivities begin Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the Hood River Orchard & Ale Festival. Formerly known as Hood River Hops Fest, the event now celebrates two of the Northwest's defining fall pours: fresh hop beer and cider made from the region's orchard harvest. More than 80 beers and ciders are anticipated, along with live music, fall food, and a craft market.

New this year, the $35 tasting package (plus a $4.19 Eventbrite fee) replaces tokens with 3-ounce samples from participating breweries and cideries. Festival entry is free, and festival glassware is available for $10. Tickets are on sale now at orchardandale.com.

The following weekend, Oct. 9-11, the Hood River Valley Harvest Festival fills the waterfront with more than 80 artists and makers under three marketplace tents, plus a farmers market, food carts, live music, children's activities, and local beer, cider, wine, and spirits. Festival hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Advance tickets are $10 (plus a $2.51 Eventbrite fee) and are valid for all three days. Gate tickets are $10 and valid for that day. Friday admission is $5 for military members and adults age 65 and older, while children under 12 are admitted free throughout the weekend. Tickets are available at hoodriverharvestfestival.com.

“Fall in Hood River is meant to be experienced with all your senses: fruit coming in from the orchards, the hills changing color, and the waterfront filled with music and community,” said Katie Kadlub, CEO ofVisit Hood River. “These festival weekends invite visitors to taste what is grown and made here, meet the people behind it, and make a weekend of the season.”

Both festivals take place at the Hood River Event Site, where Columbia River and Gorge views frame a walkable afternoon of tasting, shopping, and live entertainment just minutes from downtown. Visitors can round out a festival weekend with farm stands and U-pick stops along the Hood River Fruit Loop, downtown dining, and a stay in Hood River, recently named America's Best Small Mountain Town for 2026 by Travel + Leisure.

For trip inspiration and Hood River lodging options, visit visithoodriver.com/stay.

About Visit Hood River:

Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River offers outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named America’s Best Small Mountain Town for Travel + Leisure’s America’s Best Small Towns of 2026, the Best Adventure and Exploration Town by the 2023 Sunset Travel Awards and Nature Lovers Destination in the 2022 Sunset Travel Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and 2015 Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset Magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit www.visithoodriver.com.