Portland Rose Festival Opening Night & Fireworks

Portland Rose Festival Opening Night and Fireworks is your high energy start to Oregon’s best known civic celebration, set at Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the Willamette River in downtown Portland. The focus is CityFair, a seasonal carnival of rides, games, and food vendors, with the Ferris wheel and midway lights turning the waterfront into a prime photo stop against the skyline. You will see families, couples, and groups settling in with fair classics and live music as the three week festival begins.

CityFair gates open at 5:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026, and crowds build quickly for the holiday weekend. Plan to arrive by 6:00 PM if you want time to explore, eat, and choose your spot without rushing. Food and drink options change year to year, but you can typically count on elephant ears, corn dogs, and a solid lineup of local beer plus regional snacks.

The night ends with a large fireworks show set to a custom soundtrack, scheduled for 9:50 PM. For the strongest audio and a direct view, we recommend watching from inside the CityFair grounds near the river wall. If you prefer to skip the ticketed area, you can still get excellent views from the Eastbank Esplanade or the Hawthorne Bridge.

Expect a $5 CityFair entry fee for most attendees, with children 6 and under and active military members with ID often admitted free. Use MAX Light Rail since street parking is limited and lots fill early, and bring a light water resistant jacket because late May weather can change fast. Bags are allowed but searched at the gate, and inside the fenced area you cannot bring outside seating, glass, or pets. The event runs rain or shine, though heavy rain can briefly delay fireworks, and if the park hits capacity, entry may pause, so earlier is better. For easy access, book Downtown or Pearl District; for a quieter base, consider the Lloyd District across the river.