Salem has a fun weekend ahead with spring sales, live music, family activities, and pop culture events happening across the city!
2026 Mission Street Parks Conservancy Spring Plant Sale
Spring planting season gets a local boost at the Mission Street Parks Conservancy’s fundraiser plant sale at Bush’s Pasture Park Soapbox Derby Track. Visitors can shop a wide mix of plants from local specialty nurseries, including fruiting trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, annuals, perennials, veggie starts, succulents, and native and pollinator-friendly plants. Proceeds support projects in Bush’s Pasture Park.
Date: April 17 – 18, 2026
Time: Friday 10 AM – 6 PM | Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM
Location: Bush’s Pasture Park Soapbox Derby Track // 600 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
A New Moon Ball: A Bridgerton-Themed Ball
A Regency-inspired evening arrives in Salem with the New Moon Ball, a Bridgerton-themed soirée at the Willamette Heritage Center. Guests can expect dancing, magic, photo opportunities, charcuterie-style bites, sweets, and festive drinks in a lively setting designed for a memorable night out. There will be dance instruction from Lora Monroe of Dallas Event Center and entertainment from Professor DR Schreiber, The Historical Conjurer. VIP tickets include a pre-soirée dinner.
Date: April 17, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Willamette Heritage Center // 1313 Mill St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $30 – $40 (view ticket information)
Record Store Day 2026
Harvest Music is celebrating Record Store Day 2026 with a full day dedicated to vinyl, exclusive releases, and special in-store finds! Browse hundreds of limited RSD titles along with Harvest Special Reserve used LPs and other deals. Coffee, hot cocoa, pastries, and muffins will also be available for early visitors.
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Harvest Music // 1105 Edgewater St NW, Salem, OR 97304
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
Mid Valley Comic Art Expo 2026
Comics, cartoons, cosplay, and family-friendly fun come together at the Mid Valley Comic Art Expo at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. The weekend event will feature artists, vendors, special guests, and themed activities for fans of all ages. Saturday includes the Junior Cosplay Contest and Open Cosplay Contest, while Sunday features a Kids Cosplay Parade and Family Fun Day activities.
Date: April 18 – 19, 2026
Time: Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Oregon State Fairgrounds, Jackman-Long Building // 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $10 – $20 | FREE for kids under 12 and active military/veteran with ID (view ticket information)
2nd Annual Sprague HS Music Department Mattress Sale Fundraiser
Do you need a new mattress or know someone who does? A one-day mattress sale at Sprague High School will help support the school’s music department while offering shoppers savings on brand-name beds and accessories. Explore mattresses from Purple, Helix, and Simmons Beautyrest, along with adjustable bases, pillows, sheets, and more. Delivery and flexible monthly payment plans are available.
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Sprague High School // 2373 Kuebler Blvd, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
Salem Paper Arts Fair & The Booklover’s Ball
A day of creativity and literary inspiration unfolds at The Grand Theater Ballroom with the Salem Paper Arts Fair: First Impressions. During the day, guests can enjoy more than 40 fine art and book vendors, workshops, poetry and book readings, and children’s activities centered around paper arts and traditional processes.
In the evening, the ballroom shifts into a romantasy-themed “Booklover’s Ball” with live music, food, an open bar, and a vendor floor featuring independent artists and authors. Costumes are encouraged!
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: Art Fair at 11:00 AM | Ball at 7:00 PM
Location: The Grand Theater Ballroom // 482 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: Art Fair is FREE | Booklover’s Ball $45 (view ticket information)
Lego Party for Kids
Young builders can head to the Salem Public Library for an hour of unstructured LEGO fun with their grown-ups! Bricks will be provided, making this an easy and creative drop-in activity for families looking for a simple outing downtown.
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Salem Public Library // 585 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Tommy Emmanuel CGP – Living in the Light Tour
Internationally acclaimed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel brings his Living in the Light Tour to the Elsinore Theatre for an evening of extraordinary musicianship. With special guest Jack Schneider, the performance highlights Emmanuel’s signature fingerstyle sound and decades-spanning career. VIP package options are also available and include premium seating, a meet and greet, and early access to merchandise.
Date: April 18, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Elsinore Theatre // 170 High St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $35.40 – $134.36 (view ticket information)
Salem’s Trading Card Showcase & Collectible Show – April Edition
Wrap up the weekend at Salem’s Trading Card Showcase & Collectible Show at the Salem Scottish Rite Center. This free event will be a great place to browse trading cards, collectibles, and other vendor offerings while connecting with the community.
Date: April 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Salem Scottish Rite Center // 4090 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
There’s plenty happening around Salem this weekend, so mark the calendar and enjoy a few local events!
