Bored at home? Check out these exciting ways to spend your weekend in Salem!
First Taste Oregon 2025
First Taste Oregon returns for a two-day celebration of the state’s finest wineries, craft brewers, distilleries, culinary masters, and artisans. Hosted at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center’s Jackman-Long Building, this event invites attendees to savor the best of Oregon through tastings, unique bites, and artisan goods.
Date: January 24-25, 2025
Time: Friday: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Saturday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Oregon State Fair & Expo Center – Jackman-Long Building // 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301
General Admission: $10 ($15 at the door); Seniors & Military: $8 ($10 at the door) (view ticket information)
Lunar New Year Activity
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a fun and educational activity for kids and families at the Salem Public Library. Learn about traditions from around the world, enjoy a Lunar New Year story, and participate in themed crafts and activities. This drop-in event is free.
Date: January 24, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Salem Public Library // 585 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Russ Rocks Rock Concert
Support Russ Hedge and his family at the Russ Rocks Rock Concert, an evening of music, community, and giving back. Hosted at The REC in Keizer, the event features a silent auction with all net proceeds going toward Russ’s fight against malignant melanoma. RussRocks shirts will also be available for purchase for $25, with $10 from each shirt benefiting Russ and his family.
Date: January 24, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: The REC // 3500 River Rd N, Keizer, Oregon 97303
Cost: T-shirt sales and donations encouraged.
Winemaker’s Dinner at Ankeny Vineyard
Enjoy an intimate evening at Ankeny Vineyard featuring a multi-course dinner and wine pairing hosted by winemaker Drew Voit. Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about their favorite Ankeny wines directly from the winemaker while savoring a specially curated menu! Wine club members will also receive a credit toward wine purchases made during the event.
Date: January 24, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Ankeny Vineyard // 2565 Riverside Rd S, Salem, OR 97306
Cost: $120 per ticket (view ticket information)
Propagating Woody Fruits, Vines, and Nuts
Join Master Gardener Michael Johnson for a hands-on workshop at the Marion Demonstration Garden. Learn how to propagate plants such as grapes, kiwis, olives, figs, and blueberries! Participants will use cuttings collected earlier in the month to practice propagation techniques, and a limited supply of cuttings will be available to take home. Bring clean bypass pruners if you have them.
Pre-registration is required for this free workshop.
Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Marion Demonstration Garden // 3180 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE; pre-registration required (register here)
Spaghetti & Garlic Bread Meal Service
Amiyah’s Kitchen will be serving free hot spaghetti lunches with garlic bread at the Community Action ARCHES Project. Stop by for a warm meal and community connection.
Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Community Action: ARCHES Project // 615 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Lego Party at the West Salem Branch
Bring the whole family to the West Salem Branch Library for an hour of creative, unstructured Lego play. All supplies are provided—just bring your imagination and have fun building together!
Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: West Salem Branch Library // 395 Glen Creek Rd NW, Salem, OR 97304
Cost: FREE
Slay ‘Em: A Comedy Showcase of Local Killers
Get your laughs ready for Infinity Room’s “Slay ‘Em,” a comedy showcase spotlighting some of the Willamette Valley’s top local talent. Enjoy a full kitchen and bar menu before and during the show. This show is all ages but the material will not be clean.
Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Location: Infinity Room // 210 Liberty St SE Ste 150, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $12 in advance / $15 at the door (view ticket information)
Smells Like Midlife Crisis
Rock out to your favorite ’90s hits all night long with “Smells Like Midlife Crisis” at Shades of Brew. This crowd-favorite show promises an evening of energetic music and good vibes. Arrive early to snag a table or enjoy the mezzanine seating for the best views.
Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Shades of Brew // 4743 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: No cover
Compassionate Nutrition Workshop
Discover how to navigate nutrition with kindness and balance at the Compassionate Nutrition Workshop, hosted by Holistic Bodyworks & Coaching. This workshop (limited to seven participants) will explore why food choices can feel complicated, the science behind nutrition, and how to listen to your body’s needs.
Date: January 26, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Holistic Bodyworks & Coaching // 1400 Broadway St NE #202, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $25 (view registration information)
Make the most of your weekend with these local events happening in and around Salem. Whether you’re attending a workshop, enjoying live music, or exploring family activities, you’re sure to have a memorable time!
