Fall is officially here! Salem is welcoming the season with fall festivals, live music, local markets, creative events, family fun, and many other ways to connect with the community.
The Marion & Polk Early Learning 3rd Annual Storybook Character Adventure
Celebrate Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library with the 3rd Annual Storybook Character Adventure at Venture Hall (located in the old Cinebarre building). Families can meet their favorite storybook characters, make crafts, do fun activities, and more while supporting a program that provides free monthly books to children ages 5 and under. Costumes are encouraged!
Date: September 25, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Venture Hall // 501 Marion St NE Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Art/Paint Party: “Autumn Rainbow”
Spend a creative evening at Cubanisimo Vineyards during this adults-only (21+) paint party hosted by Serendipities by Dena. Participants will be guided through the new “Autumn Rainbow” painting while enjoying the beautiful vineyard setting.
Admission also includes a $10 food and drink voucher.
Date: September 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Cubanisimo Vineyards // 1754 Best Rd NW West Salem, OR 97304
Cost: $45 (view ticket information)
Family-Friendly Karaoke by Wandering Players Theatrics
Wandering Players Theatrics is bringing a family-friendly karaoke night to Venture Hall with a special tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton. Come sing along, enjoy the music, and spend an upbeat evening with other community members!
Date: September 25, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Venture Hall // 501 Marion St NE Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE; donations gladly accepted
Business Without Compromise Conference
The River Church is hosting a free two-day conference for Christian business professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders, and those looking to make a faith-centered impact in the marketplace. The event will feature keynote speaker Adam Lamb, networking opportunities, business strategies, and prayer. Lunch is provided on Saturday.
Date: September 25 & 26, 2026
Time: Friday 7 PM – 9 PM | Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM
Location: The River Church – Salem // 4675 Portland Rd NE Ste 190 Salem, OR 97305
Cost: FREE; registration required (view ticket information)
Open Mic Night at RiverCity Rock Star Academy
It’s that time again! RiverCity Rock Star Academy is opening the garage stage for local musicians during their monthly Open Mic Night. Solo performers, duets, and bands are welcome to play acoustic or amplified sets, which makes this a fun opportunity to jam and connect with Salem’s local music community.
All ages and experience levels are welcome. No advance sign-up is required.
Date: September 25, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: RiverCity Rock Star Academy // 2769 19th St SE Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE
Fall Fest at Fordyce Farm
Fordyce Farm is kicking off its annual Fall Fest with a month of family-friendly activities, including a hay fort, indoor hay maze, playground, coloring stations, pumpkin patch, U-pick apples, and more. Admission to the festival is free, with select activities available for an additional cost. Weekend visitors can also enjoy free hay rides, seasonal refreshments, and plenty of fall entertainment around the farm.
Date: September 26 – October 31, 2026
Time: Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 6 PM | Sunday 12 PM – 6 PM | Halloween 9 AM – 1 PM
Location: Fordyce Farm // 7023 Sunnyview Rd NE Salem, OR 97305
Cost: FREE admission; select activities have additional fees
STRIDE 5K/10K Run/Walk
Lace up your sneakers for the STRIDE 5K/10K Run/Walk. This community-friendly event is open to participants of all ages, and strollers and leashed dogs are welcome. Preregister online or in person, and race bibs will be available for pickup at the event.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 8:45 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Minto-Brown Picnic Shelter, off Parking Lot 3 // 2200 Minto Island Rd SW SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: $10 for the 5K; $17 for the 10K (view registration information)
E.Z. Orchards HarvestFest
E.Z. Orchards HarvestFest is ready to help you celebrate fall! Enjoy hayrides, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, games, educational activities, and much more. Weekends will also feature live music, select horse rides, and seasonal food available for purchase.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: E.Z. Orchards // 5504 Hazelgreen Rd NE Salem, OR 97305
Cost: $5 – $12.50; ages 2 and under are FREE
Yoga + Wine at Bryn Mawr Vineyards
Cheers & Namaste is hosting a relaxing, all-levels Saturday morning yoga session at Bryn Mawr Vineyards. Participate in a 60-minute flow on the patio, followed by time to gather for post-class beverages. Participants should bring their own mat or towe.
Attendees are also encouraged to support Bryn Mawr Vineyards by purchasing wine by the glass or bottle.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
Location: Bryn Mawr Vineyards // 5935 Bethel Heights Rd NW Salem, OR 97304
Cost: $5 – $10 suggested donation (view ticket information)
Hoa Hoa Day – A Twilight Event
Forks, Washington is coming to Salem during Hoa Hoa Day at the Reed Opera House! Pick up a Visitor’s Guide, explore participating businesses, collect custom stickers and signatures, shop Twilight-inspired finds, enjoy themed food and drinks, watch the movies in the Underground, and even enter to win a prize raffle.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Reed Opera House // 189 Liberty St NE Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
Stefani Art Gallery | Before the Water Rose: Celilo Falls, 1956
Stefani Art Gallery presents Before the Water Rose: Celilo Falls, 1956, a collection of Richard Stefani’s surviving color photographs from his visit to Celilo Falls shortly before the site was submerged by The Dalles Dam. The exhibition offers a thoughtful look at the people, landscape, and daily life captured along the Columbia River in 1956. An opening presentation will be held on September 26.
Date: September 26 – November 27, 2026
Time: Opening Presentation September 26 – 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Stefani Art Gallery // 305 Court St NE Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE; RSVP requested for the opening presentation (view ticket information)
Noche de Salsa – Group Lesson & Social Dance
It’s time to dance at Xicha! Instructor Orlando Pacheco will lead a group salsa lesson followed by music from DJ Cavaliere to put those new moves into practice on the dance floor.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Xicha Brewing Norte // 2195 Hyacinth St NE Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE to attend; food and drink for purchase
Folktales Market at Fork Forty
Spend a cozy afternoon at Fork Forty Food Hall during the Folktales Market. The market will feature a small collection of local artists alongside storytelling and poetry readings.
Date: September 27, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Fork Forty Food Hall // 440 State St Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
However you spend the weekend, we hope you enjoy yourself!