Downtown Salem is getting an important upgrade. Starting today, April 6, the City of Salem is breaking ground on The Marion Parking Structure Revitalization project at 538 Liberty Street NE. The goal is to create a space that feels safer, brighter, and more welcoming for everyone who lives, works, shops, and spends time downtown. This project, made possible by Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal funds, represents a major investment in the future of downtown Salem. With improvements focused on visibility, accessibility, and comfort, the revitalized structure is designed to better serve residents, visitors, and the local businesses that help keep the heart of the city moving. Safety Through Transparency A major focus of this revitalization proj…

Salem has a full weekend ahead, including lots of Easter fun for local families to enjoy around town. Weekend Events 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month Car Parade & Community Gathering Community members are invited to gather in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month at this annual Salem car parade and community event! Guests can arrive early to decorate their vehicles with provided car paint and pinwheels before the parade heads to the Center for Hope & Safety for a community gathering. Local elected officials and partner organizations will then share ways to help prevent child abuse. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Date: April 3, 2026Time: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AMLocation: Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavi…

There are so many people in our local schools who help students feel encouraged, supported, and seen. The annual Crystal Apple Awards give the Salem-Keizer community a chance to celebrate those everyday efforts in a big way! This year, 108 educators and staff members from public and private schools across Salem and Keizer were nominated for the 27th Annual Crystal Apple Awards, a longtime local tradition that recognizes excellence in education. A Meaningful Community Tradition The Crystal Apple Awards are presented by the McLaran Leadership Foundation and the Salem-Area Chamber of Commerce, with Salem-Keizer Public Schools also involved in the annual program. What makes these awards especially meaningful is the nomination process. Any commu…

Spring is bringing plenty of fun to Salem this weekend! Drop-In Activities for Kids Families can stop by the Children’s Corner at Salem Public Library for an easygoing afternoon of coloring, board games, and a craft. Designed for kids and their grown-ups, this free drop-in activity includes all materials for a fun and creative visit. Date: March 27, 2026Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PMLocation: Salem Public Library // 585 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301Cost: FREE Learn More Fairy Cookie Class at Sweetly Baked Sweetly Baked is hosting an enchanting cookie decorating class featuring six fairy-themed treats. Participants will learn how to flood, frost, and add detailed designs with royal icing while picking up helpful tips from the bakery team along the…

Access to sports can make a huge difference in a child's life. In Salem, that access just grew in a meaningful way. A New Field for East Salem Final Pass Field, a new soccer field at the East Salem Community Center, officially opened on March 15 and is expected to help expand free youth soccer opportunities for hundreds of local kids this spring. Capital Fútbol Club manages the new field, which is located at the East Salem Community Center at 1850 45th Ave. NE. The club says the space was created to support its Final Pass programs, which are designed to remove barriers and make sure cost, circumstance, or background are not the reason a young person is left out of the game. The project represents a major investment in East Salem youth. Acco…

Spring break is here, and families in Salem have a fun (and affordable) way to explore some of the city’s most beloved downtown destinations! From March 23 through March 27, 2026, the Spring Break Passport to Fun invites kids and their grown-ups to visit seven participating locations for hands-on activities, local history, art, and creativity. The program is presented with support from the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and is designed to help families experience downtown Salem in a fresh, interactive way. How the Passport to Fun Works Families can participate in the free passport program by visiting participating locations throughout the week, completing activities, and collecting stamps along the way. Once at least four stamps have been…

Spring fun is blooming in Salem this weekend! Enjoy live music, family outings, cultural events, and local experiences. Deepwood Plant Sale and Horticultural Tours Deepwood Museum & Gardens invites the community to its spring Plant Sale, featuring hard-to-find native and companion plants, pottery, houseplants, and more. Guests can also enjoy free educational programming throughout the event, including guided nature trail tours, formal garden tours led by the Lord & Schryver Conservancy, a history talk on exotic plant collecting during the Victorian era, and free guided tours of the museum home. Plant experts will be available to answer questions, and a portion of proceeds will support Deepwood’s preservation efforts and programs. Da…

In northeast Salem, a new chapter for 120 local families is beginning. This past Wednesday, March 11, the community gathered under the shelter of the newly completed clubhouse at Gussie Belle Commons for a rain-soaked but celebratory ribbon-cutting. The event marked the official opening of Phase I of a landmark affordable housing project that is as much about honoring Salem’s history as it is about securing its future. More Than Just a Building Located on Northeast 23rd Street, Gussie Belle Commons is not your typical apartment complex. The $45 million development—a collaborative effort between Green Light Development, Home First Development, and Seed of Faith Ministries—was specifically designed to address the critical need for stable, hig…

Make plans for the weekend with local live music, family fun, classes, shows, and festive St. Patrick’s Day events happening around Salem. Salem Slam 4 Cherry City Roller Derby will host Salem Slam 4, a high-energy tournament featuring Concussion Roller Derby as they defend their title as the No. 1 team in North America. This year’s event will include MRDA A and B groups, along with a JRDA group for the first time. Guests can also enjoy vendors, massage services, skate parts and accessories, plus food and beer available onsite. This exciting tournament brings together competition, community, and plenty of derby action in Salem. Date: March 13, 2026 - March 16, 2026Time: 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM (match schedule varies)Location: Cherry City Roller D…

The 17th Annual Young Artists' Showcase is officially underway at the Bush Barn Art Center. This annual showcase, hosted by the Salem Art Association (SAA), opened Saturday with a ceremony that recognized the talent of K-12 students from Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties. The showcase is now open for public viewing through April 26. Admission is free. During Saturday's event, individual artist awards were presented across various grade levels, validating the hard work of young creators who now see their pieces hanging in a professional gallery. This experience can be a landmark moment for aspiring artists! Supporting Art at an Early Age The A.N. Bush Gallery currently houses a collection of works that offer a panoramic view of the student…

There are lots of great events happening this weekend in Salem! She's Speaking Live – A Concert Celebrating Women Songwriters She’s Speaking Live returns to Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre for a night celebrating the voices and creativity of women songwriters. The showcase brings together a powerful lineup of Northwest artists, including Crystal Lariza, Ashleigh Flynn, Jenny Conlee, Kristen Grainger, Beth Wood, Marilyn Keller, Bre Gregg, and special guest Mary Flower. Guests can expect an evening filled with heartfelt originals, powerful storytelling, and genre-spanning performances that highlight the magic of live music and community. Date: March 6, 2026Time: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)Location: Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre…

As the first hints of spring continue to add color to the Willamette Valley, the Salem Public Library is inviting the city's youngest residents to participate in a hands-on environmental legacy. In partnership with the national non-profit Neighborhood Forest, registration is officially open for the Free Earth Day Tree Program. A Partnership Rooted in Community This program is part of a broader effort by Neighborhood Forest to provide children with the joy of watching a tree grow from a sapling to a towering part of the local ecosystem. The initiative aims to "put a forest in every backyard," and by partnering with the Salem Public library, the environmental benefits are accessible to families across the city at zero cost. By giving a child…

Salem is closing out February with a weekend full of music, movement, family fun, and community connection. Take a look at these great local events. Hiring Event Those looking to make a meaningful impact in the Salem community are invited to attend the Hiring Event hosted by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency. With more than 30 career opportunities available (including Preschool Teachers, Case Managers, Finance and IT roles, and more) this event is a great chance to explore a career that serves local youth, veterans, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Attendees can participate in on-the-spot panel interviews for Site Assistant positions, learn about part-time and on-call roles starting at $26 per hour, and discover benefi…

In the complex landscape of homelessness, statistics often tell a story of struggle. However, a new annual report from Church at the Park, a Salem-based non-profit, is approaching that narrative with a story of progress. Released on February 18, the report reveals that more than half of the residents departing its microshelter programs last year successfully transitioned into "positive destinations," including permanent homes, supportive housing, and recovery programs. The organization currently operates three microshelter sites in Salem and a fourth in Polk County that serve hundreds of adults, families, and young adults. Residents receive assistance from Church at the Park to be connected with work opportunities, health care, and housing.…

Salem is packed with live music, comedy, art, and community events this weekend. Here’s what’s happening around town February 20–22. Ty Curtis Live at SOB Brewery Smokehouse Ty Curtis, one of Oregon’s top Blues Rock artists, is bringing his high-energy sound to SOB Brewery Smokehouse for a live performance the whole community can enjoy. Ty delivers a powerful show that pairs perfectly with SOB’s mouthwatering BBQ and craft brews. This all-ages event is a great way to spend your Friday night supporting local music and a favorite Salem gathering spot. Date: February 20, 2026Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMLocation: SOB Brewery Smokehouse // 2027 25th St SE, Salem, OR 97302Cost: FREE to attend; food and drink for purchase Learn More No Stupid Questions…

For decades, the crystal-clear waters of the North Santiam River have been the source of drinking water in Salem. However, a looming environmental requirement (designed to protect Oregon’s iconic salmon) has posed a significant threat to the city’s ability to keep the taps running. This week, the City of Salem provided a major update on its "Water Supply Resilience" initiative, announcing that recent tests have surpassed expectations and put the city on a secure path toward water security. Fish vs. Filters The root of the issue lies 27 miles upstream at Detroit Dam. Under a federal court injunction and the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required to perform a "deep drawdown" of the Detroit Reservoir starting in f…

Love is in the air—and so are live shows, community fundraisers, and family fun. Here’s what’s going on around Salem this weekend. New Exhibit: Echoes of '76 The Willamette Heritage Center invites the community to explore Echoes of ’76, a multi-part exhibit commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. While the events of 1776 didn’t take place in the Mid-Willamette Valley, this exhibition reflects on how the ideas of that pivotal year have echoed throughout local history. Guests can learn who was living in the region in 1776 through language and place names still used today, discover how the Revolutionary era has been observed locally over the past 200 years, and add their own hopes for the future at the interacti…

For a decade, the Salem Public Library and its foundation have transformed the month of February into a city-wide book club. This year marks a significant milestone as the 10th anniversary of Salem Reads: One Book, One Community. To celebrate this decade of literacy, the city has selected one of its most cherished titles in recent history—the bestseller Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. A Community-Driven Choice The selection of Van Pelt’s debut novel was a reflection of the community’s own reading habits. In late 2025, library data revealed that the heartwarming story—centering on an elderly widow named Tova and her extraordinary bond with a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus—was the most checked-out adult book in Salem. T…

There’s plenty of local events to explore in Salem this weekend! Date Night at the Kroc – Salsa Dance Lessons The Salvation Army Kroc Center is inviting couples to an evening of beginner salsa dancing, complete with refreshing mocktails and a chip and salsa bar. This fun-filled date night pairs perfectly with the Kroc’s "Parents Night Out" program for on-site playcare (ages 4–12). Date: February 6, 2026Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PMLocation: Kroc Center Salem // 1865 Bill Frey Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301Cost: Members $25 per couple, Non-members $35 per couple (view registration information) Learn More An Evening with Eagle Eyes – Eagles Tribute Experience the music of the Eagles like never before with Eagle Eyes, the acclaimed tribute band from Vancouv…

A new kind of patrol officer is beginning its shift tonight. Starting February 2, the City of Salem is officially launching a two-month pilot program featuring the Daxbot, a semi-autonomous security robot, at the Pringle Parkade on High Street SE. This initiative marks the city’s latest technological leap in its ongoing effort to make sure downtown parking facilities are safe, clean, and welcoming for residents, workers, and visitors. High-Tech Eyes on the Mid-Willamette Valley The Daxbot is a homegrown success story. Manufactured in Philomath, Oregon, these robots are designed to bridge the gap between static security cameras and physical security patrols. Unlike traditional "robocops" that can feel cold or intimidating, Daxbots are built…

Here’s a fun round-up of local events happening in Salem this week! Oregon State Salem Spring RV Show Oregon’s favorite RV show returns to the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center for four days of incredible deals and displays. Since 1978, the Oregon State Salem Spring RV Show has brought together top regional dealers in one place. Admission is valid all four days, making it easy to browse everything and compare options throughout the weekend. Date: January 29 – February 1, 2026Time: Thursday – Saturday: 10 AM – 7 PM | Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM Location: Oregon State Fair & Expo Center // 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97303Cost: $10 Adults | $9 Seniors (62+) | Kids 16 & under FREE (Cash Only)Parking: $5 Learn More Syco Billy’s @ The Pink Ele…

Updated Tuesday, January 27, 2026: In a decisive move for the downtown business district, the Salem City Council voted unanimously on Monday night (January 26) to advance a plan to repeal the downtown parking tax. The vote marks a turning point in the city’s transition to a paid parking model, effectively ending the "double-dipping" that has frustrated local shop owners since meters were first installed last summer. The council’s 9-0 vote moved Ordinance Bill No. 1-26 to its second reading, signaling strong bipartisan support for relieving downtown businesses of their annual parking assessments. With the new on-street paid parking system performing far better than expected, the council agreed that the tax is no longer necessary. Under the n…