As the weather starts to slowly cool down after a record-hot summer, it’s time to prepare for autumn-related activities. And if you recently moved to Bend or are planning on moving to Bend in the fall, you may be wondering just what to put on your schedule for Central Oregon events. Let us help with our fall guide to everything that’s happening in and around the city: Here’s what to do in Bend during the autumn months!
Canceled Events
As the Delta variant of COVID-19 has spiked and St. Charles is overwhelmed, there have been cancellations of some fall events in Bend despite our high vaccination rates. For example, the beloved Oktoberfest will once again be delayed until the coming year. Les Schwab Amphitheater will also be requiring proof of vaccination for all events starting in September. Since these types of cancellations can happen suddenly it may be difficult to predict them, but we will be sure to keep you updated as much as possible.
1. The Bend Fall Festival
We can’t talk about fall events without mentioning the Bend Fall Festival, which is set to return for three days starting October 1st. With a festival this large, it’s no surprise that there’s a little bit of everything to find exploring its downtown location.
Multiple band stages will be offering live music with a lineup of many different genres, the large harvest market will have all sorts of goodies to buy and ingredients to help prep your favorite autumn dishes, and of course you will be able to find some of the best food trucks and beer tents in Bend. There’s also a family play zone with autumn-themed recreation for the young ones, and the traditional artist promenade featuring artisan goods from creators around the Northwest. Families may also want to get ready for the Kids Harvest Run on October 2nd, while artists will want to make note of the “art in action” event on Brooks Alley.
2. The Les Schwab Concert Series
This year the concerts at the Les Schwab Amphitheater extend well into the fall season, so it’s certainly worth checking to see if there are any concerts you’d like to attend. Artists will range from Lord Huron and Luke Bryan to My Morning Jacket and NEEDTOBREATHE – if you spot a concert you’d like to attend, start looking for tickets early!
3. BendFilm Festival
This 10-day long festival is the must-attend event of the year for movie fans, especially those hoping to catch early looks at the work of their favorite indie directors and actors, as well as learning more about the art of cinema and the latest trends inspiring the industry. If your idea of fun fall events includes a deep dive into indie films and great movie discussions, you’ll want to sign up for a pass ASAP. For reference, the 2020 festival included 115 films, with 50% of the features directed by women, and the list continues to grow for this year.
4. High Desert Museum Events
The High Desert Museum is also planning fall events to both educate and delight, making it well worth the trip to the gorgeous museum if you are a newcomer to Bend. You may be particularly interested in the “Dam It! Beavers and Us” event running until early October, which explores all things beaver, and the “Daredevils” exhibit, which opens in late September and follows thrill seekers across the history of the high desert.
5. Sisters Folk Festival
If you love folk music, you may also want to plan a trip over to Sisters to enjoy its annual Folk Festival, a collection of musicians, camps, and classes honoring the genre. It’s a fun time for the whole family, especially if you have any musicians – the only downside is that it happens at the same time as the Bend Fall Festival this year, October 1-3, so you may have to divide your time accordingly if you are living in Bend..
If you’d like to learn more details, you can always contact our relocation services in Central Oregon to learn more, ask a specific question, and explore what we offer!
