Events
something for everyone
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Ashland's Festivals and Events
Now over 100 years old, this celebration is what makes Ashland Oregon a "great small town to live in..and VISIT!" The festivities begin early with a run produced by Ashland Parks and Recreation, followed by the Ashland Chamber's family-friendly parade, activities, food and entertainment in gorgeous Lithia Park followed by the American Band College performance at Ashland High Stadium to close the night. Come Join the Fun. For More information click Here.
The Ashland Chamber Annual Children's Halloween Celebration is a colorful tradition celebrated each year by kids of all ages with a parade and festivities for the whole family. For the 2022 event information visit here.
The Festival of Light celebrates the magic and kick off to the season. It invites you to find your holiday spirit with over one million lights and decorations that illuminate Ashland, events, entertainment, shopping and a winter wonderland. The main event kicks off the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25th with Santa's Arrival and the Grand Illumination starting at 5pm. Fun festivities and holiday performances continue through January. Come celebrate the 30th year of celebrating the holidays Ashland style. Click Here for more details, coming soon, on this cherished visitor and community event produced by Travel Ashland and the Ashland Chamber for 2022.
In addition to Travel Ashland and Ashland Chamber events listed above, our amazing community partners and organizations provide a spectrum of events to be enjoyed throughout the year that are inclusive, provide something for everyone that celebrate everything from music to independent film, art to culinary talent and civic pride in a small town with world class amenities.
As a visitor, you can enjoy these as many plan their travels to attend! Ashland’s events showcase Ashland’s access to nature, our modern amenities and homegrown hospitality. Everyone is welcome.
From the Oregon Chocolate Festival, Rogue Valley Farm Tour, the Oregon Wine Experience , Brine, Brew and Barrel Fermentation Festival , Bear Creek Salmon Festival and Brews and Boogie at Scienceworks Hands-On Museum... farms, food artisans, wineries and breweries will delight your palate with an amazing experience.
Ashland’s outdoor events have a major draw attracting world-class athletes and competitors from around the west coast. For mountain bikers, the Ashland Mountain Challenge is an Enduro style race each fall. For runners, the Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Run climbs a full vertical mile while the Pine to Palm is a 100 mile endurance run starting in Williams and ending in Ashland. The only Boston Marathon qualifier on the West Coast, the Rogue Marathon, takes place in Medford in conjunction with the Heart of the Rogue. Mt. Ashland is not only home to many of the dry land competitions but provides an array of fun events throughout the wintertime. Some outdoor recreation events are for families and locals that enjoy Ashland’s outdoors with some light-hearted competition.
Culturally speaking, Ashland’s events welcome the independent film goer at the Ashland Independent Film Festival and Varsity Film Week to the Ashland Literary Festival at SOU’s Hannon Library and Ashland New Plays Festival and Ashland's own SO Pride Festival each October. Every Memorial Day Weekend, take part in the Ashland World Music Festival and Soundwalk produced by Rogue World Music. Venture to Jacksonville for the concerts under the stars at the Britt Festival that starts in June. Each weekend from March through October enjoy music, art and the vibe of the Lithia Artisans Market along Ashland Creek and at the entrance to Lithia Park. We are pleased announce the return of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival 2022 season that will run through their holiday show in December, kicking off with OSF Winter Festival that will include Oregon Cabaret's White Christmas.
NEW in 2023, join us for the inaugural Ashland Mystery Festival coming to Ashland October 20th - 22nd, 2023. Join cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander and her mystery writing friends for a weekend full of bookish fun and intrigue with plenty of twists and turns. From panels and workshops to an interactive mystery with clues located all around town, this festival is designed to put you in the hot seat. You'll have the chance to put your detective skills to the test and interact with the authors who brought these stories to life. You won't just be a spectator - you'll be right in the center of the action. But that's not all, the Ashland Mystery Festival will also feature mystery food and drink pairings at the shops and restaurants around town, a themed-mystery dinner, deadly props demonstrations by local actors, a mysterious pub crawl, and much more. Oh, and don’t forget about the world's greatest detective. Catch Sherlock at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre and watch him solve the case in style! Whether you're a seasoned mystery reader or just looking for a little excitement in one of Oregon's most charming small towns, this festival has something for everyone. So get your magnifying glass ready, dust off your trench coat, and come to Ashland this October for a weekend full of intrigue, suspense, and plenty of fun. You'll be right in the heart of the action, and who knows, you just might crack the case. Learn more @ www.ashlandmysteryfest.com