Halloween is (almost) here. Are you dressing up? My family arrived at an accidental flora and fauna menagerie this year — a bear, black cat, skeleton, lumberjack, and rose.

If you’re looking for an epic tour of Halloween decorations, check out this route that wraps all around Portland, Lake Oswego, and the surrounding areas. It has everything ranging from 13-foot tall skeletons to inflatables and light shows.

Let us know what the best costume you see this year is! I’m anticipating a lot of K-Pop Demon Hunters, Wicked, and Wednesday from the Addams Family.

— Kerrie

Thursday, October 30

Beyond the Dark: A Seance Party with E.R. Perkins (Portland, 8-9:30pm). This sounds both fun and terrifying, so if you’re looking for something extra spooky this year, a seance party might be the ticket. Paranaturalist E.R. Perkins guides guests through an interactive theatrical encounter teeming with strange ceremony, Victorian séance history, and genuine attempts at spirit contact.

Friday, October 31

Movies in the Pumpkin Patch: Halloween (Wilsonville, 6-10pm). Held in an actual pumpkin patch, these movie nights are typically geared towards kids, but this one is for the adults. Legit scary movie — don’t bring the young kids.

Saturday, November 1

Bridge City Improv (Milwaukie, 7:30-9pm). An evening of unscripted entertainment that's unpredictable, in-the-moment, and impossible to repeat. Improv always reminds me of the wackiness and creativity of my fellow human beings.

Lake Oswego Urban Forest Summit (LO United Methodist Church, 9am-12:30pm). This year’s Summit is focused on the Oregon White Oak, which has lost significant habitat due to modern development and land use, as well as agricultural usage. Expect discussion led by renowned subject matter experts.

Sunday, November 2

2025 Great Pumpkin Toss (Westlake Fire Station, 2-5pm). Want a more creative way to dispose of your pumpkin than tossing it in the compost? Head to the Westlake Fire Station, climb the tower, and toss your pumpkin down towards the target below. In addition to smashing pumpkins fun, please bring a donation of non-expired, non-perishable food items for the food bank.

First Sunday Market in Lake Grove (Lake Grove, 11am-2:30pm). This month’s market theme is Fall Harvest. Stock up on autumn produce and get your holiday shopping started. This is a cozy and cheerful way to kick off November.

Shut up and Write! (Ava Rosteria, Lake Oswego, 3-6pm). This is a quiet, supportive hour of writing alongside other writers—no sharing, no feedback, just focused time to get words on the page. Come for the writing and stay for optional socializing afterward. Hosted by Shut Up and Write! Portland.

Monday, November 3

The Published Author Playbook (LO Adult Community Center, 10-11:30am). Always wanted to write a book but have no idea how to bring it to life? Kevin Sampsell, an experienced author and publisher, will share how to shape a compelling narrative, understand the editing and submission process, and navigate both traditional and independent publishing paths.

Tuesday, November 4

Let’s Do Lunch @ The Sedgwick (Vancouver, 11am). Hosted by the LO Adult Community Center as a way to meet new friends, this lunch series is taking a trip across the state border to Vancouver. The Sedgwick offers polished yet approachable dining in a beautifully restored space. Think truffle mac-and-cheese aka my stomach is already rumbling.

First Tuesday Music: Native & Mesoamerican Flutes (LO Public Library & online via Zoom, 5:30-6:30pm). Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with musician Peter Ali performing on a variety of native flutes, Mayan-style and Toltec-style flutes, as well as flutes from the Middle East and Norway. Admission is free.

Mark Your Calendars:

Portland Book Festival (Portland, November 8). This festival is packed with on-stage author conversations, interviews, panels, pop-up readings, drop-in writing workshops, live music, an expanded book fair, and food trucks to fuel your reading. Around 100 authors normally participate.

Holiday Food and Gift Festival (Portland, November 7-9). Like to start your holiday shopping early? This Festival is one of the largest holiday celebrations in the Northwest, drawing thousands of attendees annually. Find all the gifts you need and more.

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Halloween Home Display Route (Greater Portland area). If you like checking out Halloween decorations and want to do a self-guided tour of the best displays in the area, this is for you.

Hot Takes on the Best Neighborhoods for LO Trick-or-Treating (Lake Oswego). What do you think? Does Westlake still reign supreme?

Friday, October 31

2025 Monster Mash (Christ Church Parish, 3-6pm). Join Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation for Halloween fun. Come in costume and stroll trick-or-treat stations for candy and toys. Special appearances by LO Firefighters, Police, Park Rangers, and Tryon Creek Rangers. Free for ages 0–12.

Oaks Park Halloween Skate (Oaks Park, 7-10:30pm). Get spooky at Oaks Park’s annual Halloween Costume Contest. Costumes must be safe for skating and support Oaks Park’s mission of safe, wholesome, family fun for all ages.

Trick or Treating @ Willamette Garage (5-8pm). Get dinner and let the kids score some candy.

Saturday, November 1

Intro to Robotics (LO Public Library, 10:30-11:30am). Do you have a kiddo who loves robots? Come learn about how robots work, get the chance to drive a robot around, and watch robots do cool tricks. Recommended for ages 5+.

Saturday Guide Nature Hikes at Tryon Creek (Tryon Creek, 10-11am). Let a naturalist guide you through Tryon Creek. Topics will vary week to week and are geared to ages 5 and up, but all ages are welcome.

Sunday, November 2

First Sunday OMSI $5 Days (Portland). Explore the museum’s permanent exhibit halls and labs for just $5 per person on the first Sunday of each month.

Mark your Calendars:

Lake Oswego Kids Clothing & Gear Swap (November 8). This fun, community event brings families together to reuse and share gently used children’s clothing, shoes, books, toys, and sports equipment.

Friday, October 31

Headliner’s Club | Dancehall Days’ Annual Halloween Party | 8pm

Gemini Club | Baz Moto Halloween Party | 8:30pm

Saturday, November 1

Headliner’s Club | Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden) and Crazy Train (Ozzy) | 8pm

Gemini Club | Sarah Lodge | 8:30pm

Sunday, November 2

Gemini Club | Adam Kenaston | 8:30pm

It’s the rainy season half of the year here but Blackbird Golf isn’t going to let that stop you from practicing your swing. John, a previous Division I golfer, and his wife, a newfound golf convert, recently founded Blackbird Indoor Golf—a family-owned, six-bay indoor golf facility in downtown Lake Oswego. Blackbird is dedicated to serving both competitive players and newcomers, introducing people of all ages and skill levels to the joys of golf in a welcoming environment. Recent reviews all mention John and how helpful and friendly he is, especially for new players, so his experience is your gain at this awesome new LO spot.

Soccer

Football

Basketball

High School Sports (LO Lakers)

High School Sports (Lakeridge Pacers)

115 Ash Lane | 4 beds, 3 baths | 4,469 sq ft

Price: $1,185,000

This house is like the new kid at school who’s a little bit different from everyone and effortlessly cool in how they carry themselves. Let’s face it — most high-end homes, especially the waterfront ones, are big, showy takes on European living. This house is comparatively understated, and I would argue, cool in its differentiation. Wood ceilings, a closet with a million pictures tacked up, a monochrome calm blue kitchen, statement tile in the laundry room, a gorgeous pool, and a tree-lined backyard. Lots of personality for the price point.

Listed by: Jen Wiley @ Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty

Book: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

In a bleak future where people escape reality by plugging into the vast virtual universe, a teenage gamer stumbles into a high-stakes treasure hunt left behind by the world’s most eccentric billionaire. As competitors—and killers—close in, Wade must outsmart both human and digital foes to claim the ultimate prize. It was hard to put this one down.

Book: Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

When you’ve got small children (or caring for any sort of family/friends) and the daily routine feels long and monotonous, it sometimes helps to connect to the bigger picture of what you’re actually doing — helping humans move through the world. This powerful and tender book invites readers to see caregiving not as a burden, but as essential, radical, and transformative labor.