Waterfront Blues Festival
- Dates
- Jul 2 to 4, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Nov 10, 2026
Waterfront Blues Festival returns to Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, OR, Jul 2 to 4, 2027. Froligo tracks ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Waterfront Blues Festival is a Fourth of July weekend tradition at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, Oregon. The 40th annual festival runs 2 to 4 July 2027. The organizer describes three days and three stages of music, with the Buick GMC of Beaverton Main Stage and the River Rhythms Stage among them, a Blues Bites food court and, in 2026, fireworks marking America's 250th anniversary. The 2026 bill ranged from The Revivalists and Durand Jones & The Indications to Tank and The Bangas, Cymande and Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble.
How it works
In 2026 the gates opened daily at noon with music from 1 pm until 10:30 pm, and VIP passes entered at 11:30 am. The site is a sloping grassy hill in a public park with ADA-accessible walkways and a first-come, first-served ADA seating area. Shows go on rain or shine. Bring tickets, ID, an empty reusable water bottle and one low-profile lawn chair; coolers, outside food, glass and tents are not allowed. There is no reserved parking, with the nearest garage at SW First and Jefferson.
Who it suits
The festival suits blues, soul and roots fans who want a big outdoor summer weekend with a broad bill, food vendors and an easy-going park setting. Attendees sit on the grass with a personal lawn chair or a beach-towel sized space, so it favors people comfortable with a crowded hillside. Service animals are welcome but pets are not, and bags must be small.
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Listen
No official playlist linked yet. Find Waterfront Blues Festival on Spotify.
Lineup
Getting there
Nearest airport PDX.
How do I get to Waterfront Blues Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Waterfront Blues Festival. The nearest major airport is PDX, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
PDX connects to downtown Portland directly via the MAX Red Line (~40 min). From downtown, the Oak/SW 1st Ave MAX station is a ~3-min walk from the festival entrance at Tom McCall Waterfront Park (1400 SW Naito Pkwy). Skidmore Fountain (Blue/Red) and NW 5th & Couch (Green/Orange) stations are also within a short walk. The official festival page tells attendees to 'Take a TriMet bus, ride MAX light rail or hop on a Portland Street Car' to reach the venue, noting this eliminates the parking problem entirely (there is no designated festival parking).
Book / infoTaxi & rideshare
Standard curbside pickup at PDX (app-quoted, not flat-rate). The festival's own guidance explicitly encourages rideshare as a parking alternative but does not name a specific downtown pickup/drop-off zone for the venue itself. Naito Parkway curbside near the park entrance is the practical drop point.
Book / infoTaxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
Affiliate Flying in? You can book an airport transfer from PDX in advance rather than joining the taxi queue on arrival. Transfer links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
🅿 Parking
No on site parking. Use nearby lots or transit. No designated festival parking exists. Official guidance: 'There is no designated festival parking. we encourage our fans to take public transportation or use ride shares whenever possible.' Fallback options named on the official page: SmartPark/City Center Parking garages, downtown street parking (fills quickly), or parking on the east bank of the Willamette and walking across the Hawthorne Bridge/East Bank Esplanade. Specific nearby lots listed: SW First & Clay, SW First & Jefferson, SW Naito & Taylor, SW Naito & Harrison, SW Fourth & Yamhill, SW Third & Alder. No dollar figures published for any of these on the festival's own page.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at PDX
There is no on site parking at the venue, so if you are hiring a car it is worth sorting nearby parking or a park and ride before you go.
Search car hireCar hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Waterfront Blues Festival?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 2
1889 Southwest 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97201
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates431 Northeast Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232
Typically $70-130 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMid-range hotels 4
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTypically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates888 Southwest 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates506 Southwest Washington Street, Portland, OR 97204
Typically $120-220 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesTreat yourself 2
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check rates319 Southwest Pine Street, Portland, OR 97204
Typically $170-300 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesAirport hotels 1
7025 Northeast Alderwood Road, Portland, OR 97218
Typically $100-190 a night off-peak guide, higher on festival dates
Check ratesMore hotels nearby 2
Airbnb & private camping
Downtown Portland has an active Airbnb market year-round. General downtown-Portland summer pricing patterns would apply.
Search AirbnbNot a natural fit for this festival, it's a downtown urban park venue with no camping offered and no rural land nearby. Hipcamp listings exist in the wider Portland/Willamette Valley region but would be a long drive from the actual downtown venue, not a practical festival-adjacent option.
Search HipcampSearch all hotels near Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Entry rules
Accessibility & comfort
What the organizer or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Confirm your specific needs with the organizer's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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Quick answers
When is Waterfront Blues Festival 2027?
Jul 2 to 4, 2027
Where is Waterfront Blues Festival held?
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, OR.