ANNUAL EVENTS & FESTIVALS IN FLORENCE OREGON
January
Annual Winter Music Festival
Location: Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.
When: Last Weekend in January
Description: FACE (Florence Arts, Culture & Entertainment) is your host for the biggest and best live music event on the Oregon Coast—the Florence Winter Music Festival. Now in its 21st year (23rd for the "Kiwanis Kids Concerts” an invitation-only music education show for local schoolkids) we're still going strong! This eclectic, all-ages event pulls in music fans of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and a bit o’ the blues from all over the Pacific Northwest for a weekend of good times; award-winning acclaimed musicians; and great memories. The weekend includes fun jams, helpful and inspirational workshops, great food, and fantastic nationally touring music. While you’re in Florence, besure to enjoy all that “Oregon’s Coastal Playground” has to offer. Join us each year during the last and BEST weekend in January. For more information, artist profiles, overnight accommodation recommendations, and more visit: https://wintermusicfestival.
February
Valentine’s Day? Yes! Check with our local lodgings to learn about romance packages.
Annual Wine, Chowder and Glass Float Trail
Location: Historic Old Town Florence and other sites around town
When: President's Weekend in February
Description: Join us for this fun filled three day weekend in Florence! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday search for and enter to win hidden glass floats around town. On Saturday stroll through Old Town and sample wines from a dozen of Oregon’s finest wineries. On Sunday be your own judge and let us know which is your favorite chowder from the dozen different samples available all along Bay Street. Glass Float Hunt & Chowder Trail passports ($5 each) are available Friday at the Visitors Center (290 Hwy 101) and in Old Town at Gazebo Park Saturday and Sunday. Commemorative Wine Trail glasses and tasting tickets will be on sale at Gazebo Park in Old Town Saturday. Glasses are $8 and tickets are $1 each. Live music, surprise performances, and more. Register for wine pairing dinners, clam digging clinics, and other events!
For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128
March
Spring Whale Watching
Location: Highway 101 turnouts between Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse, at Cooks Chasm Turnout, and at Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center
When: Height of migration is usually around the third weekend in March
Description: Volunteer “Whale Watching Spoken Here” experts are strategically located along the Oregon Coast to help you spot some of these 20,000 majestic, migrating mammals.
For more information: ORWhaleWatch.org
Plan now to enjoy Spring Break in Florence!
May
Annual Rhododendron Festival
Location: All around town
When: May 16-19, 2024
Description: Welcome to the Florence Rhododendron Festival! Florence’s biggest party of the year! It’s an Oregon institution, a family tradition. Make it yours each year during the third full weekend of May. Come enjoy the pageantry of the second-longest running floral festival in Oregon! Festivities include Saturday’s kids’ parade, Sunday’s grand floral parade, a flower show at the Florence Events Center with hundreds of our famous rhododendrons, the Davis Shows carnival, classic car show, and the Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise, 5K run, food and drink, street vendor fair, and the coronation of Queen Rhododendra, King of the Coast, and their glamorous Court. Shop, dine, and stay in Old Town and all-around town. It’s like living the small-town pomp, pride, enthusiasm, and charm of a heartwarming film for yourself! For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128
June
Oregon Dunes Triathlon/Duathlon
Location: Dunes City, Oregon
When: Second Weekend in June
Description: The Oregon Dunes Triathlon and Duathlon includes four races with exciting, scenic courses in neighboring Dunes City, OR. The best lodging options are here in Florence. The races start with the swim in the clean and clear Woahink Lake, followed by the biking portion along beautiful, quiet, country roads of Dunes City, and then the run through the winding trails and campground of Honeyman State Park. The race finishes with an epic climb up the Oregon Dunes.
For more information: www.OregonDunesTriathlon.com
July
Siuslaw Awards and Chamber Annual Meeting
Location: Florence Events Center
When: July 25, 2024
Description: Celebrate success in commerce and community leadership! This prestigious banquet recognizes excellence in the local business community by naming recipients for awards in Excellence in Customer Service, Curb Appeal, Non-Profit Achievement, Community Caring, Innovation in Business, and the Stu Johnston Business of the Year Award. The event includes the State of the Chamber address. Two outstanding individuals in the community will be honored with the Future First Citizen Award and the First Citizen Award recognizing leadership and impactful selfless service to the community. The Chamber will also recognize with the Distinguished Service Award an individual or business that has selflessly given of their time and efforts in supporting the Chamber.
For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128
Old Fashioned 4th of July
Location: Historic Old Town Florence and other sites around town
When: July 4th
Description: Old-fashioned family fun and games, pie- and watermelon-eating contests, food, music, and one of the best fireworks shows on the coast launched from a barge in the Siuslaw River to add a dramatic reflection off the water. Add synchronized patriotic music and you’ve got yourself a show to remember!
For more information: FlorenceChamber.com, 541-997-3128
August
August is the peak of the summer season in Florence. Every day is a special event here in Oregon’s Coastal Playground. With so much going on during the normal course of coastal life in August, there are no specific high-profile events to list. Come. Make it a day at the beach…or two…or three…
September
Elements Of Art Studio Tour
Location: Various LocationsWhen: 1st and 3rd Weekends in September (9/7-8 & 9/21-22/2024)
Description: Open Studio Art Tour Featuring Local Artists – Come see where the MAGIC HAPPENS Join the self-guided Open Studio Tour on the 1st and 3rd Weekends in September Annually presented by Dragon Art Studio and BeauxArts Fine Art Materials and Gallery. Participants will purchase a ticket which includes a catalogue of local artists with beautiful pictures of their studios, artwork, and information about how participants can contact them to purchase art after the tour. Additionally, participants will receive a passport to tour local artist studios, ask them questions, buy art, and see how and where art is produced in our area. Studios will be open from Noon-4pm on each of the two weekends involved for the event. Tickets & More Information:ElementsOfArtStudioTour.com
November
Annual Veterans’ Day Parade
Location: Parade route begins at Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St., and wends its way through Historic Old Town, to Veterans’ Memorial Park (Bay St. at Kingwood St).
When: November 11
Description: This annual event brings honor to those who served our country through their military service.
For more information: www.facebook.com/FlorenceVeteransDayParade/
December
Annual Florence Holiday Festival
Location: Historic Old Town Florence
When: First Saturday in December
Description: Enjoy live music, warm beverages, Santa’s arrival, great holiday season sales, hayrides, caroling, and the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Celebration.
For more information: FlorenceChamber.com 541-997-3128
Winter Whale Watching
Location: Highway 101 turnouts between Sea Lion Caves and Heceta Head Lighthouse, at Cooks Chasm Turnout, and at Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center
When: Height of migration is usually between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Description: Volunteer “Whale Watching Spoken Here” experts are strategically located along the Oregon Coast to help you spot some of these 20,000 majestic, migrating mammals.
For more information: orwhalewatch.org/
