7 Best Performing Arts in Portland, Oregon

Established in 1896, the symphony is Portland's largest classical group—and one of the largest orchestras in the country. Its season officially starts in September and ends in May, with concerts held at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, but throughout the summer the orchestra and its smaller ensembles can be seen at Waterfront Park and Washington Park for special outdoor summer performances. It also presents about 40 classical, pop, children's, and family concerts each year.

Some of the most sought-after soloists, chamber musicians, and recording artists from the Portland area and abroad perform here during the five-week summer concert series; performances take place at four different venues, primarily Reed College's Kaul Auditorium and the Lincoln Performance Hall at Portland State University.

This 20,000-seat facility is home to the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team and the site of other sporting events and rock concerts. It's right on the MAX light rail line, just across from Downtown.

The city's baroque group performs music composed before 1840 on period instruments in a season that runs October to April. Performances are held at Reed College's Kaul Auditorium, First Baptist Church, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

This spacious theater holds about 1,400 people (standing-room only except for the 21+ balcony seating area), primarily stages rock, alternative, and blues shows, plus occasional comedians. Legends like Miles Davis and Prince have performed here, and more recent acts have included Hot Chip, Ingrid Michaelson, and Cat Power.

This 12,000-seat venue on the MAX light-rail line serves as home to the WHL Winterhawks and books more than 150 events a year, including rock groups, touring shows, the Ringling Brothers circus, ice-skating extravaganzas, and sporting events.

One of the nation's premier blues gatherings, the four-day Waterfront Blues Festival, a benefit for the Oregon Food Bank, has been drawing big crowds and big names in blues over the July 4 weekend since 1987. Past performers have included Keb' Mo', Susan Tedeschi, Johnny Winter, and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings.