Activities

Learning English doesn't just happen in the classroom. To help our students become immersed in the culture of our city, we offer a full, comprehensive activities schedule. Portland offers a large selection of free and inexpensive events to give you the full American English experience on the cheap. 

columbia activities calendar

Sample activities by term

FALL

Haunted Corn Maize at Sauvie Island: In celebration of Halloween, we visit the haunted corn MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch. The Original Haunted MAiZE opens its unlit pathways to let brave patrons wander through four acres of terrifying twists and turns.

Halloween Party and Pumpkin Carving: We'll also have a Halloween dress-up party and pumpkin carving event to celebrate the holiday. 

Ducks Football Game at Grand Central Bowl: Watch the Oregon Ducks football games on the big screen TVs at Portland's vintage bowling alley in the Belmont area. 

OMSI Trip: See some exceptional science exhibits at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Join us for OMSI After Dark, to see the Brewfest, a scientific exploration of beer drinking and creation.

Portland Jazz Festival: Portland is home to the Jazz Festival, a month-

long celebration and exploration of the musical genre. See a wide range of concerts, from sit-down to free events in the park.

Free First Friday Portland Art Museum Trip: See a wide range of classical and modern art pieces at the Portland Art Museum. Admission is free every first Friday of the month from 5 - 8 pm.

WINTER 

Portland Macy's Day Parade in Downtown: See the famous Macy's Day Parade in celebration of the holiday season in downtown Portland! 

Ice Skating at the Lloyd Center: Enter a winter wonderland at the Lloyd Center's large ice skating rink, and do a little Christmas shopping at the mall.

Christmas Party and White Elephant: Celebrate the holiday with friends, good food and a "White Elephant" gift exchange.

Santa Con: Every year, tons of Portlanders dress like Santa Claus and walk the streets, visiting bars and restaurants. Join in the pub crawl or just visit for pictures to see literally hundreds of Santas.

Crafty Wonderland: Get all your local presents right here at this large craft fair. Peruse many booths to find local art, crafts and holiday decorations to make your American Christmas.

Holiday Ale Festival: Portland has over 30 brewers within its borders, and in the winter, this city of beer hosts a Holiday Ale Fest in downtown right on the MAX transit line. Taste local craft beers and limited release beers at this five-day festival. 

SPRING

Oregon Zoo Trip: Visit the zoo with us to see hundreds of animals from all over the globe. The Oregon Zoo just celebrated their 125th year, and have been honored for their conservation efforts. 

Hillsboro Hops Baseball Game: Take a trip out to Hillsboro Ballpark to see a game of baseball played by the Hillsboro Hops, the brand new Portland metro area baseball team.

Jet Boat Tour on the Willamette: Go on a thrilling jet boat tour tearing through the Willamette river. You'll also hear some Portland history mixed in, with stories about Portland's famous bridges, million-dollar homes and Willamette Falls.  

Saturday Market Excursion: Portland is home to the largest open-air craft market in the country. Every Saturday, vendors fill

their booths with arts and crafts from candles to photography to metal sculpture. 

Alberta Last Thursday Art Walk: Alberta St in NE Portland is a thriving artistic community with many art galleries, shops and restaurants. Every last Thursday of the month, there is an Alberta Art Walk, in which artists, dancers and musicians display their work on the street.

Wednesday Night Swing Dancing at Bossanova Ballroom: Bossanova Ballroom is a live events venue in downtown Portland that offers a wide range of dance lessons and events. Join us Wednesday nights for swing dancing. 

SUMMER

Portland Rose Test Garden: Portland is the city of roses! See hundreds of rare and beautiful roses at Portland's Rose Test Garden in the warm, sunny summertime. 

Movies and in the Park: See classics like The Lion King, Raiders of the Lost Arc or Ferris Bueller's Day Off for free at various parks around Portland. Each movie is preceded by live musical entertainment.

Portland 4th of July Fireworks and Parade: Celebrate the American Independence Day on the 4th of July with a fireworks display over the Willamette River. All-day events and activities vary per year.  

Hawthorne Street Fair: Hawthorne is a popular, trendy district in SE Portland that is known for its fashion, food and bar scene. A street-wide fair features local artists, musicians and shops.  

Forest Park Hike: With over 70 miles of trails, this huge park in the NW part of Portland runs along the Willamette River, offering a scenic getaway within city limits. As many as 62 mammals and 100 kinds of birds can be seen in the park. 

Portland's Festival Concert in the Park: All summer, Portland offers free concerts in many of its parks. Come out and enjoy soul, blues, R&B and jazz in this free local event. Mt Tabor Park is just down the street from our school.