Our first Instagram giveaway of 2026 launched yesterday, and you won’t want to miss this one. Follow the instructions on the post to win a $50 gift card to Sunday Sauce. Chicken parm, spaghetti, ravioli, meatballs, and more await you!

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Feeling moody? The literary/variety Poe Show comes to Black Water Bar for a birthday celebration and roast on January 18.

• We’re giving away tickets to a cozy matinee at Swan Dive featuring Small Field, Sit Pretty, and Underwater Cliffs. Three local bands making dreamy, jangly, cry-while-you-sway music. Doors open early, feelings open earlier.

• Euphoria: Queer Industry Night at The Get Down is Portland’s most lush, affirming, and glitter-drenched night off for the Theys, Gays, and Slays who keep this city spinning. Get tickets for February 10.

• The king of TikTok crowd work, Gianmarco Soresi, just added two more shows to his March run at Helium Comedy Club due to high demand. Get tickets!

• Homegrown Music Festival in Bend returns this May for three days of Oregon local musicians. The even better news? It won’t drain your bank account.

WHAT WE LOST IN 2025

2025 was brutal for Portland’s small biz scene. From iconic dives to beloved carts and longtime neighborhood staples, a wave of closures reshaped the city in ways that still sting. Some called it a market correction; locals just called it heartbreaking. Here’s a look back at the spots we lost (and seriously miss).

THIS WEEKEND

LOCALS ONLY

• The new 11,000 square-foot NW library opens on January 10, featuring an early learning space, a teen area, seven new community rooms, and more.

• The Rose City Classic Dog Show is back, and it’s purebred chaos in the best way. Think fancy pups, dramatic strutting, and enough fur to knit a sweater. Even if you don’t know what a Vizsla is, you’re gonna have a great time.

• The Annual Studio Ghibli Film Festival is back for its 11th year at OMSI, kicking off on January 16.

WIN STUFF

FEATURED