Boost your gardening skills, take the opportunity to explore a new outdoor space or gather in one of Oregon’s beautiful gardens at these August gardening workshops, festivals and meetings.
Events are free unless noted.
Ongoing
Dahlia Festival: 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Aug. 1-Sept. 30 plus Labor Day. The 2026 Dahlia Festival celebrates 100 years of blooms at Swan Island Dahlias with the theme “A Century of Blooms, a Future Rooted in Beauty.” Visitors can explore nearly 50 acres and more than 500,000 blooming dahlia plants. The farm offers Enchroma glasses for people with red-green color blindness. 995 N.W. 22nd Ave, Canby. dahlias.com/events
Hike with Hoyt: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Explore the trails of Hoyt Arboretum on a guided 4-mile hike led by volunteer Chad Kirkpatrick. Participants will traverse a mix of dirt, gravel and paved trails. Free (donations appreciated). Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd., Portland. Information: Register in-person at the Visitor Center or https://www.hoytarboretum.org/hike-with-hoyt/
Saturday, Aug. 1
Pruning Primer: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. A beginner-friendly workshop covering tool selection, safety, and proper cuts for tree, vining, and small fruits. $30–$45 sliding scale. Home Orchard Education Center (HOEC) Community Orchard, 19600 S. Molalla Ave., Oregon City. Information: https://www.homeorchardeducationcenter.org/workshop-store-page/p/summer-workshop-series-pruning-primer-saturday-august-1st-2026-11am-1pm
Sunday, Aug. 2
Summer Public Tour: 11 a.m.–12 p.m. A 60-minute volunteer-led tour of Hoyt Arboretum’s nationally accredited Conifer Collection, covering approximately 1 mile. Free (donations appreciated). Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd., Portland. Information: https://www.hoytarboretum.org/events/summer-public-tour-5/
Thursday, Aug. 6
Pop-Up Nature: Bees with Audrey Sauble: Returning Friday-Saturday, Aug. 7-8, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Meet the author of “A Bee or Not a Bee” to explore native bee species and mimics. Free. Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center Courtyard, 4000 S.W. Fairview Blvd., Portland. https://www.hoytarboretum.org/events/pop-up-nature-2026-6-2/
Saturday, Aug. 8
Judges Training & Refresher Course: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Mark Oldenkamp leads this comprehensive hands-on session for dahlia judges and clerks on how to properly evaluate and score competitive blooms. Rivers Dahlia Farm, 25751 Jeans Road, Veneta. Information: [email protected] or https://www.portlanddahlia.com/events/pds-july-meeting-x2m8l-yxj7p-fnycs-634nf-8y5hy-t8h23-newwy…