Pickathon

View on map
MusicHappy Valley
Dates2 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdSmall5000
Best forLive music, late nightsPickathon's format sets it apart from larger
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Pickathon in Happy Valley

On a family-owned farm in Happy Valley, Oregon, Pickathon spends the first weekend of August turning barns, wooded groves, and open fields into a dozen intimate stages for indie rock, bluegrass, hip-hop, folk, and jazz. Founded in 1999 as a fundraiser for Portland community radio station KBOO, the three-day festival has built a reputation for discovering artists before wider audiences catch on, and for running an almost entirely single-use-plastic-free event.

Pickathon began in 1999 as a fundraiser for KBOO, a Portland community FM radio station, and its first edition drew about ninety people, including the performers, to a private park called Horning's Hideout in North Plains, Oregon.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Pickathon's format sets it apart from larger touring festivals: each artist performs twice, in different corners of Pendarvis Farm, so audiences can catch a set they missed the first time and performers get a genuine second chance to connect with a smaller crowd

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival has eliminated single-use plastic and disposable food and beverage containers entirely, asking attendees to carry a reusable cup and plate rather than generating festival-standard waste

03

The city starts moving

Its lineup has long favored artists who later broke through to much wider audiences, alongside internationally recognized acts, giving repeat attendees a reputation for having heard something first

04

The water draws everyone in

Distinct themed areas, including a Refuge Neighborhood offering massage, sauna, and sound therapy, extend the festival well beyond a conventional stage-and-food-truck layout

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Pickathon's defining traditions include its double-set format

Water and renewal

Living ritual

where every artist performs twice in different stage settings across the farm

The sacred route

Living ritual

and its strict sustainability policy requiring reusable containers rather than disposable ones throughout the grounds

The local code

Living ritual

The festival is staffed almost entirely by volunteers

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a structure carried over from its founding as a fundraiser for community radio station KBOO

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Distinct themed spaces

Tradition 7

Living ritual

including a Refuge Neighborhood built around massage

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and sound therapy

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

2 August 2026

Getting around

For Pickathon, plan transport around the exact Happy Valley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Early August days at Pendarvis Farm run warm, often into the 80s Fahrenheit, while nights cool considerably, so layered clothing, a sun hat, and a warmer layer for evening cover the full...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Pickathon, stay near the part of Happy Valley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map45.45 N, 122.53 WOpen in Google Maps

Happy Valley, OR

Nearest airportPDX — Portland
TransportFor Pickathon, plan transport around the exact Happy Valley venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Pickathon, stay near the part of Happy Valley you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Happy Valley via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Happy Valley, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearEarly August days at Pendarvis Farm run warm, often into the 80s Fahrenheit, while nights cool considerably, so layered clothing, a sun hat, and a warmer layer for evening cover the full day. Sturdy shoes or boots suit the farm's grass, dirt paths, and wooded groves better than sandals, and swim clothing is worth packing if the grounds include any water access for cooling off during the day.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pickathon?

Pickathon is listed for 2 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pickathon take place?

The festival is listed in Happy Valley, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Happy Valley, OR

How big is it?

Small: 5000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLpickathon.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates2 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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