Four weird weekend plans. Two real stories. One tiny adventure mission.
Good Friday, you beautifully curious people. Oregon and Washington have scheduled an expo for peculiar art, a weekend of ghosts, a convention for cat people and a celebration of lights. Meanwhile, your laundry is convinced it deserves your attention. I have other ideas.
These are genuine events, not made-up calendar filler. Everything below was researched for the November 6–8, 2026 issue. If you discover this page later, treat it as an archive—not a current event listing. The live Weird Weekend Desk is here.
NOV 7–8 · 10 AM–5 PM
Two days of strange art, taxidermy, curious crafts, jewelry, and vendors whose shopping lists have a lot of question marks.
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland. Tickets required. Hours are event-local; check before heading over.
NOV 6–8 · CHECK SESSION TIMES
A historic Washington town hosting three days of talks, panels and investigations. You can believe in ghosts or simply appreciate people taking their weird hobbies very seriously.
Port Gamble, Washington. One-day conference passes were listed from $30; special investigations and classes are extra and may require conference admission.
NOV 7–8 · 10 AM–5 PM
Cat rescues, talks, makers and hundreds of people who won't judge you for having a lock screen dedicated to your animal's face.
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, Seattle. Ticketed; check convention rules and admission before visiting.
NOV 7 · NOON–6 PM
Dance, music, workshops, and a celebration rooted in Indian traditions. A lovely chance to experience the community, learn and celebrate respectfully.
Seattle Center Armory, Seattle. Festival entry is free; confirm the performance and workshop schedule with Seattle Center.
The colorful event artwork is original PNW Passport editorial illustration, not photos or promotional artwork from the organizers.
It turns out those enormous ears aren't just a red-carpet accessory. The Bureau of Land Management told us why Ryan is such a brilliant little hunter.
Read the entire bat story ↗Photo: Emma Busk / Bureau of Land Management Oregon-Washington.
Yurok Fisheries Director Barry McCovey talked with us about the river's change, the work ahead, and the decades of people who refused to give up.
Meet the people behind the return ↗Photo: NOAA Fisheries; historic landscape, not a current salmon sighting.
A giant sculpture made from reclaimed wood lives in Southwest Portland. You can visit the grounds without paying admission, get outside, and finally put your very best 'hello, enormous forest creature' face to work.
Where: Nordic Northwest, 8800 SW Oleson Road, Portland, Oregon.
Before you go: Check the campus visiting details, events and trail conditions. Some paths are gravel, and access can change.
Troll graphic is an original playful illustration, not the artist's documentary photograph. The stamp challenge is self-reported and free.