Things to doRiver days, trail miles, date nights, and what to do when the weather turns. 
Your local guide to Bend, Oregon.
What to do, where to eat, what’s happening, and who to call. Written by people who live here.
The week ahead
Pulled from Bend venues’ own calendars and updated every week. Pick a day.
Coming up
- 3:30 PMThu, Oct 15Shock Rock: How Creepy Media Influenced Rock MusicCentral LibraryMusic
- 6 PMThu, Oct 15Skinny DennisThe LotMusic
- 6:30 PMThu, Oct 15Comedy MicsWorthy BrewingComedy
- 7 PMThu, Oct 15Babes In Canyon, Anna Smyrk & Shelby NatashaDomino RoomMusic
- 8 PMThu, Oct 15Emily Catalano - ComedianVolcanic Theatre PubComedy
- 10 AMFri, Oct 16Who Speaks for Bend's Trees?Central LibraryCommunity
What Bend is looking up
The guides people open most right now. It changes with the season.
SeasonalSnowshoeingEasy trails and rentalsSeasonalSki or boardMt. Bachelor, the short versionAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalSuper Bowl SundayWhere to watch, by vibeSeasonalValentine's DayDinners and date ideasPopularIndoor backup plansWhen the weather says no
SeasonalValentine's DayDinners and date ideasSeasonalSuper Bowl SundayWhere to watch, by vibeAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalSnowshoeingEasy trails and rentalsSeasonalSki and board tuningShops, prices, turnaroundSeasonalSpring breakKid plans by age
SeasonalSpring breakKid plans by ageSeasonalSt. Patrick's DayParties and pintsAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalEaster in BendEgg hunts and brunchSeasonalSnowshoeingEasy trails and rentalsPopularHappy hourWhat is on special, by day
SeasonalEaster in BendEgg hunts and brunchSeasonalSpring breakKid plans by ageAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalCinco de MayoWhere to celebrateSeasonalMother's DayBrunch and plansSeasonalRiver and lakesFloat, paddle and swim
SeasonalMother's DayBrunch and plansSeasonalCinco de MayoWhere to celebrateSeasonalMemorial Day weekendEvents and plansAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalRiver and lakesFloat, paddle and swimPopularFestivalsThe big ones, by season
SeasonalFather's DayPlans he'll likeSeasonalFourth of JulyParade, fireworks, pet paradePopularFestivalsThe big ones, by seasonSeasonalRiver and lakesFloat, paddle and swimAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalSummer in BendThe season, sorted
SeasonalFourth of JulyParade, fireworks, pet paradeSeasonalSummer in BendThe season, sortedPopularFestivalsThe big ones, by seasonSeasonalRiver and lakesFloat, paddle and swimAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalCascade LakesWhich lake for which day
SeasonalSummer in BendThe season, sortedPopularFestivalsThe big ones, by seasonSeasonalLabor Day weekendEvents and last swimsSeasonalRiver and lakesFloat, paddle and swimAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venuePopularIndoor backup plansWhen the weather says no
All yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalOktoberfestEvery Bend Oktoberfest, with datesPopularHappy hourWhat is on special, by dayPopularA weekend in BendA ready-made two-day planPopularFestivalsThe big ones, by seasonSeasonalHalloween in BendParties, trick-or-treat streets, pumpkin patches
SeasonalHalloween in BendParties, trick-or-treat streets, pumpkin patchesAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalThanksgiving in BendEat out, order in, turkey trotsPopularCooking classesDate nights and skills, by schoolSeasonalOktoberfestEvery Bend Oktoberfest, with datesPopularHappy hourWhat is on special, by day
SeasonalThanksgiving in BendEat out, order in, turkey trotsSeasonalChristmas in BendLights, markets, Santa, dinnersSeasonalHoliday lightsWhere the best displays areAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalChristmas dinner to goOrder ahead, pick up, doneSeasonalBlack Friday localShop local deals and hours
SeasonalChristmas in BendLights, markets, Santa, dinnersSeasonalNew Year's EveParties, dinners, fireworksSeasonalHoliday lightsWhere the best displays areAll yearTrivia nightsEvery weekly game, by day and venueSeasonalChristmas dinner to goOrder ahead, pick up, doneSeasonalSnowshoeingEasy trails and rentals
Halloween in Bend Trick-or-treat streets, parties, pumpkin patches, and the spooky stuff, sorted by what kind of Halloween you want. October in Bend
The trees along the river turn gold, the trails get quiet, and the first hard freeze is closer than it looks.
Before the first hard freeze
Sprinkler blowoutGutter cleaningChimney sweepFurnace repairWinter tiresFirewood
Thanksgiving in Bend Where to eat out, where to order dinner, turkey trots, and what to do with visiting family. November in Bend
First real snow up high, the mountain gets ready to open, and the holidays show up fast.
Start with what you came for
Five ways into Bend. Each one opens a guide built to get you to a decision.
Things to doRiver days, trail miles, date nights, and what to do when the weather turns. 
Eat and drinkBreakfast to last call. The places locals keep going back to. 
EventsTonight, this weekend, and the next festival. 
Around BendTowns, lakes, and day trips within an hour. 
Live hereMoving, neighborhoods, and the everyday stuff. What are you hungry for?
Skip the scroll. Go straight to the short list for the thing you want.
How far is it from Bend?
Rough drive times from downtown, in normal traffic and dry roads. Closest first.
25 min SistersA walkable western main street with coffee, shops, and Cascade views. 
30 min SunriverBike paths, the Village, and easy river time. The simple family day. 
40 min Smith RockThe big-scenery hike. Go early when it is hot. 
45 min Cascade LakesPaddle, swim, or sit by a mountain lake until dinner. Seven more towns and day trips
- 10 minTumaloRiver time and dry trails, close to townNorthwest
- 25 minRedmondFood, breweries, and the airportNorth
- 30 minThree RiversQuiet river and forest countrySouth
- 35 minLa PineBase for Newberry and the south countySouth
- 45 minNewberryLava flows, a caldera, and two lakesSouth
- 45 minSuttle LakeAn easy mountain lake past SistersNorthwest
- 50 minCamp ShermanThe Metolius River and deep forestNorthwest
Need somebody local?
Start with the job. Each guide covers who does the work in Bend, what it should include, and what to ask before you hire.
Heat and cool it
Money and business
Weddings and parties
Run a Bend business?
If you're in one of these guides, claim your listing free, add a reader offer, or ask about a featured spot.
Claim your listingNew to Bend, or about to be?
The practical side of living here, from picking a side of town to finding the grocery store you will end up using.
Open the living in Bend guide- Moving to BendWhat to sort out before and after the truck shows up
- NeighborhoodsHow each side of town actually feels
- New homeownerThe first-year list for a Bend house
- Parenting and babyClasses, car seat checks, pediatricians and free help for new parents
- Daycare and childcareInfant and toddler care, hours and waitlists
- Grocery storesWhere locals shop, by what you need
- Best places to workWho is hiring and what they are known for
- Hosting friends and familyEasy plans when people come to visit
Four things locals already know
Not rules. Just the context you pick up after enough seasons and changed plans.
Town weather is not mountain weather.
A sunny afternoon in Bend can still mean wind, snow, or a big temperature swing at elevation. Layers beat optimism.
The river is part of the daily map.
Walk it, float it, paddle it, eat next to it. A lot of Bend makes more sense once you know the Deschutes.
Twenty minutes changes the landscape.
Pine forest, open high desert, lava rock, alpine water. You can get a very different day without driving far.
A backup plan is a local skill.
Wind, smoke, snow, closures, and full trailheads change plans. Keep one indoor or lower-elevation option ready.