Eugene Tea Festival 2026

A well-timed visit with family in Oregon gave me the opportunity to attend the Eugene Tea Festival for the first time.  The festival is in its fourth year, kicking off in 2023 and preceded by virtual tea tastings and local events.  This year's festival took place on on May 31st at the Farmer's Market Pavilion in Eugene, Oregon's downtown arts district.  The Pavilion and the adjoining plaza were lined with booths for tea, artisan, and food vendors.

The tea festival is free to attend, though donations are welcome and come with a tasting cup to enjoy all the tea samples available at the vendor booths.  

At a table inside the Pavilion, Josh Brock (The Empty Tea Cup) and Laurie Dawson (Whatcom Tea) prepared tea throughout the day, providing a welcoming space to decompress and meet new tea friends.

The vendor booths had an impressive range of teas and tisanes from around the world, as well as handcrafted teaware, art, and decor.

Thanks to everyone who worked to bring this festival to the local community.  It was a wonderful event!

The next Eugene Tea Festival will take place on May 30, 2027.

Oolong Bar

Oolong Bar opened in May 2016 near Eugene's University of Oregon campus on the corner of East 19th Avenue and Agage Street.  

The tea bar acts as a kind of modern twist extension of J-Tea, also owned by Josh Chamberlain, which specializes in selling, serving, and educating about fine Taiwanese teas.   

The room is filled with natural light and seating is available at tables, the tea bar, or on the comfy sofa and lounge chairs.

Visitors to Oolong Bar can enjoy many of the high- and mid-grade teas found at J-Tea alongside kombucha, herbals and tisanes, iced tea, house blends, bubble tea, and coffee.  In addition to prepared teas, the tea shop also offers loose leaf tea, teaware, and small bite foods.

My tea for this visit was the Charcoal Gong Fu that I paired with some tasty (and guilt-free) raw chocolate macaroons.  Tea is served by the (very generously sized) cup or in a pot.  

Before leaving, I couldn't resist getting an iced Arnie Palmie made with puerh, lemonade, and ginger.  I wasn't sure what to expect with that combination, but less than a mile down the road, I could easily say this is a new summertime favorite.  

Address:

1607 E 19th Ave, Eugene, OR 9740

Hours:
8:00 am-9:00 pm Monday-Thursday
8:00 am-10:00 pm Friday
10:00 am-10:00 pm Saturday
10:00 am-9:00 pm Sunday

J-Tea

J-Tea is located on (appropriately named) Friendly Street between West 27th Avenue and 28th Avenue in Eugene, Oregon.  The owner, Josh Chamberlain, began selling tea in Eugene in 2005 after living and studying in Taiwan for many years.

The modern teahouse was built in 2010 and offers a light, open, welcoming space for visitors.  Table seating is available throughout the space, as well as at the large tea bar. 

J-Tea offers a selection of over 150 teas including white, green, oolong, black, puerh, and herbal.  While they specialize in Taiwanese teas, you'll also find a few treasures from other countries, as well as a large selection of fine teaware.

The best seats in the house are at the tea bar where you can watch as your tea is prepared and talk with the knowledgeable staff and regulars.

My tea selection was Dong Ding Light Roast Honors.  Hot water refills are free and I had 4-5 great cups of this oolong before I could willingly pull myself away to get back on the road.

Thanks to everyone at J-Tea for sharing excellent tea with the community and with travelers like myself!  I look forward to future visits!

Address:
2778 Friendly Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday-Sunday 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Closed Monday