Tea Fest PDX 2026

Tea Fest PDX 2026 was held on June 27th at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon. 

This was the festival's 10th anniversary and the second year since it's move to late June from mid-July. The weather was very on-brand for the Pacific Northwest with a relatively sunny start to the day, shifting to rain and even a brief thunderstorm in the afternoon.  Most of the outdoor spaces were covered so the festival was able to carry on without interruption.

Something I really appreciate that seems to be unique to outdoor/indoor festivals like Tea Fest PDX are the musical performances. This year's musical lineup was wonderful!

Heart Strings Mandarin Music Trio

Kayageum performed by Doyeon Lim

The festival program was filled with a wide variety of workshops, lectures, and tasting sessions, two of which I had the pleasure of attending.

Unusual and Rare Teas from Our Tea Explorations with Charles, Laurie, and Anais Dawson (Whatcom Tea)

It's always a treat to sit in on a tasting session with the Dawsons because I'm almost guaranteed to encounter something completely new.  For this session we enjoyed several unique teas from their extensive collection, learning about their provenance and how they were made.  The final tea was a bit of a wildcard; a teabag tea that tastes refreshingly like a loose leaf tea.

Left to Right: Anais Dawson, Laurie Dawson, Charles Dawson

Wuyi Hongcha from Tongmuan, Fujian Province (Chaliland)

Rosa roxburghii (Chestnut Rose) Stuffed Black Tea from Guixhou Province (iTeaworld)

2002 Huangpian Baozhong (wild harvest)

1990 Liu Bao (Three Cranes)

1980 Liu An from Anhui Province

Crown Melon flavored Oolong

Tea in Literature and Afternoon Tea with Marilyn Miller

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea prepared by Thistlewell Tea Room (formerly Sweet Peas Tea Room) accompanied by a reading of excerpts from the works of Earlene Grey, Nigel Slater, Patti Callahan, Rosamunde Pilcher, Lisa See, Julia Kelly, and Ethel Romig Fuller by Marilyn Miller.

Thanks to the volunteers, presenters, and vendors for making this festival possible!  I'm looking forward to Tea Fest PDX 2027!

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.

Cascadia Tea Festival 2026

The Cascadia Spring Tea Festival was held on April 11, 2026 in Everett, Washington. This was the volunteer-run community tea event's 5th year!

The festival returned to beautiful Forest Park in Everett, Washington.  Vendor were located in Floral Hall and a dedicated tea tasting space was a short walk away in Lions Hall.  My day began with vendor booth exploration and catching up with tea friends.

Lions Hall Tea Tastings

Lions Hall was lined with tea tasting tables as well as a crafting area for young people (and the young at heart).

Ward and Barbara Everson presented a tasting of shou puerh lightly infused with different flowers.  The dried flowers are placed in a strainer so some of their aroma and flavor is introduced when the brewed tea is poured through the filter into the cha hai (fairness pitcher.)  This results in lighter floral notes than if they were steeped allowing the flavor of the tea to come through.  

Dark Depths (Crimson Lotus) poured over lavender

Diarmuid Fahy & Sam Culwell were brewing intriguing teas from their collection.

Li Shan

Li Shan 30-Year Aged Roasted Oolong

Thanks to the volunteers and vendors for making this tea festival happen!  

Skywater Tea House

While in town for Tea Fest PDX, we had afternoon tea at Skywater Tea House.  Owners Hans Ramos and Neil Thompson opened the doors to the afternoon tea room in downtown Hillsboro in August 2022, shortly after opening Skywater Fine Wines.

 

Inside the entrance, tea and teaware are on display and available for purchase.

The dining area is well-lit with plentiful seating.  Tables are spaced well to prevent a sense of crowding when seats are filled, as most were shortly after our arrival.

Our table setting was lovely with matching dinnerware, tea cups, and saucers.  Even the wainscoting seemed to be a part of the table display.

The tea menu includes white, green, oolong, black, and puerh teas, flavored blends, chai, and tisanes.  Each guest receives their own pot of tea.

My tea selection for this visit was an earthy Shu-cha Pu-erh and the meal began with a refreshing Golden Pomelo Vanilla Panna Cotta.  Everything was delicious and the service was excellent.  I'm looking forward to a return visit!

Online reservations are required in advance.  Note that they do not offer alternatives for dietary restrictions with the exception of vegetarian and pescatarian diets which can be accommodated with advance notice.

Address:
1601B SE River Rd, Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours:
Thursday-Sunday 11:00am to 2:30pm
Closed Monday-Wednesday

Northwest Tea Festival 2025

The 15th Northwest Tea Festival was held on September 27th and 28th in Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall.

With well over 50 vendors, festival attendees had an abundance of tea, teaware, food, and gifts to discover and take home.  Festival admission includes a porcelain tasting cup and most booths had freshly brewed tea ready to sample.  Several vendors also offered tea tastings and demonstrations at their booths.

A puerh tea tasting with Glen Bowers (Crimson Lotus)

A tea ceremony presentation hosted by Sugimoto Tea

Presentations were on two stages with topics ranging from the health benefits, science, and economics of the tea industry to the history, cultural traditions, and production methods of tea growing regions. 

Workshops returned this year and were welcomed back with great enthusiasm as online tickets sold out quickly.

The always popular Tea Bar had a rotating schedule of hosts providing tea tastings throughout the weekend. 

Sam Culwell, Diarmuid Fahy, and Colton Meyers serve tea at the Tea Bar

Josh Brock (The Empty Cup) serves tea at the Tea Bar

Thanks so much to everyone who made this event possible!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Northwest Tea Festival 2026 which will be held on September 26th and 27th.