Spring in Bend, Oregon has a way of teasing you. The weather may be a bit unpredictable, but some things always remain the same… The days get longer, the trails wake up, the patios start to open, and the calendar is packed with some of the best events of the entire year. If a Central Oregon getaway is on your radar this season, you picked a great time to go.
Whether you're a first-timer or a longtime Bend regular, this guide covers the best things to do in Bend, Oregon in the spring — from iconic local races and live music to farmers markets, spring skiing, and a few annual events worth planning your whole trip around.
Pro tip: Most of the events in this guide happen annually, but dates and details shift from year to year. We always recommend checking the official event websites before you book your trip.
Let's start with the one that surprises most visitors: spring skiing in Central Oregon is genuinely excellent. Mt. Bachelor sits at over 9,000 feet and typically holds snow well into May, which means you can be skiing in the morning and sitting on a sunny patio in downtown Bend by early afternoon. It's one of the most underrated parts of a spring trip to Central Oregon, and it's only about 22 miles from the heart of Bend.
Spring is actually one of our favorite times to ski Bachelor. The crowds thin out, the snow softens up nicely, and the drive up toward the Cascades is stunning as the season turns. If a ski trip is on your list, don't sleep on March through early May.
A short drive from Mt Bachelor Retreat, Milepost Manor & Atomic Ranch.
Bend does Easter well with family-friendly egg hunts, beloved brunch spots, and a variety of church services around town. For brunch, some of our perennial favorites include Victorian Cafe, McKay Cottage, Chow, and Lemon Tree. Expect a wait at all of them on Easter Sunday, and consider it worth it.
Easter weekend also tends to be a beautiful time to hit the Deschutes River Trail or hike up Pilot Butte (especially at sunrise!).
If you need a vacation rental that’s perfect for hosting the whole family, we’d recommend Tallpine Tuckaway.
One of the quirkier and more beloved events on the Central Oregon spring calendar, Rendezvan brings the van life community together at Mt. Bachelor each April for a long weekend of live music, spring skiing, and serious good energy. You don't need to arrive in a van to enjoy it. The festival atmosphere alone makes it worth planning a trip around. Check the official Rendezvan website each year for current dates and lineup details.
Spring brings a strong lineup of annual races that draw participants and spectators from across the Pacific Northwest. Here are three worth knowing about:
Salmon Run A beloved Bend tradition held each spring along the Deschutes River, the Salmon Run offers 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances and benefits local nonprofits. It's a beautiful course through one of Bend's most scenic stretches of trail.
Happy Girls Run A women's running event that embraces every fitness level with a supportive, celebratory atmosphere. The course weaves a scenic route through Bend across 5K, 10K, and half marathon distances. If you're looking for a race that feels more like a celebration than a competition, this is it.
Pole Pedal Paddle Bend's most iconic event. Held each May, this multisport race takes participants from the ski slopes of Mt. Bachelor through a cycling leg, a paddling stretch on the Deschutes River, and a sprint finish to Riverbend Park. Even if you're not racing, it's one of the best spectator events of the year. Grab a spot along the river and enjoy the show. This one has been a Bend tradition for decades and shows no signs of slowing down.
Many of our vacation rentals are minutes away from the action, including Millpointe Modern, Columbia House, and Broken Top #6.
The local food scene comes alive again in the spring, with farmers markets and farmstands reopening again for the season. These are some of our favorites:
Bend Farmers Market opens each year in early May in the heart of downtown and runs every Wednesday from 11AM-3PM through the fall.
Northwest Crossing Farmers Market typically opens in late May in one of Bend's most charming and walkable neighborhoods. This market is open Saturday mornings through September.
Beyond the markets, a few local farm stands are worth seeking out: Schilling's Garden Market for seasonal produce, locally made goods, and plants, The Vegetable Man for fresh, regionally grown produce, and Tumalo Farm Stand just outside of Bend, a great stop if you're heading toward Sisters. Be sure to check their hours before you go!
Stock the kitchen at your vacation rental for the week or just grab a fresh bouquet for the table.
Since 2023, Homegrown Music Festival brings three days of live local music to the heart of Bend. What sets Homegrown apart from bigger festivals is its genuine community feel. An intimate venue, local and regional artists, and the kind of laid-back Pacific Northwest vibe that makes you want to stay an extra night. Check the Homegrown website each year for lineup announcements and ticket information.
Walkable from: Baltimore Bungalow, Kingston House, and Columbia House.
Bend is a perfect place to celebrate Mother's Day, whether you're treating someone special or treating yourself! The Old Mill District is a natural starting point for a morning of shopping, followed by a spa treatment at one of Bend's excellent day spas, and a long, unhurried dinner at one of the city's award-winning restaurants or breweries. Don’t forget to swing by Flowers by Eryn or Donner Flower Shop for the best floral arrangements in town.
Recommended basecamps: Mill Quarter, Millpointe Modern 4.0, Millpointe Main 3.0, and Millpointe Studio 1.0.
Each spring, Hayden Homes Amphitheater fires back up for the season, and if you've never caught a show there, put it on your Central Oregon bucket list. One of the best outdoor music venues in the entire Pacific Northwest, the amphitheater hosts a full calendar of national and international artists from spring through fall. The setting is stunning, the sound is great, and the energy of a show there on a warm Bend evening is genuinely hard to beat.
Concert announcements typically begin rolling out in late winter. Check the Hayden Homes Amphitheater website for the current lineup and grab tickets early. The most popular shows sell out fast.
Walkable from: Columbia House, Millpointe Modern, and Mill Quarter.
The right home base makes all the difference in a Bend trip. Staying in a vacation rental gives you the space, the kitchen, and the flexibility that hotels simply can't match, especially if you're traveling with family or a group.
Sojourn Homes manages some of the most thoughtfully designed vacation rentals in Bend and Central Oregon, each one professionally managed and positioned to give you easy access to everything on this list.
→ Browse all of our Bend and Central Oregon vacation rentals
Spring in Bend happens fast, and the best dates fill up quickly, especially around popular race weekends and holidays. If you're thinking about a trip, locking in your dates early is always the right move.
Have questions about which property is the right fit for your group? Send us an email! We're a local team and we love helping guests plan the perfect Central Oregon getaway.
See you in Bend. 🌲
