As the days grow longer and Central Oregon begins to feel unmistakably like summer, Bend's cultural calendar is filling up quickly. From opera and live music to bookstores, documentaries, farmers markets, and wildflower hikes, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. Here are a few upcoming events and ongoing activities happening around Bend and Central Oregon.

Farmers Markets Around Central Oregon

Farmers market season has officially returned, bringing local produce, flowers, food vendors, handmade goods, and a lively community atmosphere.

Bend Factory Stores Farmers Market

May through October
Fridays | 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Bend Factory Stores

Brooks Alley Farmers Market

Wednesdays | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Brooks Alley, Downtown Bend

Northwest Crossing Farmers Market

Saturdays | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Northwest Crossing

Worthy Brewing Farmers Market

Sundays | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. through September
Worthy Brewing | 495 NE Bellevue Drive, Bend

Sisters Farmers Market

Sundays | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Fir Street Park, Sisters

Redmond Farmers Market

Fridays | 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Downtown Redmond

Opera at the Movies: El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego

The Metropolitan Opera's production of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego will be shown live in Bend.

May 30 | 10:00 a.m.
Regal Old Mill 16 | Bend

This visually rich opera imagines a reunion between Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in the Land of the Dead and blends Mexican history, art, and music into a contemporary operatic production.

Independent Bookstores and Book Clubs

Roundabout Books

Northwest Crossing | Bend

Roundabout Books hosts numerous monthly book clubs, including Fiction, Nonfiction, Classics, Mystery, Youth Book Club, Rediscovered Reads, and "Out of This World." It is a wonderful way to connect with fellow readers while supporting a local independent bookstore. Check their website for current books, dates, and times.

Dudley's Bookshop Café Expands to the Old Mill

Dudley's recently opened a second location in the Old Mill District.

655 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150 | Bend

The original downtown location on Minnesota Avenue remains open as well.

Stargazing at Worthy Brewing's Hopservatory

Worthy Brewing's Hopservatory offers public sky viewing nights throughout the week.

Thursdays | 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fridays & Saturdays | 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
495 NE Bellevue Drive | Bend

A fun and surprisingly educational evening activity for both adults and children.

First Friday Art Walk

First Friday Art Festival

Downtown Bend

Bend's monthly First Friday Art Walk continues to bring together galleries, shops, artists, and live music throughout downtown. It remains one of the city's most enjoyable recurring cultural traditions.

Concerts and Performances

Summer concert season is arriving quickly at both the Hayden Homes Amphitheater and the Tower Theatre.

Bonnie Raitt

June 8
Hayden Homes Amphitheater | Bend

"Weird Al" Yankovic

September 6
Hayden Homes Amphitheater | Bend

Tab Benoit with Ghalia Volt Band

June 11 | 7:30 p.m.
Tower Theatre | Bend

Four-time Grammy nominee Tab Benoit returns with a new tour blending blues, roots music, and Louisiana influences.

One Night in Memphis

June 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Tower Theatre | Bend

This high-energy tribute recreates the famous 1956 jam session featuring Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins at Sun Records.

OLLI Events and Lifelong Learning

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) continues to offer fascinating lectures, hikes, and documentary programs for intellectually curious adults in Central Oregon.

Wildflower Hike to Chimney Rock

Monday, June 1 | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Near Prineville along the Crooked River

This easy two-mile guided hike explores native Central Oregon vegetation with retired U.S. Forest Service botanist Charmane Powers.

Central Oregon Documentary Series: Women of the Earth

Tuesday, July 14 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Touchmark Pilot Butte Theatre Room

A collection of PBS documentary shorts focused on women confronting environmental challenges through restoration, sustainable agriculture, conservation, and innovation.

Forgotten America: Rediscovering Events that Changed the Nation

Wednesdays, July 15 – August 19 | 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Historian Dr. Rachel Michelle Gunter explores lesser-known moments in American history, from public health crises to voting rights movements and overlooked social struggles.

Whether you are interested in music, books, film, history, art, science, or simply being outside on a summer evening, Central Oregon offers a remarkable variety of cultural experiences this season. Here's some more information about Rachel Kirk.