# Portland in November 2026: Your visitor's guide to the Blazers, Timbers, Rose Quarter shows and Thanksgiving weekend

From the PDX arrivals curb to a seat at Moda Center by train, plus where to park, and how to plan the city's busiest holiday weekend.

By Alvro Editorial · Published Oct. 21, 2026 · Updated Oct. 21, 2026

Rain on the windshield, crowds around the Rose Quarter, and a 75-foot tree rolling into Pioneer Courthouse Square. November is when Portland heads indoors to watch the Blazers, then back out for the holidays.

**The short answer for visitors:**

- **From the airport:** the MAX Red Line runs from the PDX terminal to Rose Quarter Transit Center, across from Moda Center, and on to Providence Park.
- **Driving:** prepay your Rose Quarter parking, because it sells out.
- **Thanksgiving:** book early. Nov. 26–29 packs in a Turkey Trot, the tree lighting, two Blazers games and two TSO shows.

![Sunrise over downtown Portland, Oregon, with Mount Hood on the horizon](https://alvro.com/guides/images/portland-oregon-skyline-sunrise-mount-hood.jpg)

*On a clear morning, Mount Hood shows up behind the skyline. Photo: Spicypepper999, via Wikimedia Commons. CC0.*

## KEY FACTS

- **Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo FC:** Sun., Nov. 1, 2026 · 6:30 p.m. · Providence Park · [source](https://www.timbers.com/news/new-kickoff-time-announced-for-timbers-home-match-against-houston-dynamo-fc-on-nov-1)
- **Concerts:** Smashing Pumpkins Nov. 1 (8 p.m.), Teddy Swims Nov. 8 (7 p.m.), Ramón Ayala Nov. 27 (8:30 p.m.) · Rose Quarter · [source](https://www.rosequarter.com/events/event-calendar)
- **Trail Blazers at Moda Center:**
  - Spurs: Nov. 7 (7 p.m.) and Nov. 25 (7 p.m.)
  - Thunder: Nov. 10 (8 p.m.) and Nov. 11 (7 p.m.)
  - Warriors: Nov. 27 (6:30 p.m.)
  - Pelicans: Nov. 29 (3 p.m.)
  - [source](https://www.nba.com/blazers/schedule)
- **Winterhawks:** Medicine Hat Nov. 4 · Spokane Nov. 6 & 7 · Everett Nov. 28 · Rose Quarter campus · [source](https://www.rosequarter.com/events/event-calendar)
- **Pioneer Courthouse Square:** Tree Arrival Tue., Nov. 10, 11 a.m. · Tree Lighting Fri., Nov. 27, 5:30–6:45 p.m. · [source](https://www.thesquarepdx.org/venue/pioneer-courthouse-square/)
- **Turkey Trot at the Zoo:** Thu., Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) · Oregon Zoo · 5K starts from 7:30 a.m. · [source](https://orrc.net/events/event-list/turkey-trot/)
- **Trans-Siberian Orchestra:** Sat., Nov. 28 · 3:30 & 8 p.m. · Moda Center · [source](https://www.trans-siberian.com/pages/market/portland--or), [venue](https://www.rosequarter.com/calendar-events/trans-siberian-orchestra-nov-28-2026)
- **Time zone:** Pacific. Portland is one hour behind Boise.
- **Arrival airport:** Portland International (PDX), 9 miles northeast of downtown · [source](https://www.travelportland.com/plan/portland-international-airport-pdx/)
- **Alvro:** Peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace based in Boise, Idaho. Launching in Idaho and Oregon. Bookings not open yet · [alvro.com/press](https://alvro.com/press)
- **Last updated:** 2026-10-21

**In this guide:**

- [Flying into PDX](#flying-into-pdx-for-a-blazers-game-or-concert)
- [Traveling with the visiting team](#traveling-with-the-visiting-team)
- [Rose Quarter parking](#where-do-i-park-at-the-rose-quarter)
- [Timbers match day](#how-do-i-get-to-the-timbers-match-on-nov-1)
- [Thanksgiving weekend](#what-is-there-to-do-in-portland-over-thanksgiving-2026)
- [FAQ](#faq)

![Portland event calendar for November 2026, listing the Timbers, Trail Blazers, Winterhawks, Rose Quarter concerts and holiday events](https://alvro.com/guides/images/portland-events-calendar-november-2026.png)

*A month of tip-offs, face-offs and holiday lights. Times are Pacific. Graphic: Alvro.*

## Flying into PDX for a Blazers game or concert?

Portland makes it easy to go from the airport to the arena without a car. One train line covers both event districts.

- **MAX Red Line:** the station is at the south end of the terminal. Trains run about every 15 minutes and take about 40 minutes to downtown. The adult fare is $2.80.
- **Rose Quarter Transit Center:** on the Red Line, across from Moda Center. The same line also stops at Providence Park.
- **Rental cars:** follow the signs from baggage claim to the Rental Car Center.
- **Rideshare:** pickup is at the Transportation Plaza, on Level 1 of the Short-Term parking garage.

> **Good to know:** Rose Quarter garages open about two hours before events. For a 7 p.m. tip-off, landing in mid-afternoon leaves room for the train ride and a hotel stop.

Once Alvro launches, some hosts will offer delivery to an airport, hotel or address. That could mean skipping the rental counter at PDX.

![The glass pickup and drop-off canopy at Portland International Airport (PDX)](https://alvro.com/guides/images/portland-international-airport-pdx-pickup-canopy.jpg)

*Under the PDX canopy, where your trip into town starts. Photo: M.O. Stevens, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.*

## Traveling with the visiting team?

### Warriors fans from the Bay Area

PDX lists nonstops to San Francisco, Oakland and San José. The Nov. 27 game is the day after Thanksgiving, so book early.

### Pelicans fans from New Orleans

PDX lists New Orleans on Alaska, but marks the route seasonal. Check whether it's flying in late November before you plan around the Nov. 29 matinee.

### Spurs and Thunder fans

PDX's nonstop list doesn't include San Antonio or Oklahoma City. Check airlines for connections.

### Dynamo fans from Houston

PDX lists nonstops to Houston (IAH) on Alaska and United. Your Timbers ticket also works as your transit fare starting three hours before kickoff, so if you land inside that window, the Red Line from the airport to Providence Park could be covered.

### Winterhawks visitors

PDX lists Spokane and Everett (Paine Field) on Alaska. Driving down instead? Check TripCheck before you leave.

## Where do I park at the Rose Quarter?

The Rose Quarter has more than 2,500 spaces. Garages open about two hours before events, and the venue calls prepaying "highly recommended as parking sells out often and early."

- **Clearance:** the Garden and Annex garages have a 6'8" limit. The East and West garages allow 8'2".
- **Cashless:** cards, tap-to-pay or pre-paid passes only.
- **Overflow on Blazers nights:** more than 1,700 off-site spaces at NE 7th and Multnomah.
- **From I-84 westbound:** follow I-5 N/Seattle to the Rose Quarter exit.

A game or concert usually takes a few hours door to door. Once Alvro launches in Oregon, renters will be able to book by the hour.

In Portland, the train is often the fastest way into the arena.

## How do I get to the Timbers match on Nov. 1?

The Timbers' only November home match is Native American Heritage Night, and Smashing Pumpkins play the Rose Quarter the same evening. Expect a busy central city.

- **Your ticket is your fare:** TriMet accepts 2026 Timbers tickets on buses, MAX and Streetcar from three hours before kickoff to three hours after the match. It isn't valid on WES.
- **MAX:** take the Blue or Red Line to Providence Park station.
- **Park & Rides:** Sunset, Gateway, Delta Park/Vanport and Park Ave are options.

![Tilikum Crossing bridge spanning the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon](https://alvro.com/guides/images/portland-tilikum-crossing-willamette-river.jpg)

*Tilikum Crossing spans the Willamette near downtown. Photo: Kingofthedead, via Wikimedia Commons. CC0.*

## What is there to do in Portland over Thanksgiving 2026?

Four days, and something on every one of them:

- **Thu., Nov. 26:** the Turkey Trot at the Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd. 5K waves start from 7:30 a.m. Zoo parking is limited, and organizers encourage taking TriMet.
- **Fri., Nov. 27:** the 42nd Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 5:30–6:45 p.m., with a sing-along led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini. Blazers vs. Warriors tips at 6:30 p.m., and Ramón Ayala plays at 8:30 p.m.
- **Sat., Nov. 28:** two TSO shows at Moda Center, plus the Winterhawks vs. Everett.
- **Sun., Nov. 29:** Blazers vs. Pelicans at 3 p.m.

> **Good to know:** Friday's tree lighting, the Blazers game and Ramón Ayala overlap. If you're doing more than one, take MAX between downtown and the Rose Quarter, and leave the car parked.

When Alvro opens, family flying in for the holiday will be able to book a local host's own car by the day or week. Protection plans will come from licensed third-party insurers. Here's [how Alvro will work](https://alvro.com/how-it-works).

![The lit Christmas tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland](https://alvro.com/guides/images/pioneer-courthouse-square-christmas-tree-portland.jpg)

*Pioneer Courthouse Square's tree, lit for an earlier season (photo from 2013). Photo: Kingofthedead, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.*

## Live in Portland and ride MAX to the game?

> **For Portland hosts:** if your car sits in the driveway on game night, you'll be able to list it once Alvro opens in Idaho and Oregon. The host tools shown on alvro.com will include smart pricing, a per-car maintenance log and co-host permissions, so a friend could handle key handoffs.

Driving to Boise instead? Read our [Boise November events guide](https://alvro.com/guides/boise-fall-2026-game-day-and-concert-driving-guide) and our [I-84 road-trip guide](https://alvro.com/guides/boise-portland-i84-road-trip-november-2026).

## FAQ

### How do I get from PDX to Moda Center?

Take the MAX Red Line from the south end of the PDX terminal to Rose Quarter Transit Center, across from Moda Center. Trains run about every 15 minutes, and the adult fare is $2.80.

### How far is Portland airport from downtown?

PDX is 9 miles northeast of downtown, according to Travel Portland. MAX Red Line trips to downtown take about 40 minutes.

### Where should I park for a Blazers game?

The Rose Quarter garages have more than 2,500 spaces and open about two hours before events. Prepay, because parking often sells out. On Blazers nights there's overflow parking at NE 7th and Multnomah.

### Is my Timbers ticket good on MAX?

Yes. TriMet accepts 2026 Timbers tickets on buses, MAX and Streetcar from three hours before kickoff to three hours after the match. It isn't valid on WES.

### When is the 2026 Pioneer Courthouse Square tree lighting?

Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, 5:30–6:45 p.m. The tree arrives at the Square on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m.

### What time is it in Portland compared with Boise?

Portland is on Pacific time, one hour behind Boise, which is on Mountain time.

### Can I book a car on Alvro in Portland?

Not yet. Alvro is launching in Idaho and Oregon and bookings aren't open. Join the waitlist at alvro.com/waitlist.

## Final word: Let the train do the work

Portland in November rewards visitors who use the train:

- **Ride the Red Line in** from PDX.
- **Prepay parking** if you're driving.
- **Save your energy** for Thanksgiving weekend, when the whole city seems to be out at once.

## What is Alvro?

Alvro is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace from Alvro LLC, based in Boise, Idaho. It will connect renters with local hosts who share their own cars. Alvro doesn't own any vehicles, and bookings aren't open yet. See the [Alvro press page](https://alvro.com/press).

Alvro pulls motor vehicle records (MVRs) under admin review. Staff decide when a record is pulled. More on [Alvro's trust and safety approach](https://alvro.com/trust-safety).

**Need a car for the game, or have one sitting in the driveway?** [Join the Alvro waitlist](https://alvro.com/waitlist) and we'll let you know when Alvro opens near you.

## Sources

- Timbers vs. Houston, Nov. 1: https://www.timbers.com/news/new-kickoff-time-announced-for-timbers-home-match-against-houston-dynamo-fc-on-nov-1
- Ticket-as-fare: https://www.timbers.com/news/matchday-and-concert-tickets-at-providence-park-will-serve-as-trimet-tickets-in-2025-and-2026 and https://trimet.org/providencepark/
- Trail Blazers schedule: https://www.nba.com/blazers/schedule
- Rose Quarter event calendar: https://www.rosequarter.com/events/event-calendar
- TSO Portland: https://www.trans-siberian.com/pages/market/portland--or and https://www.rosequarter.com/calendar-events/trans-siberian-orchestra-nov-28-2026
- Rose Quarter parking and directions: https://www.rosequarter.com/plan-your-visit/directions-transportation
- Pioneer Courthouse Square events: https://www.thesquarepdx.org/venue/pioneer-courthouse-square/
- Turkey Trot at the Zoo: https://orrc.net/events/event-list/turkey-trot/
- PDX nonstop destinations: https://www.flypdx.com/NonstopDestinations
- PDX MAX, rental cars, rideshare: https://www.flypdx.com/GroundTransportation/TriMet, https://www.flypdx.com/GroundTransportation/RentalCars, https://flypdx.com/GroundTransportation/Rideshares
- TriMet MAX Red Line: https://www.trimet.org/schedules/maxredline.htm; Rose Quarter TC: https://trimet.org/transitcenters/rosequarter.htm
- Travel Portland, PDX: https://www.travelportland.com/plan/portland-international-airport-pdx/
- ODOT TripCheck: https://tripcheck.com/Pages/Minimum-Chain-Requirements
- Alvro: https://alvro.com/press, https://alvro.com, https://alvro.com/how-it-works, https://alvro.com/legal/terms, https://alvro.com/trust-safety
- Image credits: listed in each image caption