Spring Festivals for Pinot Lovers and Foodies

Spring festivals signal the shift here long before the calendar ever does. We see the vines wake up, blooms greet us, and the mornings stretch longer. The entire valley feels more like itself again.

Early spring festivals encourage Pinot lovers and food-driven travelers to linger. We love this moment in McMinnville: thoughtful events, uncrowded tasting rooms, and just the right buzz to keep things interesting.

Mornings slow down. First coffee, then maybe a walk. Afternoons bring tastings — plenty of pinot, seasonal menus, and long conversations. Evenings are easy when your stay is quiet, comfortable, and central.

If you enjoy wine, culture, and experiences that feel curated rather than chaotic, spring sets the tone beautifully for your stay with us.

Begin by selecting your preferred travel dates. Then, check which festivals and events are scheduled. Since they don't all occur on the same weekends, choosing your preferred dates first allows you to see what’s available and gives you more flexibility.

Some weekends are quieter, perfect for leisurely tastings and long walks through town. Other weekends are more vibrant, with film screenings for movie buffs, wine-focused gatherings for oenophiles, or unique seasonal celebrations. Consider choosing a weekend based on the type of event atmosphere you prefer.

Let the right festival or event fall into place. Your stay feels more intentional, unrushed, and tailored to your style. Once your dates are set, we’re happy to help you build the rest of your trip around them.

If a film festival is drawing you to town, we always suggest keeping the weekend pleasantly unhurried. When guests stay with us for the Short Film Festival, afternoons naturally revolve around screenings.

Mornings, though, are yours to enjoy. Start with coffee. Take a short walk through downtown. Linger over breakfast before the day unfolds.

Tickets are typically available online in advance, and most venues are situated close together. That makes it easy to step out between films for a tasting, a late lunch, or an early dinner.

We recommend picking a few must-see screenings each day and leaving space in between. That balance keeps the experience immersive, relaxed, and memorable.

And once the final credits roll, spring in McMinnville keeps going. Film weekends often overlap with seasonal events around town. So, it's simple to extend your stay and discover what else might be happening during your visit.

Weekends rarely feel empty. Spring festivals move through town with an easy rhythm, each bringing its own personality.

Some weekends celebrate flowers and farming, ideal for nature lovers. Other weekends focus on art or wine, perfect for those seeking creative inspiration or tasting experiences. Guests usually find that nearly every weekend offers something to match a specific interest. Plan your stay around the themes that suit you best.

📅 Mar 20 – Apr 26, 2026
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Color arrives early at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, where festivals and culture meet in the valley’s most photographed spring scene. Tulip rows transform the landscape into a vibrant tapestry.

We suggest this as a relaxed day trip from McMinnville. Wander the fields in the morning, then linger over wine tastings and lunch nearby — unhurried, scenic, and easy to enjoy at your pace.

Hot air balloon rides, tractor tours, and a market of local artisans add variety without overwhelm. This festival is located about an hour from the inn. It’s a simple way to experience Oregon’s springtime beauty, while allowing you to return in time for a relaxed evening.

📅 Mar 28, 2026
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Tradition leads the way at the Amity Daffodil Festival. Each spring, the town bursts with over 30,000 golden daffodils. A flower parade, local music, and community bake sales shape the day’s schedule, making the celebration inviting and personal.

This festival is a guest favorite for those who enjoy slower mornings and meaningful local experiences. Expect flower-lined streets, craft booths, and live music woven naturally into the day. Continue your adventure with a visit to a nearby winery or a relaxing lunch. The festival reflects Oregon’s strong sense of community — a simple, welcoming, and memorable experience.

📅 Apr 9–11, 2026
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Energy shifts for the Oregon Thespians State Festival. Talented high school performers bring momentum to McMinnville’s creative scene.

Industry-led workshops provide behind-the-scenes insights into stagecraft and storytelling. Public performances and pop-ups add layers to a lively weekend.

Guests often enjoy catching an evening performance, then relaxing into the wine country rhythm the next day. It’s a thoughtful blend of art, community, and inspiration, and a reminder that McMinnville’s creativity extends well beyond the vineyard.

📅 May 15 & 16, 2026
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Curiosity takes over at McMinnville’s annual UFO Festival. A single 1950s sighting inspired a playful, lighthearted spring tradition that’s both unconventional and fun.

Costume contests, expert panels, art, and themed cocktails fill the weekend. It’s quirky and contrasts with wine country’s slow pace.

Many guests pair the festival’s whimsical energy with a relaxed afternoon at one of McMinnville’s top wineries. This is an ideal choice for those who enjoy both lively festivities and classic wine country experiences in a single day.

📅 TBD, generally in May
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Depth defines this weekend. Big Red Fest spotlights richer varietals and tasting experiences that help you slow down and savor every drop.

Cabernet, Syrah, and blends take center stage, paired with cheese and charcuterie. Conversations with winemakers focus on blending and aging.

Set against one of our valley’s more scenic vineyard backdrops, this event strikes a perfect balance between flavor and setting. Some wineries even open their cellars for barrel tastings, which we love, offering a rare chance to sample wines mid-journey.

This event is an excellent fit for wine aficionados who value depth, detail, and a well-paced day of tasting. Plan to attend Big Red Fest if you’re interested in learning about richer varietals and connecting with winemakers.

Spring doesn’t stop with the big-name festivals. Smaller tastings, garden events, and food-forward gatherings often round out the calendar. These events slip easily into an open afternoon or become the highlight you didn’t plan for.

📅 Mar 13–15, 2026
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This weekend brings wine and food together for refined enjoyment. The Wine & Food Classic offers chef demonstrations, progressive tastings, and collaborative events where winemakers and producers tell the story behind each pour. You’ll discover seasonal pairings that reflect the region’s spring harvest.

Events are spread across comfortable venues, allowing you to move at a leisurely pace. Many guests choose to focus on a single session. Then they leave the rest of the day open for a relaxed dinner or a quiet evening back at the inn. It’s an ideal fit for travelers craving intentional experiences, as wine and food pairings take center stage.

📅 Apr 25, 2026
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This tasting is a favorite for guests who prefer depth over crowds. The Yamhill-Carlton Spring Tasting brings together producers from the Yamhill-Carlton American Viticultural Area, known for structured Pinot Noir and thoughtful vineyard practices.

Abbey Road Farm hosts this event. It feels relaxed and intentionally paced. You’ll sample limited-production wines, enjoy carefully paired bites, and spend time speaking directly with the winemakers behind the bottles.

Some guests choose to add a guided vineyard walk or winery visit before or after the tasting. It’s an easy way to deepen your understanding of the AVA while keeping the day enjoyable and unhurried.

📅 Jun 14, 2026
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Spring feels especially personal during the McMinnville Garden Tour & Faire. The McMinnville Garden Club opens a selection of unique private gardens, from rambling cottage spaces filled with tulips and daffodils to modern landscapes with rare plants. Meet local gardeners offering advice and see live demonstrations on planting and garden design.

Guests stroll at their own pace, gathering ideas, inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for the valley’s growing culture. Proceeds from the tour support local horticulture scholarships for college-age students, adding a meaningful layer to the experience.

The gardens are spread throughout McMinnville, turning the day into a scenic self-guided exploration. Beyond scholarships, the Garden Club’s work shows up quietly throughout town.

Some of the best places to view the gardens include:

• Seasonal plantings that soften Historic Third Street

• Garden care around the McMinnville Post Office

• The welcoming West End Entry Garden along Highway 99W

• The Serenity Garden at Willamette Valley Medical Center, their newest project

A small market and educational touches round out the experience, making it a lovely, low-key way to enjoy the town beyond the tasting room.

Between spring festivals, we encourage guests to enjoy the quieter, everyday pleasures that make our town special. One of our favorite starting points is food, especially what we serve at A’ Tuscan Estate. For example, our pear-vanilla bread and egg caprese are among the guest favorites.

Some of the best things to do in McMinnville start at the table, including at the town’s farm-to-table restaurants. Menus change with the season. Pours are generous. Meals linger, just the way we like it.

McMinnville Downtown is easy to explore without a plan. Tasting rooms, small shops, antique stores, and cafés sit close together, making wandering part of the fun. Some afternoons unfold quickly. Others stretch into early evening without you noticing.

When you’re ready to move a bit more, scenic cycling tours offer vineyard views and quiet back roads. And if history and culture, or aviation, sparks your curiosity, add the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum to your list. The legendary Spruce Goose lives there, and this museum makes an easy half-day outing.

These experiences fit together naturally. Wine country mornings. Downtown afternoons. Unhurried evenings, all by design.

The best spring itineraries strike a balance between movement and reward. Many guests start their mornings with a hike or bike ride, then transition into wine country and festivals and events by early afternoon. Trails and country roads sit close to tasting rooms, so it’s easy to enjoy both without overcommitting. A few active hours early in the day make that first pour even better.

If you’d like help pairing hikes, bike routes, and wineries based on your pace and interests, we’re always happy to point you in the right direction.

Spring has a way of showing McMinnville at its best, and our spring festivals bring that energy. The wine, food, and arts scene fill in the rest.

When you stay with us, everything feels easy. Slow mornings. Tastings or events shape your afternoons, while your evenings are free to linger. We’re close to downtown, surrounded by vineyards, and always happy to help you plan around what’s happening.

If spring in wine country sounds like your kind of getaway, we’d love to welcome you to A’ Tuscan Estate. Reserve your stay and let the season set the pace.

Photo Credit: © phbcz from Getty Images via canva.com, © GeraldMercier from Getty Images via canva.com, © Truecreatives from TrueCreatives via canva.com