Things to do in Salem this weekend: Nov. 6-8
Quick Read
Jurassic Quest brings life-size dinosaurs and a giant Megalodon to the state fairgrounds Friday through Sunday.
The Willamette Heritage Center hosts both Quiltopia and the Salem Fiberarts Guild's annual sale on Friday and Saturday.
The Fab Four's Beatles tribute plays the Elsinore Theatre on Friday night.
Saturday brings a free Día de Muertos celebration at McKay High School and Soup Wars at Pentacle Theatre.
The Willamette Master Chorus holds its Veterans Concert Saturday and Sunday, with free tickets for veterans.
Looking for things to do in Salem this weekend? Holiday shopping season gets an early start with quilt, fiber arts and small-art shows, the fairgrounds fill up with dinosaurs, and Veterans Day weekend brings choral concerts at Willamette University. Here are this week's verified Friday through Sunday picks in Salem and nearby.
Times and prices can change, so double-check the official page before you go.
Friday, November 6
Jurassic Quest (Friday through Sunday)
Friday 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem. Tickets from $26 for kids and adults before fees; under 2 free. Parking is extra.
The touring dinosaur show brings a life-size T. rex, a 60-foot Spinosaurus, a giant Megalodon and an Ice Age woolly mammoth, plus baby dinos kids can pet, raptor training and fossil digs. Saturday's first hour, 8 to 9 a.m., is a quieter sensory and mobility friendly session, and organizers say popular time slots sell out. Official details.
Quiltopia 2026 (Friday and Saturday)
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem. $10 for one day or $15 for both days; free parking.
A quilt show and fiber arts fair benefiting Helping Hands Resources, with locally made arts and crafts, guilds and societies, a Re-Stash Boutique, vintage linens and raffles. Official details.
Salem Fiberarts Guild 44th Annual Sale (Friday and Saturday)
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dye House at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem. Free to attend.
Guild members sell handwoven and handmade dishtowels, scarves, rugs, table linens and wool appliqué, with fiber demonstrations for kids and adults. It's the guild's only fundraiser and an early start on holiday gifts. Official details.
Holiday Show: Small Wonders opening reception
Friday 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with artist introductions at 6 p.m. Bush Barn Art Center, Focus and Camas galleries, 600 Mission St. SE, Salem. Free.
The Salem Art Association opens its holiday show of petite pastels, collages, paintings and photographs, all under 12 by 12 inches and made with gift giving in mind. The show runs through Dec. 23. Official details.
Lunaria Gallery November opening reception in Silverton
Friday 6 to 8 p.m. Lunaria Gallery, 113 N. Water St., Silverton. Free.
Meet November's artists at the downtown Silverton gallery, including "It Starts with the Tree," artwork by Mary Goodson and sculpture by Deborah Unger, on the main floor. Official details.
The Fab Four: Beatles' A Hard Day's Night
Friday, doors 6:30 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE, Salem. Tickets start at $35.56.
The Emmy Award-winning tribute band's 2026 tour celebrates the Beatles' first feature film, A Hard Day's Night, with its soundtrack plus hits like "Can't Buy Me Love," "Yesterday" and "Hey Jude." All ages, reserved seating. Official details.
Saturday, November 7
Salem Pop-Up Comic Swap
Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Salem Center, hallway by the food court, 401 Center St. NE, Salem. Free admission.
Dozens of vendors buy, sell and trade comics, collectibles, trading cards, action figures and other pop culture finds. Official details.
Día de Muertos celebration at McKay High School
Saturday noon to 7 p.m. McKay High School, 2440 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem. Free.
Casa de la Cultura Tlanese hosts Salem's largest Day of the Dead celebration, with folklórico dance performances, traditional altars, a community altar, a catrín and catrina contest, pan de muerto, local vendors, food, music and family activities. Official details.
Crocktoberfest: Soup Wars at Pentacle Theatre
Saturday 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Pentacle Theatre lobby, 324 52nd Ave. NW, Salem. $10.
Taste a lineup of soups and vote for the best of the day at this cozy fundraiser for Salem's community theater in the West Salem hills. Official details.
Willamette Master Chorus 22nd Annual Veterans Concert (Saturday and Sunday)
Saturday and Sunday 3 p.m. Hudson Concert Hall, Willamette University, 900 State St., Salem. Tickets through the chorus; veterans, Gold Star parents and Gold Star spouses can get complimentary tickets.
Ahead of Veterans Day, the chorus and a full orchestra perform Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and music celebrating America's 250th anniversary, joined by the WMC High School Honor Choir, soprano Henriette Thompson and baritone Charles Robert Stephens. Official details.
Sunday, November 8
Live music: Sam Girl at Ankeny Vineyard
Sunday 3 to 5 p.m. Ankeny Vineyard, 2565 Riverside Dr. S., Salem. Reservations for the covered outdoor seating are made through the winery.
Independence singer-songwriter Sam Girl plays a mix of mid-tempo pop, ballads and a touch of contemporary country at the South Salem winery. Official details.
Sheltering Silverton Kinship Dinner
Sunday 4 to 7 p.m. The Oregon Garden, 879 W. Main St., Silverton. $50 per person.
Sheltering Silverton marks 10 years of work on homelessness and poverty with a catered meal, wine and beverages, a silent auction, live music and a short program. Official details.
Looking ahead: Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Oregon State Capitol will display a veterans exhibit in its rotunda from Monday, Nov. 9, through Nov. 13, free during building hours, according to Salem Reporter.
Have a favorite Salem-area weekend event we missed? Tip us through willamettenews.com and we will check it for a future roundup.
Related stories
Cover photo: The Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, Salem, September 2018. Photo by Melissa Mansour via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comments