The Shadow Over Portland: Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar

Live Attractions Happening Now

The Renton Civic Theatre (507 S 3rd St in Renton, WA) presents A Christmas Carol with Puppets through Sunday, December 22.

Chain Link and Neon!, a collection of original 70s and 80s movie posters and memorabilia from "the Golden Age of Neon Sleaze," is on display at Wyrd War (3505 NE Broadway in Portland, OR) this month. I hope to have more details coming soon.

Film Festival and Stage Performance Submission Information

The Crypticon Seattle Film Festival is accepting submissions for the May 2 to 4, 2025, event taking place at the DoubleTree Hotel Seattle Airport (18740 International Blvd in Seattle, WA). The late deadline is March 21, 2025. Visit the link for all the details.

And Crypticon Seattle is accepting submission for their annual horror anthology Camp Crypticon Seattle through March 10, 2025. The contest has 3 winners and 2 honorable mentions a year, and your story will be published alongside 3 local industry professionals. Contest details are on the link above.

Happening Now

The animated feature The Wild Robot is playing at the McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26).

The horror film Heretic, starring Hugh Grant, is playing at the Metro Cinema (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

The animated fantasy Flow is playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Monday, December 23), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Sunday, December 22), the SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24), the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26), the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), the Art House (492 E 13th Ave in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), the Yell Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), and the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

The film opens on Friday, December 20, at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 24).

The horror comedy Y2K, in which two losers friends crash a high school New Years Eve party in 1999 just as the Y2K bug causes all technology to start hunting humans (getting a Maximum Overdrive vibe), is playing at the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Wednesday, December 18), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), and the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

Joe Dante's holiday horror classic Gremlins is playing at McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled from Friday, December 13, to Thursday, December 19), and the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

Nightbitch, in which a stay-at-home mother finds she might be turning into a dog, is playing at the Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19) the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), and the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

The holiday fantasy classic It's a Wonderful Life is playing at the Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 26) in GLORIOUS 35mm (with the exception of a few dates; details at the link).

Meowsterpiece, a showing of the finest in Cat Cinema, and a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society, is playing at CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) through Tuesday, December 24. Among the films are House, Batman Returns, the sci-fi/action/horror film The Cat, Cat's Eye, the fairy tale/social satire The Cassandra Cat, the horror film Uninvited, and the Hammer film The Shadow of the Cat. Visit the link for showtimes and all the details.

UPDATE: Paracinema is (sort of) hosting the Saturday, December 21, screening of Cat's Eye. Expect a brief pre-show introduction, along with a special event poster sale, with 100% of the proceeds from all sales to the Oregon Humane Society. And the poster will feature OHS adoptee, Zucchini!

The musical apocalypse film The End is playing at the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19), and the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

A new 4K restoration of Andrei Torkovsky's The Sacrifice, in which a man tries bargaining with God to stop a nuclear war, is playing at the SIFF Film Center (167 Republican St in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's Misery is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 19).

Let it Go: A Burlesque Tribute to Frozen ices over the Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR) on Thursday, December 19, at 8 pm. This 21 and older show will likely sell out, so visit the link to buy advance tickets.

December, 2024

Wednesday, December 18

Thursday, December 19

The Olympia Film Society brings The Muppet Christmas Carol to the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA; scheduled through Sunday, December 22).

Baron Von Terror hosts a screening of the 80s cult classic Night of the Comet at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) tonight at 8 pm.

Friday, December 20

Friday Night Frights ends the year with 2022's holiday classic Violent Night at the Blue Mouse Theatre (2611 N Proctor St in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 10 pm.

Read my review of this Christmas classic here.

Krampus Seattle heads to Kringle's Filling Station (8211 Aurora Ave N in Seattle, WA) for Krampus at Kringles tonight and tomorrow night from 6 to 9 pm. Advance tickets available at this link.

Yippie-ki-yay, motherf*cker! Weird Elephant at the Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) presents Die Hard tonight at 7 and 10 pm, and tomorrow night at 10 pm.

The film is also playing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) tonight at 9:30 pm, and in Hecklevision on Saturday, December 21, at 9:30 pm, and the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11 pm, and on Tuesday, December 24, at 8:30 pm.

The horror film Heretic is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 8:15 pm, and on Thursday, December 26, at 7 pm.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow tonight at 7:30 pm.

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Monday, December 23).

The holiday fantasy classic It's a Wonderful Life is playing at the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24), and the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24).

The holiday fantasy classic Miracle on 34th Street is playing at the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24).

It's "Garbage Day!" at The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) with a screening of Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 tonight at 10 pm.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is playing at the Art House (492 E 13th Ave in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24).

The film is also playing at the Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) tonight and tomorrow night, December 20 and 21, at 8 pm, with a live shadow cast and benefit raffle.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is playing at the Whiteside Theatre (361 SW Madison Ave in Corvallis, OR) on Friday and Saturday, December 20 and 21, at 8 pm, with a live shadow cast and benefit raffle.

Saturday, December 21

The Mill Creek Haunted Prison (5465 Turner Rd SE in Salem, OR) Christmas Nightmare takes place tonight, and on Saturday, December 28. Visit the link for details.

The Last Chance Holiday Market takes place today and tomorrow at the Pioneer Park Pavilion (330 S Meridian in Puyallup, WA), with over 30 vendors to help you with your last minute holiday shopping, and a visit by Krampus253. Details TBA.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents a Xmas Action Mystery Triple Feature tonight starting at 7 pm. Each title remains wrapped until it hits the screen.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the holiday fantasy classic It's a Wonderful Life today and tomorrow at 2:30 pm.

The film is also showing at the 7th St Theatre (313 7th St in Hoquiam, WA) at 7:30 pm today, and 2 pm on Sunday, December 22, the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID; scheduled through Tuesday, December 24), and the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) on Sunday, December 22, at 6:30 pm, and on Tuesday, December 24, at 5:30 pm.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) presents Animated Christmas 12 today at 3 pm. Included in the lineup are A Cosmic Christmas, with at young boy helps three visiting extraterrestrials find the true meaning of Christmas, and George and the Christmas Star, where a man flies across the galaxy in his homebuilt spaceship to find the perfect star for his tree. The screening includes other holiday shorts in GLORIOUS 16mm and VHS.

The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) will screen the holiday slasher classic Black Christmas tonight at 9:30 pm, and tomorrow at 6:30 pm, in GLORIOUS 35mm. Oh, and they have 10 editions of a limited edition poster for sale each screening. Don't miss out!

The Kid Pickford series at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) is showing The Muppet Christmas Carol today at 1:30 pm and 8:30 pm, and tomorrow at 10 am.

Yippie-ki-yay, motherf*cker! The Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) is showing Die Hard in GLORIOUS 35mm today at today, and on Monday, December 23, at 6:30 pm.

The animated film Flow is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) at 2:45 pm today, at 4:30 pm on Monday, December 23, and at 1:30 pm on Thursday, December 26.

Hundreds of Beavers invade The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) tonight at 7 pm, and tomorrow at 4:45 pm.

Sunday, December 22

Market for the Strange brings The Nightmare Before Creepmas to the Salem Convention Center (200 Commercial St SE in Salem, OR) today from 11 am to 6 pm.

The December Creepy Critters Horror Show takes place tonight at Escape Bar and Grill (9004 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR) at 6 pm. This 21 and older show features the contestants of PDX Scream Queens pageant, and the performers have a short horror film to show along with their performance. Admission is FREE, but be sure to tip the performers (a $10 donation is suggested)!

Weird Elephant at the Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) presents a special screening of the Finnish Christmas horror film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale today and tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing The Nightmare Before Christmas tonight at 5:30 pm.

Tuesday, December 24

The Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will show the holiday fantasy classic It's a Wonderful Life today at 12:30 and 6:15 pm.

The film is also play at the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Blvd N in North Bend, WA) today at 11 am.

The Beacon (4405 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA) presents two episodes from the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas, adaptations of Charles Dickens' The Signalman and M. R. James' Whistle and I'll Come to You, tonight at 6:30 pm.

CineMagic (2021 SE Hawthorne Blvd in Portland, OR) has added Christmas Eve screenings of The Muppet Christmas Carol today at 1 and 3 pm.

The CMNYK Sci-Fi Extravaganza Santa Claus Conquers the Martians to the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR) tonight at 7 pm. Preshow starts at 6:15 pm, and be aware, heckling is encouraged. Hooray for Santy Claus!

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day

Robert Eggers' remake of Nosferatu opens today at the Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the Laurelhurst Theater (2735 E Burnside in Portland, OR; schedule TBA), SIFF Cinema Uptown (511 Queen Anne Ave N in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the Roxy Bremerton (270 4th St in Bremerton, WA; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the Kiggins Theatre (1011 Main St in Vancouver, WA; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the Metro Cinemas (888 Willamette St in Eugene, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26), the Salem Cinema (1127 Broadway St NE in Salem, OR; scheduled through Tuesday, December 31), Studio One (3945 SE Powell Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26), the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th Ave in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26), the Ark Lodge Cinemas (4816 Rainier Ave S in Seattle, WA; schedule TBA), the Yelm Cinemas (201 Prairie Park St SE in Yelm, WA; scheduled through Wednesday, January 1), the Sandy Cinema (16605 Champion Way in Sandy, OR; scheduled through Thursday, December 26), the Academy Theater (7818 SE Stark St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), the St Johns Twin Cinema (8704 N Lombard St in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, January 2), and the Hollywood Theatre (4122 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, OR; scheduled through Thursday, January 2, in GLORIOUS 35mm, and switching to a digital presentation from Sunday, January 5, through Thursday, January 9).

The film opens on Thursday, December 26, at the Darkside Cinema (215 SW 4th St in Corvallis, OR; scheduled through Thursday, January 2).

Thursday, December 26

The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre (508 S Main St in Moscow, ID) brings the original Star Wars trilogy back to the big screen through Saturday, December 28. A trilogy pass is only $20, so you can watch it one film a day, or participate in the full-day marathon on Saturday. Visit the link for more details.

Friday, December 27

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tonight and on Saturday and Sunday, December 28 and 29, at 7:30 pm, and on Monday and Tuesday, December 30 and 31, at 5 pm.

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is playing at Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA; scheduled through Monday, December 30).

The Silents Synced film Nosferatu with Radiohead is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 11:30 pm.

Saturday, December 28

The Seattle Horror Filmmakers Hang - Die-Cember Edition takes place tonight from 6:30 to 11:45 pm at Seattle's only horror movie bar, Two Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way SW in Seattle, WA). Visit the link for details.

The Grand Illusion Cinema (1403 NE 50th St in Seattle, WA) will screen Brian De Palma's cult classic Phantom of the Paradise, to build up funds for the theater's relocation, tonight at 6 pm.

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is playing at the Rio Theatre (1660 East Broadway in Vancouver, BC) tonight at 10 pm.

Tuesday, December 31

The Atheria Fae Winter Ball takes place at 7 pm tonight at the Lewis and Clark Event Center (117 W Magnolia St in Centralia, WA). Get all the information at the link above.

January 2025

Friday, January 3

John Carpenter's classic The Thing is playing at The Grand Cinema (606 Fawcett Ave in Tacoma, WA) tonight and tomorrow at 7 pm.

Thursday, January 9

Central Cinema (1411 21st Ave in Seattle, WA) and Crypticon Seattle presents a screening of the slasher classic Sleepaway Camp, with star Felissa Rose offering commentary during the screening, and taking place in a post film Q and A, tonight at 8 pm.

Saturday, January 11

Third Eye Cinema at the Pickford Film Center (1318 Bay St in Bellingham, WA) will screen Jan Svankmajer's live action/stop motion film Alice tonight at 10 pm.

McMenamins Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd Ave in Portland, OR) is showing The Lord of the Rings trilogy today starting at 11 am. 50 percent of ticket revenue will benefit the Oregon Food Bank.

Tuesday, January 14

Burlynomicon-A Darkly Decadent Burlesque Revue kicks off 2025 at the Coffin Club (421 SE Grand Ave in Portland, OR) tonight at 8 pm. Doors open at 7 pm, general admission is first come, first served, and there is a 2 drink minimum (yes, this is a 21 and older show). Advance tickets are available, but tend to sell out.

Wednesday, January 15

The Garland Theater (924 W Garland Ave in Spokane, WA) is showing the sci fi/noir classic Blade Runner tonight at 7 pm.

Friday, January 24

Fan Expo Portland 2025 takes place this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland, OR). More details to come. Follow the event on Facebook.

UPDATE: James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Grant Gustin, Tom Cavanagh, and Danielle Panabaker (of the CW's The Flash) are scheduled to appear.

February, 2025

Friday, February 14

Jurassic Quest, the "largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America," is set to invade the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center (2330 17th St NE in Salem, OR) this weekend.

Friday, February 21

Jurassic Quest, the "largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America," is set to invade the Clark County Event Center (17402 NE Delfel Rd in Ridgefield, WA) this weekend.

Fan Expo Vancouver takes place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Pl in Vancouver, BC). Visit the link for all the guest attending the event.

UPDATE: William Shatner (Star Trek TOS) is scheduled to attend.

April, 2025

Saturday, April 5

The Mid Valley Comic Art Expo takes place today and tomorrow at the Oregon State Fairgrounds and Expo Center Jackman-Long Building (2330 17th St NE in Salem, OR). You can follow the event on Facebook.

UPDATE: Stephen Costantino (a Gamorrean Guard in Return of the Jedi) is scheduled to appear.

The Bonebat "Comedy of Horrors" Film Fest 14 takes place at 1 pm today at the SIFF Cinema Downtown (2100 4th Ave in Seattle, WA). Follow the event on Facebook for details as they become available.

Tuesday, April 15

The Olympia Film Society presents a screening of the 1925 silent classic Phantom of the Opera, with a live score by Invincible Czars, tonight at 7 pm tonight at the Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE in Olympia, WA). Advance ticket sales at the link.

May, 2025

Friday, May 2

Crypticon Seattle takes place this weekend at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport (18740 International Blvd in Seattle, WA. I'll update this post as details become available. You can also follow the con on Facebook. Mark Patton and Kim Meyers (A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge), Jenna Davis (the voice of M3GAN and in Lisa Frankenstein) are scheduled to attend.

UPDATE: Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl are scheduled to attend.

Saturday, May 17

Idaho's premier pop culture and comic convention, Gem State Comic Con, takes place today and tomorrow at Expo Idaho (5610 N Glenwood St in Boise, ID). Ray Park (Sleepy Hollow, The Phantom Menace, X-Men) is scheduled to attend. Follow the event on Facebook.

UPDATE: Illustrator Cliff Cramp is scheduled to attend.

Friday, May 23

Saw: The Musical/ The Unauthorized Parody of Saw returns to the Alberta Abbey (126 NE Alberta St in Portland, OR) tonight, and runs through Sunday, June 8.

July 2025

Friday, July 25

The Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival takes place through Sunday, July 27, in Portland, OR. Best I can tell right now, the events start on Friday, July 25, but more details are to come, so keep checking back.

October, 2025

Friday, October 24

The Washington State Horror Con: The Next Chapter takes place this weekend at the Washington State Fair and Events Center (110 9th Ave SW in Puyallup, WA). And the host with the most, Elvira, is presenting over the event. Follow the con on Facebook for up-to-the-minute details.

Saturday, October 25

When you get that new calendar out, be sure to mark out the Portland Oddities and Curiosities Expo 2025, taking place today and tomorrow at Hall C and D of the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Portland, OR).

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Should you be hosting, or know of, an event that would interest my readers, email me at shadowoverportland@live.com and I'll include in on the Horror/Sci Fi/Fantasy Calendar and future updates. And remember, you won't be charged for listing your event on the site.

And, as always, should you attend any of these events, mention to the organizers you read about it at The Shadow Over Portland!!