Assuming you haven’t lost any digits in a machete juggling accident, you have ten fingers. Enough to count your way to October, which is not only the tenth month of the year, but also Tenth Month—note the uppercase and fancypants link.
Crowds line up for showtime at the BendFilm Festival.
It’s Bend’s legendary celebration of independent film, culture, art, tech, and business, and here are ten reasons to have it on your radar for 2019.
The events, of course
Tenth Month is a month-long series of conferences and festivals centered around arts, culture, tech, and business. The lineup for 2019 begins Oct. 10-13 with the BendFilm Festival. After that, we’ve got the Swivel Digital and Creative Marketing Conference taking place Oct. 16-17. That’s followed by the Bend Venture Conference Oct. 17-18, and then the Bend Design Conference Oct. 23-26. Visit for one, two, three…heck, why not fill your brain to the brim and attend them all?
The culture
Critters are a highlight at the High Desert Museum.
If you’re here for Tenth Month, you’ve already got a finger on the pulse of arts and culture in Bend. But why stop there? Hit the High Desert Museum for an afternoon of living history, unique exhibits, Native American art, and critters ranging from otters to eagles. Spend an evening roaming Bend’s art galleries or driving along the Roundabout Art Route. Take it a step further with an Art Safari Tour from The Bend Tour Company, or check out the offerings from the Deschutes Historical Museum (psst…it’s almost time for their annual Historical Haunts walking tours!)
The prices
Want to know a secret? During Bend’s busiest months from May through September, prices for Bend hotel rooms and vacation rentals are at an all-time high. Gobs of people want to visit Bend in the summer, and lodging prices reflect that. But once October comes marching in with snow boots and smaller crowds, things settle down. Now’s a great time to take advantage of some of the lowest Bend hotel prices you’ll see all year!
The colors
Autumn in Bend still offers plenty of warm days for all your favorite forms of play.
Some years, the leaves in Bend don’t start changing until mid-October, but that’s not the case in 2019. We’re already seeing bright pops of yellow and orange on trees around Downtown Bend and Drake Park. Don’t despair if you can’t make it over until mid-to-late October. The aspens in Shevlin Park tend to hold out longer, and you’ll always spot a tamarack or two showing off their bright yellow needles deep into autumn. For more ideas on where to see fall colors in Bend, go here.
The weather
There’s nothing like fall weather in Bend. While the west side of the state gets gray and drizzly, Bend shucks its summer duds and dons bright azure skies and sunny autumn scarves of fall color. Daytime temps are mild, but nights get downright chilly. When you wake in the morning, odds are good that mountain view out your window will be capped by a sprinkle of fresh, white powder. It’s the most temperate, serene time of year to be in Bend, and you owe it to yourself to experience the splendor of Central Oregon autumn.
The play
While it’s usually too chilly to float the Deschutes River in an inner tube this time of year, there’s still plenty of canoeing and kayaking to be had. Hiking this time of year is wonderfully mild, especially in desert landscapes like the Oregon Badlands Wilderness where it’s often too hot in the summer months. Pedal through oceans of red-gold leaves on a road bike, or take to the mountain bike trails for unparalleled views and crisp, clean air. With so many ways to play in Bend this fall, you may as well stay the whole month.
You’ll find lots of ways to play when it’s fall in Bend.
The vibe
There’s an intangible “vibe” to Bend, and it’s different every month you visit. Summers are bursting with sunshine and kids’ laughter, while winter months bring serene snowfields and snuggles around the fire. But fall…fall has its own vibe. It’s kinda like that slow, relaxing exhale you do at the end of a big yoga session, but mixed with a buzzing, wonder-filled undercurrent of anticipation winter to come. Sounds a little woo-woo, right? But once you experience it, you’ll know there’s nothing quite like October in Bend.
The beer
Anyone else a big fan of pumpkin beer? You’ll find plenty of breweries along the Bend Ale Trail offering their spin on gourd-inspired brews, but even if you’re not a fan, there’s bound to be another palate pleaser in the lineup. Malty porters, creamy stouts…all of it tastes better with a chill in the air and warm, wooly mittens wrapped snug around that pint glass. Find a spot by the outdoor fire pit at your favorite Bend brewery savor the flavors of fall.
Whether you’re craving pumpkin beer or pumpkin gelato, you’ll find tons of fall flavors in Bend.
The food
What is it about fall weather that makes comfort food taste so perfect? Whether you’re craving the truffle mac & cheese at The Blacksmith or the meatloaf at Pine Tavern, you’ll find all your fall faves on menus around Bend. But it’s not just the restaurants getting in on the action. The 2019 Bend Farmers Market goes all the way to October 9 this year, so you’ve still got time to stock the pantry with autumn’s bounty.
Crowds are smaller (and friendlier!) this time of year in Bend.
The people
Whenever folks stroll into the Bend Visitor Center to grab a map or claim their Bend Ale Trail prize, we ask what they’re liking best about Bend. Plenty of folks list breweries or landmarks, but you know what most say? “The people.” They love how strangers smile at each other on the street or hiking trails. They’re charmed by the friendliness of locals at playgrounds and restaurants. Want to be part of the Bend way? Check out our Visit Like a Local page to get the skinny on how to be one of us.