Last week I mentioned the Quince Fest, and since then I have learned that Quince Fest 2026 has a date: Sunday, October 18. It returns to Bauman’s On Oak, which was a nice space for the event last year. Here’s what you need to know.
The Basics of Quince Fest 2026
On Sunday, October 18, you can confab with a plethora of quince goodness from 1pm to 5pm that day. Tickets have gone up a bit from last year, but only by a dollar or two: The cost is $22 for adults (plus $2 fee) and $11 for kids 12 and under (plus a $1.87 fee). You can buy your tickets here on the ticketing page.
Also know that if you want to attend but find that cost is an issue, just email the fest’s organizers at quincefest@gmail.com. They’ll help you out.
If this year is like the last, there will be lines to get in. Despite your excitement, patience is your friend—I write this for my own benefit, too, since it’s an exciting prospect to have an afternoon of hanging with the quinces.
Impressions From Last Year
Overall, I had a great time getting to know the world of the quince beyond my previous familiarity. One of my favorite things about the quince is its aroma—it’s like a perfume, due to the volatile oils that reside primarily in the peel of the fruit (though others are evident in the pulp). I think of it as a mix of floral, vanilla, and apple. It was easy to breathe in all that quince perfume at this event.
I also got a medlar! These two ancient fruits are often spoken about together.
Attending Quince Fest
When you arrive at the Bauman’s Cider Co. building, go up the stairs, you’ll check in and they’ll give you a little glass to use to taste beverages; you get to take it home with you, too. When you get up to the entrance of the building itself, you can go left into a room to visit vendors and sample things, or you can go to the right into a big room with a bar.
Note: There is an accessible entrance. The main entrance with stairs has a lift.
There, you can order quince-oriented food and/or visit the vendors set up in there. Last year there were samples of raw quince—kind of a scandalous concept to me, as quinces are known to be hard, tannin-rich, and sour, but they had a couple of varieties that were possible to eat raw. It was a trip.
You’ll go through this bigger room to get to the stairs that go down to more vendors on the patio.
Speaking of Vendors and Tasting
Here’s a simple summary of things you can expect to experience at Quince Fest:
- Quince ciders from guest producers.
- Fresh local quince available to take home.
- Juice and raw fruit tastings.
- Cooking demos, including one of distilling quince into hydrosol (new this year).
- Small bites from culinary participants.
- Fresh fruit tasting.
- Screen printing.
Last year I was happy to take home some quince vinegar, a kind of quince panforte, a quince zine, a jar of quince chutney, and a few other things.
“We’re excited for a third year of filling a space with quince lovers and celebrating the multifaceted beauty of our favorite fall fruit!” exclaimed Leila Schneider, one of the Quince Fest organizers.
Quince Fest has everything that makes for a great event: an educational component, the chance at discovery, plenty of deliciousness, and new experiences. I hope you will consider attending this year!
Quince Fest 2026
Sunday, October 18, 2026
1pm to 5pm
Bauman’s on Oak, 930 SE Oak Street, Portland,
Tickets: $22 general, $11 children 12 and under. Buy tickets here
Updated September 17 with some additional details about vendors and accessibility.
Meg Cotner
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