Portland Craft Chocolate Festival Returns Oct. 2-4 with 45+ Oregon Makers -- and 300+ Entries for Portland's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie

The second annual festival, presented by Ranger Chocolate Co., expands into Portland's Central Eastside with the C⁴ Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition, a Steven Smith Teamaker × Ranger Chocolate Co. bonbon launch, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, family activities, and a weekend celebrating Oregon's craft food community.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Now in its second year, the Portland Craft Chocolate Festival (PDXCCF) will bring together more than 45 Oregon chocolate makers, confectioners, bakers, and other artisan producers for three days of tasting, discovery, competition, and community — returning October 2–4 at the historic Olympic Mills Building in Portland's Central Eastside.

The festival debuted last year with more than 30 exhibitors and nearly 2,000 attendees. This year, organizers have expanded the experience both inside and outside Olympic Mills, adding more makers, special collaborations, food and coffee, family activities, and events extending into the surrounding neighborhood.

"I was genuinely humbled by how Portland showed up for our first festival last year," said festival founder George Domurot. "This year, we've got some upgrades, and the response from makers, bakers, partners, and the community has been incredible. More than 300 entries for our first C⁴ competition alone — it really feels like Portland is making this festival its own."

More than 300 cookies — one very serious question.

Making its debut this year, the C⁴ Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition set out to find some of Portland's best chocolate chip cookies — and Portland responded.

Over 300 entries were submitted across Youth, Home Baker, and Professional divisions. Final judging takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday, October 3, with a panel of professional bakers, chocolate experts, and Portland personalities. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson will join the final judging panel and announce the gold, silver, and bronze winners.

Winners will earn prizes, bragging rights, and the distinction of being among the first C⁴ champions.

Chocolate meets tea and takes over the street

On Saturday evening from 4–7 p.m., festival neighbors Steven Smith Teamaker and Ranger Chocolate Co. will take the celebration outside for a special block party and launch event.

The event will offer a sneak peek at a new Steven Smith Teamaker × Ranger Chocolate Co. collection of tea-infused bonbons, bringing together two longtime Portland makers and exploring the pairing of craft tea and chocolate.

The six-piece collection features chocolate creations inspired by three Steven Smith Teamaker teas — Lord Bergamot, Golden Light, and Masala Chai.

Coffee, food, and plenty for the whole family

Stumptown Coffee Roasters will pop up outside the festival throughout the weekend, keeping festivalgoers well caffeinated between chocolate tastings.

Aybla Grill food truck will also be on site Saturday and Sunday serving Greek and Mediterranean food.

Families are encouraged to explore the festival together, with activities for younger chocolate fans and free admission for children eight and under.

The weekend begins on Friday night

PDXCCF begins Friday evening with its VIP Meet the Makers event, giving guests an opportunity to meet participating makers and get an early taste of festival weekend.

The Friday night celebration will feature spirits from Straightaway Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages from SENS Botanicals, and dessert from New Seasons Market (including the debut of a new Ranger Chocolate Co. gianduja ice cream).

The public festival follows on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., filling the Olympic Mills Building with chocolate, confections, and tastings from makers across Oregon.

Portland's chocolate community, all in one place

PDXCCF was created to bring makers and chocolate lovers together while showcasing Oregon's growing craft chocolate and artisan food community.

Rather than simply tasting products, attendees can meet the people behind them, learn how they're made, discover new flavors, and take home favorites directly from participating makers.

"Chocolate is at the core of the festival, and it's what brings us together — but what I love is that we get to connect our local makers with the people who love what's at the core and in the DNA of our little Portland," Domurot said. "People get to meet the hardworking folks behind the scenes who give it their all to make our home extra special."

Portland Craft Chocolate Festival 2026

Friday, October 2
VIP Meet the Makers
5–7 p.m.

Saturday, October 3
Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
C⁴ Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition final judging: 3 p.m.
Steven Smith Teamaker × Ranger Chocolate Co. launch party: 4–7 p.m.

Sunday, October 4
Festival: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location:
The Olympic Mills Building
107 SE Washington Street
Portland, Oregon 97214

Admission:
Kids eight and under free

Tickets, participating makers, and complete festival information are available at PDXCCF.com. Use code PRNW50 for 50% off festival tickets.

About the Portland Craft Chocolate Festival

The Portland Craft Chocolate Festival is an annual celebration of Oregon's craft chocolate and artisan food community, bringing together chocolate makers, confectioners, bakers, beverage producers, and chocolate lovers for a weekend of tasting, learning, and connection. Founded in Portland in 2025, the festival is held at the historic Olympic Mills Building in Portland's Central Eastside.

Media Contact

Caroline Arya
Marketing & PR Associate
[email protected]
503-206-8924

SOURCE Ranger Chocolate Co.