PORTLAND, OR – A unique cultural initiative is set to debut in Portland, aiming to foster cross-cultural understanding through a vibrant blend of Oregon and Mexican traditions. Beer Friends, a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating exchanges focused on food, art, and other cultural expressions, has announced the launch of its first-ever MXPDX event, scheduled to take place on July 18th and 19th, 2025, in the city.
The MXPDX festival is conceived as a comprehensive celebration designed to showcase and intertwine the rich cultural landscapes of Oregon and Mexico. The organizers state the event will feature a diverse array of offerings, prominently including craft beer, cider, food, and arts, providing a multifaceted platform for cultural interaction and appreciation.
Kicking Off with a Cantina Celebración
The festival is planned to commence on Friday, July 18th, 2025, with a dedicated event titled the Cantina Celebración. Scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., this opening night is inspired by the convivial atmosphere of traditional Mexico City-style cantinas. Attendees can expect a relaxed yet engaging environment offering craft beer, authentic micheladas, food vendors, and live music. The event is specifically designed to provide an opportunity for patrons to interact directly with participating brewers, gaining insights into their craft and the collaborative spirits behind the festival.
The Main MXPDX General Admission Event
The core of the festival, the MXPDX General Admission event, is slated for Saturday, July 19th, 2025, running from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. This day is positioned as the primary showcase for the event’s extensive beverage program, highlighting a significant cross-border collaboration.
A central feature of the Saturday event is the opportunity to sample a wide selection of craft beverages. The lineup is set to include beers from 13 carefully selected imported Mexican craft breweries. Complementing these international selections will be 13 brand-new collaboration beers, specially created for the festival through partnerships between Mexican breweries and Oregon brewers and cidermakers. This emphasis on collaboration underscores the festival’s mission to build bridges and create something new through shared expertise and cultural exchange.
A Multisensory Festival Experience
Beyond the extensive beer and cider offerings, the MXPDX festival is designed to provide a dynamic and entertaining experience for attendees. The chosen event layout incorporates both outdoor and covered patio spaces, allowing the event to proceed comfortably regardless of weather conditions and providing varied environments for patrons.
For those seeking options beyond beer and cider, the festival will feature a full liquor bar. This bar is set to highlight Mexican cocktails, curated specifically for the event by Straightaway Cocktails, a local purveyor known for its pre-batched, high-quality beverages. This inclusion ensures a broader representation of Mexican beverage culture.
Entertainment is also a key component of the festival experience. Organizers have announced plans for live luchador wrestling, promising a spectacle that adds a unique element of Mexican popular culture to the event. Alongside the entertainment and beverage stations, a diverse selection of food options will be available, featuring both traditional food trucks and gourmet food vendors, catering to a variety of culinary preferences and ensuring attendees can pair their drinks with quality fare.
Ticketing and Access
Access to the main MXPDX General Admission event on Saturday requires a ticket. Standard general admission tickets include a custom festival-branded 12-ounce glass, intended for sampling and keepsake purposes. Additionally, each general admission ticket comes with 10 drink tickets. Each of these tickets is valid for one 4-ounce pour, providing attendees with sufficient opportunity to sample the wide variety of beers and ciders on offer while encouraging responsible consumption.
Celebrating Cultural Fusion
The MXPDX festival, as envisioned by Beer Friends, aims to be more than just a beverage tasting event. By bringing together craft producers, culinary artists, and entertainers from both Oregon and Mexico, the festival explicitly highlights and celebrates cultural fusion. This inaugural event in Portland represents a significant effort by the nonprofit to use accessible cultural elements like food, drink, and art as conduits for deeper cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation between the Pacific Northwest and Mexico.
As preparations continue for the July 2025 debut, the MXPDX festival is poised to become a notable addition to Portland’s cultural calendar, offering residents and visitors alike a taste of international collaboration and the rich tapestry of cultures that connect Oregon and Mexico.
