BEND, Ore. | A longtime Bend craft beverage tradition is coming to an end Saturday as The Little Woody hosts its final festival at the Deschutes Historical Museum.
The event, officially billed as The Last Woody: A Final Toast, runs from noon to 9 p.m. on August 29. Organizers say 2026 will be the final Little Woody after years of bringing together craft brewers, cider makers, distillers and fans for a celebration built around barrel aged drinks, live music and the festival’s signature gnome theme.
One Last Little Woody
The festival is ending after years as a recognizable part of Bend’s summer event calendar.
Organizers are framing the 2026 edition as a farewell to the brewers, distillers, partners and fans who helped make The Little Woody a local tradition. Unlike previous editions, this year’s festival is being held as a single day, giving attendees one final opportunity to experience the event.
The festival will take place at the Deschutes Historical Museum at 129 NW Idaho Ave. in downtown Bend.
Barrel Aged Drinks and Local Producers
The Last Woody will feature beer, cider, wine and spirits from regional producers, with organizers promising familiar favorites, special releases and surprises for the finale.
Festival admission packages include a commemorative Little Woody tasting glass and drink tokens. A designated driver option is also available for people who want to attend without taking part in the alcohol tastings.
The festival’s official FAQ states that The Little Woody is a 21 and older event.
The Bend Beer Run Kicks Off the Day
The celebration also includes the Bend Beer Run, an untimed 5K that begins at noon and travels through Drake Park and downtown Bend along the Deschutes River.
Participants make four craft beer stops along the route before finishing at the Deschutes Historical Museum, where their registration includes entry to The Little Woody. The race package also includes a tasting glass, drink tokens, live music and access to the festival.
The combination of a 5K and beer festival gives the final edition an unusual start to what organizers expect to be a full day of activities.
Gnome Costumes Become Part of the Farewell
One of the festival’s most recognizable traditions will also return for the final edition.
A gnome themed costume contest is scheduled for 1 p.m., with prizes and trophies planned for categories including Best Dressed Gnome, Best Gnome Squad, Dynamic Duo and The Spirit of the Little Woody, which is selected as the crowd favorite.
The gnome theme has become closely associated with The Little Woody over the years, making the costume contest a fitting part of the festival’s final celebration.
Live Music and a Final Celebration
The festival will continue into the evening with live music, games and opportunities for attendees to spend time with friends and fellow festivalgoers.
Organizers have described the final event as a chance to raise one last glass to the people and businesses that helped establish The Little Woody as a Bend tradition.
The event schedule runs through 9 p.m., giving attendees most of the day to take part in the final festival activities.
Why The Final Little Woody Matters
The end of The Little Woody is more than the cancellation of another summer event. It marks the closing chapter for a festival that became part of Central Oregon’s craft beverage culture.
Its final edition also arrives at a time when Bend continues to attract visitors with outdoor recreation, food, drinks, music and other summer events. The Little Woody’s combination of regional producers, downtown location and distinctive traditions helped give it an identity separate from larger beer festivals.
For longtime attendees, Saturday offers a final chance to revisit those traditions. For first time visitors, it is the only opportunity left to experience the festival before organizers close the chapter for good.
What to Know About The Last Woody
The Little Woody’s final festival takes place Saturday, August 29, from noon to 9 p.m. at the Deschutes Historical Museum in Bend.
The event is 21 and older. Organizers have designated driver options available, while tasting packages include a commemorative glass and drink tokens.
The Bend Beer Run begins at noon, followed by the festival’s gnome costume contest and other activities throughout the day. Live music will help close out the final edition in the evening.
After 2026, there will be no encore for The Little Woody. Saturday’s celebration is the final pour for a Bend festival that spent years building its own blend of craft drinks, community traditions and unmistakable gnome spirit.