The promise of warmer weather has us all dreaming about the long, sunny summer days. But when exactly does summer start? The answer may seem straightforward, but it's actually quite nuanced. It's influenced by various factors ranging from traditions to astronomical events. Find out when summer … [Read more...] about When Does Summer Start?
Attractions & Museums
2025 Milk Carton Boat Race
Will it float? See who creates the most buoyant and swiftest homemade vessel at the 2025 Milk Carton Boat Race. The annual event is hosted by the Royal Rosarians. You may recognize our city's official greeters and goodwill ambassadors from the Portland Rose Festival. The family-friendly event … [Read more...] about 2025 Milk Carton Boat Race
2025 Juneteenth Celebrations in and around Portland
Celebrate Juneteenth at these community gatherings throughout the Portland area. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a federal holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of … [Read more...] about 2025 Juneteenth Celebrations in and around Portland
Portland’s Free Rose Gardens
Stop and smell the roses at these four Portland rose gardens. Portland is the Rose City, so it is only natural that rose gardens are one of the main attractions. Rose gardens have taken root rich history of our city. The four gardens highlighted below have been public attractions for more than … [Read more...] about Portland’s Free Rose Gardens
2025 Portland Waterfront Fireworks Show
The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival is once again celebrating the 4th of July with a fireworks show over the Portland waterfront. You don't have to buy tickets to enjoy the show. Instead, view the Portland waterfront fireworks show from various vantage points throughout the city! Here's some … [Read more...] about 2025 Portland Waterfront Fireworks Show
4 Beautiful Lavender Farms Near Portland
It's lavender season in the Pacific Northwest! Starting in June, lavender farms throughout the Portland area invite the public to enjoy the beauty of the blooms, pick their own bundles and peruse homemade lavender products. These four beautiful lavender farms are a short drive from … [Read more...] about 4 Beautiful Lavender Farms Near Portland
Free and Cheap Events this Week in Portland
Never Miss Out on Frugal Fun in Portland There are so many ways you can participate in fun activities in Portland without breaking your budget. Use this list of free and cheap events this week as your guide to having frugal fun throughout the metro area. To stay up to date on all the … [Read more...] about Free and Cheap Events this Week in Portland
2025 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
The annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is Portland's best free concert of the summer. This three-day event features the region's most talented Jazz and Blues musicians harmonizing with the incredible backdrop of the St. Johns Bridge at Cathedral Park. This year, the festival has a full line … [Read more...] about 2025 Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
2025 Portland Pride Month Events
June is Pride Month. Portland has a variety of events to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. Did you know Pride has been celebrated in Portland since the early 1970s? Portland's long history of acceptance and inclusion is honored throughout the year with many LGBTQ+ events. During Pride … [Read more...] about 2025 Portland Pride Month Events
Discount Days at Oaks Park
Save on your admission to Oaks Park during discount days. Oaks Park has been Portland's amusement park since 1905. It is a summertime favorite for families and friends with thrilling rides, fun carnival games, an indoor roller skating rink and mini golf. While it will cost you a pretty … [Read more...] about Discount Days at Oaks Park
The Portland Aquarium: Mike Bennett’s Imaginative Ocean Adventure
There’s a new kind of aquarium making waves in Portland and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Mike Bennett is back at it with his latest immersive experience: The Portland Aquarium. From street signs and murals to exhibits and local partnerships, chances are you've seen Mike Bennett's … [Read more...] about The Portland Aquarium: Mike Bennett’s Imaginative Ocean Adventure
Free Admission, Camping and Fishing on Oregon State Parks Day
Oregon State Parks Day is June 7, 2025. Make the most of the celebration with free admission, camping and fishing across the state. More than 100 years ago, a 5-acre donation by Sarah Helmick created Oregon’s first official state park. Today, the state park system has 254 park properties and more … [Read more...] about Free Admission, Camping and Fishing on Oregon State Parks Day
Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade
Gather with our local LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies at the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade. The annual event has been a tradition in our city since 1994. This year, Portland's premier Pride event is in July. Here are the details about the 2025 event: 2025 Portland … [Read more...] about Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade
2025 Portland Book Week
Participate in Portland Book Week, a vibrant celebration of literature in one of America's most literary cities. Portland is known for its indie bookstores, passionate readers and thriving literary community. This weeklong event is a haven for book lovers, offering a bookstore crawl, events and … [Read more...] about 2025 Portland Book Week
Free Open Play Swim Sessions at Portland Pools
Cool off this summer at one of our city's outdoor pools for free during open play swim sessions. All of Portland Parks and Recreation's outdoor pools are offering free open play swim sessions this summer. No registration is required to swim. Free admission is available on a first come, first … [Read more...] about Free Open Play Swim Sessions at Portland Pools
Be Wildfire Aware: World Forestry Center Free Admission and Activities
Visit the World Forestry Center for a special community preparedness event: Be Wildfire Aware. We love our forests in Oregon. The World Forestry Center's Discovery Museum is located right here in our city, inviting visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they benefit our … [Read more...] about Be Wildfire Aware: World Forestry Center Free Admission and Activities
2025 Happy Valley 4th of July Family Festival
Happy Valley Park is transforming into a family festival for the 4th of July. Enjoy a hike, parade, activities and a fireworks show. Here's the full schedule of events. In addition to this event, check out all the 4th of July fireworks and celebrations in and around Portland. 2025 … [Read more...] about 2025 Happy Valley 4th of July Family Festival
2025 Helvetia Lavender Festival
Wander through the lavender fields, cut your own flower bundles and take in stunning views of the Willamette Valley during the Helvetia Lavender Festival. Helvetia Lavender Farm is a short drive from Portland and showcases 60 different varieties of lavender. During the annual festival, guests are … [Read more...] about 2025 Helvetia Lavender Festival
2025 Juneteenth Oregon Parade and Festival
Celebrate a day of education and advocacy with your community during the Juneteenth Oregon Parade and Festival. Juneteenth Oregon is a nonprofit organization that connects and strengthens communities, and shares the history of Juneteenth. The organization is celebrating its 53rd Juneteenth Oregon … [Read more...] about 2025 Juneteenth Oregon Parade and Festival
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Explore creations from Indigenous and Black artists and entrepreneurs at the Portland Indigenous Marketplace. The event supports creators by providing barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces to grow their small businesses and educating the public about their ancestry. Here's information … [Read more...] about Portland Indigenous Marketplace
2025 Tigard Festival of Balloons
Look up as hot air balloons take to the sky over Cook Park during the Tigard Festival of Balloons. The festival is all about community. It provides fundraising opportunities for local nonprofit organizations while inviting the public to come together for a fun celebration. In 2025, the … [Read more...] about 2025 Tigard Festival of Balloons
Rose City Book & Paper Fair
Explore a range of books and ephemera at the 20th annual Rose City Book & Paper Fair. Hosted by Cascade Booksellers Association, this year's event features more than 60 independent booksellers. Here are the details on the 2025 event. Rose City Book & Paper Fair The Rose City … [Read more...] about Rose City Book & Paper Fair
Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids, Teens and Adults
Looking for a fun reading program to keep your kids on track this summer? Or maybe you want to keep yourself on top of new releases and try different genres. Portland libraries and national companies offer summer reading programs for kids, teens and adults. Best of all, you can win prizes for … [Read more...] about Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids, Teens and Adults
2025 Planetarium Sky Theater Shows at Mt. Hood Community College
The Planetarium Sky Theater at Mt. Hood Community College welcomes visitors into a world of cosmic wonders and astronomical marvels. The planetarium recently reopened to be public and offers shows on select dates each month. Here are the details about Planetarium Sky Theater Shows. 2025 … [Read more...] about 2025 Planetarium Sky Theater Shows at Mt. Hood Community College
2025 OMSI Star Parties
Do you love looking up at the stars? Join the experts and celebrate astronomy at OMSI Star Parties. The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, better known as OMSI, is one of the nation’s leading science centers and we’re lucky to have it right here in Portland. Science lovers and explorers of … [Read more...] about 2025 OMSI Star Parties
2025 Museums on Us Free Museum Admission
Bank of America's Museums On Us program lets customers visit Portland museums for free the first full weekend of the month. More than 225 museums and attractions participate in the Bank of America free museum days in cities across the United States. In Portland, we're lucky enough to have three … [Read more...] about 2025 Museums on Us Free Museum Admission
Free Summer Concerts in the Parks
Enjoying music outdoors is a quintessential summertime activity. Portland Parks and Recreation is hosting 30 outdoor concerts at parks throughout the city. Every event features a new musician or band, genre and park. This is a great way to spend time at your nearby park or explore parks … [Read more...] about Free Summer Concerts in the Parks
Free First Thursdays at Portland Art Museum
Free First Thursdays at Portland Art Museum are taking place throughout 2025. Located in the heart of downtown, Portland Art Museum is internationally renowned for exciting art experiences. On the first Thursday of the month, our community gets open access to one of our city's top … [Read more...] about Free First Thursdays at Portland Art Museum
First Thursday Street Gallery
Explore local artists at the First Thursday Street Gallery in the Pearl District. The event is hosted by Urban Art Network, a Portland nonprofit dedicated to empowering independent artists. Now in its 24th year, the event holds true to its artistic roots by bringing together our community of … [Read more...] about First Thursday Street Gallery
Free Summer Movies in the Parks
The Portland metro has an abundance of summertime movies in local parks. Find a complete list of Portland's movies in the parks along with Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, North Clackamas, Oregon City, Gladstone, West Linn, Troutdale and Vancouver movie series. Best of all, … [Read more...] about Free Summer Movies in the Parks
Free First Sunday at the Oregon Jewish Museum
Visit the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education during Free First Sunday. The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, or OJMCHE, explores the legacy of the Jewish people in Oregon while also teaching the universal relevance of the Holocaust and providing … [Read more...] about Free First Sunday at the Oregon Jewish Museum
Free Carousel and Train Rides at Oaks Park
Oaks Amusement Park invites the community to enjoy two vintage pieces of Portland's history free of charge. Portland's very own amusement park has been bringing joy to the young and young at heart since 1905. In fact, it is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the … [Read more...] about Free Carousel and Train Rides at Oaks Park
Discount Day at OMSI
The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, better known as OMSI, is one of the nation's leading science centers and we're lucky to have it right here in Portland. OMSI discount day is here to bring one of Portland's best attractions to you for cheap. Science lovers and explorers of the unknown … [Read more...] about Discount Day at OMSI
Pay What You Will at Portland Center Stage
Want to see shows at Portland Center Stage for cheap? Pay as little as a dollar and some change during Pay What You Will ticket specials. Portland Center Stage is the largest theater company in Portland. This theater, located in a historic armory, hosts incredible shows throughout the … [Read more...] about Pay What You Will at Portland Center Stage
Pick Strawberries at these Portland You-Pick Farms
It's strawberry season in the Pacific Northwest! Travel to these you-pick farms in and around Portland to fill your basket with fresh strawberries. We're lucky enough to live close to some incredible you-pick farms in and around Portland. One of the first crops to kick off the harvest season are … [Read more...] about Pick Strawberries at these Portland You-Pick Farms
Free First Sunday at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Attend the Japanese American Museum of Oregon for Free First Sunday event. The Japanese American Museum of Oregon preserves and honors the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest. The museum educates the public about the Japanese American experience during WWII, … [Read more...] about Free First Sunday at the Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Discount Admission to Portland Rose Festival’s CityFair
Get free and cheap admission to the Portland Rose Festival's main attraction, CityFair. For more than 100 years, the Portland Rose Festival has been a beloved celebration of our beautiful city. The festival has tons of free and cheap activities your whole family can enjoy. For three weeks, … [Read more...] about Discount Admission to Portland Rose Festival’s CityFair
Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Park
This Memorial Day weekend, head to Oaks Park for some good, old-fashioned fun at the Multnomah County Fair. The annual fair has been entertaining Portlanders since 1906. Traditionally an event for locals to exhibit farming and homesteading techniques, fairs have expanded to showcase food, … [Read more...] about Multnomah County Fair at Oaks Park
Free and Cheap Memorial Day Weekend Events in Portland
Celebrate your three-day weekend at one of these free and cheap Memorial Day weekend events in Portland. I've compiled a list of activities and events to get you out and exploring our awesome city this holiday weekend. There is something for everyone, from festivals and train rides to markets and … [Read more...] about Free and Cheap Memorial Day Weekend Events in Portland
Build a Bouquet of Peonies at Columbia Farms
Fill your home with a beautiful bouquet you built yourself from local flowers. Peonies are in bloom at Columbia Farms. This Sauvie Island farm is one of the many you-pick farms you can enjoy this spring and summer. Columbia Farms prides itself on creating a quiet, quaint, working-farm … [Read more...] about Build a Bouquet of Peonies at Columbia Farms
2025 Troutdale Arts Festival
Connect with your community and support regional artists, studios, workshops, and galleries at the Troutdale Arts Festival in downtown Troutdale along the Sandy River. Hosted by Cascadia Arts Association, the festival features artists, art demonstrations, musicians, local food and drinks, and a … [Read more...] about 2025 Troutdale Arts Festival
The Portland Pancakes and Booze Art Show
Portland's pop-up art extravaganza is set to captivate art enthusiasts and pancake lovers alike at the Pancakes and Booze Art Show. Originating in Los Angeles in 2009, this event has popped up more than 500 times, spreading its creative wings across 35+ cities in Europe and North America. Now, … [Read more...] about The Portland Pancakes and Booze Art Show
Portland Rose Festival Free and Cheap Events
For more than 100 years, the Portland Rose Festival has been a beloved celebration of our beautiful city. It takes place every year from the end of May through June. This citywide celebration is inclusive of everyone with many free and cheap events to enjoy. The 2025 Rose Festival is May … [Read more...] about Portland Rose Festival Free and Cheap Events
Ledding Library Sunday Book Sales: Stock Up on Books, DVDs, Puzzles and more
Discover new-to-you treasures at the Ledding Library Book Sale on Sundays. If you’re a bookworm, movie enthusiast, music lover or puzzle aficionado, mark your calendar for this weekend event. The Friends of the Ledding Library hosts a weekly book sale full of great deals on a variety of … [Read more...] about Ledding Library Sunday Book Sales: Stock Up on Books, DVDs, Puzzles and more
2025 Gem and Mineral Show
Where are all my rockhounds at? The Clackamette Mineral and Gem Club's annual Gem and Mineral Show is taking place Memorial Day weekend. The local club is a community of people who enjoy educating and sharing in many areas of expertise, including geology, rockhounding, mineral collection, … [Read more...] about 2025 Gem and Mineral Show
Visit Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum Memorial Day Weekend
Portland's largest mausoleum is opening its doors for special public tours Memorial Day weekend. The Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Funeral Home in Sellwood is the final resting place of more than 97,000 people and home to the extraordinary Rae Room. During Memorial Day weekend, you get the rare … [Read more...] about Visit Wilhelm’s Portland Memorial Mausoleum Memorial Day Weekend
Stars Antiques Malls Weekend Sale
Head to Sellwood and find something new to you at Stars Antiques Malls weekend sale. Opened in 1990, Stars Antiques Mall is owned by three friends who turned a passion for collecting and decorating into a business. The mall has two locations right across the street from each other on … [Read more...] about Stars Antiques Malls Weekend Sale
Get Crafty with SCRAP PDX: Adult Craft Nights in Portland
If you're looking for a fun and creative way to spend your evening, SCRAP PDX has just the event for you. This nonprofit creative reuse center is bringing its stash of unique, budget-friendly art supplies to local community bars and breweries for a series of Adult Craft Nights. Here's how you can … [Read more...] about Get Crafty with SCRAP PDX: Adult Craft Nights in Portland
2025 McMenamins UFO Fest
McMenamins is hosting its annual festival for believers and skeptics alike. Head to the 25th annual UFO Fest this May. The festival is inspired by the 1950 UFO sighting on a farm outside McMinnville. The story goes that on the night of Thursday, May 11, 1950, Evelyn Trent went out to feed her … [Read more...] about 2025 McMenamins UFO Fest
2025 Bricks Cascade LEGO Fan Expo
Let your imagination run wild at Portland's premier public LEGO event this weekend. The Oregon Convention Center is transforming into a LEGO enthusiast's dream. Bricks Cascade LEGO Fan Expo brings together hundreds of builders from the Pacific Northwest and around the world for a two-day … [Read more...] about 2025 Bricks Cascade LEGO Fan Expo
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