OPS Fest: Free Shakespeare in Portland Parks

Logo courtesy of OPS Fest

Watch free Shakespeare performances in Portland Parks during OPS Fest this summer. 

Original Practice Shakespeare Festival is celebrating its 15th season with 27 plays at 11 parks in the Portland metro area.

More fun events in Portland parks:

Free Summer Movies in the Parks

Free Comedy in the Park at Laurelhurst Park

Hollywood Theatre’s Outdoor Movies in Oregon State Parks

Here’s where you can enjoy free Shakespeare performances this summer. 

OPS Fest: Free Shakespeare in Portland Parks

The 2023 OPS Fest season takes place on select nights from Thursday, June 22 through Sunday, August 27.

Skilled, flexible actors will perform songs, dances and sketches throughout the event. The company uses the original practice techniques of Elizabethan England, including limited rehearsal, scrolls in hand, audience interaction, and an onstage prompter.

You’re welcome to arrive during the hour before to watch the pregame dance and fight rehearsals. Children, picnics and leashed pups are welcome.

Pack your blankets, low-back chairs and snacks before you head to one of these upcoming events: 

2023 OPS Fest Schedule

Most shows begin at 7 p.m., with exception of a few events noted below. All event are free to attend. 

Thursday, June 22

A Midsommer Nights Dream (Note: 9 p.m. start time)

Mt Tabor Summit, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Friday, June 23

Macbeth

Luuwit View Park, NE 127th and NE Fremont St. in Portland

Saturday, June 24 

Measure for Measure

Lents Park, 4808 SE 92nd Ave. in Portland

Friday, June 30

Winter’s Tale

Cathedral Park, N Edison St. and Pittsburg Ave. in Portland

Saturday, July 1

Romeo and Juliet

Cathedral Park, N Edison St. and Pittsburg Ave. in Portland

​Sunday, July 2

Richard II

Cathedral Park, N Edison St. and Pittsburg Ave. in Portland

Thursday, July 6

The Tempest

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Friday, July 7

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Saturday, July 8 

As You Like It

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Sunday, July 9

Henry IV, pt 1

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Wednesday, July 12

Midsommer Abridged (Note: 11 a.m. start time)

Gateway Discovery Park, 10520 NE Halsey St. in Portland

Thursday, July 13

Julius Caesar

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Friday, July 14

Antony and Cleopatra

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Saturday, July 15

Loves Labour’s Lost

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Sunday, July 16

Henry IV, pt 2

Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd. and Stark St. in Portland

Thursday, July 20 

Romeo and Juliet Abridged (Note: 6:30 p.m. start time)

Pío Pío Park, 2135 SW 187th Ave. in Beaverton

Friday, July 21

All’s Well That Ends Well

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Saturday, July 22

Twelfth Night

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Sunday, July 23

Henry V

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Thursday, July 27

Taming of the Shrew

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Friday, July 28

King Lear

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Saturday, July 29

A Midsommer Nights Dream

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Sunday, July 30

Henry VI, pt 1

Irving Park, 707 NE Fremont St. in Portland

Thursday, August 3

Comedy of Errors

Cully Park, 5810 NE 72nd Ave. in Portland

Friday, August 4

Much Ado About Nothing

Washington Park Amphitheater, 410 SW Kingston Ave. in Portland

Saturday, August 5

The Tragedie of Hamlet

Washington Park Amphitheater, 410 SW Kingston Ave. in Portland

Thursday, August 10

Cymbeline

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Friday, August 11

Othello

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Saturday, August 12

Merry Wives of Windsor

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Sunday, August 13

Richard III

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Saturday, August 19

Romeo and Juliet

Veterans’ Memorial Park, 22547 SW Main St. in Sherwood

Thursday, August 24

Apprentice/Intern Showcase

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Friday, August 25

The Tempest (The Gentlethem’s Show)

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Saturday, August 26

Antony and Cleopatra (The Gentlewomen’s Show)

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

Sunday, August 27

Macbeth (The Gentlemen’s Show)

Mount Tabor Amphitheater, SE 60th Avenue and Salmon Street in Portland

For more information, visit OPS Fest’s website. 

Want more Portland freebies, events and deals?  Subscribe to my newsletter (only one email a day), and follow me on Facebook and Twitter!