
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!
Best of Portland Living on the Cheap
Check out Portland Living on the Cheap's most popular articles!Subscribe to Portland Living on the Cheap's email newsletter >>
- Free and Cheap Weekend Events
- Portland's Best Thrift Shops
- Museums on Us: Visit Portland Museums for Free
- The Best Places to Sell Your Stuff in Portland
- Free Birthday Food, Drink and Fun in Portland
- 8 Places in Portland to See a Movie for $7
- Top 5 Multnomah County Library Card Perks You Need to Know About
- Portland's Best Urban Parks
- Where to Buy and Sell Used Outdoor Gear and Sporting Goods in Portland
- 5 Cheap and Awesome Ways to Catch Live Music in Portland
- Buy Cheap Books at Portland’s Independent Bookstores
[…] OPS Fest: Free Shakespeare in Portland Parks […]