With the holiday season in full swing, everyone could use some family activities that are 100% fun and free. Here are ideas to get outside, learn new skills, enjoy music or help others, all without opening your wallet.
Honor and remember. Celebrate Día de los Muertos at these free events throughout the city.
Find a birthday freebie. Show your little Scorpio and Sagittarius some extra love on their special day by visiting one of these local establishments.
Read new books. Our fabulous libraries and independent, neighborhood book shops have weekly story times — for free! Check out where to go here.
Use your pass. Did you know you can visit local museums and cultural institutions for free with My Discover Pass? Take advantage of this awesome library perk and beat the rains with some indoor museum fun.
Visit PAM. Speaking of museum fun, get free admission to the Portland Art Museum the first Thursday of this month (November 7). And remember—admission is always free for kids ages 17 and under! Looking for another museum free admission day? There’s free admission on Sunday, November 30 at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.
Or visit a mini gallery! Thanks to @pdxflag and @pdxdinorama, you can follow a map of Portland’s delighful tiny installations, from little libraries to mini art museums.
Take a hike. Bundle up and enjoy the crisp fall air during one of these family-friendly fall hikes.
Explore a different park. Take advantage of the free Metro parking days this month by heading to one of our great parks. On November 11, 20 and 28, enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp and Chinook Landing Marine Park.
Give back. What better way to spend some downtime than by helping others? Instill the value of volunteerism by giving back at one of these organizations that offer kid-friendly volunteer opportunities. We have great options for Vancouver families, too!
Master builders. Calling all Lego builders! Now’s your chance to show off your block skills during Bricktastic! Organized by Columbia Play Project in Vancouver, this all ages creativity event is must for any fan of Legos. Saturday, November 8 from 10 am to noon.
Take on Tryon. Head to Tryon Creek for a guided nature walk on Saturdays at 10 am. Led by a naturalist, these weekly hikes are kids from hikers age 5 to adult, but all are welcome. This month, don’t miss: Mushrooms of Tryon Creek (On November 1); Owls of Tryon Creek (on November 8) and Fall Scavenger Hunt (on November 15).
Hear a story. The beloved Portland Book Festival is happening on Saturday, November 8. And guess what? Youth 17 & under get in FREE. (Plus, qualifying families only pay $5, thanks to the Arts for All program.)
For the love of frybread. Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month during Frybread Fest on Saturday, November 8, 11 am-5 pm at Director Park. There will be music, cultural performances, drumming, storytelling, Native-made artisan goods and jewelry and, of course, frybread. Pro tip: The first 200 attendees will receive free frybread!
Mall memories. Did you know the Lloyd Center has science camps, art classes, music lessons, game stores, magic shows, light saber martial arts, ice skating, roller skating, pickleball, game stores, and more? Come discover kid- and family-friendly fun at the Second Saturday Lloyd Center Mall Crawl on Saturday, November 8. There will be open houses, giveaways, free activities, special offers, art, games, music, food and more.
Catch ’em all. Head to the Cedar Mill Library on Monday, November 10 for Pokémon Party, a Pokémon-themed crafts and games event on the no school day for the Beaverton School District.
Salute our veterans. Honor our veterans during The 37th Annual Lough Legacy Veterans Parade in Vancouver. [Editor’s Note: the Portland Veterans Day Parade is cancelled for 2025.]
Surrounded by love. Celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month with a sweet adoption story time by local author (and adoptee) Allison Olson at the Robinwood Station in West Linn on Saturday, November 15.
Trot it out. Calling all Hillsboro families! Don’t miss the annual Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 22. There are race divisions for kiddos 3 and under to high schoolers and adults. (Note: This event is open to residents in Hillsboro School District boundaries.
Sk8ters. If your kiddo wants to learn how to skate and play roller derby, it’s their lucky day! Trainers from Rose City Rollers will be on hand to introduce the sport to 7-17 year-old athletes during a one-hour, hands-on class — no experience necessary! Roller skates and all safety gear will be provided. Participants will also receive two free tickets to the Rosebuds’ (the junior team) game that same day. Sunday, November 23, 1-5 pm at The Hangar at Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way.
Science rocks. Looking for educational activities for the kids during fall break? Join Hoyt Arboretum’s Nature Educators to perform nature-based science experiments during Pop-Up Nature: Fall into Science! Science experiments are designed for ages 5 and up to be able to perform on their own after demonstration, but all are welcome.
Kick off the holiday season. For many Portlanders, the lighting of the 75-foot Douglas fir in Pioneer Courthouse Square heralds the official start of the holiday season. But if you can’t make it, don’t worry! There are many tree lightings happening all over the Portland metro area — like this one in Hillsboro.