August?! Already?! In this final full month of summer, Portland really shines. There are street fairs galore, cultural explorations, music and dance, theater, movies, and active fun. And best of all? All this stuff is free. Check out some of our top picks for free family-friendly fun below.
Movies al fresco. Thanks to PP&R, there aren 24 more concerts and movies happening this month — at parks all across the city! And for Vancouver families, don’t miss the Friday Night Movies in the Park. Hillsboro families can enjoy Pix in the Park, also held on each Friday. And if you live in Clackamas County, there’s Movies in the Park. In Tigard, there’s Tigard Movies in the Park.
Lunch time. And speaking of PP&R, there are still several Free Lunch + Play events happening throughout August as well. For Gresham families, there’s SKIP (Summer Kids in the Park), with free lunch and activities.
Wheelie great. Every Friday, join SMILE (Sellwood-Moreland Improvement League) for SMILE Bike Bus, a family-friendly bike ride in the neighborhood. The ride starts at Llewelyn Elementary School — and goes in a loop on bike-friendly roads and greenways — and ends at Sellwood Park.
Pedal power. Can’t get enough family bike rides? There are still plenty of Pedalpalooza events happening this month!
Free rentals. While you’re in the Sellwood area, stop by the Sellwood Community House Shack for a library of free recreation equipment rentals (think balls, games, binoculars and more). Rentals are available from 10 am-7 pm, Mondays-Saturdays, with free and paid drop in community programming for all ages.
Celebrate your ancestors. Head to the Oregon Buddhist Temple on August 2 for its annual Obon Fest. Partake in bon odori (Obon dance), and take in all the hanging lanterns and other memorials.
Festival fun. Now through August 3, head to Esther Short Park in Vancouver for the Vancouver Arts & Music Festival. Don’t miss live music on outdoor stage, local art vendors, a juried art exhibition, family activities and more.
Cool off. Hot days are made for cooling off at one of Portland’s many splash pads. Here’s where to find one near you!
Splash zone. Or get your splashing in at the Audrey McCall Beach Splashdown on August 5. There will be free life jackets, food carts and a DJ!
Nature awaits. Learn about PNW nature at Hoyt Arboretum during the thrice-weekly Pop-up Nature! events. Each week is a different theme.
Fremont fun. Visit this NE neighborhood on Saturday, August 2 for Fremont Festival. There will be more than 150 local vendors, live music, a bubble parade and drumline, kids’ crafts, food trucks, beer garden and so much more!
Sellwood fun. Live in SE? You’ll love the Summerville Street Fair in Sellwood Moreland. This event is perfect for families and individuals alike. From storytime by The Literacy Lady, retail by local artists, tarot readings and Aura photography, to face painting and sparkle hair and more!
Foster fun. There’s also the Foster Summer Soiree happening on August 9, with live music, food and family fun.
Can’t get enough festivals? One of the oldest street fairs in Portland Multnomah Days is happening August 16!
Head to Hawthorne. Then visit the vibrant Hawthorne neighborhood for the annual Hawthorne Street Fair on August 24.
Chinese culture. Celebrate the Chinese Festival at Pioneer Courthouse Square with rich cultural heritage with an incredible lineup of performers, hands-on traditional crafts, cultural arts and craft vendors including calligraphy demos, Chinese artisans, Chinese food vendors, public health outreach, education and more!
Ukrainian culture. Enjoy the vibrant Ukrainian culture during Ukrainian Day at Westmoreland Park on August 23. There will be live music by Ukrainian and local musicians, traditional dancing, Ukrainian food, kids’ activities, raffles and more.
Speak in sonnets. The Original Practice Shakespeare brings no-cost repertory Shakespeare to parks and venues all over the Portland Metro area. On August 2, don’t miss The Tempest at Roehr Park in Lake Oswego and A Midsummer Night’s Dream on August 8 at George Rogers Park. On August 15, Twelfth Night is being performed at Washington Park.
Vroom vroom. Get an up-close look at dozens of big rigs and other specialty vehicles at the annual Big Truck Day at Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center. The Conestoga parking lot will be filled with bulldozers, fire engines, freight trucks, cranes, buses, tow trucks and other specialty vehicles.
Fantastic fossils. If you’ve got a fossil fan in the house, head to the Tualatin Heritage Center for the Northwest Fossil Fest on August 2. Get ready to explore ancient artifacts, learn from our amateur paleontologists and participate in hands-on activities! Free fossils for every child! Bring your own fossils to share with us and get the ancient critters identified by our experts.
Rock on. Visit Midland Library on August 6 from 2-3 pm for a special Red Yarn performance. In this high-energy music & puppet show, acclaimed Portland family performer Red Yarn will perform classic “play-party” songs. On August 8, he’ll be at the Gregory Heights Library.
Farm time. Head to Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island with your little for the weekly Animal Walk with Farmer Kat. Kiddos will love seeing the farm’s chickens, ducks, goats and more. Have a little tractor enthusiast? They’ll love the weekly Tractor Talk with Farmer Jim! Plus new this year is Storytime with Keely at the farm, on Thursdays.
Get festive at Washington Park. Don’t miss the Washington Park Summer Festival August 9-10!
Sk8terz. Rockstar Energy Open is an epic three-day celebration of skate culture, all happening Waterfront Park with world-class competitions, live music, art and nonstop energy. The event runs from August 15-17.
Try a new park. Visit one of these amazing playgrounds.
Take a hike. We’ve gathered some of our favorites here.
Take a dip. Portland Parks and Recreation opens up its pools for free open swims across the city. Check out the schedule here.
Get on your soapbox. Teams of soapbox car enthusiasts from around Portland can spend months building their contraptions to race in the annual Portland Adult Soapbox Derby in Mt. Tabor on August 16.
Saturdays at Bridgeport. Visit the village green at Bridgeport Village for free summer kindie concerts every Saturday from 10 am-noon. This month, don’t miss Pointed Man Band, Aaron Nigel Smith, Mr. Hoo & The Hooligans, Kelli Welli and
Music with Matt.
Looking for more fun things to do with kids near you? Check out Kids Calendar or our Summer of Fun Calendar with our editors’ daily event picks.