We love summertime in Portland! Not only is the sun shining on a daily basis, but there are so many things to do — and for free! Here are our favorite family-friendly activities and events to check out, all without spending a dime.
Light up the sky. One of the summer’s favorite holidays kicks off this month: July 4! And if you’re still figuring out your holiday plans, we’ve got you! Here are all the parades and celebrations happening in the Portland area, plus some in southwest Washington. And don’t miss our five favorite spots to watch the fireworks for free!
Day at the museum. Visit the Portland Art Museum on Thursday, July 2 for its monthly Free First Thursdays event. And don’t forget: admission to the museum is always free for ages 17 and below!
Lunch + Play. One of our favorite PP&R summer programs is its Summer Free for All. All summer long, kiddos can enjoy a free meal, activities and park time around the city. There’s also free movies in the park and concerts and cultural events.
Skip to it. And for Gresham families, don’t miss SKIP, Summer Kids in the Park. There’s free lunch, kids’ activities and crafts at Main City Park and Red Sunset Park. And on Friday evenings, don’t miss the city’s Movies in the Park.
Keep cool. Have the littles splash around at one of the more than 50 splash pads and fountains across the Portland area. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Family swim. Looking for pools instead? Enjoy weekly free swim sessions at these PP&R outdoor pools!
Take a dip. It’s free Metro parking day! Take advantage on July 16 by cooling off at a Portland watering hole. Find a place here!
Get crafty. Join the friendly folks from Sellwood Community House’s The Shack for Crafty Mornings for free creative, colorful crafts under the shade of the trees at Sellwood Park on July 2 from 10-11 am. Set with intention for ages 18 months-5 years, but all are welcome! The Shack will also be hosting twice daily bingo during All Ages Bingo. Prizes include Oodles Toys Tokens and more. The event happens at noon to 12:30 pm and 4-4:30 pm.
Let the good times roll. If you’re looking to stay cool during some friendly competition, head to more than five bowling alleys in the Portland area for a summer of free bowling with Kids Bowl Free!
Lunchtime jams. Hang out in Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon (through July 31) for the biweekly Noon Tunes Summer Concert series. Local musicians will serenade while you enjoy the fresh air and some lunch. And don’t miss the Free Art in the Park at Pioneer Square series here, too.
Farm time. Head to Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island with your little for the weekly Animal Talks with Farmer Kat. Kiddos will love seeing the farm’s chickens, ducks, goats and more. Wanna have story time on the farm? Join the former Columbia County rock star librarian, Keely Nudo, for fun storytime sessions this summer. Lastly, get creative during Farm Crafts at Topaz.
Dance it out. Beat the mid-week slump with a lunch break at Director Park. Don’t miss out on DJ George every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 pm. From rock to pop music, he’s got your music needs covered. And don’t miss Checkmates & Chillon Sundays where you can join a lively game of chess and put your skills to the test.
Park concerts. Enjoy sunny evenings with free live music at Shute Park in Hillsboro every Thursday from June 18 through July 16 — with a special final concert on Friday, July 24 — during the Hillsboro Showtime Concerts. And at Gateway Discovery Park, don’t miss the weekly Wednesday Concert Series! Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District also has weekly concerts!
Hear a story. Beat the heat with a fun kid-approved activity: free story times!
Drag story time. Have you been the new Darcelle XV plaza? Head there for an hour of magic, music and storytelling during Drag Story Time! Fabulous guest drag queens will lead families through three storybook readings, two dazzling performances and a sing-along Sundays from noon to 1 pm.
LOL. For families with older kiddos, don’t miss the weekly Kickstand Comedy in the Park at Laurelhurst Park on Fridays at 6 pm.
Playdates. Each Thursday from 10-11 am, little ones are invited to explore, play, and make new friends in a relaxed outdoor setting, while caregivers connect, unwind, and enjoy a little midweek fun together during Bridgeport Village Playdates. Playdates happen next to the children’s play area on the Village Green.
Bethany beats. A local tradition spanning nearly 20 years, the Bethany Village Summer Concert Series features three summer concerts in July and August, plus intermission acts featuring local young talent, fun activities, rides and more! This month’s event is on July 9.
One with nature. Visit Hoyt Arboretum for its popular Pop-Up Nature! events. They happen three times a week and each week is a different theme. Kiddos of all ages are welcome.
Bike to it. Bike Summer, aka Pedalpalooza, Portland’s summer long bike event series, is in its second month. There are rides everyday now through the end of August.
Free. For all. Head to various parks around Portland and experience free movies, concerts, festivals, and special events throughout July and August as part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Free For All! And don’t miss the East Portland Summer Arts Festival at Ventura Park on Saturday, July 11!
Movies in the park. And check out the Movies in the Park by North Clackamas Parks & Recreation.
Porch tunes. This fun concert series is going strong: Check out the Porch Concert Series on the second and fourth Saturday of the month (July 11 and 25) at 10 am at the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective.
Celebrate Pride. Continue celebrating LGBTQ+ families and friends this month during Pride. Love is love!
Viva! Viva Tualatin is jam-packed with family-friendly activities: Test your skills on the mechanical bull, cool off on the water slide, or unleash your creativity with crafts, a giant coloring mural, chalk art and much more. Saturday, July 11.
Treetastic. Celebrate the wonders of forests with a fun-filled, family-friendly day at ForestFest at the World Forestry Center (next to the Oregon Zoo) on July 18. Enjoy hands-on activities, wood-themed crafts, kid zones, and live demonstrations from forestry professionals and community partners.
Fair thee well. Don’t miss this month’s fun roundup of fairs and festivals! There’s the Mississippi Ave. Street Fair; the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood; the Portland Mermaid Parade; the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival and much more.
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.