Sure, we’re back at school this month, and the days are getting shorter. But there is still so much going on in September. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do with kids around Portland — all for free this month.
We’ve made every effort to confirm this information, but always double-check with the organization before heading out!
Bike it. Join the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) on Thursday, September 3 from 3-5:30 pm at the Multnomah Arts Center (7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219) for the SW Portland Neighborhood Bike Fair, a fun, community bike fair! Activities will include: Learn to ride lessons for kids and adults and bike skills course to practice safe riding.
Choo choo time. Celebrate 71 years of train-riding fun during Train Fest at Molalla Park. The fun happens over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5-6) from 11 am-4 pm. The train rides are always free, but donations for the volunteers are always appreciated.
River dragons. Cheer teams as they row to the beat of a drum at the 2026 Portland Dragon Boat Festival. Food and drink vendors will be on land for post-race partying. Join the fun on Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13 from 9 am-4:30 pm, at the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Go on a hike. And you want to keep the hiking outings going, check out one of our kid-friendly fall hikes to peep the leaves, look for wildlife and breathe in the fresh air.
Paddle Around. Summer vacation may be over, but you still have time to kayak before the rains come. Check out these 10 great spots to kayak with kids.
Dine al fresco. Now that it’s not too hot, try one of our favorite picnic spots before the winter rains set in.
Visit Herman. At the Bradford Island Visitor Center, don’t miss underwater windows that allow you to peer into the the fish ladder, educational displays about the dam, and the rooftop observation deck with its panoramic view. At the Bonneville Hatchery, feed rainbow trout, visit Herman the Sturgeon (he’s 10 feet long and more than 80 years old!), and spend some time meandering the lovely grounds. Pro tip: bring a picnic and eat along the river. September and October are great months to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This is a fun and interesting day trip for both kids and adults.
Frolic through the fields. The colorful Swan Island Dahlia Festival is still happening, so head to Canby to spot more than 375 varieties — plus live music and food carts.
Art for all. Start off the month with Portland Art Museum’s Free First Thursdays (on Sept. 3), plus programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are also free for the day. (Kids 17 and under are always free at PAM!)
Make music. For families with littles, don’t miss the Music Together of Portland Park Sing-Alongs on September 1, 3 and 4 at different Portland parks. Music Together of Portland teachers will lead sing-alongs. Look for them near the playground between 10 and 11:30 am, with a sing-along starting at 10:30 am, unless otherwise noted. Bring a blanket to sit on, and get ready to have some musical fun!
Tumble time. Don’t miss Drop in Tumbling for Big Kids at The Shack in Sellwood Park on September 2 from 1-1:30 pm. All levels welcome, ages 7+. Participants will gain strength, flexibility, and confidence while learning new tumbling skills and having fun outdoors!
Playdates. Visit Bridgeport Village each Thursday morning this month for Bridgeport Village Green Playdates community playdates. 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. Located next to the children’s play area on the Village Green.
For the K-pop fans. Calling all K-pop fans: The K-Pop Culture Club for Tweens event is for fans, stans, and newcomers to the K-Pop genre! Come watch music videos from popular K-Pop groups with your friends while you snack on Korean treats. Decorate a photocard holder with stickers and make it into a keychain to show off your favorite group member. September 3 from 4-5 pm at the Lake Oswego Library.
Hammer time. Take the kiddos to build a new craft each month during the Free Home Depot Kids Workshops, held the first Saturday of each month (Sept. 5 this month).
Celebrate cultures. The Ridgefield Multicultural Festival is an annual celebration of cultures held in downtown Ridgefield, WA, on Saturday, Sept. 5. This is a free, kid-friendly event where everyone is welcome. The festival includes talented cultural musicians, dancers, community groups, vendors, food carts and more.
Get spooky. Celebrate with people who take Halloween seriously! Local artists and vendors will have all kinds of unique items from horror masks to voodoo bags to jewelry to one of a kind artwork during the Halloween Swamp Meet at Oaks Park. Tarot readers, face painting, and a costume contest will help celebrate the best time of the year: Halloween!
Follow the crows. Join fellow bike riders for a group ride to see 27 of the 30 Wildwood Crows. Meet in front of OMSI at 1:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 6 to join riders. Details and route listed on Shift2Bikes.org website, go to date and look for ride title “Follow The CROWS.”
For the truck lovers. See big trucks up close in the west parking lot during the Truck Day event at Beaverton Library on Sept. 9 from 10:30-11:30 am.
Celebrate Clinton. Celebrate your Clinton and Division neighbors by joining in the Clinton Street Fair on September 12 for an unforgettable day of local art, music, food and good community vibes!
Celebrate Beaverton. Head southwest for the Beaverton Celebration Parade on Saturday, September 12. There will be plenty of marching bands and colorful floats!
Porch tunes. Haven’t made it to the Porch Concert Series in St. Johns yet? There’s two remaining concerts happening this month (Sept. 12 and 26).
Dress up. A second Abby’s Closet Homecoming Dress Giveaway, featuring over 1,400 short dresses perfect for your fall festivities is happening on Sept. 12 from 10 am-1 pm. Think of it as a back-to-school appetizer to the 2027 Abby’s Closet Prom Dress Giveaway! Pro tip: Organizers are also accepting formalwear donations.
Tomato, tomahtoh. Love tomatoes? Then don’t miss the 6th Annual Tomato Fest, hosted by the Oregon State Culinary Breeding Network and Wellspent Market. Sample a variety of tomatoes, buy produce, meet farmers, plus activities for kids, cooking demos and lots of tasty food.
Celebrate autumn. Head to the 5th Annual Portland Mid Autumn Festival, a two-day celebration that brings together thousands of community members to experience one of Asia’s most cherished holidays. Held at Shun Fat Supermarket Sept. 12-13, the Portland Mid Autumn Festival celebrates the traditions of the Mid Autumn Festival through food, culture, entertainment, and community.
Prost! Looking for family-friendly Oktoberfest events? We’ve got you covered!
¡Viva fiesta! Celebrate the Independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries, while kicking off National Hispanic Heritage Month during the two-day El Grito festival at the Moda Center on Sept. 15-16. Hear amazing music from live mariachi bands and see dancers in beautiful, colorful outfits. Taste the authentic Mexican food and refreshing drinks from local vendors.
Park freebies. Metro has free parking on Sept. 17 at its parks! And also on Sept. 17 is free admission at our national parks!
Kids fest. On September 27 from noon-6 pm, don’t miss the fourth annual Multicultural Kids Festival at Ventura Park next to Ventura Park Elementary. The event will feature a vibrant showcase of multicultural performances and activities such as a climbing wall, petting zoo, bounce houses, and art classes.
Celebrate Cully. Head to the 3rd Annual CullyFest on Saturday, Sept. 19 — a day of fun, connection, and neighborhood spirit. Enjoy food, vendors and all-day entertainment!
Cześć! Celebrate all things Poland during the Portland Polish Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20 at 3900 N Interstate Ave. for a weekend filled with authentic food, live music, captivating dance performances, cultural exhibits and more.
Cider-ific. Get ready for history, community, cider, and fun on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 12-4 pm during Cedar Mill Cider Festival on the grounds of the historic John Quincy Adams Young House at 12050 NW Cornell Road. The neighborhood event, will feature fresh cider created on antique presses, musical entertainment and more.
Plan a fun outing with your library’s cultural passes. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system here to see where you can go. (Check your library system for the most up-to-date information on where passes are accepted.)
Go for a bike ride. From classics to new favorites, check out these kid-friendly bike paths.
Roll out. Don’t miss the last Portland Sunday Parkways of the season on Sunday, September 13 in downtown Portland.
Move time. Tigard Parks & Rec presents Movies in the Park on Sept. 13. Meet at Universal Plaza for a special showing of The Mandalorian and Grogu. Come early to play in the splash pad, compete in games, visit our vendor booths and win prizes.
