One of our favorite free ways to celebrate the season is with a holiday tree lighting, and — lucky for us — there are lots of trees to be lit in the Portland area. Find an in-person tree lighting ceremony near you, and start the season with a little sparkle. You just might see Santa there, too. Best of all, tree lighting ceremonies are free to attend!
MAKE MAGIC AND MEMORIES AT BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE. This post is generously sponsored by Bridgeport Village. Don’t miss their holiday happenings, including visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus story times, musical performances, a whimsical holiday parade, and more! Discover the magic of the holidays with an exclusive family-friendly event calendar at Oregon’s premier shopping destination — the most festive place for holiday ambiance, gift giving, and everything else on your list.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Looking for an in-person tree lighting ceremony? Check out the following events:
St. Paul Rodeo and July 4 Parade
The St. Paul Rodeo is an annual tradition since 1935! Enjoy five days filled with color, action, excitement, and something for everyone, plus special events on July 4. The parade […]
The Helvetia Lavender Festival Returns for it’s 17th Year
Helvetia Lavender Farm 12814 NW Bishop Rd., HIllsboro, ORThe annual Helvetia Lavender Festival will be held the first two weekends in July: Friday through Sunday. This popular and well-known mid-summer family activity located in the beautiful hills of […]
Pedalpalooza – Bike Summer
Bike Summer (aka Pedalpalooza) is a festival of bikey fun! Most rides are free and all are open to the public to join. It's three whole months of fun on […]
Cool Off at a Splash Pad
Cool off at a splash pad! We love this safe, fun option for beating the heat with kids of all ages. Click on the neighborhood links in our Splash Pads […]
Farmers Market Fun
Shop local at a Portland-area farmers market this weekend! Think fresh produce, local cheese, and maybe even a little chocolate or wine to round out your haul. Plus, many have […]
Bounce, Play, and Feed the Animals of Frog Pond Farm
Frog Pond Farm 2995 SW Advance Rd, Wilsonville, OR, United StatesCome meet the newest (and cutest!) members of the farm. With over 80 friendly animals and activities spanning 10+ acres, there’s always something new to discover at Frog Pond Farm. […]
Home Depot Kid Workshops
Home DepotFree In-Store Kids Workshops! Each workshop has a different craft for kids to make: May 3: Birdy Buffet June 7: Baseball Game July 5: Toucan Mobile *Confirm specific workshop activity […]
Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center
Pearson Field Education Center 201 A E Reserve St, Vacouver, WA, United StatesWelcome to Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center in Vancouver, WA! Join us on Saturdays from 10am-3pm for a day of STEAM education through aviation. Our center is perfect […]
The Helvetia Lavender Festival Returns for it’s 17th Year
Helvetia Lavender Farm 12814 NW Bishop Rd., HIllsboro, ORThe annual Helvetia Lavender Festival will be held the first two weekends in July: Friday through Sunday. This popular and well-known mid-summer family activity located in the beautiful hills of […]
Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians
World Forestry Center's Discover Musuem 4033 SW Canyon Road World Forestry Center, Portland, O, United States“We must walk lightly when we are between worlds with this sacred being.” – Phillip Cash Cash Indigenous peoples have long been in relationship with and shared stories about sacred forest […]
Real History at Philip Foster Farm
Philip Foster Farm 22631-22725 SE Eagle Creek Rd, Eagle Creek, OregonReal History! Real Fun! On the Philip Foster Farm! Come visit Philip Foster Farm on the Oregon Trail where you can come visit our local historians and get a guided […]
Saturday Train Ride
Oregon Rail Heritage Center 2250 SE Water Avenue, Portland, ORNothing says summer like a sunny afternoon and a scenic train ride! Treat yourself to a 45-minute journey with scenic views along the Willamette River. Whether you're with family, friends, […]
Waterfront Blues Festival
Tom McCall Waterfront Park 98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR, United StatesThe Waterfront Blues Festival is returning to Waterfront Park for two jam-packed days on July 4 & 5, 2025! There's a super fun area for families to gather at the […]
Tallulah’s Daddy at Mississippi Pizza
Mississippi Pizza Pub 3552 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR, United StatesJoin Tallulah's Daddy at Mississippi Pizza for musical fun! Tallulah's Daddy plays fun, energetic, interactive acoustic music for kids and families. Mississippi Pizza is Portland's premier venue for family music. […]
Hillsboro Hops Fourth of July Celebration
Hillsboro Ballpark 4460 NE Century Blvd, Hillsboro, ORKick off America's birthday the right way with America's favorite pastime, a Budweiser block party, and the best fireworks show in town. Fireworks continue on Saturday, July 5 as part […]
“Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position”
Osterman Theatre (on the Clackamas Community College Campus) 19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, O, United StatesWhen Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are approached by twin sisters who have fallen victim to a shady employment scheme, the detective duo quickly find themselves navigating a mysterious web of intrigue and danger. […]
First Sunday OMSI $5 Days
OMSIExplore the museum’s permanent exhibit halls and labs for just $5 per person on the first Sunday of each month. Tickets for Empirical Theater and Kendall Planetarium shows, tours of […]
Pedalpalooza – Bike Summer
Bike Summer (aka Pedalpalooza) is a festival of bikey fun! Most rides are free and all are open to the public to join. It's three whole months of fun on […]
Cool Off at a Splash Pad
Cool off at a splash pad! We love this safe, fun option for beating the heat with kids of all ages. Click on the neighborhood links in our Splash Pads […]
Farmers Market Fun
Shop local at a Portland-area farmers market this weekend! Think fresh produce, local cheese, and maybe even a little chocolate or wine to round out your haul. Plus, many have […]
Tigard Farmers Market
Universal Plaza 9100 SW Burnham Street, Tigard, ORTigard Farmers Market at Universal Plaza in Downtown Tigard. The market runs every Sunday, May-October from 9am-1:30pm. There's activities for kids, including a splash pad, food trucks, and a great […]
Bounce, Play, and Feed the Animals of Frog Pond Farm
Frog Pond Farm 2995 SW Advance Rd, Wilsonville, OR, United StatesCome meet the newest (and cutest!) members of the farm. With over 80 friendly animals and activities spanning 10+ acres, there’s always something new to discover at Frog Pond Farm. […]
Music with Mr. Ben!
Wonderwood Springs 7410 N. Chicago Ave., Portland, ORMusic with Mr. Ben is back at Wonderwood Springs this Sunday (and every Sunday). Enjoy a morning of live music. Perfect for kids and adults alike!
Blossom & Bounty: AANHPI Summer Market
Lan Su Annex between NW Flanders & NW Glisan Streets and NW 2nd & 3rd Avenues, with entrance on NW 3rd Avenue, Portland, O, United StatesThis exciting new market highlights and celebrates the talents of local AANHPI artists, makers, creatives, farmers, and cultural organizations. Visit weekly for a fresh selection of plants, produce, handmade goods, […]
Lincoln City Sunday Market
Lincoln City Cultural Center 540 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, ORKicking off Mother's Day and running until the season ends October 12th! Come check out the Lincoln Sunday Market at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. 10 AM - 3 PM. […]
The Helvetia Lavender Festival Returns for it’s 17th Year
Helvetia Lavender Farm 12814 NW Bishop Rd., HIllsboro, ORThe annual Helvetia Lavender Festival will be held the first two weekends in July: Friday through Sunday. This popular and well-known mid-summer family activity located in the beautiful hills of […]
Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians
World Forestry Center's Discover Musuem 4033 SW Canyon Road World Forestry Center, Portland, O, United States“We must walk lightly when we are between worlds with this sacred being.” – Phillip Cash Cash Indigenous peoples have long been in relationship with and shared stories about sacred forest […]
Portland Japanese Garden Celebrates Tanabata, the Star Festival
Portland Japanese Garden 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland, ORTanabata, the Star Festival, is one of five seasonal festivals that has been celebrated in Japan since the eighth century. Each summer in Japan, people prepare for the festival by […]
Ride the Trains at the Molalla Train Park
The Molalla Train Park 31803 S Shady Dell Rd., Molalla, ORSince 1954, Molalla Train Park has held a special place in the hearts of families Tailored to train enthusiasts, the park offers exciting train rides from May to October. The […]
Forest Education Programs at the Tillamook Forest Center!
Tillamook Forest Center 45500 Wilson River Highway, Tillamook, OR, United StatesOur summer programs that will be happening most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Naturalist led programs on subjects such as cougars, owls, bats, and more! […]
Sunday Crafternoon
SCRAP PDX 619 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OregonJoin us for Crafternoon, a self-guided, themed crafting session with reuse materials! Our weekly themes vary, offering exciting inspiration like seasonal decor, miniatures, paper crafts, and unusual material challenges. All […]
“Sherlock Holmes and the Precarious Position”
Osterman Theatre (on the Clackamas Community College Campus) 19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, O, United StatesWhen Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are approached by twin sisters who have fallen victim to a shady employment scheme, the detective duo quickly find themselves navigating a mysterious web of intrigue and danger. […]
Robotics/Engineering Camps at Reed College
Reed College 3203 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard, Portland, OR, United StatesPortland Innovation Lab at Reed College offers highly engaging Robotics and Engineering camps for 10-13 and 14-17 year-olds. Our programs inspire creativity and innovation in a hands-on learning setting. 7/7-7/11 […]