Summer in Portland
Portland packs the sunniest season with festivals celebrating the city's music, craft beer, contemporary art and internationally-acclaimed culinary scene.
Summer in Portland may be one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Days are long and (mostly) dry, temperatures are comfortably warm, and the city makes the most of these conditions with outdoor celebrations and exciting things to do running well into September. There’s no better time for hikes, taking a dip in the Willamette River or heading to a nearby farm to pick (and devour) delicious berries. Meanwhile, annual summertime events and festivals include the joyous Portland Pride Festival and Parade, the epic Oregon Brewers Festival, and Pickathon Music Festival.
Summer Weather
During Portland’s summers, the days are warm (average high 78° F/25° C) with blissfully low humidity. Rain is rare and the evenings are long (the sun doesn’t set until around 9 p.m. in June and July).
What to Pack
If you’re visiting Portland in the summertime, we recommend packing typical warm weather attire (think shorts, t-shirts and open-toed shoes) along with a few layers (like a light jacket) for cooler evenings spent outside.
Summer Treats in Portland
Stay energized and hydrated with tropical açaí bowls, guacamole-covered cucumbers and organic frozen yogurt. Then, treat yourself to creative cocktails, caffeinated milkshakes, creamy cold brews, and other quintessentially Portland bevies.
Refreshing Summer Snacks
Everyone’s favorite summer appetizer becomes even more refreshing with one simple, creative substitution at Mexican-inspired mainstay ¿Por Qué No?. Next time you order guacamole for the table, swap housemade chips for sliced cucumbers topped with fresh lime juice and chili salt. Delicious and hydrating!
Start your morning with a healthy breakfast rich in fiber, vitamins, veggies and vibrant flavor. Chic brunch spot Harlow specializes in scrambles, wraps, salads, smoothies and bowls — one of their most popular offerings is the Betty Bowl. They start with your choice of quinoa or rice, add a scoop of daily beans, then pile on steamed kale, roasted vegetables, sea vegetables, kimchi and more. Add avocado or a poached egg to kick things up another notch.
Crisp Salads, a sophisticated salad bar, has plenty of great gourmet options on the menu, but why settle for someone else’s dream salad when you can create your own? Select from a variety of greens, a long list of dressings, and dozens of fresh ingredients — think beets, roasted pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and smoked wild salmon — to build your own perfect, healthy lunch.
The Yogi Bowl at Carioca Bowls is a tropical vacation in a dish. Start by picking any two açaí blends, like the “Pure” blend for cleansing or the “Copa” blend for energizing. They’ll top this antioxidant-rich base with granola, sliced banana, strawberries, peanut butter, toasted coconut and cinnamon. Add local Honey Mama’s chocolate pieces or Jem Organics cashew cardamom spread for next-level snacking decadence.
Cool off with an organic, probiotic-rich treat at dessert destination Eb & Bean. This artisanal fro-yo shop offers classic tart, chocolate and vanilla as well as five rotating flavors made from coconut, almond, cashew and cow milks. An incredible array of locally made toppings, like salted vanilla caramel corn and cold brew bourbon sauce, makes your excursion even sweeter.
Only-in-Portland Summer Drinks
The cocktail list at Hale Pele is an impressive assortment of all things tropical: fruit juice, coconut, tartness, tang — even group drinks for the whole table to share. But if it’s a drink for just one you’re after, why not try the classic that helped launch the tiki bar craze Hale Pele celebrates today: the Zombie Punch, which blends an assortment of rums with fresh juices (and dashes of spice). It’s strong. It’s refreshing. It’s delicious.
Portland’s latest coffee craze draws inspiration from the city’s other beverage of choice: beer. Stumptown Coffee Roasters locations now sport pressurized nitrogen taps that dispense not hoppy IPAs, but chocolate-y cold brew. The nitrogen gives the coffee a creamy, full-bodied texture with a thick head of foam reminiscent of a frothy pint of Guinness. Bottoms up!
Sometimes, in the summer, you simply must have a slushy. If you find yourself in such a mood, get to Hey Love, stat. With plants lining the walls and ceilings and a menu emphasizing fresh, bright ingredients, “it’s summer all year round” at Hey Love. The cocktail menu’s focus is on the summery as well — one of the many delicious options is the Oaxacan Sunrise, which combines a mezcal margarita, passion fruit puree and a strawberry slushy. (Plus it comes in a cactus-shaped glass — how fun is that?)
Cocktail aficionados will be familiar with the Martinez, a classic that prefigured the martini (basically, a Manhattan for gin lovers). Rum Club’s twist on this storied cocktail is the Pedro Martínez, a tempting marriage of rum, vermouth, maraschino and two types of bitters. It’s a refreshing summer drink that’s also rich and robust enough to win over imbibers who may prefers cocktails of the wintery variety.
Patty and Jim Roberts have been perfecting their handcrafted coffee concoctions since 1975, and their decadent mochas and milkshakes have become the stuff of local legend. Skip the Frappuccino line in favor of Jim and Patty’s original recipes, available in indulgent flavors like Caramel Fudge, Habanero Mocha, Mokaluah Screamer and Alameda Mudslide.
Spring’s first sunny days herald the return of the White Owl Social Club’s slushy machine, churning out sweet creations like the Hornitos Plata Margarita, plus an additional rotating slushy cocktail. Enjoy your refreshments on White Owl’s sprawling backyard patio, complete with a fire pit and tabletop s’mores — the ultimate summer dessert.
You’ll come to Victoria Bar for top-notch cocktails, like the perfect-for-summer Isla Bonita: a blended piña colada featuring chai-infused Bacardi Cuatro (plus coconut and lime, of course). You’ll stay for the menu of delicious, vegan-friendly pub fare. And you’ll keep on staying for the excellent, expansive patio, where you can enjoy your snacks and summer drinks with a side order of abundant fresh air.
Make a Splash
Beat the heat like a local by jumping into the nearest river, lake or fountain in Portland.
Swimming Holes Near Portland
Stay cool all summer long at these serene swimming spots, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest — and all less than an hour away from Portland.
Make a Splash in the Willamette River
When summertime heats up in Portland, cooling off is as easy as heading to one of the city's many riverfront beaches or docks for a refreshing dip or getting the gear for water sports such as kayaking, or SUP.
Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island, the Manhattan-size isle is one of the largest river islands in the country just north of Portland, is where families can find an entire day’s worth of adventures with swimming, hiking, birding and local farms.
Bike Summer in Portland
Whether you’re a cycling fanatic, an occasional cruiser or just a lover of fun events, Pedalpalooza has something for you. Extended throughout June, July and August, this bike- and fun-focused festival celebrates summer with over 100 rides throughout town.
Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join thousands of fellow bicyclists in crossing Portland’s car-free streets and bridges (including the upper decks of the Marquam and Fremont bridges). The Bridge Pedal is both one of the largest community bike rides in the world and one of the city’s favorite summertime traditions.
The largest of its kind in the world, Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride draws thousands of cyclists to cruise commando through the streets of Portland every June or July. The location of the bike ride is revealed mere days before the event, so keep your eyes on their website for more information.
Summer Activities
Make the most of Portland's epic summer season with these local activities.
Summer Events and Festivals
Summer Markets
Founded in 2020, the anti-racist Come Thru Black & Indigenous Market centers Black and Indigenous farmers and makers every other Monday afternoon at The Redd on Salmon Street in Southeast Portland. In addition to serving as an incubator for BIPOC growers and entrepreneurs, the Come Thru Market Farmer Training Program supports new farmers of color in Portland, including immigrants and refugees, in building their farmers’ market readiness and success.
My People’s Market allows shoppers a chance to discover the diversity of Portland. Connect with BIPOC entrepreneurs, makers, artists and culinary wizards while experiencing the sounds of local Portland artists and performers.
Since 1974, the Portland Saturday Market has been a beloved Rose City tradition that showcases handmade arts and crafts. On any given Saturday from spring through the day before Christmas, shoppers can tap their heels to bluegrass pickers and jazz musicians or sample ethnic eats like falafel or kielbasa while browsing wares sold by the makers themselves.
Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Portland State University’s Farmer’s Market fills two entire city blocks with organic produce, baked desserts and prepared foods (which, by the way, make for excellent local gifts for people from out of town). You’ll also see chef demonstrations, market music and a lineup of food education events all summer long.
Outdoor Performances
On Fridays in the summer, you can grab a picnic and head to the picturesque tranquility of Laurelhurst Park, where, nestled among the trees, you can watch some free Comedy in the Park put on by Kickstand Comedy. Every week, favorite local comedians and national comics come to please the crowd. Blankets drop at 6:00, but get there earlier to claim a good spot for viewing. The show is for all ages, but content may range from PG-13 to R, so it’s at a parent’s discretion to bring children.
Noon Tunes, presented by The Oregonian and 101.9 Kink, is a summer concert series that serenades tourists and office workers on their lunch breaks by bringing some of the region’s best musical talent to a stage in the middle of Pioneer Courthouse Square on Tuesdays in July and August. So bring your brown bag — or grab a bite at Carts on the Square — and soak in the tunes.
With a robust lineup of musical acts, PDX Live presents a series of outdoor concerts in Portland’s Living Room, Pioneer Courthouse Square throughout the summer months.
Inspired by Portland’s food cart culture, Opera a la Cart brings live opera directly into the community. Designed and built by architecture students at Portland State University, the cart features a fold-out stage and a “menu” of operatic specials of the day sung by local artists. It pops up at farmers’ markets, parks, festivals, street fairs and other events throughout the Portland region all summer.
Reed College in Southeast Portland hosts the yearly Chamber Music NW Summer Festival. Music fans share picnics and wine on the campus lawn before heading indoors to hear the sublime music.
Spreading music and delight throughout Portland, Piano Push Play presents a kick-off concert to commence a summer filled with music. You can catch – or stage your own – performances at these artistic pianos all around town.
Sounds of Summer
Happen upon, or seek out summer tunes in Portland.
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.
Chamber Music Northwest’s Summer Festival
Chamber Music Northwest’s annual summer festival combines high-caliber classical music with a laid-back atmosphere.
Piano Push Play Brings Music to the People
Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art which are distributed across the city.
Art Walks
The Art in the Pearl annual fine arts and crafts festival occurs every year on Labor Day weekend in the Pearl District’s North Park Blocks. The free event has been named one of the top such festivals in the country, where you can find art, theater, music, and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
Venturing beyond the borders of the central city, visitors can also find enjoyable events. Multnomah Days in Multnomah Village is one of Portland’s oldest street fairs. The St. Johns neighborhood hosts a yearly St. Johns Art Walk.
Outdoor Movies
Gather up the family and head to Pioneer Courthouse Square for free movies and popcorn under the stars. Transforming Portland’s Living Room into Portland’s largest outdoor movie theater, Flicks on the Bricks is held every year in July. Arrive early to score one of the limited theater-style seats, or bring your own low-back chairs, blankets or cushions.
Partnering with the Oregon State Parks Department, the Hollywood Theatre brings a series of screenings in Oregon State Parks. The Hollywood Theatre Outdoor Movies take place in parks within an hour’s drive of Portland, with film programming selected to complement the diverse features of each park. Explore Oregon parks’ amazing recreational amenities during the day, then sit back at dusk and catch a film.
Favorite Summer Events
Experience the best of summer in Portland at these annual warm-weather events.
Summer Festivals
The mesmerizing Festival of Balloons in Tigard (a suburb 30 minutes southwest of downtown Portland by car) brings more than a dozen brightly colored, colossal hot-air balloons to the sky every June. Enjoy balloon rides and a fair-like atmosphere, including a beer garden, live music and kid-friendly activities.
The Portland Craft Beer Festival brings a huge outdoor party to The Fields, along with a huge selection of local beers, ciders and wine, all crafted within Portland city limits.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, crowds of more than 100,000 will attend the Waterfront Blues Festival in downtown Portland, grooving to a star-studded lineup of blues artists by the river.
Known far and wide as a gay-friendly destination, Rose City is open and accepting to every kind of visitor. During the month of July, it gets friendlier than ever, with the Portland Pride Festival and Parade and various LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus) community celebrations all over town.
The Jazz Society’s Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is free, open to the public and held over three days in mid-July at Cathedral Park at the base of the St. Johns Bridge in the Cathedral Park neighborhood. Nearing four decades of history, the festival is the longest-running jazz and blues festival west of the Mississippi River.
The Vanport Jazz Festival honors the city of Vanport and the voices that formed Portland’s jazz community. Near the historic 1948 flood site, the event transforms Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming nationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz.
Since 1999, the Pickathon Music Festival, a celebrated multi-stage folk festival at the bucolic Pendarvis Farm just outside Portland, has attracted headliners like Feist and Andrew Bird while establishing itself as the nation’s greenest music festival.
Those in the know already consider Portland sneaker central. Meet the designers, connect with industry insiders and party with fellow sneakerheads during August’s Sneaker Week celebration. This year, the focus is on exposure for those new to the industry, and the schedule includes days dedicated to art, design, music, media, tech and science.
Creativity and horsepower are put to the test at the Adult Soapbox Derby each August. About 40 teams competing with their handmade carts — many boasting whimsical designs — boldly whizz downhill at Mt. Tabor Park.
Events By Month
Every month of summer in Portland offers its own unique events and experiences.
June Events
Portland's "festival season" warms up every June with the Portland Rose Festival, plentiful outdoor concerts and celebrations of cultural heritage.
July Events
July in Portland is a busy time, with a variety of live music, beer fests and film events to take in.
August Events
Biking across bridges and cheering on soapbox racers are two of many great August events in Portland.
Upcoming Summer Events
Enjoy these summertime events and festivals in and near Portland.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park
With its carts and vendors selling delicious meals under a lush green canopy of trees, this downtown farmer’s market at Shemanski Park is a popular lunch spot for good reason. Portland residents and visitors also use this shaded destination to buy locally grown groceries for dinner — or supplies for an alfresco picnic. (Wednesdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.)
Portland Rose Festival
Portland Rose Festival features multiple parades, waterfront carnival rides, concerts, races, fireworks and plenty of roses.
Rose Festival CityFair
Considered the "hub" of the annual Portland Rose Festival, CityFair fills Waterfront Park with carnival rides, concerts, food and fireworks for multiple weekends during the festival.
Rose Festival CareOregon Starlight Parade
The CareOregon Starlight Parade is one of the Rose Festival's most popular events, offering electrified, funky fun for everyone. From traditional marching bands and flood-lit floats to glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and unique hand-built entries, you’ll see representation from Portland’s diverse community groups (and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region), creating a vibe like no other on Portland's…
Rose Festival Fleet Week
Since 1907, visiting ships have made their way to Portland's waterfront. The City of Roses is known to be a favorite port of call for military (and non-military) visitors, as Portland's citizens thank them and make them feel welcome. The Portland Rose Festival is extremely fortunate to be one of a few U.S. Ports of…
Rose Festival Fred Meyer Junior Parade
From the moment the lovable Fred Bear cuts the ribbon to kick off the Fred Meyer Junior Parade, fun reigns. Children come from all parts of the city to join in: dressing in costume, transforming wagons into floats, decorating their bikes with colorful flowers, or just parading with their pets (and parents!). Elementary and Middle…
Rose Festival Queen’s Coronation presented by Unitus Community Credit Union
Who will become the next Queen of Rosaria? One of Portland's most time-honored traditions continues as the 2023 Rose Festival Court is presented, and the new reigning Queen is named during this special investiture ceremony. The Queen represents Portland and the Rose Festival for one year at appearances throughout the country and abroad. When choosing…
Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade
A cherished highlight of the Portland Rose Festival, this popular procession is more than just a spectacular floral-filled parade — it’s a beloved annual tradition. For more than 115 years, Portland families, visitors and community groups have been making memories at the Grand Floral Parade. A colorful reflection of local, regional and international communities, the…
PDX Beer Week
Portland Beer Week spotlights Portland’s breweries, high-quality brews and vibrant beer culture.
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
With acts that have ranged from Al Green to ZZ Top, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and the hottest ticket in town.
Edgefield Brewfest
Join McMenamins for brew-tiful fun at Edgefield, to celebrate all things hoppy, malty, fruity and delicious! Raise a pint (or several) from a selection of the Pacific Northwest's finest craft beers and ciders, and cheers to a summer of vibrant fun. In between tastings, wander through the lush gardens and explore the quaint buildings on…
Rose Festival Royal Rosarians Milk Carton Boat Race
A classic Rose Festival event and family-friendly community tradition dating back to 1973, the Milk Carton Boat Race is a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Children and adults race and show off their handmade, human-powered boats that float only employing recycled milk cartons and jugs. Creatively constructed watercraft will compete in nine categories, with…
Last Thursday
Last Thursday is a community-grown event, free for all artists and art vendors, musicians, performers and visitors. Alberta Street is closed to traffic for the Last Thursdays in June, July and August. On Last Thursday, galleries hold opening parties, and performance venues and bars often host live music and performances. If the weather is nice…
Bigfoot Adventure Cruise
Explore the history and lore of Bigfoot while traveling 80 miles (129 km) roundtrip on a high-speed jetboat from Portland to Multnomah Falls. See the landmarks along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers that make the Northwest famous while listening to exclusive narration by Cliff Barackman (star of Animal Planet‘s “Finding Bigfoot”) and a live tour…
St. Paul Rodeo
Located in the charming town of St. Paul, Oregon, this annual rodeo has been a beloved tradition for over eight decades. Experience the thrill of saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and the legendary bull riding that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats. With a rich history and a reputation for delivering…
Waterfront Blues Festival
Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Americana Harvest Fest
Topaz Farm is excited to announce the 2024 Americana Harvest Fest series. After last year's series, they are taking it up a notch (or two) for 2024 with a mix of nationally and internationally known folk, country, and bluegrass artists on Thursday nights in July and August. Adult tickets are $20 most nights, and all Thursday nights…
Mississippi Street Fair
Bustling North Mississippi Avenue closes down for a day of food, vendors, music and fun at Portland's largest street fair, Mississippi Street Fair. This year the fair will have the following: Three Music Stages, Kids Zone, Grandfathers Rib-Off Competition, Hundreds Of Vendors, Shopping and Dining,
CF Cycle For Life
Join in on the 15th annual CF Cycle for Life event and ride through some of the most picturesque and scenic terrains in the Willamette Valley’s famed wine country. Start the ride in the heart of wine country, beginning and ending at Lady Hill Winery, located in St. Paul, OR, across from Historic Champoeg State Park,…
Fuji to Hood Beer Festival
Portland and Japan collaboration festival Fuji to Hood is a beer festival featuring 22 breweries and three cideries from Japan, collaborating with 25 of Portland's finest brewers, cidermakers, and craftsmen on original recipes using select Japanese ingredients. Organized by "Beer Friends," a new 501C4 organization presenting the third bi-annual Fuji to Hood beer festival, which…
Portland Pride
Every summer, the Portland Pride Festival & Parade makes a name for itself — and LGBTQ+ community members — all over town.
Sneaker Week
Sneaker Week offers fun events for sneaker addicts and footwear newbies alike.
WasabiCon PDX
WasabiCon PDX is a consumer focused media event designed to connect fans together in a fun, friendly, and entertaining environment. Started in Portland in 2012 under the name Newcon PDX, WasabiCon PDX is one of the PNW’s most popular anime conventions. The event focuses on five key facets of fandom: Anime (including Manga & Asian…
Pickathon
Every August, Pickathon draws diverse musical performers to celebrate music and the outdoors at the lush Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland.
Chinese Festival
Join the Oregon Chinese Coalition for the Chinese Festival in the Square. Celebrate Chinese American culture and enjoy nonstop entertainment, delicious Chinese food, authentic arts and crafts, and much more. For more information visit pdxchinese.org.
PDX Live Concert Series
Pioneer Courthouse Square (The Square) and True West, one of the leading independent concert promoters and event producers in the Pacific Northwest, bring back the PDX LIVE concert series. Show schedule: August 7 – Sleater-Kinney / Amyl and the Sniffers August 8-9 – Ween August 10 – Descendents August 11 – The Japanese House August 12 – Sierra…
Elephant Garlic Festival
The Annual Elephant Garlic Festival is a three-day festival celebrating, you guessed it, elephant garlic. The family-friendly event includes a parade, a 10K and a 5K run, live music, a kids' play area, crafts vendors and more. Fun stinks.
Bridge Pedal
Portland's annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city's iconic bridges and biking culture. Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges (including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges). Portland’s Bridge Pedal is one of the largest…
Portland Adult Soapbox Derby
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby at Mt. Tabor Park pits grown-up kids against each other every August in pursuit of speed and laughs.
Events in Portland Today, Tomorrow and This Weekend
Things to Do in Portland Today
Today is a beautiful day to explore all that Portland has to offer. This page lists the best Portland events, festivals, concerts, tours and exhibitions that are happening today.
Things to Do in Portland Tomorrow
Are you going to be in town and looking for something to do tomorrow? There are so many fun things to do in Portland and tomorrow is the perfect day to explore.
Things to Do in Portland This Weekend
Looking for what to do in Portland this weekend? This page lists the best Portland events, festivals, concerts, tours and exhibitions that are happening this weekend.
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