Search Summer in Portland
Portland packs the sunniest season with festivals celebrating the city's music scene, craft beer culture, LGBTQ+ pride, outdoor art walks and much more.
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 Waterfront Blues 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.
Credit: Diego Diaz
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.
Summer Events and Festivals
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.
More Summer Events
Experience the best of summer in Portland at these annual warm-weather events.
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.
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.
And the fun doesn’t stop there — from First Thursday in the Pearl to Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts District to First Friday in the Central Eastside, art walks all over town provide great opportunities to explore Portland’s dynamic art scene.
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.
Outdoor Movies
Partnering with the Oregon State Parks Department, the Hollywood Theatre brings a series of film screenings to 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 movie.
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.
Credit: Ashley Anderson
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 Treats in Portland
Looking for the perfect meal to beat the heat? From tropical acai bowls to guacamole-covered cucumbers — and from creative cocktails to creamy cold brews — Portland offers a wide variety of unbeatable summertime food and beverages.
Satisfying Summer Bites & Beverages
Stay energized and hydrated with offerings from these summertime favorites.
Portland is also famed worldwide for its thriving street food scene, anchored by our 500+ food carts. Most food carts are organized into pods — groups of carts gathered in a single location, often with seating and other amenities — and there’s no better time to visit a food cart pod than when the sun is shining. Our handy Food Cart Finder lets you filter pods and carts by cuisine, offerings, special diets and more:
Of course no meal is truly complete without a refreshing dessert — or maybe you’re in the mood for a just-because, middle-of-the-day indulgence. Portland has plenty to offer: Treat yourself to ice cream, frozen yogurt, popsicles and more.
Ice Cream & Other Refreshing Treats
Find a perfect spot to cool off and satisfy your sweet tooth.
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.
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