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Summer Concert Round-Up
Savor Portland’s glorious summer with outdoor concerts ranging from multi-day festivals to free noon shows in the park.
It takes a fair amount of rain to keep Portland’s trees green and flowers blooming, so by June, we’re all more than ready for a long string of warm, sunny days. That pent-up desire for sunny weather may explain our skill at making the most of the long days and warm nights with outdoor concerts. Come summertime, Portland overflows with things to do — especially when it comes to music. Discover some of our favorite summer concert series in The Rose City.
Noon Tunes
June–July
For decades, Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland has hosted Noon Tunes, a free lunchtime concert series. In 2024 the series expands to include 16 free concerts, taking place every Tuesday and Thursday from June 4–July 30. Bring your own brown bag lunch or buy something to eat at one of the Square’s food carts, then grab a seat on the brick steps to enjoy some midday music.
Summertime Shows
Discover the sounds of summer at these annual concert series around Portland.
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
With acts that have ranged from Phoebe Bridgers to Stevie Wonder, McMenamins Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn are an annual rite of summer and a hot ticket for cool nights.
Pickathon Music Festival
Every August, Pickathon draws diverse musical performers to celebrate music and the outdoors at the lush Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland.
Chamber Music Northwest’s Summer Festival
Chamber Music Northwest’s annual summer festival combines high-caliber classical music with a laid-back atmosphere.
Zoo Nights at the Oregon Zoo
June–August
The concerts on the lawn at the Oregon Zoo span summer and the decades. Having undergone a recent transformation, 2024 brings Friday evenings of fun from mid-June to late August, with live music on the lawn at 6:30 p.m. and activities from 5:30 p.m. Advanced tickets (sold separately) must be purchased online.
Americana Harvest Fest
June–August
Topaz Farm on Sauvie Island is the site for the newly expanded Americana Harvest Fest. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy live music on the farm, surrounded by farm animals, u-pick fields, and the market bar and grill.
Waterfront Blues Festival
July
For 38 years, the Waterfront Blues Festival has brought some of the world’s best blues, funk and soul music to the banks of the Willamette River. The view is stellar and the music is celebratory at Tom McCall Waterfront Park making this festival the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July Weekend.
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
July
You can experience history at the longest-running jazz and blues festival west of the Mississippi River. Cathedral Park is the stunning setting for this free concert series beneath the St. Johns Bridge.
Portland Festival Symphony
July
Every summer, the Portland Festival Symphony returns with free weekend concerts performed by a full symphony orchestra. These concerts occur in some of the city’s most gorgeous public parks, so bring your picnic blankets and baskets for a perfect summer evening.
Project Pabst
July
Project Pabst is a two-day, two-stage adults-only concert/party featuring big name acts that span the decades from Billy Idol and Violent Femmes to Big Thief and Denzel Curry. Single-day or two-day passes are required. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age.
Music on Main
July–August
Held every Wednesday evening from July 10–August 28 next to downtown Portland’s historic Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Music on Main fills the city center with the sounds of live music. Food and drink are available for sale, but seating is limited (so arrive early!).
Summer Free for All Concerts in the Park
July–August
Portland Parks and Recreation’s Summer Free for All program includes the popular free concerts in public parks around the city, held almost every night in July and August. Enjoy live music along with local food carts and kid-friendly pop-up activities.
PDX Live Concert Series
August
Some big names in music descend on Pioneer Courthouse Square each August for PDX Live. The 2025 series opens with Royel Otis on August 6. A number of popular acts are scheduled to perform over the two-week run before the series wraps August 21 with a performance by The Roots.
Mentioned Elsewhere Online
City of Portland
Sounds of Summer
Find plenty of opportunities to hear live music this season.
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