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Free Things to Do in Portland
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy Portland.
They say the best things in life are free. Connect with nature, discover local artists or learn something new – all without spending a dime.
Free and Fun in Portland
Where can I find free things to do in Portland?
What are some free things to do in Portland with kids?
Where is the best view in Portland?
Where can I find murals or street art?
If you are an iOS user, you can download a free app that shows the location and description of public art throughout the city.
Central Library
Portland’s Central Library is the oldest public library on the West Coast. Built in 1913, the library boasts more than 17 miles of bookshelves and artwork, much of which reflects a “Garden of Knowledge” theme. Highlights include the ornately decorated stairs and a 14-foot cast-bronze tree in the children’s room. The tree’s bark is a sculptural relief of images that intrigue children: vines, musical instruments, toys, ballet slippers, animals, storybook characters and letters.
Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Portland is home to more working steam locomotives than any other city in the country, and you’ll find them at the volunteer-run Oregon Rail Heritage Center, opened in 2012. Guided interpretation, presentations, exhibits and events tell the story of Pacific Northwest railroads and, during the holiday season, light-adorned “Holiday Express” trains tour passengers along the Willamette River. Located near OMSI and accessible via Portland Streetcar.
Know Before You Go
As of June 30, 2021, COVID restrictions have been lifted in Portland and the state of Oregon. While events are now allowed, some events may still be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check the event website for the most up-to-date information.
Monthly Gallery Walks
During the monthly First Thursday event , galleries in Old Town, the Pearl District and downtown stay open late, inviting the public to mingle with the artists and explore new exhibits. The streets buzz with performers, sidewalk artists and enthusiastic crowds, and many galleries offer free appetizers and wine. See a map of participating galleries.
Complementing First Thursday is Northeast Alberta Street’s Last Thursday event, which falls on the last Thursday evening of each month. Held on Northeast Alberta Street between 15th and 30th avenues, this event offers plenty of gallery shows, plus sidewalk vendors, live music and a street-fair vibe. Participating venues include Ampersand, Antler, Guardino Gallery and others.
Portland’s newest monthly art event is First Friday in the Central Eastside district, just across the Willamette River from downtown. Several First Friday shows and events are held in artists’ studios, cafés and other nontraditional exhibit spaces.
Free Museum Admission Days
The Oregon Historical Society has free admission days throughout the year, check their website for details. The Portland Art Museum offers free admission the first Thursday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Admission is always free for ages 17 and under, veterans and active-duty military.
Affordable Attractions
Traveling on a budget? There's a lot to see and do without overspending.
Forest Park
For outdoor enthusiasts, winter and fall are a wonderful time to hike through Forest Park, the nation’s largest urban wilderness. This nearly 5,000-acre wilderness has miles of hiking, jogging and mountain biking trails that are relatively free of traffic during the cooler winter months. Autumn sees the park’s mostly evergreen forest dotted with vibrant fall color. This is the perfect time of year to escape to the quiet solitude of the woods — and all within a 10-minute drive of most downtown hotels.
The Grotto
The Grotto, a 62-acre Catholic sanctuary, is one of Portland’s most visited attractions, greeting more than 175,000 guests of all faiths each year. Visitors can stroll through this natural gallery in the woods; view the marble replica of Michelangelo’s famous Pietà, carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff. The entire lower level is free. Ride the elevator ($6) to the top of the bluff for an impressive, panoramic view of the area’s highlights, including the Columbia River Valley, the Cascade Mountain Range and Mount St. Helens.
Hoyt Arboretum
Home to plants from seven continents, this 185-acre hiker’s paradise contains more than 2,000 species of trees and 12 miles of trails. At the south end of the Hoyt Arboretum is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. An interpretive center offers restrooms, maps and brochures.
International Rose Test Garden
In Washington Park, you can also explore one of the largest and oldest rose test gardens in the country — for free. This is the largest of Portland’s three rose gardens. Started in 1917, the International Rose Test Garden, just minutes from downtown Portland, has 10,000 rose bushes, spectacular views of the city and an on-site gift shop.
Free tours are offered daily at 1 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Parks & Gardens
Lush forests, gorgeous gardens and scenic views await in Portland's parks and gardens
Forest Park
Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.
Portland International Rose Test Garden
The oldest official continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States, the Portland International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park features more than 10,000 roses, great views of the skyline and the Cascades.
The Grotto
This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens. No matter what time of year you visit, the Grotto offers calm, peace and introspection, transcending boundaries.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Located in the heart of downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is affectionately known as the city’s “living room.” Once a grim parking structure, the square is now a thriving urban park and the single most-visited site in Oregon, attracting more than 9.5 million visitors annually. The square’s on-site resources include TriMet’s bus and light rail ticket office. The square is also one of Portland’s leading outdoor venues, hosting 300 events each year, from large-scale concerts to cultural festivals.
Portland Farmers Market
Enjoy live music and samples of wonderful locally grown and prepared foods. During peak season, farmers’ markets are held on most days of the week around the city. At the Saturday market, chefs demonstrate how to create dishes with fresh market ingredients.
Locations/dates: The flagship market is held year-round on Saturdays in the South Park Blocks at Portland State University. On Mondays, the market comes to Pioneer Courthouse Square (June-Sept.), and Wednesday’s market is held in the South Park Blocks of the Cultural District (May-October). Hours vary by location.
Portland Saturday Market
Even though the Portland Saturday Market shuts down in January and February, it’s still a great summer, fall and early-winter attraction. You don’t have to buy anything, just browse through booth after booth of handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing and artwork. Street musicians, local performers, tarot card readers and international food kiosks round out the scene. The people staffing the booths are typically the artists who created the crafts for sale and they’re always happy to talk about their trade.
Powell’s City of Books
Spend an afternoon exploring Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, covering an entire city block. Boasting more than 1 million titles, Powell’s is a mecca for bibliophiles searching for used, out-of-print, rare or autographed books. While the browsing is free, book-lovers will be hard-pressed not to purchase something — especially from the bargain tables. Browsers are welcome to take up to three titles into the coffee shop for perusing. Ride Powell’s three-door elevator — one of only a handful in the United States — or check out the Rare Book Room.
Free Events
Discover More Free Things to Do in Portland
Pedalpalooza
Portland’s cycling culture peaks during summer’s multi-week Pedalpalooza, featuring 200+ local-led, themed rides, all open to the public.
Sneaker Week
Sneaker Week offers fun events for sneaker addicts and footwear newbies alike.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Started in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration that occurs on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people that includes art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be…
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Chinese Festival
Chinese Festival is back. As Oregon reopens the Chinese Festival is returning to Pioneer Courthouse Square. This year celebrate, once again, Chinese culture and community. Coming back are the spectacular performances, delicious Chinese food, music and arts from local artists and more. Come celebrate with a full day of programming suitable for all ages.
Woodstock Farmers Market
The popular Woodstock Farmers Market features fresh produce, baked goods, fresh juices, sweets, cheese, meat and more from 30+ vendors, along with artisan-made products like jewelry, ceramics and art.
Elephant Garlic Festival
The 23rd Annual Elephant Garlic Festival is a three-day festival celebrating, you guessed it, elephant garlic. The family-friendly event includes a parade, 10K run, live music, kids play area, crafts vendors and more. Fun stinks.
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a monthly market held on the last Sunday of the month in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally-sourced goods in town.
Multnomah Days
Portland’s Multnomah Village is filled with character – as well as dozens of unique shops, galleries, restaurants, arts and more. Multnomah Days is an annual one-day, open-air, family-friendly street festival with scheduled live musical acts, street entertainers, art and vendor booths as well as food & beverage services via outdoor street dining and food carts.
Parkrose Marketplace
The Parkrose Marketplace is an event aimed at giving more support and visibility to local small businesses and artists while providing a safe social event to connect with your neighbors, shop with great home-based vendors, and enjoy local food, coffee, arts & crafts. The Marketplace has over 60 vendors offering art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, culinary…
Fremont Fest
The Fremont Fest is an annual street fair and festival celebrating the Beaumont Business Community and the Beaumont/Wilshire Neighborhoods. Come enjoy the summer and everything that this wonderful neighborhood has to offer. Head to Portland’s annual Fremont Fest to enjoy a bike and pet parade, shopping specials, vendor booths, live music, kid-friendly games and a…
Hawthorne Street Fair
Visit one of Portland’s original “shop local” districts every August for the Hawthorne Street Fair, where you can explore over 200 businesses while enjoying food, beer and activities. Hawthorne: From the Drawbridge to the Volcano.
Portland Paseo
Portland Paseo is an afternoon/evening community gathering over two days, August 28 and 29. Inspired by the Spanish custom of the evening walk that reawakens the city, it is a linear celebration of artists, music, performances, visual art, street food, and artisan markets honoring and amplifying the amazing work of our BIPOC communities and the…
Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
The Art in the Pearl annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival occurs every year on Labor Day weekend in the Pearl District’s North Park Blocks. The Festival is free and requires no tickets for entry. Art In The Pearl has been named one of the top 10 Arts and Crafts Festivals in the country and…
El Grito
El Grito Fiestas Patrias celebrates the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries from Spain. As the Mexican President presents the nation’s traditional El Grito in Mexico City, so too will Portland commemorates Mexico’s independence at the Moda Center/Rose Quarter Commons. Join in the most important holiday celebrated by the Hispanic community in Oregon….
Spirit of Halloweentown
The historic town of St. Helens, located 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all month long with haunted tours, costume contests and more.
GeekCraft Expo
GeekCraft Expo is a curated craft market specializing in handmade, “geek”-themed crafts of all kinds; clothing, accessories, toys, home decoration, furniture, art . . . if it’s geeky and made by hand, it can be found at a GeekCraft Expo. Cosplay is highly encouraged and admission is free (you just need to pre-register).
Portland Open Studios: Artists At Work
For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
Christmas Ship Parade
The Christmas Ship Parade began in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Today, the Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the Columbia and Willamette River fleets, with displays that are brightly lit and can be seen from bank to bank on each river. The boats, 14 to 65…
Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market
Portland’s biannual art and craft fair boasts unique handmade wares from 225+ local vendors.
Michelle Ramin, 2021 Artist Fellowship Recipient
Portland, OR. July 23 – October 14 — Stumptown Coffee Roasters is excited to present Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea by Michelle Ramin, our newest Portland Fellow. Starting July 23rd, visitors at our downtown cafe will be able to view this series. Her work will be on display until October 14th, 2021. Hailing from the mountains…
Walking Presented by PDX Contemporary Art
PDX CONTEMPORARY ART presents Walking, a group exhibition bringing together 32 artists to create a visual representation and documentation of journeys taken afoot.
Last Thursday Event – "Mountain Madness"
Featuring mixed media and watercolor artist, Michelle Purvis and reclaimed wood artist, Heather Kolbo Artists’ Reception 7/29/21. 5 to 8pm Mountains, mountains, mountains. So much mountain art it’s madness. Don’t miss the epic show depicting beautiful mountains by mixed media and watercolor artist Michelle Purvis and reclaimed wood artist, Heather Kolbo.
Last Thursday Event: "Glittering Flight"
Featuring Ceramics by Veronica Arquilevich Guzman and Jewelry by Leslie McMillan Artists’ Reception 7/29/21. 5 to 8pm Leslie transforms silver, copper and brass into wearable art that has a subtle simplicity. Verónica creates unique ceramic pieces using a wheel first and then forming them into whimsical animals or nature-inspired pieces.
Friends of Noise Presents at the US Customs House
Come see some of the best all-ages artists on our roster as we take over the Prosper Portland Stage in front of the US Customs House on the NW Park Blocks! Hip Hop, Singer-songwriters, Jazz you name it. Remember ITSHIPTOTIP. Friends of Noise supports creative youth in Portland through all-ages concerts, workshops and experience navigating…
Time Being Presented by Oregon Contemporary
Time Being: a group exhibition featuring local artists Bean Gilsdorf, Lisa Jarrett, Jaleesa Johnston, Elizabeth Malaska, Maya Vivas, and Samantha Wall. This exhibition explores the figure and the body in different ways unique to each of the featured artists.
Sakha Aesthesis: A Solo Exhibition by Yulia Pinkusevich
Sakha Aesthesis At MinEastry of Postcollapse Art and Culture Opening reception: Friday, July 23, 2021 at 5pm-8pm MinEastry of Postcollapse Art and Culture is pleased to present Sakha Aesthesis, a solo exhibition by Yulia Pinkusevich. Oakland-based artist, Yulia Pinkusevich’s research-based and deeply personal presentation of the Sakha Earth, Mother, and Air spirit worlds pays homage…
Steelheaders Rally for the River Pint Night
On August 4th, join us for a Pint Night at Hopworks Urban Brewery at 6pm. Meet other Steelheaders and learn about the dire need for a salmon recovery plan that restores a free-flowing lower Snake River. Salmon don’t have any more time to wait: beloved Chinook and B-run steelhead runs across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho…
A Letter from Souls of The Dead by Aki Onda
After decades of a twinned music/visual-art practice, A Letter from Souls of The Dead is the first major solo exhibition in the United States by Aki Onda. Commissioned by PICA and curated by Kristan Kennedy, Artistic Director and Curator of Visual Art, this exhibition will feature collections of found objects such as bells, surplus electronics,…
Resound: Angélica Maria Millán Lozano + Frankie Krupa Vahdani
Resound Angélica Maria Millán Lozano + Frankie Krupa Vahdani (Portland, OR) Fuller Rosen Gallery is thrilled to announce Resound, a two-person exhibition of new and recent work by Angélica Maria Millán Lozano and Frankie Krupa Vahdani. Resound features drawings, paintings, mixed-media work, and fabric pieces infused by the unique cultural hybridity of each artists’ heritage…
The Juicy Jam!
The Juicy Jam’s only goal is to jam, and The Juicy Jam’s only rule is no covers. Instrumentalists can blast off on space jams and be the backing band to songwriters from all over the place. Songwriters can find their band and explore new material in an environment that’s soaking wet with excitement. Parker’s Hideout…
Twelfe Night Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
Twelfe Night in 50 words or less: Orsino loves Olivia (unrequitedly). Twins, Viola and Sebastian, are shipwrecked. Viola cross-dresses, works for Orsino, and Olivia falls in love with her/him. Olivia’s dr-uncle and friends trick Malvolio into thinking Olivia loves him. Olivia (confused) marries Sebastian. Twins reunite, Malvolio’s gulling and Viola’s gender are revealed, Orsino proposes…
Phoenix Fridays
Following a fantastic First Thursday Street Gallery comes an exciting new inaugural event from the Urban Art Network. Pheonix Fridays, art walks on NW 13th Ave on all Fridays in summer, designed to bring Art, Food, Music and Local Businesses together. They will be every Friday evening beginning on July 9th on NW 13th from…
Comedy in the Park w/ Kickstand Comedy
Kickstand Comedy is proud to present Comedy In The Park, bringing FREE live shows back to Portland audiences all Summer long feat. the PNW’s favorite comics performing in one of the city’s most beautiful spaces – Laurelhurst Park. Blankets drop at 6pm, show starts @6:30pm. #comedyinthepark #portlandcomedy #youcaninportland #laurelhurstpark
As You Like It Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
As You Like It in 50 words or less: Frederick exiled the rightful Duke to the Forest of Arden. Orlando’s brother won’t raise him right. Orlando and Rosalind fall in love. Frederick banishes Rosalind. The girls escape to Arden (Rosalind cross-dressed). Rosalind gets Orlando to pretend she/he is Rosalind and woo her. A god appears…
Smash it – Taste it – Touch it – Feel it – Eat it
Pop-up Photo Gallery and Exhibition Award-winning photographer Isabella Cassini presents selected works of her fine art and food photography. Opening night Friday, August 6 2021 at 7pm. Runs through the month of August with special events and food offerings every Friday night. This pop-up gallery is constructed inside a repurposed warehouse set for demolition in…
Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Back-to-School Bash with Sean Ryan Fox (from Nickelodeon's Henry Danger) Meet 'N Greet
Don’t miss the Back-to-School Bash on Saturday, Aug 7 Nickelodeon star Sean Ryan Fox, “Jasper” from Henry Danger will be on-site to meet fans and sign autographs. Maui from Z100 will be on-site with music and free giveaways. Plus, enjoy lunch from the It’s Nacho Problem food truck. Donate school supplies and be entered into…
Rally for the River on the Willamette River near the PDX Waterfront
Make a splash about the urgent, dire need for meaningful salmon recovery before beloved Chinook and B-run steelhead runs across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho start to go extinct in the next five years. It’s been an exceptionally hot and dry summer, compounding the impacts of the lower Snake River dams and causing even more stress…
The Tragedie of Romeo and Juliet Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
The Tragedie of Romeo and Juliet in 50 words or less: The Capulets and Montagues hate one another. Romeo (Montague) sneaks into a Capulet party and meets Juliet (Capulet). They marry in secret. Juliet’s cousin challenges Romeo. Romeo kills them and is banished. Juliet fakes death. Romeo doesn’t realize, takes poison, and dies beside the…
Love’s Labour’s Lost Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
Love’s Labor’s Lost in 50 words or less: Forgetting the French Princess is arriving soon, King Ferdinand and friends swear off women, The courtiers are smitten. Letters are sent and confused. Berowne reasons ways out of the oath. The French court departs, but will return in one year to marry the King and courtiers… if…
The Comedie of Errors (Abridged) Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
Comedie of Errors in 50 words or less: Two sets of identical twins, masters (Antipholus) and servants (Dromio), were separated by a shipwreck. Antipholus of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus and Adriana mistakes him for her husband (E.Antipholus).. S.Antipholus gets a gold chain E.Antipholus ordered, but then E.Antipholus is arrested for not paying. Confusion reigns until…
Beaverton Night Market
The Beaverton Night Market exists to create a vibrant, intercultural, family-friendly space that is reminiscent of night markets internationally. The market offers a culturally relevant evening activity and gathering space with ethnic food and crafts for families of all backgrounds in Beaverton.
Macbeth Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
The Tragedie of Macbeth in 50 words or less: Scottish lords Macbeth and Banquo meet witches who predict Macbeth will be King and Banquo father of kings. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Prince Malcolm escapes and Macbeth takes the throne. Macbeth orders Banquo killed. Lady Macbeth goes mad. Malcolm raises an English…
A Midsommer Night's Dreame Presented by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
A Midsommer Nights Dreame in 50 words or less: Hermia loves Lysander (requitedly). Helena loves Demetrius (unrequitedly). Pucke (a fairy) accidentally makes Lysander and Demetrius love Helena. Chaos ensues. King Oberon bespells Queen Titania to love an actor transformed into an ass. The fairies reconcile. Pucke fixes the spells (except Demetrius). Everyone gets married and…
Open Labyrinth Walk
A public labyrinth walk held on the third Monday of every month on the beautiful wood labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. No prior experience needed, and there is no wrong way to walk.
ARCO-PDX at Polka Dot Downtown
Contemporary orchestra ARCO-PDX will be performing on the dots at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Performances will be available virtually on Facebook, Instagram, and at PolkaDotDowntown.org.
Street Bazaar at the Electric Blocks
The producers behind Portland Flea, Roux Portland, and Portland Bazaar are now bringing a new summer series to the city. Street Bazaar brings the bold flavors, bright colors, and vibrant energy of Portland’s food, drink, art, and music scene together for a series of festive Friday nights in the Central Eastside. See some of the…
Romeo and Juliet (the Gentlemen’s Show) by Original Practice Shakespeare Festival
The Tragedie of Romeo and Juliet in 50 words or less: The Capulets and Montagues hate one another. Romeo (Montague) sneaks into a Capulet party and meets Juliet (Capulet). They marry in secret. Juliet’s cousin challenges Romeo. Romeo kills them and is banished. Juliet fakes death. Romeo doesn’t realize, takes poison, and dies beside the…
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