Search August Events
There’s plenty of fun to be had during the dog days of summer in Portland.
Portlanders know how to get every last drop of fun out of the summer, which is especially apparent in August. Grab a bike and a helmet and join thousands of local bicyclists as they zoom across several of the city’s bridges for the annual Bridge Pedal, watch soapbox derby cars zoom down an extinct volcano for the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby and head into the woods for the annual Pickathon Music Festival. Read on for more of our favorite August events in Portland, or check out our full events calendar to see everything on offer.
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.
Vanport Jazz Festival
The Vanport Jazz Festival honors the city of Vanport and the voices that formed Portland’s jazz community. Near the site of the historic 1948 flood, the event transforms Colwood Golf Course into a cultural revival, welcoming nationally renowned artists and breathing new life into Portland jazz.
Bridge Pedal
Portland’s annual Bridge Pedal is a community celebration of the city’s iconic bridges and biking culture. Join with thousands of fellow bicyclists in crossing Portland’s car-free streets and bridges (including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges). Portland’s Bridge Pedal is both one of the largest community bike rides in the world and one of the city’s favorite summertime traditions.
Top-Down Rooftop Cinema
Enjoy Portland’s temperate summer nights with Top-Down Rooftop Cinema. The series will offer open-air rooftop screenings of great movies at Lloyd Center with food, drink, fun weekend themes and costumes, plus outdoor watching at pop-up venues throughout Portland.
More Summer Events
Explore more things to do and see every summer in Portland.
Piano Push Play
Piano Push Play, a local initiative to fill Portland’s public spaces with dozens of the instruments every July and August. The results? On any given summer day in the Rose City, you’re likely to find a teen skateboarder playing “Für Elise” at a bus stop or a sweaty hiker wowing crowds with a Mozart sonata at the top of Mt. Tabor.
My People’s Market
In early August, the North Park Blocks will host My People’s Market, where shoppers get 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, curated by Young, Gifted and Brown.
Hood to Coast Relay
The Hood to Coast is the world’s largest running relay race, stretching 200 miles from the top of Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean in Seaside. The overnight event culminates in the West Coast’s largest beach party and draws more than 12,000 runners and walkers annually. The race fills up months in advance, but there’s no charge to watch the dedicated and costumed runners make their way down the mountain and onto the beach.
More August Events
Check out our editor's picks for top things to do in August 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.
Piano Push Play
Piano Push Play invites local artists to transform old, donated pianos into whimsical works of art which are distributed across the city.
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.
Feast Flicks
To kick off the Summer of Feast, Feast has teamed up with PDX film legends at the Hollywood Theatre to create an outdoor movie series featuring favorite food films paired with the dreamiest menus from chefs and restaurants. Each night will feature a delightful food and drink experience inspired by the film–all to be enjoyed…
Summer of Feast
Projecting hope and joy after a tumultuous year, Feast is back for 2021. Reflecting the needs of the community right now, Feast is back in a way that brings Portland together over the thing this city loves most — food. Celebrating the city and the hard work everyone is doing to make the community better,…
Top Down: Rooftop Cinema
The Cinema Unbound Summer Movie Series, running July, August, and September 2021, welcomes guests to safely gather and experience the power that truly radical and entertaining cinematic storytelling can bring. Unbound from the traditional movie theater setting, Cinema Unbound is creating new venues throughout the city starting with the Open-Air Rooftop Cinema at the Lloyd…
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…
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