July Events
Get out day and night to enjoy beer, music and film events.
Here are some of our favorite July events in Portland. Scroll down for more picks or search the events calendar to see everything on offer.
Waterfront Blues Festival
The largest blues festival west of the Mississippi River, Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival rocks crowds at Waterfront Park with five days concerts and fireworks every Fourth of July.
Portland Craft Beer Festival
Held over the Fourth of July, the Portland Craft Beer Festival rounds out the summer’s plentiful beer fest offerings by restricting its tap list to only beers brewed in the city.
Fourth of July Events
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Founded in 1981, the three-day Cathedral Park Jazz Festival is the now the West’s largest and oldest free celebration of jazz and blues. Held in Cathedral Park beneath the historic St. Johns Bridge, the scenery is almost enough to steal the show.
PDX Pop Now!
The PDX Pop Now! festival highlights as many as 50 local independent artists at a single venue over the course of two days. The volunteer-driven nonprofit behind the festival also produces an annual compilation CD of local music.
Portland Farmers Market
The Big Float
Thousands bring their favorite floaties for The Big Float, an annual summertime splash in the Willamette River, followed by a beach party just south of the Hawthorne Bridge.
Portland Highland Games
This celebration of all things Scottish features dancing, piping, drumming and fiddling, traditional food and the “heavy events,” which include the caber toss and the Portland stone — a 96-pound rock hurled by only the brawniest athletes. The Portland Highland Games are held just east of Portland in Gresham.
Portland Zine Symposium
Portland’s DIY culture is alive and well, and you can catch it in all its vibrant blacks and whites at this annual gathering of underground media connoisseurs. The Portland Zine Symposium is a free, two-day event includes workshops, panel discussions and tables of people buying, selling and trading zines.
Oregon Brewers Festival
Flicks on the Bricks
Gather up the family and head to Pioneer Courthouse Square for free movies and popcorn under the stars on Portland’s “largest outdoor screen.” Catch Flicks on the Bricks four consecutive Friday nights, July through August.
Noon Tunes
Since 2002, Pioneer Courthouse Square has celebrated summer with two free lunchtime concerts every week in July and August. The popular Noon Tunes Concert Series showcases the best in regional and local musical talent each Tuesday and Thursday from noon-1 p.m.
More July Events
Waterfront Blues Festival
The Waterfront Blues Festival is the largest celebration of blues, soul, funk, and rhythm & blues west of the Mississippi River. Join us for a long weekend filled with amazing performances across four stages, food, vendors, river boat cruises, and more – all taking place at Portland’s beautiful Waterfront Park.
Submarine Tech Tour
OMSI offers a Guided Tech Tour on the second and fourth Sunday of every month. This special tour guided by an actual submarine veteran is for those who would like to learn more about the technical workings of the Blueback. The maximum tour size is eight people, so plan ahead and reserve your spot. Tech…
Isaka Shamsud-Din: Rock of Ages
Isaka Shamsud-Din: Rock of Ages is an intimate exhibition celebrating the Portland artist’s masterful paintings, rich in a narrative combining personal stories and folklore. Shamsud-Din’s paintings also celebrate and honor individuals by capturing portraits. Tightly composed and with a vibrancy of color, the works invite viewers to be among these individuals and warm settings. The…
Portraiture from the Collection of Northwest Art
In the rich tradition of portraiture reflected in Northwest art, there is an exemplary range of individuals and styles of depiction. For this exhibition, the artist Storm Tharp was invited to help select works from the collection through his keen eyes as a fellow portraitist. As he combed through the collection, some themes in portraiture…
Looptworks Retail Workshop Tour
Looptworks uses only what already exists to create new functional products (including upcycled bags, apparel and accessories). Looptworks is committed to upcycling and closed loop solutions. Its intent is to reduce and eliminate waste in its industry headed to the landfill. Participate and witness the Looptworks upcycling production and circular economy firsthand. Tour Schedule &…
Creative Workshops
Get creative! Radius Art offers opportunities for both the beginning and the experienced artist to learn the basics or build on their current skills. Learn ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, leatherworking, fabric dying and more.
These Beers Are Made For Walkin' Tours
This tour is a great way to experience Portland’s beer scene on foot, and great for small groups or families traveling with kids. Check out the history and culture of popular areas in Portland by foot. You choose the neighborhood, and we’ll show you around to three breweries. Walking tours provide a great overview of…