Summer in Portland
Portland packs the sunniest season with festivals celebrating the city's music, craft beer, contemporary art and internationally acclaimed culinary scene.
Summer in Portland may be one of the world’s best-kept secrets. Days are long and 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 Parade and Festival in June, the epic Oregon Brewers Festival in July and Pickathon Music Festival in August. Read on for our top picks for things to do, see and experience during a summertime visit to Portland.
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.
Favorite Summer Events
Experience the best of summer in Portland at these annual warm-weather events.
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, Portland Pride Parade and Festival, plentiful outdoor concerts and celebrations of craft beer.
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.
Summer Activities
Make the most of Portland's epic summer season with these local activities.
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
The river, which bisects the city into east and west sides, is a virtual aquatic playground, with kayakers, fishers and swimmers enjoying the water.
Portland’s Public Fountains
Cool off with free fun at these kid-friendly fountains in Portland.
Upcoming Summer Events
Enjoy these summertime events and festivals in and near Portland.
Sneaker Week
Sneaker Week offers fun events for sneaker addicts and footwear newbies alike.
Summer Free For All
Portland Parks & Recreation offers over 400 free events including free movie screenings, concerts and rock climbing.
Flicks on the Bricks
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. On five Friday evenings in July and August, the Square will be transformed into Portland’s largest outdoor movie theater for the entire community to enjoy! Flicks on the Bricks will kick-off on Friday, July 17 and continue through August 14 on Friday nights. IKEA will…
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts
Musicians and fans alike flock to concerts at the Oregon Zoo each summer to enjoy live music, sunshine and friends.
Multnomah Days
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. Portland’s Multnomah Village is filled with character – as well as dozens of unique shops, galleries, restaurants, arts and more. The annual Multnomah Days Parade (dubbed “the biggest little parade in Portland”) is the neighborhood’s old-school street fair, starting with a parade and featuring vendors…
Portland Adult Soapbox Derby
The PDX Adult Soapbox Derby at Mt. Tabor Park pits grown-up kids against each other every August in pursuit of speed and laughs.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday and Sunday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
India Festival
LIVE EVENT CANCELED. This event will now be held virtually, please visit the event website for current information. India Festival brings India to downtown Portland! This festival is a celebration of India’s Independence Day with live music, dance, food and other entertainment. India Festival is hosted by the India Cultural Association, a non-profit dedicated to…
Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. The Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series will return for its 30th year on Tuesdays in July and August! From noon-1:00pm enjoy music from some of Portland’s best regional and local musical talent. With eight FREE concerts, dancing, some of Portland’s favorite food vendors at Carts…
Portland Sunday Parkways
This family-friendly bike ride features local vendors and live entertainment.
Sunday Parkways: Green Loop
The 2020 Sunday Parkways bike rides have been canceled and events will be digital-only due to the coronavirus pandemic. See the Sunday Parkways Facebook page for details. Sunday Parkways heads to the historic North Park Blocks for a 7-mile route along Portland’s Green Loop. This ride will pass by multiple cultural hotspots, including the Portland…
Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
EVENTS CANCELED AND/OR POSTPONED. Please visit the event website for current information. Since 2008, McMenamins Edgefield, a bucolic venue located 15 miles east of Portland in Troutdale, has welcomed musical acts to its Concerts on the Lawn series, which is a local rite of summer.
Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta
LIVE EVENT CANCELED. This event will now be held virtually, please visit the event website for current information. This boisterous street fair attracts independent artists, performers, local bands, troupes of acrobats, buskers, makers and more to celebrate their art on Northeast Albera Street. Held year-round, the event is biggest from June through August, when the…
Hood to Coast
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. 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….
River Lantern Lighting
Join family, friends and neighbors to celebrate life together. The River Lantern Lighting brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one memorable night to celebrate community in Portland, Oregon. Every participant gets a lantern, candle, marker, beer or cider (over 21), snacks and live music.
Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
EVENT CANCELED. Please visit the event website for current information. 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…
Feast Portland
This foodie festival, held every September, has cemented Portland’s reputation as a culinary capital of the world.
Sunday Parkways: Northeast Portland
The 2020 Sunday Parkways bike rides have been canceled and events will be digital-only due to the coronavirus pandemic. See the Sunday Parkways Facebook page for details. Come out and enjoy the last Sunday Parkways of the season with this 7.6-mile ride in Northeast Portland! Enjoy the walking/biking boulevard of Ainsworth along with the neighborhood…
Waterfront Blues Festival
Every Fourth of July weekend, the Waterfront Blues Festival takes over downtown Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Oregon Brewers Festival
Portland hosts dozens of beer festivals every year, but none compares to the Oregon Brewers Festival. With offerings from 80 craft brewers, the event draws nearly 70,000 attendees to the downtown waterfront every July.