Make the most of the season’s sunshine with these Portland, Oregon, summer activities
We all know it’s coming (and can’t wait for it to finally arrive). Summertime! We here at VIDA Coworking are ready for all that summer has in store. The sunny walks, melty ice cream cones, upbeat festivals…
Speaking of festivals, we’re rounding up the most anticipated Portland, Oregon, summer activities. From beer fests to farmers’ markets to live concerts, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top picks for Portland summer events this season:
June Portland Events
Cider Summit
Is there any better time for hard cider than those brutally warm summer months? Portland’s Cider Summit at The Redd on Salmon Street (June 23-24) features 150 cider selections from more than 40 producers. In addition to a tasting, there will be a cider challenge, dog lounge, performance videos and on-site snacks.
Rose Festival Royal Rosarians Milk Carton Boat Race
Join your fellow Portlanders at the Westmoreland Park Casting Pond on June 25, for the annual milk carton boat race. Children and adults will race their handmade, human-powered boats for a chance to place in one of the nine categories.
July Portland Events
Portland Night Market
Running from July 7 to 8, the Portland Night Market is a cool collection of 175-plus vendors. The market features music, retail, local food and great drinks.
Portland Pride
The annual Portland Pride Festival and Parade runs from July 15-16 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park this year! The two-day festival is a bright and colorful parade featuring food, drinks, live music and more.
August Portland Events
Bridge Pedal & Stride
Grab your bike and join thousands of your fellow Portlanders as you bike through downtown Portland and across several bridges, including the upper deck of the Marquam and Fremont bridges for incredible city views. The Bridge Pedal & Stride is Sunday, August 13.
PDX Adult Soapbox Derby
Channel your inner child and enter (or just watch from the sidelines) the PDX Adult Soapbox Derby on August 19 at Mount Tabor Park. Dozens of locally-made cars will ride through the course for a chance at coveted prizes.
Ongoing Portland Summer Activities
Take a Guided Tour
Portland has guided tours for every interest – perfect for locals and visitors alike. Are you into ghost stories? There’s a Ghosts and Poltergeists Walking Tour. Want to take in some breathtaking views? Consider the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls Tour. Are you a foodie with a sweet tooth? Try the Underground Donut Tour.
Spend Time on the Water
The summer is obviously the best time to be on the Willamette River – and there are so many ways to enjoy it. You can go on a lunch, brunch or dinner cruise, a jetboat cruise or a sightseeing cruise. You can also go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
Shop a Local Market
Portland has incredible farmers markets, but two are our favorites. The Saturday Farmers Market at Tom McCall Waterfront Park offers fresh produce from local growers, products from artisans and more. The St. John’s Farmers Market, located on N Charleston Ave. and N Central St., is open Saturdays and features tons of local vendors.
The Beavertown Farmers Market features more than 100 vendors who carry everything from fruits and vegetables to espresso or candy. This market also has live music and Market Sprouts, a kids club meant to “inspire children to take part in their local food system.” In fact, VIDA will be hosting a Market Sprout activity on June 17!
Summer Camps at the Portland Art Museum
Throughout the summer, your little artists can enjoy summer camps at the Portland Art Museum. Kids will have a blast learning about alternative animation, animation for AR, stop motion animation, video game design, music videos and more.
Things to Do in Portland This Summer For Music Lovers
Edgefield Summer Concert SeriesAll summer long, music lovers will flock to Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn in Troutdale, OR. This fabulous concert series showcases genres and artists of all kinds. This year’s lineup includes The National, Death Cab For Cuties, Louis Tomlinson, Jason Mraz & His Superband, Portugal. The Man, Maggie Rodgers and so many more.
Waterfront Blues Festival
Another can’t-miss is the Waterfront Blues Festival at Tom McCall Waterfront Park from July 1-4. This celebration is one of Portland’s most exciting events. The festival showcases brilliant Portland musicians and local legends. With a lineup of more than 100 artists, plus food trucks, fireworks and a dance floor, the festival is a family-friendly event that’s definitely worth marking your calendar for now.
Cathedral Park Jazz Festival
Enjoy a day of free live music at the Jazz Society’s Cathedral Park Jazz Festival in Cathedral Park July 14-16. This music-lovers fest is billed as the longest-running jazz and blues festival west of the Mississippi.
Which of these Portland events will we see you at this summer?!
VIDA Coworking is located within walking distance from downtown Portland—the center of summertime excitement. Learn more about the coworking space by booking a tour today!