August Guide to Family-Friendly Events in Portland

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Although it’s been pretty mild this year, we know August is usually the hottest, driest days of Portland’s beautiful summer. With many of Portland’s Metro school districts starting this year before Labor Day, the days are counting down to back-to-school. Soak up every last minute of summer break with PMB’s annual August Events Guide! 

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Forest Grove First Wednesday Farmer’s Market (August 7)

The small town of Forest Grove does summer BIG with First Wednesday Farmers’ Markets. Downtown streets close for farm, artisan, and craft vendors, live music, and delicious food and drinks. Bring the whole family!

Regal Cinemas Summer Movies (Every Tuesday and Wednesday, August 1-20)

Family fun movies playing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the summertime! Admission to the Summer Movie Express is only $1. Tickets available for purchase at the box office and all movies in most locations start at 10:00 am. More information here, but check with your theater for exact showtimes. Each week both movies play on both days.

Legos @ the Library (August 1-30)

Bring your mad Lego skills to the library and let your imagination flow. Build a new structure to put on display. Bricks and supplies provided. Donations welcome. For kids ages 5-11. For specific dates and locations see here.

Free Summer Bowling (August 1-31)

Many local bowling centers are bringing back the popular free kids bowling this summer. Kids bowl free for one hour (shoes included)! To register and for more details on participating bowling locations, go here.

Movies and Art in the Garden (Thursdays and Fridays)

The Oregon Garden in Silverton hosts movies on Thursdays (through August 29) and Art in the Garden on weekends through September) Specific movies showing here and artist details here. Parking available in the lower parking lot, across from the Pavilion. No outside food or drinks allowed. 

Music on Main (Every Wednesday, August 1-September 5)

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts and the ArtBar & Bistro are proud to present the 13th annual Music on Main outdoor summer concert series in downtown Portland. The free concerts are held in downtown Portland on Main Street, between Southwest Broadway & Park Avenue, next to Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Summer Arts on Main (Every Wednesday through August 28)

Every summer, the streets of downtown Portland become a popular destination for locals, including downtown-area workers, tourists and residents. One reason for the increased foot-traffic is the free Summer Arts on Main series produced by Portland’5 Centers for the Arts.

Gardening for Kids at Al’s (Saturdays)

Al’s Kids’ Club on Saturdays offers fun, educational classes designed to nurture children’s awareness, confidence and connections to the natural world, and foster hands-on learning at various clinics around the metro area. Check here for dates and locations.

Movies in the Park (Through September 1)

Free Movies in the Park events happen throughout Portland. Evening after evening, summer nights in Portland parks offer families and friends the perfect backdrop to renew connections with live music at 6:30, and a movie at dusk. Find the full line-up here.

Oaks Park Summer Reading Discount Days (August 1-September 16)

Children who complete their library Summer Reading Program receive a discounted Deluxe Ride Bracelet for just $9.50 Wednesdays-Sundays in August and September! Participating library systems only; visit your local library for program availability, signup, and more information. 

Tualatin Crawfish Festival (August 2-3)

The Tualatin Crawfish Festival offers a wide variety of food, entertainment, and activities with something for all ages! Live music, kids watermelon and adult crawfish eating contest, the CrawKID Zone, local vendors, and of course, crawfish! The first 50 in the gates on Friday will receive free admission on Saturday. 

Willamette Shakespeare (August 2-4, 9-11, 16-18)

Willamette Shakespeare, in partnership with Portland Actors Ensemble, will present As You Like it, at nearby wineries! The free performances can be seen every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through August 18 at participating wineries. 

Caravan Campfires – Songs and S’mores (August 7)

Music, bonfire, BBQ, and S’mores at the Tiny House Hotel, 7-10 p.m.

Elephant Garlic Festival (August 9-11)

Fun stinks in North Plains with their annual Elephant Garlic Festival. Starting out with a morning 5k fun run, then a parade, and an all-day festival filled with a car show, music, food and fun for the entire family.

Columbia Slough Regatta (August 11)

Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for Regatta, an on the water paddle festival like no other, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regatta celebrates recreation opportunities on Portland’s hidden gem of local waterways, with this family-friendly fun paddle event for experienced paddlers and novice paddlers alike.

India Festival (August 11)

The India Cultural Association (ICA) brings the entire Indian community together with their annual India Festival, a celebration in honor of India’s Independence Day. The festival brings over 10,000 visitors to Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, delighting them with the tastes, sights, and sounds of India. Free live music, dance, food, and entertainment throughout the day.

Bridge Pedal (August 11) 

Join your friends and neighbors for the one opportunity each year to bike or walk on Portland’s car-free streets and bridges, including the upper decks of both the Marquam and Fremont bridges. Register here

Northwest Fossil Fest (August 11)

A free event for families to learn about fossils, fossil collecting, preparation, identification, and display. There will be informative displays, demonstrations, and educational activities for children, 10 a.m- 4 p.m., at the Rice NW Rock and Mineral Museum in Hillsboro.

Tiny Fest NW (August 17-18)

Come celebrate tiny living at TinyFest Northwest! Explore a variety of tiny houses from pro-builders and DIYers. Tour tiny houses on wheels, backyard cottages, shipping container homes, vans, bus conversions and more! Enjoy the Marketplace, live music, good food, and craft beer!

Banks BBQ Truck and Tractor Pull (August 17-18)

On Saturday this small town party includes a pancake breakfast, car show, 6-gun quick draw competition, truck & tractor pull. On Sunday there’s a parade, some famous BBQ, kids activities, the combine destruction derby, and a lot more.

Portland Soap Box Derby (August 18)

Every year since 1997, Portland’s finest freaks have pulled their home-built creations to the top of Mount Tabor and let gravity guide them to the bottom of the hill. Free admission.

Flicks by the Fountain (August 23)

A free outdoor movie on a giant inflatable screen at Beaverton City Park! Activities and live music begin at 6:30, and the movie Captain Marvel begins at dusk.

Hood to Coast (August 23-24)

Hood To Coast is 199 miles long with 12,600 runners and 3,600 volunteers. Come cheer them on, or participate yourself! Not a runner? Try the Portland to Coast walk!

Dahlia Festival (August 24-26, 31-September 2)

View over 400 floral arrangements of dahlias, over 15,000 cut dahlia blooms on display, in three indoor display rooms. Music, food, and family fun at the Canby Dahlia Farm.

Oregon State Fair (August 23-September 2)

Concerts, animals, rides, and carnival food. Oregon’s biggest and longest fair returns to the Salem Fairgrounds just in time for the end of summer vacation! Don’t miss it!

Arab Festival (August 31)

Celebrate the Arab culture with live music, Middle Eastern cuisine, henna, games, dance, poetry, and much more. All ages welcome, located at Oaks Park

Community-Submitted Events

Our community calendar is a free resource for Portland families and businesses. Below, you can scroll through many mom or family-friendly events in the area this month. Have something to add to the calendar? Please add your event here!

There are no upcoming events.

Any events we missed? Leave them in the comments!