August Events for Portland Families

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We’re winding down the final days of summer, so best to soak up the best Portland and the surrounding area have to offer. Here are a few ways to get out and enjoy the season in and around our fair city while the sun is still shining!

Orange dahlias in bloom
Saturday August 6 4-9pm
Sunday August 7 11-3pm
St. Helens, Oregon
Head to Sand Island in St. Helens for a day-trip or mini-weekend. Sand castle competitors from around the country will carve up designs and give sand building lessons. There is also a pirate-themed portion with live music, canon firing, and a treasure hunt!

Swan Island Dahlia Festival

August through September
Canby, Oregon

Vancouver will skip the fireworks in exchange for a full day of family fun. Head to the Fort Vancouver National Historic site for a free event with bands, food, vendors, a beer and cider garden, magicians, and BBQ. Open to all ages, there is even a dedicated stage for kids music! A movie in the park will begin at dusk.

Portland Parks and Recreation Summer Free For All

All month long
Various locations

Summer Free for All offers up 40+ cultural events across the city — all FREE! Enjoy concerts, art events, comedy, and movie in public parks July-August. Don’t miss out on the screening of In The Heights (August 20, April Hill Park)!

Historic Parkrose Summer Nights

August 10
5pm – 9pm
104th Ave and Sandy Blvd

The final installment of the Historic Parkrose Summer Nights series gives families the opportunity to enjoy sample local food and drink, shop handcrafted items, and enjoy doing family-friendly activities. All ages, free admission!

Zoo Nights at the Oregon Zoo

August 12
Oregon Zoo

Enjoy the final Zoo Night of the 2022 season. These special evenings are the opportunity to enjoy local music, food carts, activities for all ages, and the change to visit the zoo at twilight. Tickets are $19-24 per person. On August 12, enjoy the afrobeat dance party with Jujuba!

India Festival

August 14
11am – 8:30pm
Pioneer Courthouse Square

This family-friendly event is the largest annual festival in Oregon celebrating Indian culture. Enjoy music, food, fashion, and more at the free-admission festival, now in it’s 28th year!

Back-to-School Meet-and-Greet at Columbia Gorge Outlets

August 13
12pm-2pm
Columbia Gorge Outlets

Booboo Stewart is coming to Columbia Gorge Outlets!!! You’ve seen him in Disney’s Descendants and The Twilight Saga. Meet him in-person at the Columbia Gorge Outlets’ Back-to-School Meet & Greet on August 13th from 12-2p. Stop by for an autograph and then enjoy back-to-school savings while shopping the outlets!

Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride

August 14
Various times

Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride is the only opportunity to bike over Portland’s bridges, which shut down one day per year for this popular biking event! Register for your own or sign up for the free, 3-mile kids pedal. Enjoy the beauty of Portland from two wheels

Free Geek's Annual Block Party

August 21
2:30-6:30pm
Free Geek
1731 SE 10th Ave. Portland

Enjoy live music, food trucks, activities with SCRAP, in-person screen printing, a tech donation station, and several amazing raffles this family-friendly event in support of Free Geek! Admission is free, raffle tickets available at various levels. 

What is your favorite thing to do in August in or around Portland? Share your thoughts in the comments!