Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond

Free Summer Fun 2011, and an announcement

Summer is the season of free. Use this guide to help you plan your next two months of free entertainment: movies, concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, and more. But first an announcement.

ANNOUNCEMENT

After much thought, I have decided to discontinue my weekly “free event” posts. I will continue to write about awesome deals and freebies in Portland, but I’ll do so in a less scheduled way for the near future.

On Twitter, I will be just as active as I have been @aroundthesun.

Thank you so much for reading, and may you enjoy every moment of summer!

Free Events Guide, Summer 2011

Fairs and festivals

Fourth of July fireworks displays, compiled by Dave Knows Portland

Sunday Parkways: July 24, August 28

Mississippi Street Fair: July 9

Sherwood Robin Hood Festival: July 15 and 16

West Linn Old Time Fair: July 15–17

Bastille Day Block Party at Pix Patisserie: July 16

Milwaukie Daze: July 22 and 23

Washington County Fair: July 28–31

Oregon Brewers Festival: July 28–31

Ho’ike and Hawaiian Festival: July 28–30

Obonfest: August 6

Portland Twilight Criterium: August 12

Alberta Street Fair: August 13

Portland Adult Soapbox Derby: August 13

India Festival: August 21

Festa Italiana: August 25–27

Hawthorne Street Fair: August 28

Movies

Portland parks: Assorted evenings through September 10.

“Flicks on the Bricks” at Pioneer Courthouse Square: Friday evenings from July 22 to August 19.

Multnomah Arts Center: “The Social Network” on July 1.

Beaverton City Park: August 12 and 19 in the evening.

Vancouver parks: Friday evenings in July.

Mary S. Young Park in West Linn: Saturday evenings in August.

Memorial Park in Wilsonville (check under “Annual City Events”): July 8 & 29; August 5 & 19.

Tualatin Commons: Saturday evenings from July 2 to August 27.

North Clackamas Parks: Friday evenings from July 1 to August 12 (except August 5).

Gresham Center for the Arts Square: Friday evenings in August. 

Concerts

Portland Neighborhood Concerts: Assorted days in July and August.

Washington Park Summer Festival: August 4 to 13 at 6:00 pm.

Portland Festival Symphony: July 30, 31; August 6, 7, 14.

Tryon Creek State Park: Sundays, July 31 to August 28, 2:00 pm.

Noon Tunes in Pioneer Courthouse Square: Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 5 to August 18, noon.

Music on Main Street Sponsored by Portland Center for the Performing Arts: Wednesdays, June 29 to August 31, 5:00 pm.

Lunchbox Concerts at the Oregon Square Courtyard (in NE Portland): Wednesdays at noon through August 24.

Cathedral Park Jazz Festival: July 15, 16, and 17.

PDX Pop Now: July 22 to 24.

Ecotrust: Thursdays, June 30 to July 28, 5:30 pm.

Doug Fir: Sundays, July 10 to August 28, 3:00 pm. Ages 21+.

Happy Valley Park: Thursdays, July 14 to August 25, 7:00 pm.

Lake Oswego parks: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, Fridays at noon, and Sundays at 6:00 pm from July 6 to August 26; assorted parks.

Stella Olsen Park in Sherwood: Wednesdays, July 6 to August 17, 6:30 pm.

Tualatin Hills Park District: Assorted days in July and August.

Tualatin Commons: Fridays, July 1 to August 26, 6:30 pm.

Vancouver parks: Assorted days in July and August.

Tanner Creek Park in West Linn: Thursdays, July 21 to August 25, 6:30 pm.

Bridgeport Village: Thursdays, July 7 to August 25, 6:30 pm.

Ardenwald Park in Milwaukie: Thursdays in August, 7:00 pm.

Carnegie Park in Oregon City: Thursdays, July 7 to August 25, 6:30 pm.

The Round Fountain Plaza in Beaverton: June 28, July 26, and August 30, 5:00 pm.

Theatre

“The Tempest” by Portland Actors Ensemble: Lovejoy Fountain Park on most Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings through July 16. Also, Meinig Memorial Park on July 3.

“Much Ado About Nothing” by Portland Actors Ensemble: Most Saturdays and Sundays from July 30 to September 5, assorted outdoor locations.

Opera in the Park: ”Carmen,” August 5 and 7.

JAW: A Playwrights Festival: Portland Center Stage’s festival of new plays and works-in-progress. July 11 to 25, Gerding Theater at the Armory.

Star Trek in the Park: A live performance of the classic Star Trek episode, “Mirror, Mirror.” Saturdays and Sundays in July at Woodlawn Park, 5:00 pm. 

Need more ideas?

Visit these fine websites:

• PDX Pipeline
• Dave Knows Portland
• UrbanMamas
• PDX Kids Calendar
• Concert Co-op
• Portland on the Cheap
• Frugal Living NW festival listing

4 comments June 27th, 2011

Free Events in Portland: June 17–19

Happy Father’s Day weekend!

Note: These events provide free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.

All weekend

Pedalpalooza: This bike festival runs from June 9 to 26. Nearly all of the 239 events are free.

Friday, June 17

Art Reception: The 100th Monkey Studio celebrates its summer group exhibition, featuring national artists. Complimentary vodka tasting by DECO distillery. 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Ann Patchett will talk about her latest book, “State of Wonder,” at Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 7:30 pm.

Saturday, June 18

Oregon Maritime Museum Family Day: Families with children under 17 enjoy free admission. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Ten Toe Express Walk: Take a guided walk through the Rose City neighborhood and around the Rose City Golf Course. Meet at the NE corner of NE 45th and Hancock at 9:00 am.

Mr. Lizard’s Mobile Reptile Zoo: Families are invited to an interactive and educational program about amazing, though often misunderstood, animals. Hollywood Library, 4:00 pm.

Sunday, June 19

Portland Pride Parade: The annual LGBTQ parade starts at 11:30 am at 13th and Burnside. The route runs east through Chinatown and then south along Waterfront Park to the Portland Pride Festival at SW Pine.

“Twelfe Night”: The Original Practice Shakespeare Festival performs this play using the performance techniques of Shakespeare’s time: limited rehearsal; an onstage prompter; fast-paced, energetic acting; and lots of audience interaction. Mt Tabor Park, 2:00 pm.

More free events

For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.

Add comment June 16th, 2011

Free Events in Portland: June 10–12

Big, exciting outdoor events! Cheers!

Note: These events provide free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.  

All weekend

Rose Festival: Fleet Week (Friday through Sunday), Grand Floral Parade (Saturday), Dragon Boat Races (Saturday and Sunday), and more.

Pedalpalooza: This bike festival runs from June 9 to 26. Nearly all of the 239 events are free.

Saturday, June 11

Portland Fruit Beer Festival: This first annual homage to fruity beers takes place at Burnside Brewing. Admission is free. Pours and pints available for purchase. Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Women on Bikes Clinic: Bring your bike and tools to this hands-on clinic. Learn about basic bike maintenance, flat tire repair, and cleaning techniques. Peninsula Park Community Center, 10:00 am.

Family Walks and Bike Rides in Gresham: Guided, family-friendly walks and bike rides on selected Saturdays throughout summer.

Sunday, June 12

Cirque du Cycling: Bike parade, criterium, kids activities, family bike ride, entertainment, and more. Mississippi Avenue between Shaver and Fremont, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Milk Carton Boat Race: Watch the fierce competition on the Westmoreland Park casting pond, 11:00 am.

Raleigh Hills Community Fair: Entertainment, kids activities, and more. Executive Building at 6500 Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Portland Fruit Beer Festival: This first annual homage to fruity beers takes place at Burnside Brewing. Admission is free. Pours and pints available for purchase. Saturday, 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

More free events

For more free and low-cost events, check PDX Pipeline and Dave Knows Portland.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.

Add comment June 9th, 2011

On a jet plane

Well, not quite yet. But soon. I’ll be back next week. In the meantime, please visit our good friends:

For free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.

Photo by lrargerich

Add comment June 2nd, 2011