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

Free Events in Portland: November 18–20

November 17th, 2011

Knowing that there is a Captain Picard Day reaffirms my love for this city.

Note: The following events offer free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.

Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.

All weekend

Frankenstein, the Little Monster (reserve tickets): Jane Theater Company presents free performances of this family-friendly play filled with songs, music, and dancing. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 18 through December 18. See the website for times and ticket information. Theater! Theatre! (3430 SE Belmont St).

Mississippi Pizza Pub features free music each day. Check the website for performers and times.

Friday, November 18

Captain Picard Day: Floating World Comics (400 NW Couch) is hosting an art show and contest in honor of this Star Trek captain. Bring your Picard-centric art for judging, or simply marvel. Doors open at 6:00 pm; judging starts at 7:30 pm.

The Big Chill 2011 (ages 21+): Join Widmer Brothers for an evening of local craft beer, music, art, and fashion at Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge (808 SE Morrison St), 9:00 pm.

Saturday, November 19

Fix-It Fair: Workshops on saving money, healthy living, and more. Free lunch, free lead testing, and free professional on-site child care. Ron Russell Middle School (3955 SE 112th Ave), 8:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Santa’s Arrival Parade: Santa’s coming to Pioneer Courthouse Square at 9:00 am. Join him in a family-friendly procession down SW Morrison to Pioneer Place. Songs, snow, and surprises! 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Disaster Preparedness Workshop (registration required): Learn about basic disaster preparedness including assessing risks, creating a family plan, and managing utilities. Portland Community College Workforce Training Center (5600 NE 42nd Ave), 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Registration required.

Oregon Maritime Museum Family Saturday: Free to families with children under 18. Discover Portland’s maritime history with a craft project to take home. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival: Several events: At 11:00 am, enjoy storytelling performances at North Portland Library, Sellwood-Moreland Library, and Central Library. At 2:00 pm, the storytellers will perform at Troutdale Library, Midland Library, and Belmont Library. At 7:00 pm, First Unitarian Church will host the festival finale.

WeVillage Urban Playcare Anniversary Bash: Wine, food, and cake. Mo Phillips performs at 3:00 pm. 424 NW 11th Ave, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Book Swap for Kids and Teens: Trade your used books (or movies or music CDs) with the library or with others. Take home as many books as you bring. Camas Library, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Preview of The Next Waltz: Jeremy Wilson, Joe McMurrian, David Lipkind, Morgan Geer, Kris Deelane, Adam East, Steve Kerin, and Berthaline will perform songs by Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan. Music Millennium (3158 E. Burnside), 3:00 pm.

Native American Tales: Join Mythobolus Mask Theatre as they bring traditional Native American stories to life with colorful costumes, music, storytelling and masked dancers. Holgate Library, 3:00 pm.

Holiday Shopping on a Budget: Learn how to stay on budget while giving some great gifts. Swag bags available while supplies last. Kenton Library, 4:00 pm.

Sunday, November 20

The Colette Sewing Handbook: Pattern designer and founder of Colette Patterns, Sarai Mitnick, presents her book, which shows how to perfect any sewing project. Powell’s City of Books on Burnside, 4:00 pm.

Artwork from the Void Launch Party: Float On, a float tank center specializing in sensory deprivation, offered free floats to 150 local artists. Artwork from the Void is a compilation of their post-sensory deprivation creations. Float On (SE 45th & Hawthorne Blvd), 7:00 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.

Entry Filed under: Free