20+ Free Things to Do in Portland This June

Summer officially arrives this month, along with the end of school. But how to enjoy this lovely month without breaking the bank? We’ve put together 30 ways below. Get ready to celebrate summer fun!

Party with us! Don’t miss our PDX Parent Family Festival event on Saturday, June 24 from 10 am to 2 pm. And this year, we’re at a new location: Topaz Farm! Your favorite kindie musicians will be there, plus family fun and games, art from Mike Bennett and much more.

Olive & Dingo at the PDX Parent Family Festival

Get festive. The Latino Cultural Festival is taking place on Sunday, June 4, with free admission and free parking at the home of the Hillsboro Hops, the Ron Tonkin Field.

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Enjoy a night-time parade. The Starlight Parade has marching bands, floats, glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and more — all while highlighting Portland’s diverse community groups. Plus come on — a parade at night? How cool is that? This year’s parade takes place on Saturday, June 3 from 8-10 pm.

Or a daytime one! The Fred Meyer Junior Parade is on June 7 and the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade is happening on June 10.

Image courtesy Portland Rose Festival

Celebrate diversity and strengthen community. Catch the annual Good in the Hood festival at King School Park on June 24-25. There will be live music, multicultural food, kids’ activities, and a parade.

See an unusual race. Don’t miss the the annual Dragon Boat Race, from June 10, or the Milk Carton Boat Race on June 25. Both are part of the Portland Rose Festival series of events.


Tour a big boat. Got a kiddo that loves boats? Take them down to the waterfront for Fleet Week, from June 7-11, also part of the Rose Festival. You can tour visiting Navy vessels! Pro tip: wear closed-toed shoes to participate in the tours.

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Celebrate Juneteenth. Juneteenth Oregon is celebrating this important holiday June 17-18, and Wilsonville is also holding a Juneteenth Celebration.

Summer kickoff. Treat your little to a fun concert at Cook Park in Tigard with Micah & Me on June 10 at 10 am. There will be plenty of singing, dances and games.

Look at rocks. Thanks to a generous grant, the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals is offering free group tours. Check out the museum during a guided experience, all for free.

Courtesy of the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals

Catch ’em all. If you have a Pokémon lover in the house, take them to THPRD’s Rec Mobile for a Pokémon game and collector meet up . It’s held very third Friday of the month, from 4:30-6:30 pm, and hosted by Pokémon Oregon.

Hear some tunes. Who doesn’t love a summertime concert? Join the folks from the Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective for their annual summer Porch Concert Series. Held the second and forth Saturdays of each month, these free concerts feature local musicians. And bonus, it’s right by the St. Johns Farmers Market!

Support local. Don’t miss My People’s Market at the Redd on Salmon Street. This family-friendly, indoor/outdoor market showcases goods created by talented BIPOC artists.

Go by bike. Join Sunday Parkways on June 25 in the Cully-area neighborhoods or one of Pedalpalooza’s family-friendly rides. And don’t miss Slide Ride with Olive and Dingo on June 26 (donations accepted) for the youngest cyclists!

Join a Farm Walk. Farmer Kat will be hosting a free farm walk at Topaz Farm, on June 14.

Courtesy of Topaz Farm

Explore nature. During Metro’s Free Parking Day, parking fees are waived at all your favorite Metro parks. Think Oxbow, Blue Lake, Broughton Beach, and others. This month, parks are free on June 15 and 19. Or take advantage of Free Day-Use and Camping at Oregon State Parks on June 3.

Hit the market. Love Buy Nothing? Don’t miss the Really, Really Free Market, where everything’s — you guessed it — totally free. Also enjoy visiting your local farmers market to taste your way through the delicious vendor offerings or listen to live performers. Portland Flea is another fun market to browse!

Sign up for your local summer reading programs. Worried about your kids forgetting everything they learned at school the past year during summer break? The summer reading program keeps kids motivated to read and learn all summer long. Sign up for free to get a game board, encouraging your kids to read for a certain number of minutes or do a reading-related activity. At stops along the way, they can pick out a toy, book or coupon for local fun. At the end, they get a free t-shirt or onesie. Here’s the link for Multnomah County, Clackamas CountyWashington County, and Clark County’s programs.

Try out a new playground. There are playgrounds. And then there are these playgrounds. These ones are unique and utterly wow-worthy—totally worth the trip.

Courtesy Portland Parks & Recreation

Enjoy a free lunch. Portland Parks & Rec’s Free Lunch & Play begins on June 21. Your kids will get free lunch at parks around town, along with sports, games and arts & crafts activities. Find the schedule here.

Go for a swim adventure. Is it warm enough yet? Is it warm enough yet? Check out one of these local swimming holes for a break from the heat.

Volunteer! Try one of these family-friendly volunteering opportunities.

Bowl! Register your kids for free bowling all summer long at kidsbowlfree.com.

Bowling
Courtesy Crystal Sing Photos

For even more great ideas, check our popular Kids Calendar!

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