Summertime Fun in Portland’s Parks and Recreation Is Once Again Here!

There will be 50 events (multicultural festivals, free outdoor movies, concerts, and other special events across the city) as part of Portland Parks & Recreation’s Summer Free For All, which will return in 2023.

On June 21st, 17 Portland Public School district parks will host a “Free Lunch + Play” event to kick off the celebrations.

“It’s just not summer in our city until the Portland Parks & Recreation Summer Free For All returns,” Culture & Livability Commissioner Dan Ryan stated in a press release.”

“I look forward to the series of festivals and performances each year, and this is one of the most exciting overall lineups yet.”

When most schools are closed, the Free Lunch + Play program will again feed kids for free. PP&R’s Free Lunch + Play is provided with the Portland, Centennial, David Douglas, and Parkrose public school districts at 24 parks throughout the city (a full schedule is available online).

The East Portland Summer Arts Festival, held annually by PP&R, will return to Ventura Park on July 8 and 9. PJ Morton, keyboardist for Maroon 5 and a talented neo-soul, R&B, and funk songwriter, singer, and producer, will be the show’s featured performer. The festival’s theme this year is “Celebrating Black Excellence.”

The 11th to 13th of August will also see the return of the Washington Park Summer Festival, featuring performances by NW Dance Project, Portland Cello Project (“Purple Reign: The Music of Prince”), and Opera in the Park.

The links below will keep you informed about what’s occurring in Oregon right now:

• Portland Rose Festival Draws Larger Crowds Than 2022.
• Portland’s Industrial District Saw a Two-alarm Fire That Started in a Hopper.

Park movie showings include Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hidden Figures, Muppet Treasure Island, Super Mario Bros., and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Ryan states, “Summer Free For All is community-focused, and it blends world-class entertainment with meeting real community needs.

“I’m thrilled we’re able to showcase these key public services again, thanks in part to the investment Portlanders made in the Parks Levy.” portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/sffa for a complete list of activities.