PP&R's Washington Park Summer Festival Returns With World-Class Entertainment

Published

July 30, 2026 1:34 pm

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(Portland, Oregon) -

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R)continues another amazing series of Summer Free for All events featuring the return of the Washington Park Summer Festival. The two-day event and all the wildly popular free summertime programs are made possible by the voter-approved Parks Local Option Levy (2025 Parks Levy) and by countless community partners and volunteers.

A woman waves to the camera, a small dog looking curiously as well, as they sit in the huge crowd for a Washington Park Summer Festival Concert held on a recent year.

IT'S BACK! Washington Park Summer Festival: August 8 and 9 at Washington Park's International Rose Garden Amphitheater

Events begin at 6pm both days. This year's lineup features Albina Music Trust presenting Time Sound Big Band on Saturday - a jazz big band amplifying Portland's Black music history and future. It's followed by a Sunday evening of original soul music with Ural Thomas and the Pain.

Don't play around with packed parking. Take TriMet to the Washington Park stop instead and hop on the FREE Explore Washington Park shuttle to the concert - and back! The Free Shuttle Loop connects every major attraction in Washington Park on a continuous free ride. Hop on and hop off using this free service to explore multiple destinations in one visit. All shuttles and stops are ADA accessible.

Performers in colorful Latin costumes on the stage, with a huge crowd watching. Image from a Washington Park Summer Festival concert in a recent year.

Explore Washington Park Shuttle schedule for WPSF:

• Saturday, August 8 - Last shuttle leaves the Int'l Rose Test Garden at 8:30 pm
• Sunday, August 9 - Last shuttle leaves the Rose Garden at 8:30 pm

For more information, visit the Explore Washington Park website atexplorewashingtonpark.org/free-shuttle/

Filling the summertime meal gap with Free Lunch + Play

The Free Lunch + Play program is active at parks across Portland, and helps to help fill the summertime gap, with free meals for anyone 18 and under while schools are out of session.

More than half of Portland's school-age children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year. PP&R's Free Lunch + Play program offers nutritious meals and fun activities for kids and families when school is out. There are sports, games, arts, crafts, music, and other activities led by trained staff and community partners.

Free Lunch + Play runs Monday through Friday, 10am to 2pm with lunch at noon. Check the Free Lunch + Play webpage for the latest information and most up to date schedules for specific parks and mealtimes.

This program is delivered in partnership with four local public school districts including Portland, Centennial, David Douglas, and Parkrose at about two dozen parks across the city.

Summer Free For All Hasit all

Free live music, movies, and cultural events started July 8 citywide with a Bollywood dance party at Gateway Discovery Park. This year's program features nearly 50 free outdoor events for all ages, including multicultural festivals such as Somali Heritage Day (Friday, August 21 at Luuwit View Park), free outdoor movies and park concerts all over town, and more ways to experience community across the city.

For schedules and information, visit the Summer Free For All webpage. Schedules are available in English and Spanish, Ukrainian, Tongan, Russian, Somali, Chinese, and Vietnamese.

With the support of some new program partners, Portland Parks & Recreation is excited to promote even more activities for children, youth, and families and welcome everyone back for another season of great performances and community connection.

Movies of note include Wicked, The Princess Bride, A Minecraft Move, Elio (con subtítulos en español), and Zootopia 2. Concert highlights feature Soul Vaccination, Ache Son and many more dazzling performers. The East Portland Summer Arts Festival, and Washington Park Summer Festival return.

The Summer Free For All programs would not be possible without the 2025 Parks Levy, a critical community investment in Portland Parks & Recreation. As promised to Portland voters, the Parks Levy is delivering for the city, providing recreational programs including family-friendly movies and concerts, fitness and art classes, teen- and older adult-focused programs, life-saving swim lessons, and more. The Parks Levy also allows PP&R to eliminate cost as a barrier to participation.

Summer Free For All events at Gateway Discovery Park

Join Portland Parks & Recreation for free summer activities at Gateway Discovery Park, Monday through Friday, 9am to 2pm, through August 21. No registration needed! Enjoy free arts and crafts, games, cultural events, and special activities on the Plaza. Plus, free lunches are available for youth 18 and under, served daily from 11 to 11:45am as part of Free Lunch + Play.

Free Open Play Swim at Outdoor Pools

Enjoy weekly free swim sessions at these PP&Routdoor pools:

• Creston Pool - Mondays 6:30pm to 8pm
• Peninsula Pool - Tuesdays 1pm to 3:45pm*
• Montavilla Pool - Tuesdays 6pm to 8pm
• Grant Pool - Wednesdays 1pm to 3pm
• Sellwood Pool - Wednesdays 6:30pm to 8pm
• Pier Pool - Thursdays 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Outdoor pools close on Sunday, August 23, 2026 (except Peninsula Pool*). Find full schedules and more information for all PP&R pools on our swimming pools webpage.

*Peninsula Pool will remain open through Monday, September 7, 2026.

Fitness in the Park

Portland Parks & Recreation'sFitness in the Park is in effect at 10 parks across the city, including the South Park Blocks, starting June 22! Fun for everyone ages 14 and older, these are free outdoor group fitness classes taught by some of your favorite PP&R instructors. No sign-up is necessary, all classes are drop-in. Bringing the kids along? Check the schedules for family- and youth-friendly classes!

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