June 2025 News: More Plazas, More Community Events, and the 2025 Plaza Survey!

Published

September 10, 2025 3:29 pm

In this article

Seattle's Shabazz Palaces had an electrifying performance at the 2025 St Johns Bizarre.

The 2025 Plaza Survey is Now Live!

Each year, we release a summer surveyto understand how people use the plazas and gather feedback to help us plan for the future. This year's survey is now live and available in English and Spanish! Your input is highly valued and will help us improve public street plazas to better serve you and your community. Share your thoughts and make a difference in your neighborhood!

Take the Survey!

Upcoming Plaza and Community Events

Here is what's on our radar for the month. New events from our partners are also regularly re-posted on the PBOT Instagram page.

Need help finding a PBOT Street Plaza? Check out the Plaza Directory!

Thursday, June 5

• First Thursdays at NW 13th Avenue Plaza: 5-9 PM. Join us in the Pearl District for First Thursday. Experience the work of local artists and makers along NW 13th Plaza on NW 13th Avenue between Everett and NW Irving streets. This event is sponsored by the Urban Art Network.

Saturday, June 7

• The Arleta Triangle Arts and Crafts Kaleidoscope at Arleta Triangle Square: 11 AM-5 PM. An arts and crafts event featuring makers from the Portland metro area in collaboration with Mt Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association.
• Free Workout Session at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 11 AM-12 PM. Come get your pump with Lone Fir Fitness and friends!
• BwPCon by Books With Pictures: 10 AM - 6 PM. A free and inclusive comic convention centered on LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disabled voices in comics. expect creators, panels, cosplay, local vendors, and family-friendly fun behind the SE Portland Books with Pictures shop at SE Orange and Division St.
• Eid Celebration at Montgomery Plaza: 3 PM - 7PM. Celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid with the Iraqi Student Club.

Sunday, June 8

• The Arleta Triangle Arts and Crafts Kaleidoscope at Arleta Triangle Square: 11 AM - 5 PM. An arts and crafts event featuring makers from the Portland metro area in collaboration with Mt Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association.

Tuesday, June 10

• Queerness Heals Circus at Montgomery Plaza: 11 AM - 3 PM. Presented by PSU's Queer Resource Center, this joyful event highlights queer performers and community resilience. Come together to embody hope, resistance, and joy! While you enjoy dancers, aerialists, and clowns visitors can also learn about community resources and enter a raffle for prizes, including gym passes, stickers, snacks, custom portraits, and more! More information on the Queer Resource Center Instagram page.

Thursday, June 12

• Weekly Game Night at Concordia Commons: 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Join neighbors for casual games, community-building, and a cozy evening hosted by the Concordia Neighborhood Association.

Saturday, June 14

• Vivid Memories: A Slide Film Group Show at Concordia Commons: 8 - 10 PM. Hosted by Foraged Film, this exhibition features analog slide projections from local photographers exploring memory and place.
• Free Workout Session at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 11 AM - 12 PM. Come get your pump with Lone Fir Fitness and friends!
• Breakside Brewery 15th Anniversary Block Party: 12 PM - 9 PM. Celebrate 15 years of Breakside with live music, food specials, and a pet adoption drive hosted by Northwest Animal Companions from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.A portion of the day's proceeds will benefit Woodlawn Elementary School. Located at Breakside's Dekum location at 820 NE Dekum St.
• Sadie Summer Block Party at 1420 NE Killingsworth St: 2 - 8 PM. Celebrate the rich culture and diversity of Northeast Portland with live music, local artists, small businesses, and community partners. This free, family-friendly event is hosted by Sabin CDC. Find out more here.
• Juneteenth 5K Run on the Bluff: 8 AM - 11 AM. Hosted by the Big Yard Foundation, this scenic 5K run along N Willamette Blvd celebrates health, freedom, and Black community. Includes music, a kids fun run, and community booths. Register hereand more information coming soon on the Big Yard Foundation Website.

Sunday, June 15

• Julie and the Astronauts Band at Concordia Commons: 4 - 6 PM. Live folk-pop music in the Plaza. Family friendly and open to all.
• Free Music at Rainbow Road: 11 AM - 2 PM. Enjoy spectacular sounds and rotating performers courtesy of Kernside Business Association.
• Tantrum Vintage Market on SE 34th Ave between Belmont & Yamhill: 11 AM - 4 PM.Discover a curated selection of Y2K and vintage treasures from 23 local vendors, including jewelry and unique fashion pieces.Hosted by Tantrum Vintage, this market is a must-visit for 90's-2000s style enthusiasts.

Wednesday, June 18

• Summer Nights in Historic Parkrose: 5 PM - 9 PM.Join the Parkrose community for an evening street fairfeaturing live music, dancing, family-friendly activities, and a bustling night market.Held at SE 104th Ave and Sandy Blvd, these events are free and open to the public.

Thursday, June 19

• Weekly Game Night at Concordia Commons: 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Grab a friend and drop in for board games and refreshments.

Saturday, June 21

• Really, Really Free Market at Rainbow Road: 12 - 3 PM. No money, no barter, just sharing! Bring clean, usable items and take what you need-hosted by the Kernside Business Association.
• Free Workout Session at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 11 AM-12 PM. Come get your pump with Lone Fir Fitness and friends!
• Taste of Thailand Festival at Yard Apartments: 11 AM - 6 PM.Experience the vibrant culture of Thailand with traditional performances, authentic cuisine, and local vendors at the free Taste of Thailand Festival.Hosted at the Yard Apartments, this inaugural event is free and open to all.

Sunday, June 22

• Hawthorne Plaza Grand Opening (37th & Hawthorne): 3 - 5 PM. Celebrate this new community space with live music, ribbon cutting, and local vendors-presented by the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association.
• Lawrence Jazz Duo at Concordia Commons: 4 - 6 PM. Smooth Sunday jazz to wind down the weekend.
• Taste of Thailand Festival at Yard Apartments: 11 AM - 6 PM.Experience the vibrant culture of Thailand with traditional performances, authentic cuisine, and local vendors at the free Taste of Thailand Festival.Hosted at the Yard Apartments, this inaugural event is free and open to all.

Thursday, June 26

• Strong Towns PDX "Urbanist Happy Hour" at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 4-7 PM. Strong Towns PDX will host bike riders, housing and land use nerds, public transit geeks, and all those who like urban planning and design to meet and enjoy a social Thursday together. Get food at local businesses, eat in the plaza, and enjoy coffee or beverages while making new friends.
• Weekly Game Night at Concordia Commons: 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Community game night continues!

Saturday, June 28

• Free Workout Session at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 11 AM-12 PM. Come get your pump with Lone Fir Fitness and friends!

Thursday, July 3

• Weekly Game Night at Concordia Commons: 4:30 - 7:30 PM. Bring a friend and play something new.
• First Thursdays on NW 13th Avenue: 5 - 9 PM. Portland's classic arts walk featuring hundreds of local artists, craftspeople, and food vendors curated by the Urban Art Network.

Saturday, July 5

• The Arleta Triangle Arts and Crafts Kaleidoscope at Arleta Triangle Square: 11 AM - 5 PM. An arts and crafts event featuring makers from the Portland metro area in collaboration with Mt Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association.
• Free Workout Session at Ankeny Rainbow Road: 11 AM - 12 PM. Come get your pump with Lone Fir Fitness and friends!

Sunday, July 6

• The Arleta Triangle Arts and Crafts Kaleidoscope at Arleta Triangle Square: 11 AM - 5 PM. An arts and crafts event featuring makers from the Portland metro area in collaboration with Mt Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association.
• Line Dancing for All at Concordia Commons: 4 - 6 PM. Try your hand at line dancing with friends and neighbors in the commons.

Weekly Recurring Community Events

• Shemanski Park Farmers Market at SW Park & Main: Wednesdays until October 29, 10 AM - 2 PM. A popular shopping destination for downtown residents, office workers, tourists, and local chefs. Founded in 1998, this gem of a market features over 30 vendor booths filled with farm-fresh and locally-made food under a lush green canopy of trees.
• Sellwood Moreland Farmers Market at SE Claybourne St & Milwaukie Ave: Saturdays until October 18, 10 AM - 2 PM.This farmers market is on a mission to create a neighborhood space where local farmers can sell their fresh produce, cheese, meat, fish, honey, baked goods, prepared food, cut flowers and plant starts in a space that is readily accessible to all.
• King Farmers Market at NE 7th Ave & Wygant: Sundays until November 23, 10 AM - 2 PM. Established in 2009, this King Farmers Market features around 30 regional farmers and local food artisans in a family-friendly place to spend a Sunday. Shoppers can do their grocery shopping for the week ahead and enjoy a variety of breakfast and lunch options.
• Woodlawn Farmers Market at NE Dekum & Durham:
  Saturdays until October 25, 9 AM - 1 PM. A hyper-local North Portland market known for its neighborly feel, live music, and community energy. Plus enjoy music performances from 10 AM to 1 PM under the tree canopy. Find out more at woodlawnfarmersmarket.org
• South Waterfront Farmers Market at Elizabeth Caruthers Park:
  Thursdays until October, 2 PM - 7 PM. This urban market features regional produce, artisan goods, baked treats, and live music along the South Waterfront Greenway. A great spot for after-work shopping in a lush riverside setting.

Want to Throw a Free Event in a PBOT Plaza?

Plazas are for Portlanders and we love to see them thrive! Want to throw a performance, dance party, craft market, seed swap, game night, neighborhood meet and greet, or something else?

The Small Plaza Activation Process is intended to remove barriers for small-scale (less than 100 people) neighborhood-based activities that build social and community connections in PBOT plazas. Best of all, permits under Small Plaza Activation are 100% FREE.

Looking to throw something larger? Apply for a Community Event with Portland in the Streets!

Host a Plaza Event!

Hawthorne Plaza Now Open With More to Come!

From land or sky Hawthorne Plaza is Stunning! Photo Credit: Craig Smith

Portlanders strolling along SE Hawthorne Boulevard may notice something new just off the corner at 37th Avenue. Hawthorne Plaza, launched through a partnership between PBOT, the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association, and the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, is part of our broader effort to transform underused street space into people-friendly places.

Last weekend, community members came together to help paint a bold and colorful street mural that now anchors the space. The mural, entitled "In Bloom" was designed by local tattoo artist Kami Gould. New seating and planters have also been installed, offering a cozy spot for neighbors to gather, enjoy takeout from nearby restaurants, or simply relax in the sun.

The transformation of SE 37th is just beginning. More improvements are on the way in the coming months, including special events like the grand opening celebration on June 22 from 3-5 p.m., custom-made riser seating by Richard Kawley Sculptures, and other opportunities for the community to shape the future of the space.

Hawthorne Plaza is a testament to what's possible when neighbors, small businesses, and the city work together to reclaim streets for people. Stay tuned for updates on Hawthorne Plaza and another new plaza coming to SE 9th Ave and Taylor Street later this month!

Ready for Anything: Disaster Prep Takes to the Plaza

On a recent Saturday morning, orange-vested neighborhood heroes gathered at Arleta Triangle Square. While plazas are often used for street fairs or concerts, this emergency preparedness exercise led by Portland's Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) program showed that these public spaces offer more than just entertainment. Volunteers from the Mount Scott-Arleta NET team came together to simulate a neighborhood disaster response, using the plaza as a central hub for coordination, triage, and communication.

"We're volunteer responders for natural disasters and incidents that could affect the entire neighborhood and possibly the entire city," explained Audrey Ashwright, team lead for Mount Scott-Arleta NET.

The day's scenario involved tornadoes sweeping through Portland, causing widespread damage and injuries. Although tornadoes are rare in the region, the drill emphasized the importance of being ready for a wide range of emergencies, including the infamous Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, commonly known as "the Big One." For the NET team, Arleta Triangle Square served as an ideal space to practice their response protocols, simulating downed power lines, ruptured sewer mains, and life-threatening injuries.

"Years ago, before the plaza, this intersection was a real community safety issue," said Ashwright. "We had multiple traffic incidents and even drive-by shootings. Closing it off became a really useful safety intervention for the neighborhood."

Audrey Ashwright and her NET Team run through drills.

Today, the plaza serves not only as a calmer, safer public space but also as a strategic asset for community resilience. "It's great for us as a team because we need an open space that is accessible, visible, and easy to describe. I can just tell people to go find the rainbow," she added, referencing the plaza's colorful street mural.

The team set up mock triage zones, communications areas, and staging spots for incoming volunteers. "Any neighborhood that has a plaza or similar space can really take advantage of it for things like setting up treatment areas or radio communications during a disaster," Ashwright noted.

Unlike parks, which often feature tall trees and other hazards that can become dangerous during storms or earthquakes, Arleta Triangle Square's flat and relatively unobstructed surface makes it a safer choice. "Trees are beautiful, but they're also serious hazards during a disaster," she said. "Parks may be compromised, so we need alternatives like this."*

*This point really hit home later in the day as a huge branch nearly fell on your dear writer while lounging at Sellwood Riverfront!

The NET program encourages Portland residents to get involved, whether through full training or by supporting existing neighborhood teams. "There are a lot of ways to get involved with NET," Ashwright said. "You don't have to go through full training. You can host events, help with outreach, or just let your local team know you have useful skills."

Ultimately, the message is simple but powerful: disaster preparedness starts with neighbors. "What we know from all the research on disasters is that neighbors help neighbors...neighbors rescue neighbors," Ashwright emphasized.

As Portland continues to invest in plaza spaces like Arleta Triangle Square, their potential to go beyond everyday recreation is becoming increasingly evident, offering a glimpse of all the ways these spaces can contribute to community life.

Scenes from the Streets : St Johns Bizarre

The 16th annual St. Johns Bizarre,held on May 10, 2025, brought throngs of visitors to downtown St. Johns to witness the creativity and weirdness of our beloved city. Spanning 15 blocks, the event featured over 200 local vendors, four stages of live music, and a variety of family-friendly activities, marking it as the largest Bizarre to date.

The Bizarre showcased an eclectic mix of local and regional musical talents across its four stages.Headlining the Plaza Stage was Black Belt Eagle Scout, joined by cellist Lori Goldston.Other notable acts included Shabazz Palaces, Federale, and Rhododendron, offering genres ranging from hip-hop to psych rock.

Shabazz Palaces was a crowd favorite with their Afrofuturist-inspired hip-hop.

Attendees explored a diverse array of vendors, offering handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and local delicacies, and even tattoos!The expanded event footprint allowed for greater participation from local businesses and community groups, enhancing the festival's inclusive atmosphere. Family-friendly activities were abundant, with play spaces, performances, and child-friendly crafts.

Did any readers get a tattoo from the Ink Bus?

Overall, the event was widely celebrated as a success, with St. Johns Bizarre organizers reporting that many businesses and vendors called it "their busiest day ever." The St. Johns Boosters also expressed strong support for more permitted community street events like the Bizarre, recognizing their power to drive foot traffic and boost local business.

"Huge community events like the parade and the bizarre really help activate our local businesses and bring new people into the neighborhood...people who might not otherwise visit. These events help build community connections. I'd love to see even more activation, with support from different city agencies to help us fill our empty storefronts. That way, we can keep the momentum going and bringing more people, more economic development, and greater health and safety for the entire community."

-Laura Streib, President of the St Johns Boosters

This doggo was the belle of the Bizarre.

Contact Us

Feedback, suggestions, partnerships, photos or event ideas? We'd love to hear from you!

Plazas Contact: [email protected]

Portland in the Streets Contact: [email protected].