Day · Free Live Music
Mt Tabor Monday
A free Monday evening of live music in the park — Amber Russell and Nathan Watt set up at Mt. Tabor for an outdoor show.
Mt. Tabor Park · 6:30 PM · Free
Events of the Week
Best Things to Do in Portland: Aug 3–9, 2026
14 hand-picked events for the week — a daytime and an evening pick for each day, chosen from everything on the PDX Events calendars. Also posted on Instagram.
Monday, August 3
Night · Storytelling
Moth StorySLAM: Schooled
True stories, told live and unscripted — The Moth's competitive storytelling night hits the Old Church Concert Hall. Theme: "Schooled." Ten storytellers, five minutes each, audience does the scoring.
Old Church Concert Hall · 8 PM
Tuesday, August 4
Day · Bar Night
Pre-Inflation Tuesday
Sugar Hill on SE Belmont rolls back prices every Tuesday — Back to when we could afford to go out. $1 oysters, $3 cheeseburgers, $3 fries, $3 beers and shots. Great neighborhood bar, no cover, no fuss.
Sugar Hill · SE Belmont
Night · Free Swimming
Tuesday Splashdown
It's gonna be HOT! Free music and immaculate vibes at Audrey McCall Beach. It's rocky so bring chairs or better yet - floats.
Audrey McCall Beach · 5:30 PM · Free
Wednesday, August 5
Day · Free Outdoor Theater
OPSFest: Midsommer
The Original Practice Shakespeare festival brings an abridged Midsummer Night's Dream to Gateway Discovery Park — free, outdoors, and delightful. Bring a blanket and your best iambic pentameter.
Gateway Discovery Park · 11:30 AM · Free
Night · Free Rooftop Party
Society Hotel Rooftop
Free rooftop party at the Society Hotel — live DJs, summer air, and a view of Portland from 6 to 9 PM. One of those spots where the setting does half the work for you.
Society Hotel · 6 PM · Free
Thursday, August 6
Day · Community Event
Pick It Up, Portland!
SOLVE's citywide cleanup brings Portlanders together to pick up trash around the city — free snacks, drinks, and raffles sweeten the deal. A few hours of good work and the city feels a little lighter.
Citywide · 10 AM · Free
Night · Art Walk
First Thursday
The Pearl District's monthly art walk — galleries open late, the neighborhood comes alive with people, and the 20-somethings are all dressed to impress. Free to wander, tons of vendors.
Pearl District · All Evening · Free
Friday, August 7
Day · Music & Arts
Ghosts of Summer
"A Summer festival for Halloween Lovers": Ghosts of Summer takes over Redd East Event Space. Tickets from $13, grab them ahead of time.
Redd East Event Space · From $13
Night · Free Block Party
R&B Afterdark Block Party
A free outdoor R&B block party at the Depave lot on SE Washington and 7th — live music, a good crowd, and the part of town where you might stumble onto another adventure.
SE Washington & 7th Ave · 7 PM · Free
Saturday, August 8
Day · Free Bike Procession
Lloyd Center Funeral
Portland's iconic 1960s mall — the first in the world with an indoor ice rink — closes its doors for good this weekend. Dress in your best funeral gear (or Tonya Harding outfit) and loop through the parking structures one last time, ending at the rink for a skating exhibition and optional jam skate. Free ride; $20 all-day skate rental.
Holladay Park · Ride at 1:30 PM · Free
Night · Free Protest Ride
World Naked Bike Ride
Portland's annual naked bike ride returns — a joyful, clothing-optional protest against any number of causes. Thousands of riders, start point released day-of. Quintessentially Portland. If you're confused because there was another, similarly named naked bike ride a few weeks ago, there's a whole backstory. DM and we will fill you in as best we can.
Portland · 5 PM · Free
Sunday, August 9
Day · Free Festival
Elephant Garlic Festival
The North Plains Elephant Garlic Festival returns — food, crafts, live entertainment, and the annual gathering of the garlic-loving community. Free, family-friendly, and a genuine Oregon tradition.
Jessie Mays Park · North Plains · Free
Night · Free Live Music
Wash. Park Summer Fest
The Washington Park Summer Festival brings an evening of original soul music featuring Portland legend Ural Thomas and the Pain to the Rose Garden Amphitheater. Free concert under summer skies — one of the great summer nights in the city.
Washington Park Amphitheater · 6 PM · Free
Want more? See everything happening this weekend or the full Portland events calendar.