Get Out & Play! July Events

The summer is heating up and there is no shortage of fun to be had! Check out our list below and fill your family’s calendar with nature, music and all of the best our region has to offer!

The Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals is offering free group tours through November! Free limited capacity group tours hit all of the same Next Generation Science Standards that the Museum’s typical school tours fulfill and are led by the same enthusiastic group of educators. Content covered is appropriate for grades 1-6. Free, 11am-12pm ricenorthwestmuseum.org

12, 19 &

Pigs, Goats, Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Donkeys and Rita the Cow. Farmer Kat will meet on the main lawn at 10:15, then walk to see a different farm animal each week. Join her to learn more about the animals, ask questions, and even get a chance to pet them. Perfect for small kids. Free, 10:15-10:45am topazfarm.com

They’ll be sharing and discussing topics like cones, ferns, seeds, berries, leaves, bark, and more! Nature educators will have an activity station and provide activities to take out on the trails of the Arboretum. Participants will receive Pop-Up Nature! Passports to collect stamps and to take notes about featured topics week after week. Free (no registration required), 10am-12pm hoytarboretum.org

Musicians ages 13-18 are invited to share their songs with a live, supportive audience. Hosted by their teen interns, this is an incredible opportunity to hone skills performing on a pro stage with pro gear and sound engineers in state-of-the-art Meteor Lounge. Don’t have a tune to share? Go and be a part of the audience! Snacks and refreshments will be for sale. Free, 6-9:30pm youthmusicproject.org

July 7 & 8

Portland Night Market

The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Go meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators! Free, 4-11pm pdxnm.com

July 7-9

Gem Faire in Hillsboro gemfaire.com

Fine jewelry, precious & semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold & silver, pearls, minerals & much more at manufacturer’s prices. Jewelry repair & cleaning while you shop. Displays & demos by Portland Bead Society. See website for ticket pricing (free admission for under 12) and event hours.

July 8

Free Summer Concerts at Hagg

Head to Hagg Lake for Petty Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band. Arrive at 5pm for a collaborative, hands-on chalk activity coordinated by Tualatin Valley Creates and amazing food vendors. Free, 7-9pm washcoparks.org/index.php/news/ summer-concerts-hagg-lake-2023

July 8 & 9

East Portland Summer Arts

Festival Celebrating Black Excellence at Ventura Park

July 8: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) PG-13 + Sebe’ Kan Youth African Dance + special events

July 9: PJ Morton: Live in Concert Mult Grammy Award-Winning neo soul, R&B and funk songwriter, singer & producer Free, 4pm portland.gov/parks/arts-culture/summerfree-all

July 8 & 22

Porch Concert Series in St. Johns

Head to the Porch for Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective’s 3rd annual Porch Concert Series! Thanks to a generous grant from Portland Events & Film, they are able to continue this free, live music series. Free, 10am-12:30pm cathedralparkarts.org/porch-concertseries

July 11

Free Teen Health Expo in Hillsboro

Youth 12 to 24 are invited to NHC Hillsboro Reproductive Health Clinic for healthcare services, community resources, job opportunities, food, and giveaways. Learn about the services and opportunities available near you. Free, 5-7:30pm Website: fb.me/e/1mUjRbdZk

July 14

Bring the whole family, bring a pack-it-in, pack-it-out picnic, and prepare to have a fun evening on the tree walk! Kelli Welli and Mr. Ben will be performing! Free-$12, 5-7:30pm leachgarden.org/tree-topchildrens-concerts

July 14 & 15

The Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Association was incorporated and held the first Sherwood Robin Hood Festival in 1954. A magical festival for all families and attendees of all ages! This year they are partnering with Title Sponsor, Langer’s Entertainment Center, and numerous other sponsors and volunteers. Free, see website for event hours robinhoodfestival.org

July 15

Mississippi Street Fair

Head to N Mississippi Ave From Fremont To Skidmore! Enjoy three music stages, Grandfathers Rib-Off Competition, hundreds of vendors and plenty of shopping & dining. Very kid friendly! Free, 10am-10pm mississippiave.org/streetfair

July 15 & 16

La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival in Hillsboro

This year, 20+ professional artists from around the country will turn Downtown Hillsboro into a wildlife scene with the theme “Creative Critters,” creating massive 10×10 foot chalk drawings of animals like lions, sloths, zebras and snakes. Watch as these ephemeral pieces of public art come to life in real-time over the course of two days. Join in on the fun and create your own mini-masterpiece in the community chalk area. Free, 10am-6pm tvcreates.org/lastrada

July 20-23

4 Days of Aloha in Vancouver

Children ages 10 & under receive free admission to 4 Days of Aloha events held at Esther Short Park. They know how important it is to get your keiki involved! There is no better way to teach your keiki the value of ALOHA than for them to experience it first hand. Join the fun with other ʻohana from the community who are looking to do the same. See website for pricing and hours

4daysofaloha.com

July 21-30

Washington County Fair

Head to Hillsboro for the 2023 Washington County Fair! Admission to the fair is free and you can spend as little or as much as you’d like when you decide what you’d like to enjoy! Free, see website for hours and events bigfairfun.com

For all ages! Trade your used books with others, and take home as many as you bring. This event is sponsored in part by the Friends & Foundation of the Camas Library (FFCL). Free, 4-7pm camaspubliclibrary.evanced.info

July 28

Kickstand Comedy in the Park in Laurelhurst Park

Hosts @themexinpdx + @jaren. george bring their favorite local and national comics on stage every week – expect curated lineups featuring diverse voices and non stop laughs! Comedy in the park is all ages but there may be adult content Free, 6pm kickstandcomedy.org/ comedyinthepark

July 29

Portlandia Mermaid Parade

For six years, the Portlandia Mermaid Parade is and remains a free grassroots artistic event aimed at celebrating our community connection to Portland’s rivers, port history as well as celebrating all things mermaid and water myth related. Free, 12pm portlandiamermaidparade.com