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What To Do in Portland This July

Posted on July 1, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
City Cast Portland staff

City Cast Portland staff

overlooking Mt. Tabor reservoir from a grassy hill, Portland, Oregon

Summer in the sun. (Rachel Monahan / City Cast Portland)

City Cast

Your Guide to July in Portland

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Here’s my big tip for the month: Get outside. You already knew that, though. So here are some fun things to do once you get out the front door. There are so many possibilities right now:

📽️ Go See a Movie in the Park or at the Drive-In

Hollywood Theatre is hosting summer movies at state parks. The city of Portland and Vancouver also have evening movies in the park. And of course, there’s the 99W Drive-In — if you want a throw-back adventure.

🎵🎭😆 Or How About a Outdoor Concert, Play, Comedy Set, or Festival?

If you’re looking for music, there’s the Waterfront Blue Festival, starting Thursday. There’s the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival later this month. But there’s no shortage of concerts in the park. Your options for musically accompanied picnics are almost endless.

But wait, there’s more: You could also check out a free comedy set or unrehearsed performance of a Shakespeare play.

And then there are some more niche opportunities: La Strada dei Pastelli Chalk Art Festival, Tea Fest PDX, and the Fuji to Hood: Japan/Oregon Beer, Cider & Culture festival.

🏳️‍🌈 It’s Also Portland Pride Month

The Rose Festival takes up downtown waterfront real estate in June, so look for July Pride celebrations in Portland, including the Pride parade.

🌲 And It’s Never the Wrong Season for a Hike

Now is a particularly good time to find a place to get out into the woods. But you don’t even have to go far.

Reminder:Forest Park and Mt.Tabor are gems; so is Tryon Creek.

Your Guide to Portland in July

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