Summer Free For All movie in Portland Park, 2024. Portland Parks is not just offering lunch activities this summer — 40 more free events are scheduled, including live music, cultural events and free movie showings.
Portland Parks and Recreation Dept.
Portland Parks and Recreation is starting a series of free summer events Monday.
The series begins with free lunches at several Portland parks, and mobile events at two apartment complexes on the eastside.
More than half of Portland kids qualify for free or reduced-price lunches during the school year. Parks supervisor Alicia Hammock said the Free Lunch + Play program helps fill that gap over the summer using money from a parks levy passed in 2020.
In addition to free food, she said several fun activities have also been organized.
“We’ve got board games, crafts and bubbles. Staff will help make slime. We have footballs and basketballs and parachutes. Just a variety of activities,” Hammock said.
The Free Lunch + Play events will run Monday through Friday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., until August 22.
“They don’t need to bring any ID,” Hammock explained.
The only restriction is that people have to eat the food at the location. Meals are not allowed to be taken and eaten off-site.
Summer Free For All event in Portland Park, 2024. Portland Parks and Recreation is starting the 2025 series of free summer events Monday.
Portland Parks and Recreation Dept.
Portland Parks is not just offering lunch activities this summer — 40 more free events are scheduled, including live music with Bridge City Soul, the Too Loose Zydeco Band and Norman Sylvester.
Cultural events like the East Portland Summer Arts Festival, the Washington Park Summer Festival and The Kidz Outside Festival are also scheduled, as well as free movies like “Inside Out 2,” “Coco,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
“Our goal is to build community,” said Jarrell Hosley, who oversees the program for the city. “People can enjoy themselves and have fun. Capture that Portland energy at a concert or a movie. It’s part of the culture.”
PP&R Director Adena Long said it’s “just not summer in Portland” until the program gets going again.
“There is nothing like experiencing live music or enjoying an outdoor movie with your loved ones in your favorite neighborhood park,” she said. “This year’s performance lineup is amazing, and I can’t wait to get out there.”
For more information, visit the Summer Free For All webpage.
Another perennial Portland Parks summer activity starts on Friday, although it’s not all free. Outdoor pools will open from June 20 to August 22.
But as part of the Summer Free For All program, some free open play swimming has been organized:
- Creston Pool – Free swim on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Grant Pool – Free swim on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Montavilla Pool – Free swim on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Peninsula Pool – Free swim on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- Pier Pool – Free swim on Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.*
- Sellwood Pool – Free swim on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For pool schedules, hours, and locations, visit the Portland Parks swim schedule.
