Sure, we’re back at school this month, and the days are getting shorter. But there is still so much going on in September. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite things to do with kids around Portland — all for free this month.
We’ve made every effort to confirm this information, but always double-check with the organization before heading out!
Choo choo time. Celebrate 71 years of train-riding fun during Train Fest at Molalla Park. The fun happens over Labor Day weekend (Sept. 1-3) from 11 am-4 pm. The train rides are always free, but donations for the volunteers are always appreciated.
River dragons. Cheer teams as they row to the beat of a drum at the 2024 Portland Dragon Boat Festival. Food and drink vendors will be on land for post-race partying. Join the fun on Saturday and Sunday, September 6-7 from 9:30 am-4 pm, at the south end of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Explore Tryon. Meet at the Nature Center and join a Naturalist on a hike through Tryon Creek every Saturday from 10-11 am. Topics will vary week to week and are geared to ages 5 and up, but all ages are welcome — this month, there are walks on owls, crows and ravens, and mushrooms. (Parents must accompany kids on all hikes.)
Go on a hike. And you want to keep the hiking outings going, check out one of our kid-friendly fall hikes to peep the leaves, look for wildlife and breathe in the fresh air. Hiking with a toddler? Don’t miss the weekly Honeybee Hikes at Leach Botanical Garden.
Paddle Around. Summer vacation may be over, but you still have time to kayak before the rains come. Check out these 10 great spots to kayak with kids.
Dine al fresco. Now that it’s not too hot, try one of our favorite picnic spots before the winter rains set in.
Visit Herman. At the Bradford Island Visitor Center, don’t miss underwater windows that allow you to peer into the the fish ladder, educational displays about the dam, and the rooftop observation deck with its panoramic view. At the Bonneville Hatchery, feed rainbow trout, visit Herman the Sturgeon (he’s 10 feet long and more than 80 years old!), and spend some time meandering the lovely grounds. Pro tip: bring a picnic and eat along the river. September and October are great months to see adult fall Chinook and coho salmon spawning. This is a fun and interesting day trip for both kids and adults.
Frolic through the fields. The colorful Swan Island Dahlia Festival is still happening, so head to Canby to spot more than 350 varieties — plus live music and food carts.
Art for all. Start off the month with Portland Art Museum’s Free First Thursdays (on Sept. 4), plus programs at the Tomorrow Theater in Southeast Portland are also free for the day. (Kids 17 and under are always free at PAM!)
Make music. For families with infants, head to The Musikry for the bi-monthly Do Workshop. Tailored for parents and babies 2-5 months, the workshop fosters growth and bonding hrough song, movement and play. Grownups will be guided through activities that encourage age appropriate development while gaining support and friendship along the way. Registration required.
Make even more music. Music Together Resonate and My Gym SW Portland are teaming up for another community event on Sept. 5 from 10-11 am to showcase their amazing programs for ages 0-5 year olds. Families can partake in mini, 20-minute music and gym classes.
Celebrate Clinton. Celebrate your Clinton and Division neighbors by joining in the Clinton Street Fair on September 6 for an unforgettable day of local art, music, food and good community vibes!
Get Koo Koo. Koo Koo is coming to Wonderwood Springs on September 6 from noon to 1 pm for a free, high-energy, all-ages concert! Don’t miss it!
Fall Fest. Visit David’s Harp, in Northeast for the organization’s Fall Fest on Sept. 6 from 2-5 pm. The event will include interactive live music, hands-on art activities suitable for all ages, a variety of games, and light snacks. The goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where neighbors can connect, express creativity, and have fun together. All ages are welcome, and there will be activities tailored to kids, teens, and adults alike.
Celebrate Beaverton. Head southwest for the Beaverton Celebration Parade on Saturday, September 7. There will be plenty of marching bands and colorful floats!
LEGO lovers. While you’re in Beaverton, stop by the library for Brick Builders, a drop-in program where kids can make friends while creating with building bricks and vehicles. There’s Duplos for kids ages 3-5 and LEGOs for older children.
Kids fest. On September 7 from noon-6 pm, don’t miss the fourth annual Multicultural Kids Festival at Ventura Park next to Ventura Park Elementary. The event will feature a vibrant showcase of multicultural performances and activities such as a climbing wall, petting zoo, bounce houses, and art classes.
Green thumbs. Come together to celebrate, educate and share resources about ecological gardening, habitat restoration and community resilience during the Eco Garden Fest at SymbiOp on Sept. 7 from 10 am-4 pm. Roughly 30 booths, including kid-friendly activities, will be freely accessible to the public in the front parking lot of SymbiOp Garden Shop.
Field flicks. Pack up your chairs and blankets and head to Yesteryear Farm for Movies in the Pumpkin Patch. Happening every Friday night during September-October. Movies start at dusk (which gets earlier as the season goes on).
Porch tunes. Haven’t made it to the Porch Concert Series in St. Johns yet? There’s two remaining concerts happening this month. Don’t miss Red Yarn and the Portland Mountain Boys on September 13 and Mr. Ben and The Colin Trio on September 27.
Nature time. What do a salmon scale and a tree ring have in common? What critters live in our forest? Explore these questions and more during Nature Days at Columbia Springs in Vancouver on September 13. Start at the visitor center for maps, information, and activities. Choose your own adventure around our forest and enjoy volunteer-led activities, games, and guided walks!
Ye olde comics. Enjoy comics, board games, video games and so much more that Wonderwood’s Comics & Games Faire! This magical day also features: 40+ local vendors, Unicorns & Goats, live music and more!
All about crows. Calling all bird-lovers and anyone curious about crows! Join award-winning author Leslie Barnard Booth as she reads her new picture book, I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive, September 13 at 10:30 am. Learn how crows collaborate to find food, solve problems and stay safe from predators. Then play a guessing game to explore crow vocalizations, and try your hand at some tricky puzzles crows have been able to solve! Can’t make it on Saturday? There’s a Sunday story time at Green Bean Books!
Plan a fun outing with your library’s cultural passes. Local library systems offer free and discounted passes to popular museums and attractions. Find your library system here to see where you can go. (Check your library system for the most up-to-date information on where passes are accepted.)
Go for a bike ride. From classics to new favorites, check out these kid-friendly bike paths.
Roll out. Don’t miss the last Portland Sunday Parkways of the season on Sunday, September 14 in downtown Portland.
Move time. Tigard Parks & Rec presents Movies in the Park on Sept. 13. Meet at Universal Plaza for a special showing of Moana 2. Come early to play in the splash pad, compete in games, visit our vendor booths and win prizes.
American history. Visit the Oregon Military Museum on Sept. 20 and step into the lived experiences of Union soldiers during the American Civil War through reenactments, demonstrations, interactive activities, living historian engagements, and more with the help of the Sons of Civil War Union Veterans, 26th NY Colored Regiment, and NW Civil War Council. Free and fun for all ages
Cześć! Celebrate all things Poland during the Portland Polish Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21 at 3900 N Interstate Ave. for a weekend filled with authentic food, live music, captivating dance performances, cultural exhibits and more.
Cider-ific. Get ready for history, community, cider, and fun on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 1-4 pm during Cedar Mill Cider Festival on the grounds of the historic John Quincy Adams Young House at 12050 NW Cornell Road. The neighborhood event, will feature fresh cider created on antique presses, musical entertainment and more.
Beary cute. Probably one of Portland’s cutest parades, the annual Teddy Bear Parade in Gresham is a fun time for the whole family. Catch these stuffies on Saturday, September 27.