Greater Portland Area Activities and Newsletter - August 7-14, 2026
GRAND PRIX OF PORTLAND
Aug. 7–9
The Grand Prix of Portland races at Portland International Raceway every year. The premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, the Grand Prix offers one of the most diverse and challenging schedules in motorsports, with races held on ovals, permanent road courses and temporary street courses. Witness the stars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES battle it out on the iconic 12-turn road course in a high-stakes race for the championship. This three-day festival features fast racing, local food trucks, and interactive fan zones.
You are invited to celebrate the season of Dahlias. Stroll through almost 50 acres of breathtaking fields and a beautiful display garden of stunning dahlias featuring over 375 varieties. Treat yourself to a rainbow of colors by taking photos, shopping in our gift shop, and purchasing fresh-cut dahlias to take home. Select and order your favorite dahlias for spring delivery to enjoy the beauty in your garden the following year. Fill your belly with yummy treats from the food carts, relax and enjoy the live music on the weekend, or take one of the classes throughout the festival dates.
June 19–Aug. 21
Nothing says summer in Portland like a warm evening outdoors with good food and live entertainment. On several evenings throughout the summer, the Oregon Zoo hosts Zoo Nights filled with local music, food carts, activities for all ages and the chance to get to know some of the animals active during twilight hours.
Zoo Nights occur from mid-June through mid-August, with live music on the lawn at 6:30 p.m. and activities from 5:30 p.m. Guests will also find tasty food and snacks — plus the ever-popular elephant ears and a selection of local beer and wine for adults.
They’re creepy, they’re kooky, and they’re coming to Theatre in the Grove. Join Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Uncle Fester, and the whole delightfully eccentric Addams Family in this hilarious, heartwarming musical comedy. When Wednesday falls in love with a perfectly normal young man and invites his family to dinner, chaos, secrets, and laughter collide in an unforgettable evening.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD
Aug. 1–15
Broadway’s spellbinding spectacular Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to a city near you. Join the next adventure and experience the wizarding world like never before at this record-breaking hit and winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Play. “It’s one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade” (Forbes). When Harry Potter’s headstrong son, Albus, befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. It’s a “marvel of imagination” (The New York Times) that will “leave you wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine).
PORTLAND HOT SAUCE EXPO
Aug. 8–9
Enjoy the taste of a huge variety of hot sauces at this annual exhibition. The expo includes free hot sauce tastings, a selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails, snacks ranging from barbecue to vegan bites, the Stage of Doom and action-packed wrestling.
July 16–Aug. 16
Inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 and set in New York City, Disney’s Newsies tells the tale of Jack Kelly, the charismatic leader of a band of teenage “newsies.” When the publishing company raises its distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack and his band of misfits rally from across the city to strike against the bullies and fight for what’s right. Packed with unforgettable songs and high-energy dance numbers, this musical seizes the day with courage, friendship, and the belief that ordinary voices can spark extraordinary change.
SCIENCE PUB: TITANIC - BEYOND THE WRECK
Aug 11
Exploration of the deep ocean has gained momentum in the last 25 years. Development of a new 5-person submersible (the Titan) capable of diving to 4000 m (13,123 ft) allowed recent explorations of the RMS Titanic shipwreck and the nearby seafloor. OceanGate, Inc., which owned the submersible, pioneered a new model for delivering scientists and other individuals to the deep sea. As most know, however, this endeavor ended in tragedy. The deep sea (below 200 m) is the least well-known environment on Earth. The Titanic, which lies at about 3800 m depth, is an iconic wreck to explore and has been the subject of several expeditions since its location was discovered in 1985. However, like most of the deep sea, its ecology is poorly known. This presentation will explore development of the submersible, the 2021-2023 Titanic expeditions, and an introduction to other deep-sea ecosystems, including deep-sea corals, methane seeps and submarine canyons.
HILLSBORO HOPS
July 21–Sept. 6
The Hillsboro Hops are a High-A minor league baseball playing at Ron Tonkin Field since 2013. Their name honors Oregon’s reputation as a top hop-growing state, and the team made an instant mark by winning the Northwest League title in its debut season. Catch a fun, affordable, family-friendly game and experience the thrill of minor league ball.
BLUEGRASS JAMS
On-going
Hopworks is thrilled to welcome Patrick and his rotating vintage bluegrass band for a weekly jam session. They’ll be playing classic tunes from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, along with a solid lineup of original songs in that same hard-driving, traditional style. Join a toe-tapping good time filled with lively music, great vibes, and cold drinks. Whether you’re a bluegrass fan or just looking for a fun night out, Hopworks is the place to be.
Come on down, grab a drink, and soak up the good vibes. This foundation of inspiring individuals forms the basis of the community we're building in Portland to inform our present and evolve our future. We'd love for you to join the movement.
OPS FEST: THE COMEDIE OF ERRORS
July 11–Aug. 19
Two sets of identical twins, masters (Antipholus) and servants (Dromio) were separated by a shipwreck. Antipholus of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus, and Adriana mistakes him for her husband (E.Antipholus).. S.Antipholus gets a gold chain E.Antipholus ordered, but then E.Antipholus is arrested for not paying. Confusion reigns until Antipholus’ parents are found.
OPS Fest brings no-cost repertory Shakespeare to parks and venues throughout the Portland Metro area. The company uses the original practice techniques of Elizabethan England: limited rehearsal, scrolls in hand, audience interaction, and an onstage prompter. In Shakespeare’s Era, the audience knew the actors had not rehearsed and that the only context each had of the play was their own role on a scroll. The play was as fresh to the actors as the audience.
PORTLAND SATURDAY MARKET
Ongoing
Nationally recognized as the largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market in the country, the Portland Saturday Market Combines the vibes of an art show, a live street concert and an open-air bazaar. has been a beloved Rose City tradition since 1974 — in 2024, the market celebrated its 50th anniversary and earned the “Oregon Heritage Tradition” title. It’s considered the largest continually operating arts-and-crafts fair in the United States, drawing up to 1 million visitors during its annual season.
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