Portland Parks & Recreation is bringing back the popular Summer Free For All series of events for 2025.

The programs were made possible by the 2020 voter-approved Parks Local Option Levy. Here are eight things go, do, see or hear as the summer rolls on.

1. Free Lunch + Play

Monday, June 23 at 22 parks and at East Portland apartment complexes. Free live music, movies and cultural events start July 2 citywide.

Due to their family’s income levels, more than half of Portland’s school-age children qualify for free or reduced-price meals during the school year. But not during the summer. To help fill that gap, PP&R offers free nutritious meals and fun activities for youths and families when school is out, including sports, games, arts, crafts, music and other activities led by trained staff and community partners. Free Lunch + Play begins June 23. Click here for a full list of sites and activities.

2. Summer Free For All

This year’s program features more than 40 events for all ages, including multicultural festivals, free outdoor movies, concerts and more ways to experience community across the city.

For schedules and information, visit the Summer Free For All webpage. Schedules are available in English and Spanish, with more languages coming soon, including Ukrainian, Tongan, Russian, Somali, Chinese and Vietnamese.

Movies include “Inside Out 2” “Coco,” and “Despicable Me 4” plus classics such as “The Sandlot.”

Concert highlights feature Norman Sylvester with Lenanne Miller, BridgeCity Soul, Conjunto Alegre, the Too Loose Zydeco band and more.

The East Portland Summer Arts Festival, Washington Park Summer Festival and The Kidz Outside Festival all return, as well.

3. Summer Free For All Kickoff Event

The Summer Free For All Free Lunch + Play kickoff celebration is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 26, Parklane Park, Southeast 155th Avenue at Main Street. Everyone 18 and younger can share a meal together and have fun in the sun. Free lunch is served between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

4. East Portland Summer Arts Festival

The festival runs July 12 and 13 at Ventura Park, 460 S.E. 113th Ave. This year’s headliners are Edna Vasquez in the Best of Both Worlds (La Mejor de Ambos Mundos) tour on July 12, and Portland Taiko and Friends on July 13.

5. Washington Park Summer Festival

Set for Aug. 9 and 10 at the Rose Garden Amphitheater, 410 S.W. Kingston Ave. Events begin at 6 p.m. both days.

This year’s lineup features the Tempos Contemporary Circus, presenting acrobatics, experimental theater and quirky humor, followed by Portland Cello Project, exploring Radiohead’s most iconic songs.

6. Gateway Discovery Park

Activities are slated from 9 a.m. to  p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from June 23 to August 22. No registration needed. Enjoy free arts and crafts, games, cultural events and more on the plaza. Free lunches are available for youths 18 and younger, served daily from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

7. Free Open Play Swim at Outdoor Pools

Enjoy weekly free swim sessions at these PP&R outdoor pools:

Creston Pool: Mondays 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Peninsula Pool: Tuesdays 1 to 3:45 p.m.

Montavilla Pool: Tuesdays 6 to 8 p.m.

Grant Pool: Wednesdays 1 to 3 p.m.

Sellwood Pool: Wednesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Pier Pool: Thursdays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (expected to open July 14)

For full schedules and information for all PP&R pools, visit the pools website.

8. Fitness in the Park

This program is for anyone ages 14 and older, featuring free outdoor group fitness classes taught by PP&R instructors at Irving Park, 707 N.E. Fremont St.; Ventura Park, 460 S.E. 113th Ave.’ and Mt. Scott Park, Southeast 72nd Avenue at Harold Street. Classes will meet Monday through Friday and expand to eight locations throughout Portland starting June 23.

Find out more at the Fitness in the Park website.