Parkrose Summer Nights: Neighbors Coming Together on July 16
Get ready, Parkrose! Summer Nights Street Fair & Night Market is returning for its second 2025 event on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. This free community celebration will run from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at NE Sandy Blvd & 104th Ave (around 10402 NE Sandy Blvd) . It’s an evening under the stars filled with music, food, and local pride – a perfect summer night to bring neighbors together Parkrose-style .
When & Where
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (the second Summer Nights event of the year)
Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (drop by anytime)
Location: Historic Parkrose – at NE 104th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard (10402 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220) . The street will be closed off and “lit up” with activity , transforming the heart of Parkrose into a bustling night market and block party. Admission is free and open to all ages , so everyone from kids to grandparents is welcome to join in the fun.
Live Music & Entertainment
Youth musicians perform live on stage at a previous Parkrose Summer Nights event, courtesy of Friends of Noise .
One of the biggest highlights of Summer Nights is the live music. Parkrose will come alive with upbeat tunes and even some dancing in the streets . We’re teaming up with the nonprofit Friends of Noise, who are curating four live bands to rock the stage . Expect an energetic mix of youth talent and local bands – including the return of Drekig, a crowd-favorite husband-and-wife duo who wowed everyone last year with Latin dance rhythms, krautrock vibes, and songs in English, German, and Spanish . There’s nothing like grooving to live music on a warm summer evening, and you might find yourself dancing along with neighbors on the grass . From upbeat jams to multicultural melodies, the entertainment will reflect Parkrose’s diverse community spirit.
In addition to the music, look out for interactive performances that add a dash of whimsy to the night. The Bright Heart Circus will be joining the fun, bringing circus arts to the street fair – don’t be surprised to see stilt walkers, jugglers, or acrobatic feats delighting the crowd. And keep an eye out for the Bubble Club, who will be creating massive bubbles that kids (and let’s be honest, adults too!) can run and play through . These huge bubbles floating under the evening sky add a magical touch and endless smiles.
Local Food & Vendors
A local vendor at Parkrose Summer Nights showcases handmade jewelry and accessories to event-goers .
Come hungry and ready to shop! The Summer Nights Street Fair will feature 40+ vendors , highlighting the amazing small businesses and makers that call our community home. It’s truly a night market experience – you can stroll down NE 104th Ave browsing booths of local artisans, crafts, and info from community organizations. Historic Parkrose has made a point to prioritize Indigenous and BIPOC vendors and performers to reflect the rich diversity of Parkrose , so you’ll find a beautiful variety of goods and cultures represented.
On the food front, get ready to treat your taste buds. A lineup of food trucks and booths will be serving up delicious eats:
Urban Fry – back by popular demand with their famous Indian fry bread tacos (a huge hit last year!) . Don’t miss these tasty, made-to-order tacos on fluffy fry bread.
Taqueria La Merced – bringing authentic Mexican flavors; perfect if you’re craving street tacos or burritos .
Kristy’s Down Home Cookin’ – homestyle comfort food from a beloved local small business .
Pomo’s Snow Cones – cool off with sweet, colorful snow cones and icy treats .
Level Beer – our very own local brewery will have a beer garden station . Enjoy a cold craft brew from Level Beer (a proud event sponsor, too!) while you mingle.
Parkrose Coffee Shop – yes, your neighborhood coffee spot will be on-site to fuel you with caffeine or iced drinks . Great for an evening pick-me-up or a dessert coffee.
And that’s just naming a few! You can also expect other local favorites (we hear some nearby brick-and-mortar restaurants might join in ) and plenty of shopping opportunities. From handmade jewelry and art, to boutique clothing and home goods, the vendor booths will have something for everyone . Every dollar spent goes right back to supporting our local economy and small businesses, so it’s truly a win-win – you get awesome stuff, and our community entrepreneurs get love and exposure.
Family Fun Activities
Kids enjoy free art activities at a community event – Summer Nights will have creative stations for the little ones and those young at heart .
Summer Nights is designed to be family-friendly, so bring the kiddos (and the young-at-heart). There will be free activities for all ages throughout the event . Some highlights include:
Face Painting by Mystique’s Fancy Faces – Let your child (or you!) become a tiger, superhero, or sparkle like a fairy . Professional face painters will be on hand adding color and glitter to smiling faces. Don’t be shy to get in line – this is always popular!
Giant Bubbles – The Bubble Club will set up an interactive bubble station . Picture enormous iridescent bubbles floating overhead; kids can chase them, pop them, or just stare in wonder. It’s pure joy!
Circus Performers – Bright Heart Circus is bringing circus arts to Parkrose . You might see juggling, acrobatics, or even get to learn a few tricks. It adds a carnival flair that makes the night feel extra special.
The FLIP Museum Mobile Unit – Our friends at the FLIP Children’s Museum will be there too . This means interactive exhibits and hands-on fun right on the street! It’s a great chance for kids to play and learn (without even realizing it).
Arts and Crafts – Expect art stations where kids can draw, paint, or make simple crafts (we’ll have supplies ready). Whether it’s painting a community mural panel or DIY bubble wands, there will be creative outlets to keep little hands busy.
And more surprises! Hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, maybe even some lawn games – all free to enjoy . The idea is that families can have fun together, and neighbors can mingle while kids play. Summer Nights will have the kind of warm, welcoming vibe where kids are laughing, parents are chatting, and everyone feels like they belong.
Getting There (Parking & Transit)
Worried about logistics? Don’t be – we’ve got you covered on getting to the event. Street parking is available in the surrounding area, though parts of NE 104th Ave will be closed for the fair. If you’re driving, you can often find parking along NE Sandy Blvd or nearby side streets (just be mindful of any posted restrictions). There’s also the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center Park & Ride just a few blocks west at NE 95th & Sandy, which has 193 free parking spaces available . Feel free to park there and take a short stroll to the event.
Even better, consider alternative transportation: The Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center is served by the MAX Red Line light rail and several bus lines (including the 12-Sandy, 21-Sandy/223rd, 71-122nd Ave) , making it super easy to get here by public transit. Biking is another great option – Sandy Blvd has bike lanes in sections, and we’ll have a bike parking area at the event entrance. However you get here, just know that once you arrive you’ll step right into the festive scene – music and the smell of good food will guide you in!
Pro tip: If you live in the neighborhood, walking over with family or neighbors is a fun way to arrive. You’ll likely bump into friends on the way, and you won’t have to worry about parking at all. And since the event wraps up by 9 PM, you’ll be home before it’s too late on a weeknight.
Community Spirit & Sponsors
One thing that makes Parkrose Summer Nights truly special is the community spirit behind it. This event is more than just a fun fair – it’s a celebration of who we are as a neighborhood. Parkrose is known as one of the most diverse and resilient communities in Portland, and Summer Nights is all about honoring that diversity and welcoming everyone to share in it . As one organizer put it, East Portland (and Parkrose in particular) is often misunderstood by those who haven’t been here, and events like this show the real Parkrose – the vibrant, positive, “beautiful community with lots of amazing businesses and restaurants” that we all know and love . It’s a chance to break down misconceptions and build pride in our neighborhood. You’ll see neighbors of all backgrounds coming together – dancing, laughing, and connecting. This is what community looks like in Parkrose!
Of course, none of this would happen without the support of many partners and sponsors who believe in our community. Historic Parkrose (our neighborhood business association) hosts Summer Nights, but we have a whole team of helpers. We want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to the organizations and local businesses that have pitched in to make this event possible :
Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) – Providing key support (we’re thankful for city partners who invest in East Portland) .
Prosper Portland & East Portland Action Plan – Helping fund and promote community-driven events (shout out for believing in Parkrose!).
Friends of Noise – Partnering with us to bring amazing live music and youth performers . They truly help amplify young voices in our community.
Local business sponsors: Level Beer, Parkrose Coffee Shop, OnPoint Community Credit Union, Grocery Outlet, Minuteman Press (Gateway), Parkrose Vision Clinic, and more – these businesses not only serve our area but also stepped up to sponsor and participate . When you grab a pint from Level Beer or a latte from Parkrose Coffee at the event, you’re supporting the folks who support our community year-round.
Parkrose Educational Foundation & Parkrose School District partners – Engaging youth and families; we love having our schools involved .
Venture Portland – Our city-wide neighborhood business support network, helping behind the scenes (and they’ll likely have a booth – come say hi).
(Apologies if we missed anyone in this list – know that we appreciate every bit of support!)
This collaborative effort shows how Parkrose comes together. Local government, nonprofits, and businesses all pitched in, but most importantly you – the community – make it magical by showing up. The smiles, the conversations, the shared dances – that’s the real heart of Summer Nights.
Join Us on July 16!
Mark your calendars and spread the word to your neighbors. The Parkrose Summer Nights event on July 16 is going to be an evening to remember – a true showcase of our neighborhood’s talent, flavors, and togetherness. Whether you’re a long-time Parkrose resident or have never been to our corner of NE Portland, you’re invited to come experience the music, art, food, and homegrown joy that will fill Sandy Blvd and 104th Ave .
Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets if you want to kick back, or your dancing shoes if you plan to boogie. Bring the kids, bring a friend, or come solo and make new friends – all are welcome. We can’t wait to see the community unite on a warm summer night, celebrating what makes Parkrose special.
See you under the stars on July 16th for Summer Nights in Parkrose! Let’s make it a night of fun, friendship, and local pride. 🎉🌙
