Fourth of July 2026 in the Portland Metro Area

Like I often say in anticipation of big holidays, “it’s that time again”—Fourth of July 2026, or Independence Day 2026 (take your pick), is in just a couple of weeks. Plus this year it’s the semiquincentennial/sestercentennial/quarter millennium of the nation’s founding with the Declaration of Independence.

Of course, July 4 is also a time to gather with friends, family, and loved ones; dance your heart out; view or march in parades; enjoy some barbecue; drink fizzy and fermented beverages; revel in summertime; and watch fireworks (or drone shows).

Declaration of Independence | Parties, Festivals, and Barbecues
Dance Parties | Baseball | Parades

Declaration of Independence

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress; the American Experiment has survived for 250 years, though not without its mistakes, flubs, miracles, and corrections. It is one of America’s most important documents—you could even argue that it’s one of the most important documents written by humans.

You may be familiar with its famous quotes and phrases: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”  or “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

There’s a lot more to this document, including a list of grievances against King George III. He thought he could do whatever he wanted. The colonists disagreed and stated:

“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

They also wrote that they were “Free and Independent States,” did not owe allegiance to the crown, and they had agency over their lives. If there’s any time during the year to read the Declaration of Independence, it’s about now.

Now, here’s our list of stuff you can eat, drink, and do for Fourth of July 2026.

Fourth of July 2026: Parties, Festivals, and Barbecues

39th Annual Waterfront Blues Festival

This is one of Portland’s biggest events all year and it happens on Independence Day weekend—Thursday, July 2 to Saturday, July 4. Along with 50+ musical performances on three unique stages over the 3-day festival (and hopefully not scorching heat) there’s the local food and drink at the Blues Bites food court. Here are some of the vendors providing great eats and drinks: 

• New food vendors at this year’s festival include Flying Fish Co., Kate’s Ice Cream, MidCity SmashedBurger, and Cametco Inc. Korean’s Corn Dogs & Bingsoo Desserts.
• Returning favorites food vendors include Boke Bowl, Carioca Bowls, Cobra Dogs, Dairy Hill, Bates BBQ, Garbonzos, Fabos Tacos, Horn of Africa, and Al Forno Ferruzza Pizzera.
• Drink offerings include Straightaways Cocktails, Breakside Brewing, Kona Brewing, Portland Cider Co., and Maryhill Winery. Sokol Blosser Winery will be serving wine, as well as Frozé slushies from their mobile wine bar. Goodies Snack Shop is doing a pop-up marketplace offering a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages, energy drinks, and treats.

It’s a great place to watch the fireworks Saturday night, too. They’ll be launched from a barge on the Willamette River, visible from all around the city and choreographed to music.

Tom McCall Waterfront Park, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge, Portland. Waterfront Blues Festival website

CMNSL + Ancestro

On the 4th of July, Ancestro is doing hot dogs, and CMNSL is doing drinks (maybe frozen ones). DJ HNST (Daniel) spins. It’s all happening noon to 4pm.

3901 N Williams Avenue, Suite A, Portland. CMNSL website

Metropolitan Tavern’s 4th of July Party

The folks at the Met Tavern claim you will be able to “enjoy the best fireworks show in Portland from the rooftop of the Metropolitan Tavern!” It’s located on the top floor of Hotel Eastlund, not far from the Convention Center. The evening goes from 6:30pm to 11pm.

Your $55 (plus $5.54 fee) ticket gets you a BBQ buffet handcrafted by Executive Chef Joey Hart, live music by Moon Music, indoor and outdoor seating options, and the aforementioned fireworks display. 

Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

1021 NE Grand Avenue, Portland. Metropolitan Tavern website

Oaks Park 4th of July Spectacular

Except for the day of the week and the fact that 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the chosen birthday of this country, things at Oaks Park haven’t changed much since last year. 

The fireworks during the Fourth of July Spectacular start at 10pm but the day begins at noon. Gates open at 11am and you can ride the rides from noon until midnight. Tickets are $38.50 each and everyone 3 years and older must have a ticket, including those who do not choose to participate in the rides. Tickets will sell out (you can purchase them here). 

7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland. Oaks Park website

River Pig Saloon

River Pig Saloon’s Red, White, & BBQ Block Party “is taking over the block for the Fourth. Expect the full holiday spread with BBQ, a mechanical bull, and live DJ sets.” 10 Barrel Brewing Co. is also involved. 2pm until late.

529 NW 13th Avenue, Portland. River Pig Saloon website

Wonderlove

Wonderlove says they are the best spot to catch the fireworks Saturday night. Along with that tantalizing opportunity, they’ll have live bands and DJs spinning all night. Fireworks start at 10pm—the waterfront is just a half mile away, though I can’t confirm what that walk is like at night.

Wonderlove is family-friendly until 9pm.

262 SE Main Street, Portland. Wonderlove website

Fourth of July 2026: Dance Parties

I noticed there were a bunch of dance parties on the books for July 4, so I thought why not include them here. Some of you may feel that being on the dance floor is cathartic and a way to celebrate what’s important to you that day.

Heartbeat Silent Disco | Independance | 4th of July | Tilikum Crossing. Saturday, July 4, 6:30pm to 10:30pm at Mt Hood Brewing Co. “Join us for a spectacular 4th of July Independance filled with music, dancing, and fireworks. Bring your friends, family, snacks, and your favorite beverage as we dance the night away and watch the fireworks light up the sky over the Tilikum Bridge. Don your reds, whites, and blues, and get ready to dance in your favorite shoes!”

$10 (plus $2.31 fee), tickets via Eventbrite. 401 SE Caruthers Street, Portland

BRITPOP: A UK Pop Diva Dance Party with Sparrow. Saturday, July 4, 8pm to close at Peacock PDX. “This 4th of July, get your red, white, and blue ready (no, not like that) for Brit Pop! A dance party celebrating the UK pop divas past and present.”

$7 advance (plus $2.31 fee), $12 door, sliding scale available for Trans/BIPOC, no one turned away, tickets via Eventbrite. 1400 SE Morrison Street, Portland

Daft Disko: Portland [Independence Day]. Saturday, July 4, 9pm to 2am at The Den. “Daft Disko returns to Portland! Orlove by Night presents: Daft Disko: Portland. A French House & Disco Party.” 21+, $15 (plus $4.25 fee), tickets via Eventbrite.

Fourth of July 2026 Dance Party with DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid. Saturday, July 4, 9pm to 1am at Spare Room. “While bombs tear apart the sky DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid tear up the Spare Room with bass bombs and sonic artillery that serve up nerve-calming barrages compared to the neighborhood conflagrations.”

$10 (plus $2.51 fee), 21+, tickets via Eventbrite. 4830 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland

INDEPARTURE—a 4th of July Rooftop Celebration. Saturday, July 4, 10pm to 2am at Departure. “CIRCUIT is back this 4th of July at the iconic DEPARTURE rooftop to celebrate 250 years of independence with 3 stages of music and 15 DJ’s!” $20 general (plus $3.18 fee), $300 VIP (that’s for six tickets, includes $21.96 fee), tickets via Eventbrite.

525 SW Morrison Street, 15th Floor, Portland

Fourth of July 2026: Baseball

Portland Pickles vs. Marion Primocanes and Willamette Wildbills

It’s a double header! Twice the baseball, as they say, as well as “twice the hot dogs and twice the opportunities to loudly disagree with an umpire.” Gates open at 2pm with the first pitch at 3:05pm. 

They have some merch: a ‘Merica Dillon T-Shirt—“Stars, stripes, baseball, and everyone’s favorite oversized pickle.” And a food special: a classic hot dog and a Bomb Pop Rocks Cocktail. You can also get a tattoo from Anatomy Tattoo. 

And in pure awesome minor league baseball style there will be spectacles in the best way: a patriotic costume contest, trivia, and the USA cam. And then there’s the Dave’s Hot Chicken Race, Dizzy Bat & The Pickle Swing, and Launch-A Ball.

Tickets start at $15 and you can buy them on the Pickles website.

4727 SE 92nd Avenue, Portland. Portland Pickles website

Hillsboro Hops vs Spokane Indians

This is their annual Fourth of July celebration with baseball, “block party vibes,” and fireworks. They’ll be playing the Spokane Indians this year. Tickets have more than quadrupled since last year—they started at $10 then, and the lowest ticket price I could find this year is $42. You can buy them on the Hillsboro Hops website.

4460 NE Century Blvd, Hillsboro. Hillsboro Hops website

Fourth of July 2026: Parades

Eastmoreland July 4th Parade

This is the parade’s 32nd year, and it starts at 10am with an art fair. At 11am, there will be a group sing of the national anthem, and then the walk down the length of Reed College Place starts. The Portland Fire Engine escort, music by the Portland Power Pep Band, and antique cars from the Milwaukie Mustang Club are all going to be part of the festivities. This year the Duniway Bike Bus will join the festivities.

And on top of that, there will be a petting zoo consisting of four adult goats. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, there will be someone there to help handle the number of kids who want to meet the goats at any given time. That part of the day goes from 10am to 2pm. 

Food and drink will be available at the end of the parade; free water and port-a-potties, too. They expect more than 1,000 people to participate.

Duniway Elementary School, 7700 SE Reed College Place, Portland. Event website

Hillsboro 4th of July Parade

“Since 1926, the Fourth of July Parade has been a beloved Hillsboro tradition, bringing the community together year after year.” The Rotary Club of Hillsboro puts it on. Scott Kellar is the Grand Marshall. Look for floats, horse groups, bands, and more. Here’s the route.

Starts at 3rd and Grant, Hillsboro. Hillsboro 4th of July Parade website

City of Maywood Park

Each year they celebrate the holiday, and Fourth of July 2026 is no different. Line up for the parade and take a group photo at 10:30am. The parade starts at 11am, weaving throughout the heart of this tiny city within a city. From 11:30am to 1:30pm there will be food trucks and live music by The Velvet Stingrays band at Maywood Commons. Enjoy hanging out until 2pm. 

More information can be found at this link, including the parade route. 

Starts at NE Maywood Place and NE Campaign Street, Maywood Park. Maywood Park city website

Lake Oswego Star Spangled Parade & Celebration

On Saturday, July 4 from 10am to 2pm you can enjoy Lake Oswego’s annual parade and celebration. They encourage you to join your friends and neighbors in wearing patriotic colors and enjoy the floats, live music, decorated cars, White Lotus Dragon & Lion Dancing, and dogs in costumes, all marching and moving down A Avenue to Second Street, then to Millennium Plaza Park. 

When you get to Millennium Plaza Park, there will be the National Anthem performed by Onry, Presentation of Colors, carnival games, dunk tank, face painting, food vendors, and a pie eating contest. (Contestants must be 18 years or older to enter.)

A Avenue to MIllennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego. Event website