News Release: Downtown Sunday Parkways returns Sept. 13 with new public plazas, live entertainment, and car-free streets

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September 10, 2026 11:08 am

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(September 10, 2026) Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente is thrilled to return to Downtown Portland on Sunday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experience an energetic block party atmosphere along a 2.3-mile event route in the heart of the city, showcasing The Cart Blocks, Darcelle XV Plaza, Director Park, Main Street Plaza, Cultural District Plaza, PSU Park Blocks, Lovejoy Fountain Park, Pettygrove Park, and Pioneer Courthouse Square.

This free community event, led by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and funded by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), invites people of all ages to walk, bike, roll, and shop on car-free streets while exploring Downtown Portland's public spaces, cultural destinations, and local businesses.

New this year, in connection with Kaiser Permanente's role as the official medical provider for the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire, families can stop by the MOVE booth in the South Park Blocks at Portland State University for Portland Fire-inspired basketball activities and the PLAY booth in Lovejoy Fountain for Portland Thorns experiences, including bench soccer. Visitors can also enjoy healthy treats at the NOURISH booth and contribute to a community mural at the CONNECT booth designed to spark conversation and help reduce stigma around mental health.

"At Kaiser Permanente, we know that being active and connecting with one another are powerful ways to support both physical and mental well-being," said Wendy Watson, president of Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "Sunday Parkways brings communities together in a way that's joyful, active and welcoming for all ages. We're proud to support an event that encourages people-powered transportation, celebrates local neighborhoods and businesses, and inspires people to get outside and exercise. This year, we're especially excited to build on that energy through our new partnership as the official medical provider of the Portland Thorns and Portland Fire, by offering playful activities that promote movement, and interactive experiences that help families connect with the teams in fun, memorable ways."

As part of Welcoming Week 2026, the City of Portland's Office of Community & Civic Life is partnering with Downtown Sunday Parkways for "Walk, Roll & Belong" on Sunday, Sept. 13. Participants can connect with City programs and community organizations, explore resources and services, and take part in activities for a chance to win a bike! Learn more about Welcoming Week 2026 on the City's website.

Downtown event route

Choose your own adventure by starting anywhere on the Downtown Portland 2.3-mile one-way event route, showcasing SW Broadway and SW Park Avenue between Oak and Harrison Streets.

The Downtown Portland 2.3-mile, one-way event route showcases SW Broadway and SW Park Avenue between Oak and Harrison streets. Choose your own adventure by starting anywhere on the route to bike, walk, or roll as you explore the neighborhood. This year's Downtown Portland route will feature Darcelle XV Plaza and the new Cultural District Plaza for the first time to celebrate these newly completed public spaces.

Roll into Sunday Parkways with BIKETOWN e-bikes and scooters! Stop by the BIKETOWN booth in Pioneer Courthouse Square to receive $5 off your rides the day of the event.

For Downtown event updates and day-of reminders delivered straight to your phone, text "Downtown" to 888-520-0526. Standard text message rates may apply. Opt-out anytime by texting "STOP".

Skip the parking and join the Sunday Parkways Bike Bus

Join your neighbors on one of seven guided bike bus routes to the Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways event on Sept. 13. In partnership with Mike Bennett Studios, each route will feature a beloved illustrated safety critter as the route mascot. Volunteer route leaders will lead inbound rides to Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways, and outbound rides leaving the Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways ride on the Frog, Snail, Slug, Sloth, Manatee, Chameleon, and Turtle routes. For full details, see the Sunday Parkways bike bus section on the Sunday Parkways website.

A map of seven guided Bike Bus routes from North, Northeast, East, Southeast, Southwest and Northwest Portland to Downtown Sunday Parkways on Sept. 13.

Enjoy a Downtown Staycation weekend

For a second year in a row, Portlanders can finish their summer strong with Portland Staycation, a three-day event from Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13, that invites locals to pack their overnight bags and become tourists in their own city. Those who RSVP will have access to exclusive hotel offers, special dining options, and entertainment experiences that will make this weekend in the City of Roses unlike any other.

This is your chance to actively support your downtown, including more than 100 participating local businesses. With the potential for traffic impacts due to the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, this year's Staycation has been curated to allow guests to enjoy a seamless, stress-free weekend without ever having to leave downtown.

RSVP at www.PDXStaycay.com to receive your virtual "Local's Pass" that unlocks deals, discounts, and special menus and book a discounted or special package stay with one of two dozen participating Portland hotels.

Experience Downtown Portland in a new way

Sunday Parkways provides something for the whole family! The featured activation areas along the route will offer a variety of free family-friendly activities and live entertainment. Explore the full programming schedule at the Sunday Parkways Downtown .

Some of the highlights at Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways include:

• Celebrate the legacy of Darcelle XV at Darcelle XV Plaza with all-day drag performances hosted by Poison Waters and Adrienne Alexander, featuring T'Kara Campbell Starr, Alexis Campbell Starr, Cassie Nova, and more. Plus, enjoy free skates provided by Rose City Rollers Skatemobile.
• Geek Week PDX kicks off the celebration in spectacular fashion with Fantasy Fest, transforming Director Park into a realm of magic, myth, and pure imagination. Live performances bring beloved fandoms to life alongside more than 40 local artists and creators, promising surprises around every corner.
• Enjoy free live entertainment throughout the route, including Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony Stumptown Thumpers, Stumptown Stages, Takohachi Traditional Japanese Drums, Renegade Opera, and and other performers.
• Explore SW Broadway car-free and enjoy activations from Downtown businesses, hotels, retailers, and organizations, including live jazz at The Benson Hotel, a goat petting zoo hosted by The Portland Aquarium, a Nordstrom pop-up, cornhole with Columbia Sportswear, and much more!

Traffic impacts during Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways

During Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways, streets along the route will start to close to motorized traffic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited local access to homes or businesses on the route. It is best to avoid driving in the area to avoid delays. Intersections will have temporary barricades set up with volunteers available to help people who are driving through to get where they need to go.

The Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways event route features designated crossings for motorized vehicles to allow safe passage through the area. Car traffic is permitted to cross the event route at the following major roadways: SW Washington, SW Alder, SW Taylor, SW Salmon, SW Jefferson, SW Clay, SW Market, SW Fourth Avenue, SW Fifth Avenue, and SW Sixth Avenue.

Parking on streets along the Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways route is forbidden on the day of the event. "No Parking" signs will be posted in advance. Vehicles left on the route will receive an $85 citation for violating the temporary no parking zone and will be towed beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Vehicle towing and storage fees can be found here.

For more information about traffic impacts, see the Prepare for Street Closures section on the Sunday Parkways website.

TriMet Bus Detours

TriMet's MAX lines and Portland Streetcar will operate with normal Sunday routes and timing. Traffic flaggers will manage intersections along the event route featuring rail lines.

As part of Sunday Parkways partnership with TriMet, bus detours will be in effect only on Sunday, September 13, starting from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The following bus lines include a re-route to help riders navigate around the event:

• Line 6 - Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
• Line 12 - Barbur/Sandy Blvd
• Line 44 - Capitol Hwy/Mocks Crest
• Line 35 - Macadam/Greeley
• Line 40 - Tacoma/Swan Island
• Line 54-Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy
• Line 58 - Canyon Rd

People riding TriMet buses should visit www.trimet.org/home/alerts for more details and the latest information on service impacts and updates.

Plan ahead and stay in the loop! Bookmark the Sunday Parkways public Google map for information on designated car crossing points, TriMet detour routes, the event route, and more. for information on designated car crossing points, TriMet detour routes, the event route, and more.

With I-5 closure starting, get ready to Shift Your Trip

Beginning Friday, Sept. 11 and for an estimated five weeks, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will close all southbound lanes of Interstate 5-all hours, all days. The closure is for extensive repairs to the elevated structure just south of the Moda Center. Getting around the Portland metro area will require extra time.

Prepare for significant changes to daily commutes until crews complete the work. Sign up to receive updates by email or text message from ODOT on the I-5 Rose Quarter Project.

Shift Your Trip

Start planning now before construction starts. Getting around the Portland metro area for work, school, or fun could require extra time. Shift your trip. Explore alternate modes of transportation like transit, carpooling, or biking.

You might shift your travel time and show up earlier, or linger on Sunday evening to explore downtown's many neighborhoods while avoiding peak congestion on the road.

Considering the I-5 closures are expected to last into October, Downtown Sunday Parkways and Staycation Weekend are the perfect opportunity to test out new strategies for getting downtown while enjoying the best food, arts, and cultural experiences your city has to offer. What you learn this weekend for fun may be useful the next month for your commute.

Stay connected with Sunday Parkways

Subscribe to the Sunday Parkways e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PortlandSundayParkways to stay up to date.

For more information, contact the Portland Sunday Parkways Team

Email: [email protected] Call: 311 or 503-823-4000 Website: www.portland.gov/sunday-parkways

About Sunday Parkways

Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente, is a Portland Bureau of Transportation program that promotes healthy active living through a series of free events opening the city's largest public space - its streets - to walk, bike, roll, and connect with community. For more information, visit PortlandSundayParkways.org or call 311 / 503-823-4000.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go toabout.kp.org.

About Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)

Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund -ThePortland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) initiative was passed by 65% of Portland voters in 2018. It provides a consistent, long-term funding source and oversight structure to ensure that our community's climate action efforts are implemented to support social, economic, and environmental benefits for all Portlanders, particularly communities who have been historically under-resourced. The initiative was supported by a broad coalition of groups and individuals and represents the first environmental initiative in Oregon led by communities on the frontlines of climate change.