News Release: Portland Sunday Parkways announces 2026 season with new route in North Portland

Families and neighbors ride together along a car-free street during a Portland Sunday Parkways event, enjoying community and exploring neighborhoods by bike. In addition to a new route in North Portland, this year the program will also have a route that reaches the Centennial neighborhood in East Portland and a forthcoming plaza downtown. (Photo by PBOT.)

(March 20, 2026) The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is thrilled to announce the return of Portland Sunday Parkways Presented by Kaiser Permanente for the 19th consecutive year! The program promotes healthy, active living through a series of free, family-friendly events which open the city's largest public space - its streets - for walking, biking, rolling, and playing.

"Sunday Parkways showcases the best of Portland's community spirit, with thousands of people coming together to celebrate our neighborhoods, our streets, and our local businesses and organizations," said Mayor Keith Wilson. "My own family has made many memories at Sunday Parkways over the years, and I invite all Portlanders to join us and do the same this season."

The 2026 season kicks off in Southwest Portland on May 17, continues in East Portland on June 28, introduces a brand-new North Portland event on Aug. 2, and wraps up with a celebration in Downtown Portland on Sept.13.

Before the streets open, get ready to ride at a PBOT Bike Fair! Join us on April 24 at the Hazelwood Bike Fairat Menlo Park Elementary and May 29 at the Centennial Bike Fairat Parklane Elementary. Additional Bike Fair dates for North and Northwest Portland will be announced online this spring. Neighborhood Bike Fairs are free, all-ages community events where adults and children can learn to ride a bike, get fitted with a new helmet, practice the rules of the road, and get minor repairs on their bikes.

PBOT will also celebrate BIKETOWN's 10-Year Anniversary on July 19, 2026,with a massive group bike ride, ahead of the Portland Pride Parade.

Together, these events can help families across the city start to build a summer calendar of biking and walking festivities across Portland!

What's new in 2026

Portland Sunday Parkways returns to North Portland on Aug. 2 with a brand-new route highlighting Downtown St. Johns and the University Park and Portsmouth neighborhoods. The route will showcase PBOT's recent walking and biking upgrades along N Willamette Boulevard, and several projects from the North Portland In Motion plan, giving participants the opportunity to experience these improvements in a car-free environment.

The 2026 East Portland route will feature a new stop at Verdell Burdine Rutherford Park in collaboration with the Centennial School District and the City of Gresham.

In Downtown Portland, this year's event route will include Darcelle XV Plaza to honor the legacy of Darcelle XV and celebrate the soon-to-be-completed public space in the heart of downtown. Activating this plaza during Sunday Parkways demonstrates how streets and public spaces can serve as vibrant, inclusive gathering spaces that reflect Portland's cultural history and values.

Be part of the community celebration

A volunteer helps guide people riding bicycles on the Downtown Portland route in 2025. Volunteers are critical for a successful Portland Sunday Parkways season. There are several different opportunities to participate and it's a great way to give back to your community. (Photo by PBOT.)

Open streets mean open opportunities to get involved! Portland Sunday Parkways thrives because community members help shape the experience at every level. There are many ways to get involved and play a role in this year's events.

Volunteer and be a part of the joyful, people-centered experience that makes Sunday Parkways so special. From supporting safe intersections to assisting at an information booth, volunteers help keep the event running smoothly. No experience is needed; we provide training, half-day shifts (so you can enjoy the event, too!), and a free Sunday Parkways t-shirt. Learn more and sign up on the Sunday Parkways volunteer webpage.

Showcase your business or organization as a vendor and connect directly with thousands of Portland families and community members. Sunday Parkways offers high-visibility, community-centered marketplaces to promote your products or services and build awareness. To support equitable participation, a limited number of vendor scholarships are available for small and underrepresented businesses and organizations facing financial barriers. Learn more and apply on the Sunday Parkways vendor webpage.

Share your input through our pre-event survey and help guide this season's planning. Community feedback helps ensure Sunday Parkways reflects the interests and priorities of Portland's diverse neighborhoods. Survey participants will be entered into a drawing to win Sunday Parkways merchandise. Give us your suggestions using this online survey before it closes on April 22 at 10 a.m. PST.

Share your Sunday Parkways story

As we look ahead to celebrating 20 years of Sunday Parkways in 2027,we're inviting community members to share their favorite memories and experiences. Did Sunday Parkways help you feel more confident biking? Become a family tradition? Spark a connection with a neighbor or local business? We want to hear from you!

Your story may be featured in upcoming promotional materials as we honor 20 years of Sunday Parkways and over 400 miles of open streets that have brought Portlanders together.

Submit your story using this convenient online form.

Stay connected all season long

Subscribe to the Sunday Parkways e-newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @PortlandSundayParkwaysto stay up to date. For event-specific updates, route maps, and day-of reminders delivered straight to your phone, text "Southwest," "East," "North," or "Downtown" to888-520-0526.Standard text message rates may apply. Opt-out anytime by texting "STOP."

Contact Portland Sunday Parkways team

Email:[email protected]
Call:311 / 503-823-4000
Visit PBOT's Sunday Parkways website

About Portland Sunday Parkways

Portland Sunday ParkwaysPresented by Kaiser Permanente, is a Portland Bureau of Transportationprogram 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.orgor 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 12.6 million members in 9 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 to about.kp.org.

About Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF)

Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fundinitiative was passed by 65% of Portland voters in November 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.

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