Tips for a Better September 2026 in Portland

September sometimes gets robbed of its status as a summer month. True, kids are back in school, but the weather is usually still warm and sunny. Here are some tips for the month ahead, starting with this idea for continuing to enjoy the season we are actually still in:

☀️ It’s Still Summer (Really!)

This reminder comes from City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza: "It's the final call for summer!" she says. "If you've been putting off that weekend camping trip or beach day or garden project, this is it. You need to get it done before the rains come."

Go Camping

The end of summer (and yes, the beginning of fall too) is the best time to go camping, says executive producer John Notarianni. It’s less busy on the campgrounds — the kids are back in school — the mosquitoes aren't as active, and the weather is still good (with less heat). Tip: If you’re planning a trip, you still want to consider wildfire risks and air quality.

Visit the Farmers Market

It’s a great month to visit your neighborhood farmers market. There are plums and grapes and plenty of tomatoes.

Outdoor Events

A lot of summer events are still ongoing:

• 🎺 There’s the Montavilla Jazz Festival this weekend.
• 😆 The final Comedy in the Park is Friday.
• ⚾ Hillsboro Hops are also still playing this weekend.
• 🎬 You can still catch an outdoor movie at Darcelle XV Plaza. It’s a fitting venue for “Tootsie” on Sept. 18.

📲 Any outdoor summer events you’re looking forward to this month? Please email us your recommendations, and we’ll include them in an upcoming newsletter.

🚘 Plus: Look Out for a Major Traffic Jam

Heads up: On Sept. 11, the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 from I-405 to I-84 will close for up to five weeks. Traffic will be rerouted to 405, but it’s likely to snarl traffic throughout the area. (The city of Portland is considering paying employees’ TriMet fare.)

Maybe it’s time to start carpooling — or biking, walking, and taking more Zoom meetings. The state is holding a challenge to get people out of their own cars — with resources for starting a carpool — or finding one. (Hat tip to KBOO news director and City Cast contributor Althea Billings for this warning.)