Summer Fun

Summer 2023
Sign-Up Begins

Summer fun is around the corner! Registration for camps, activities, pool rentals, swim lessons, etc. begins Monday, May 1, at 8:00 a.m. All summer registration will be available here: activenet.com/Summer2023   (link)

Please note: There is limited availability for programs and rentals. 

Other special summer activities details & schedules are available below!

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Aquatic Center Events

Little Tykes Swim

A special time frame for kids 6-years-old and younger to swim with their parents or guardians from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every other Thursday. Regular admission fees apply. Dates of Little Tyke Swim:

  • June 1, 15, & 29 
  • July 13 & 27 

Memorial Day Swim - May 29

We salute our Veterans and active military. Come swim for free at the Portland Aquatic Center on Monday, May 29, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please bring your military ID.

Fathers Day Swim - June 18

Celebrate your father or father figure at the Portland Aquatic Center on Sunday, June 18, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dad's swim for free with a paid child admission.

Dive-In Movies

Bring the whole family to watch a family-friendly movie on the big screen while in the pool! Enjoy free popcorn and sno cones provided by the Parks & Recreation department. The Snack Shack will be open, too. Movies begin at 9:00 p.m. Admission fee is $5 per person.

  • Thursday, June 8 (movie TBD)
  • Thursday, July 13 (movie TBD) 

Shark Week

Discovery isn’t the only one who thinks sharks are cool!  The Portland Aquatic Center will celebrate Jawsome shark facts and activities each day during Shark Week. Come join us but beware….

  • When: July 11 – 15, 2023
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  • Cost: Regular admission fees apply

Free Play Day - July 19

July is National Parks & Recreation month. Enjoy all the amenities at the Portland Aquatics Center & Portland Community Center for free.

Christmas in July - July 22

Join Good Ol’ Saint Nick and other guests in their summer gear as they enjoy their annual vacation at the Portland Aquatic Center on Saturday, July 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be Christmas themed fun, games, crafts and snacks.   Parents, make sure you bring a camera for pictures with Santa and other special guest appearances.

Pooch-A-Palooza H20 - September 9

Bring your pooch to make a splash at the Portland Aquatic Center for our 4th Annual Pooch-A-Palooza H2O! Fun for the whole family, but only dogs in the water please. There will be a swimsuit contest and special doggie concession. Pre-registration is required, be sure to bring current vaccination record. 

  • When: Saturday, September 9, 2023
  • Time:   4:30 - 6:30 PM
  • 5:00 PM Swimsuit contest
  • Cost: $5 per dog/ maximum 2 dogs per adult please

Neighborhood Park Events

Park It!

Portland Parks & Recreation crews bring free games, treats and other fun to a neighborhood park from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every Thursday in June and July. Schedule of parks:

  • June 8 - Bayside Park, 108 Sabine
  • June 15 - Willacy Park, 131 Daniel Moore
  • June 22 - East Cliff Park, 301 Georgia 
  • June 29 - Briar Bluff Park, 1530 Briar
  • July 6 - Simpson Park, 1101 Broadway
  • July 13 - Twin Fountains Park, 2205 Matagorda
  • July 20 - Oakridge Park, 2233 Memorial Pkwy
  • July 27 - Violet Andrews Park, 154 Elm St


Summer Concerts Series

Summer Concert Series

The Portland Parks & Recreation Department hosts free live concerts every Sunday in June & July at Joe Burke Pavilion (2003 Billy G Webb Dr.)! Please bring your own chairs. Coolers are allowed, but glass containers are not.

  • Bands & Schedule TBD

Events @ Apartment complexes

Rec Crew

The Rec Crew is bringing a recreation center on wheels to a variety of apartment complexes throughout the summer! Rec Crew offers free games, crafts, fitness and fun for school-age kids. Rec Crew takes place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Schedule of Rec Crew stops:

  • June 6 - Century Palm Bluff
  • June 13 - Pavilions at Northshore 
  • June 20 - Oak Manor Villas
  • July 11 - Lands End Apartments 
  • July 18 - Bridge Pointe Landing 

Teen Club & Teen Field Trips

Teen Club

Bored at home? Come hang out and have some fun! The Teen Club program will be held on Tuesdays thru Fridays beginning June 13, 2023. Participants will have access to ping pong tables, foosball tables, basketball goals, X Box, Playstation consoles and disc golf. We also have activities such as outdoor games, special events, gaming tournaments, Bubble Ball tournaments and off-site field trips to Northshore 8 Movie Theater as well as swimming at the Portland Aquatics Center. Come join us for a fun filled summer! 

  • When:  Tuesday - Friday
  • June 13 - July 20, 2023
  • Time: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Cost: Program is FREE, fees for fieldtrips, movies and any entrance fees are paid by participant
  • Ages:13 years old - 16 years old

Teen Field Trips

Teen Bubble Soccer Tournament

  • Friday, June 16 & Friday, July 7
  • $50 per 5-man team

Teen Funtrackers Field Trip

  • Wednesday, June 28
  • Time: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Where: In The Game Funtrackers Flour Bluff (transportation will be provided from the Portland Community Center)

Teen Northshore 8 Movie Trip

  • Wednesday, July 12
  • Movie: TBD

Indian Point Pier, Park & Pavilion

Kid Katch

The City of Portland is co-sponsoring the 20th Annual Kid Katch Youth Fishing Tournament with Enbridge Energy and San Patricio County and Nueces County branches of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.   Children 17 and under are invited to participate in three different age categories. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each age group for Biggest Fish and overall, for Biggest Redfish and Biggest Trout. Free lunch is provided, and t-shirts will be given to the first 200 registered. The event is strictly measure and release.  Parents may accompany children. Come out and join the fun!  School Supply Drive!  Be sure to bring new school supplies with you to donate at the event.  All supplies will be donated to Gregory-Portland ISD to help children who cannot afford school supplies.  Donate and make a difference in the life of a child in your community! 

  • When: Saturday, September 16, 2023
  • Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (fishing ends at 11:00 AM)
  • Where: Indian Point Pier
  • Cost: School Supply Donation (donations will be accepted day of event)
  • Register: Registration Opens May 1, 2023  www.portlandtx.gov 

Summer Reading Program Events

Bell Whittington Summer Reading Program is for children of all ages. Earn raffle tickets for every book you read for a chance to win fantastic prizes at the end of the summer. All events are free to attend and promotes early childhood literacy. 

Magic Show with John O'Bryant

  • Wednesday, May 31
  • FREE to attend
  • 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center

Magical Balloon Show

  • Friday, June 16
  • FREE to attend
  • 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center

Wild Things Zoofari

  • Friday, June 23
  • FREE to attend
  • 10:00 a.m. at the Bell Whittinton Public Library

Mad Science

  • Friday, July 14
  • FREE to attend
  • 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center