Photo by Andy Tullis
Bring the kids to Troy Field July 8 for the Kids Summer Sprint (part of Bend Summer Festival)!
Wednesdays
Bend Farmers Market
LOCAL – Showcasing 100% Oregon-produced goods, this family friendly event features food, drinks, flowers, crafts and more. 11 am–3 pmBrooks Alley, Downtown Bend | Free
bendfarmersmarket.com.
Backpack Explorers
EXPLORE – Come on an adventure! Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers learn science, art, music and more together with an assortment of hands-on activities. Borrow a backpack filled with exciting objects to aid in exploring the museum's nature trails and exhibits. New themes are added each week for exploration!
High Desert Museum | $15
highdesertmuseum.org/backpack-explorers
In-Depth Observatory Nighttime Visit
LEARN – Seek the stars at the nation's largest collection of publicly accessible telescopes. Two-hour sessions include an educational presentation, night sky viewing through various telescopes with staff astronomers and a guided constellation tour. Ages 5 and up are welcome. Wednesdays from 9–11 pm.
Sunriver Nature Center | $35/person, ticket must be purchased online in advance
snco.org
Saturdays (Starts in June)
NW Crossing Farmers Market
LOCAL – Discover a bounty of seasonal produce, locally-raised meats, fresh eggs and cheese, handmade items, beautiful flowers and much more! Saturdays from 10 am–2 pm
NW Crossing | Free
nwxfarmersmarket.com
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Open Play
PLAY – Kids Ninja Warrior gym is a wonderful space for kids to stay active and have fun! Toddler Open Play is available Thursday-Sunday and Kids Open Play on Saturdays. This clean, fully padded space is bursting with fun-filled movement.
Free Spirit Yoga + Fitness + Play | $15-18 for 90 min
freespiritbend.com
1st and 3rd Saturdays
Guided Wetlands Walks
NATURE – Join guided bird walks in the award-winning Crooked River Wetlands Complex in Prineville. Nature and wildlife abound. Amenities include 5.4 miles of new walking, running and hiking trails, 3.25 miles of which are paved for use year-round. Dogs on leash and strollers are welcome. Walks start at 7:45 am.
Prineville | Free
cityofprineville.com/wetlands/page/events
Sundays
Turf Tunes
LOCAL – Bring a blanket or a low-profile chair and enjoy SHARC's FREE outdoor concerts in the grass amphitheater. Concerts are suitable for all ages. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. No glass or pets, please! Located in Sunriver every Sunday from 6/16 through 7/21.
SHARC | Free
sunriversharc.com/things-to-do/turf-tunes
May 9-12
Little Shop of Horrors
THEATER – Thoroughly Modern Productions' Teen Theater brings you this deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical. In the play, the meek floral assistant, Seymour Krelborn, stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down-and-out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it – blood!
Tower Theatre | $35 (plus $4 Historic Preservation fee)
towertheatre.org
May 10-11
Stained Glass Flowers for Mother's Day
LEARN – This is an evening of creativity, music and conversation for kids (14+) and their moms. Learn how to create a bouquet of stained glass flowers together! This workshop will teach you the four-step process of copper foiled (Tiffany) stained glass. Class is for both beginner and experienced glass artists. Friday 5:30–8:30 pm, Saturday12–3 pm
DIY Cave | $239 | Free for Mom
diycave.com
May 11
Happy Girls Run
RUN – Calling all women and girls! Running is a great way to achieve personal goals, overcome obstacles and get in some much-needed girl time. The race features gorgeous scenery along the Deschutes River. Choose your distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or the Happy Little Kids Run (for ages 3-10).
River Bend Park | Prices vary
happygirlsrun.com/bend
May 11
Birding for Breakfast
LEARN – The High Desert Museum provides excellent habitat for many migratory bird species. Join museum staff and volunteers to explore the grounds looking for birds. Learn about different species that live in our area and the museum's efforts to make the buildings more bird friendly! Coffee and light breakfast items provided. 7–9 am
High Desert Museum | $25, Members receive 20% discount.
highdesertmuseum.org
Central Oregon Taco Fest
FESTIVAL – The Central Oregon Taco Fest celebrates Latin culture and its influence on the world. Come with the whole family and enjoy mariachi bands, taco trucks and Chihuahua dog races.
Old Mill District | $25 | Kids under 12 free
centraloregontacofest.com
Family Kayaking Expedition
LEARN – Join Wanderlust Tours in partnership with A Novel Idea and the Deschutes Public Library for a day of kayaking with the family. Guides will instruct everyone on kayaking techniques and lead the group while sharing natural and cultural history. Registration required for ages 5 and up. Space is limited!
TBD | Free
deschuteslibrary.org
May 14
Reading Readiness with Music
LEARN – Come to the library and experience movement and literacy to foster beginning readers. Program begins at 11:30 am.
Deschutes Library Downtown | Free, but registration required.
deschuteslibrary.org
Mother's Day at the Museum
LEARN – It's Mom's Day, so treat her to a fun visit to the High Desert Museum. The best part is her entry is free! Explore various exhibits indoors and out while spending the day together.
High Desert Museum | Free for Mom
highdesertmuseum.org
Photo courtesy of the Tower Theatre
Oregon Ballet Theatre 2 brings magic to audiences June 1 at the Tower.
May 15
Central Oregon Youth Orchestra Spring Concert
MUSIC – Revel in local music! This assembly of 35 music students of all ages from across the region is led by COCC music professor Travis Allen and conducted by Redmond Proficiency Academy's Jonathon Moore. A variety of ensembles take the Tower stage.
Tower Theater | Prices vary
towertheatre.org
May 17
The Jungle Book
MOVIE – After a threat from the tiger, Shere Khan, forces him to flee the jungle, the man-cub named Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera, and the free-spirited bear, Baloo. This is a free family movie night beginning at 6 pm. Free books available in the lobby.
Tower Theatre | Free
towertheatre.org
May 18
Selco Pole Pedal Paddle
RACE – Grab your friends and register for the annual Pole Pedal Paddle race, a Central Oregon tradition. This multi-sport event is one of the biggest in the PNW and is the largest fundraiser for MBSEF, featuring legs for biking, running, alpine and Nordic skiing and kayaking. Or just come out with the rest of the town and cheer on our local teams!
Around Bend | Prices vary based on team size and age
pppbend.com
May 19
Selco Mini Pole Pedal Paddle
RACE – Kindergarten through 5th graders are invited to compete in teams for their own PPP race! Starting at Seventh Mountain Resort, teams will work together to solve challenges, weave through an obstacle course and experience the excitement of the race with their peers. This is a great event for competitors and spectators alike!
Seventh Mountain Resort | $180/ team of six
pppbend.com/mini-ppp
Photo courtesy of High Desert Museum
Exploration and learning come hand in hand at the High Desert Museum. Check out Backpack Explorers every Wednesday.
May 25
Mad Science Family Program
LEARN – Unleash your inner mad scientist while your family experiments with fun and messy chemistry. See if you can inflate balloons using chemical reactions, experience the chaos of making slime and lava lamps, break Newton's laws of viscosity with Oobleck. All ages welcome with an adult. 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Sunriver Nature Center | $15/adult, $12/child (ages 3+)
snco.org
June 1
Oregon Ballet Theatre 2
DANCE – The dynamic and vibrant young dancers of OBT2 share their artistry, ability, professionalism and innovation of Oregon Ballet Theatre, serving as a cultural ambassador for the performing arts from the state of Oregon. This year's tour features work by Ben Stevenson, Dani Rowe, Shannon Alvis and Dominic Walsh.
Tower Theatre | $12 - $22
towertheatre.org
June 1-2
Free Fishing Weekend
LOCAL – Sponsored by ODFW, on free fishing weekends, you don't need a license to fish, crab or clam anywhere in Oregon. That's no license, no tag and no endorsement needed.
Various locations | Free
myodfw.com
June 6-9
Bend Yoga Festival 2024
FESTIVAL – This event features more than 70 different workshops to both deepen and elevate your practice including: asana intensives, 1:1 posture labs, yoga philosophy, chanting, wellness & health, themed practices, sanskrit studies, Smith Rock excursions, paddle boarding, forest bathing, hiking and more!
Riverbend Park |Prices vary
bendyogafestival.com
June 20-23
4 Peaks Music Festival
FESTIVAL – This year's festival returns to Stevenson Ranch in SE Bend on summer solstice weekend. A curated community experience for the entire family, 4 Peaks proudly presents world-class music, featuring national, regional and local acts for music enthusiasts of all tastes. Festival goers look forward to grand Cascade Mountain views, grassy fields, music on multiple stages, camping under the high desert stars, morning yoga, chill areas and an array of local vendors. This is a family event and the little ones won't want to miss Kidlandia!
Stevenson Ranch | Prices vary
4peaksmusic.com
June 21-22
Western Days Festival
FESTIVAL – In its 19th year, the Prineville Western Days festival is a well-loved community event, featuring 150 vendors, food trucks, live music, a kid's area and more!
Ochoco Creek Park | Free
prinevillechamber.com/events/
Big Bend BBQ
LOCAL – Alpenglow Park hosts Bend's summer festivities including the Big Bend BBQ, a new event promising a weekend filled with great food, music and community fun. This free-to-attend event invites everyone to come with their picnic blankets and enjoy a day under the sun, immersed in the joy of live music while being tempted by the tantalizing aroma of barbecued delights.
Alpenglow Park | Free
centraloregonbbq.com
July 4th
4th of July Festival and Bike Parade
HOLIDAY – Celebrate Independence Day in The Village at Sunriver! Children of all ages will enjoy live entertainment, contests, carnival style games, pony rides, delicious food and more!Village at Sunriver | Free
villageatsunriver.com
4th of July Parade in Redmond
HOLIDAY – It's a celebration of freedom, community and the shared values that make Central Oregon great. Gather your loved ones, put on your most patriotic attire and join in the festivities as we paint the town red (and white and blue) this Independence Day! 10 am–12 pm
Downtown Redmond | Free
visitredmondoregon.com
July 7-27
Too Darn Hot!
THEATER – Sing, dance and act in a high-energy musical revue to be performed at the Tower Theatre! Ponderosa Players' revue is the perfect opportunity for students of all experience levels to sharpen their skills and grow as performers this summer. Students ages 11-18 will be featured in large and small groups where they will prepare, over the course of the month, working toward a culminating performance. In addition to gaining performance experience, students will get valuable dance and voice training throughout the intensive rehearsal process. If you're itching to get onstage, this class is the perfect step!
Ponderosa Players Studio | $500
ponderosaplayers.com/classes
July 12-14
Bend Summer Festival
FESTIVAL – Celebrate the arts, culture, music and community! Downtown Bend comes alive during Summerfest with activities for kids, live music and vendors of all kinds. Don't miss the kids' area and enjoy the beautiful arts and crafts.
Downtown Bend | Free
bendsummerfestival.com
July 13
Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show
LOCAL – The world-famous Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show takes place in downtown Sisters for its 49th year! This year's theme is "Dreamscape." Stroll through the quaint streets of Sisters admiring amazing hanging quilt creations on every building. The entire town becomes a tapestry of quilts. Check out the classes and talks too.
Sisters | Free
soqs.org
July 19-21
Fairwell Festival
FESTIVAL – Fairwell Festival returns to Deschutes County Fairgrounds! Say hello to three days, three stages and 36+ performances highlighting the sounds of folk, blues, rock, country and soul.
Deschutes County Fairgrounds | Tickets vary; children under 8 free with paid adult
fairwellfestival.com
July 17-July 21 & July 24-28
Oregon High Desert Classics
EQUESTRIAN – The Oregon High Desert Classics is a hunter-jumper horse show taking place the last two weeks of July at the J Bar J Boys Ranch. The Oregon High Desert Classics is the premier fundraiser for J Bar J Youth Services. The show attracts over 600 horses and 3,000 professionals and amateur competitors from all over the United States and Canada.
J Bar J Boys Ranch | Prices vary
oregonhighdesertclassics.org
June 22 & 23
Mary Poppins
DANCE – Join in the timeless story of magic, adventure and a nanny who changes everything! Presented by Central Oregon's only Royal Academy of Dance studio, Académie de Ballet Classique. Saturday 6 pm, Sunday 1:30 pmCaldera High School | $18 - $41
Photo by Roseann Dennery
Hot air balloons fill the skies! Don’t miss Balloons Over Bend – July 26-28.
July 26-28
Balloons Over Bend
FESTIVAL – Watch the skies come alive with hot air balloon launches at dawn and end the nights with music, food, marketplace shopping and glow-in-the-dark hot air balloons. Bring the kids to the Balloon Blast race which is part of the Kids Rock the Races series!Jewell Elementary, COCC and Deschutes County Fairgrounds | prices vary (launches are free)
June 26
