Looking for free public events in Bend? Below we have public outreach events hosted by the Bend Park and Recreation District, as well as a calendar of public community events held on park properties. Interested in learning more about hosting an event in a park? Learn more.
The District offers several community events each year including our Old Fashioned July 4th Pet Parade & Festival, Discover Nature Day, Wellness Fair and more!
Presented by Bend Park and Recreation Foundation
Sponsored by the Bend Park and Recreation Foundation, Days of Play runs at various parks in the community on weekdays from June through August. Children in the community have the opportunity to participate in crafts, water play, field games, sports activities and much more. Come enjoy these great recreational activities at no cost. See the current Summer Playbook or check the events calendar for exact times and locations.
Days of Play parks are also Bend-La Pine School District summer lunch program locations, too!
Note: This program may be canceled without prior notice due to bad weather. Days of Play is not a daycare program and should not be used as such. Every child under the age of 8 must be accompanied by a person over the age of 16. This program does not require registration. Children may come and go as they wish. Because of the popularity of this program, take-home activities will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to one per child.
LOCATION: DAY/TIMES:
Hollygrape Park Mondays
1:00 – 3:30 pm, 6/25 – 8/13
Pilot Butte Park Tuesdays
9:30 – 12:00 pm, 6/26 – 8/14
Kiwanis Park Tuesdays/Thursdays
1:00 – 3:30 pm, 6/26 – 8/16
Larkspur Park Wednesdays
1:00 – 3:30 pm, 6/27 – 8/15 (No program 7/4)
Sun Meadow Park Thursdays
9:30 – 12:00 pm, 6/28 – 8/16
Al Moody Park Fridays
1:00 – 3:30 pm, 6/29 – 8/17
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon Partners
Bring your family to a different park each week, from July through August, for an interactive experience and learn, play and have fun in nature! Each week has a unique nature themed and activities. See the events calendar or current Summer Playbook for event details.
Presented by the Children’s Forest of Central Oregon Partners
Tuesdays, July 10 – August 14, from 10:00 – 11:00 am
Bring your family to a different park each week for an interactive experience and learn, play and have fun in nature!
July 10: Rockridge Park
Wildlife Tracking presented by Discover Your Forest.
Search for wildlife tracks while learning about the adaptations of high desert dwellers and playing fun games.
July 17: Hillside Park
Special Ops Survivors presented by Wildheart Nature School.
Learn to navigate the world of unpredictability while playing team games and practicing survival skills in nature.
July 24: Stone Creek Park
Life in Cold Blood presented by High Desert Museum.
Explore the habitat of reptiles, learn about their amazing adaptations and experience an up-close encounter with these cold-blooded creatures.
July 31: Ponderosa Park
Buzz About Bees presented by Sunriver Nature Center.
Learn about the importance of these popular pollinators and what they need to survive through hands-on activities.
August 7: Hollygrape Park
Predators and Prey presented by The Environmental Center.
Learn about the diverse animals that call Central Oregon home through games and interactive science activities!
August 14: Shevlin Park
Watery Wonders presented by Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.
Explore Tumalo Creek, collect and identify stream critters and learn about what makes a healthy stream.
Learn more about Discover Nature Days happening throughout Central Oregon at www.childrensforestco.org/discover-nature-days.
SAVE THE DATE! Discover Nature Festival
Sunday, Sept. 9, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Riverbend Park
Look for Let’s Picnic! July through August for another summer for fun-filled Wednesday evenings in your neighborhood! And, it’s all for FREE!
Pack a picnic and gather with friends and family for a delightful evening of live music, games and art activities in your local park! To top it all off, we’ll even bring the ice cream treats! Feel free to bring a blanket and/or chairs (please no glass or alcohol). See the current Summer Playbook or check the events calendar for event schedules.
Presented by Step & Spine Physical Therapy
Swim! Bike! Run! Do a triathlon! The swimming portion of this non-timed event will be held in the safety of a supervised pool. The mountain biking and running portions will be held in Juniper Park. The event focuses on sportsmanship and making new friends. All abilities are welcome. Build your skills and get ready for the race by signing up for one of the four weekly clinics.
Sunday, August 26, 2018 • 8:00 am – 12:30 pm • Ages 4 – 15
Program: 205607
Fee: $25 ID / $30 OD includes event t-shirt
Tentative Event Schedule:
Race Lengths:
Community barbecue sponsored by PacificSource Health Plans
Make plans to attend the For the Health of It! Health and Wellness Fair on Tuesday, September 25, 12 noon to 3:00 pm at the Bend Senior Center. Join Bend Park and Recreation for a FREE fun filled afternoon of health. Featuring over 50 health and wellness providers, free health screenings and give-a-ways. Flu vaccines available.
Vendor applications are available here. Use the contact information below to learn more about being a sponsor or event vendor.
For more information, contact:
Join us for Bend Senior Center’s Annual Holiday Craft & Gift Bazaar on Saturday, November 17, 2018 for over 11,000 square feet of shopping experience. Featuring handmade local vendors and gift sellers. Lunch available for sale. Holiday music all day long. Grandma’s Cookin’ Calico Bean Soup for sale. Free admission. For event time and details, check the Fall Playbook or events calendar after the publication of the Fall Playbook, approximately the third week of August.
2018 Bazaar Update: At this time, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2018 Bazaar.
Vendor applications are available here. We will begin accepting applications June 6, 2018 at 9:00 am. Vendors will be notified by August 31 if they have been selected for the show. Use the contact information below to learn more about being a vendor.
For more information, contact:
Join us Friday, December 21 when we kick off two weeks of holiday skate sessions with The Winter Solstice Celebration at The Pavilion. The event features skating, treats and cocoa, raffles, a photo booth and performances by Bend Ice Figure Skating Club. Skaters receive a special $6 rate with a canned food donation to Neighbor Impact’s Food Bank.
Presented by Bend Pet Express
Join us for a Bend tradition dating back to 1932 – a July 4th filled with old fashioned fun, food and festivities brought to you by Bend Park & Recreation District. The day begins with a pancake breakfast and the ever popular Pet Parade where dogs, wagons, bicycles and stuffed animal walk the 1.5 mile parade through downtown Bend, Oregon.
After the Pet Parade, residents head over to Drake Park to enjoy live music, local artisans crafts, food carts and FREE old fashioned fun and games for the kiddos and kid’s at heart.
Learn more about the Old Fashioned July 4th Pet Parade and festival.
Looking for an event being held in a Bend Park? Here is a calendar of organized, community events. If your looking for upcoming Bend Park and Recreation District public and free outreach events, check our events page.
For more information on each event, click on the event’s Details Link for further event details and event website link.
Elks Lodge Easter Egg Hunt at Juniper Park
April 21, 2019
Juniper Park, NE 6th St, Bend, OR 97701, USA
Come enjoy the hunt at Juniper Park! For more information visit http://bendelkslodge.org/
Walk MS at Riverbend Park
April 27, 2019
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702, USA
Learn more at the Walk MS website: https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/ORCWalkEvents?pg=entry&fr_id=30560
Riverbend 5K at Riverbend Park
April 28, 2019
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702, USA
For more information visit: http://www.riverbend5k.com/
Paddle Festival at Riverbend Park
May 4, 2019
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702, USA
For more information visit https://tumalocreek.com
Peace Officers Memorial Day at Brooks Park
May 15, 2019
Brooks Park, 35 NW Drake Rd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle at Riverbend Park
May 18, 2019
Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St, Bend, OR 97702, USA
Learn more at the Pole Pedal Paddle website: http://www.pppbend.com/
Armed Forces Day at Brooks Park
May 18, 2019
Brooks Park, 35 NW Drake Rd, Bend, OR 97701, USA
