Indiana · Weekend Ideas
Weekend Ideas in Portage
Portage is the gateway to the Indiana Dunes, and weekend plans usually start with Lake Michigan. Indiana Dunes National Park trails and beaches, plus the free Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, deliver some of the best water views in the region. Inland, Imagination Glen Park draws riders and Founders Square hosts festivals.
Portage is served by Portage Township Schools (PreK through 12).
What to Do
Plan Your Portage Weekend
Indiana Dunes National Park
15,000-plus acres of beaches, dunes, and trails, much of it within minutes of Portage. Start with West Beach or the Tolleston Dunes trail.
Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk
A National Park Service site with a beach, fishing pier, pavilion, and hiking and biking trails on Lake Michigan.
Imagination Glen Park
Known for its bike trails, with routes for road and mountain riders alike.
Founders Square
Portage's event hub, hosting festivals and the Portage Live concert series through the season.
Ogden Dunes Beach
A popular swimming beach on the lake, one of several easy shoreline stops around Portage.
Portage Christmas Festival
The Kiwanis Parade of Toys and Founders Square tree lighting run Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. around City Hall and Founders Square, collecting new toys for Toys for Tots.
Ideas are curated from local parks, attractions, and venues, and details like seasonal hours can change. Confirm opening times on each spot's site or with the town before you head out.
Curated Guides
Full Weekend Guides for Portage
These deep-dive picks from the Weekend Guide dig further into Portage and the surrounding area.
Portage Christmas Craft Show at Woodland Park
Portage's Christmas Craft Show fills Woodland Park on Saturday and Sunday, Dec 5 and 6, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 75-plus vendors, carriage rides, live music, food trucks, and Santa. Free with a non-perishable food donation.
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3 Little Birds Holiday Market: Handmade Finds at the Porter County Expo Center
The 3 Little Birds Holiday Market returns to the Porter County Expo Center on Friday and Saturday, Nov 13 and 14, 2026, with handmade and upcycled gifts, local food, live holiday music, and a specialty beverage bar.
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Portage Christmas Festival & Kiwanis Parade of Toys
Portage's Christmas Festival returns Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, from 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. around City Hall and Founders Square, with the Kiwanis Parade of Toys, tree lighting, and horse-and-carriage rides.
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