The Grotto Christmas Festival of Lights over 2 million lights, nightly caroling, puppet shows and a giant walkthrough Christmas Tree! Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at the Grotto’s Festival of Lights.

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association is hosting its annual ornament hunt across the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests until Christmas Day. Two hundred locally crafted wooden ornaments are hidden along 24 trails. Find one, and you could win a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley! It's a fun way to explore the beautiful forests and enjoy some holiday cheer.

The Oregon Turkeython is a great way to burn up some calories before the big meal. It starts at Cook Park 8am on Thanksgiving morning, sign up soon as slots are filling fast!

Or you could burn off those calories after the Thanksgiving feast at Oaks Park at a special Thanksgiving night skate session! Enjoy festive tunes played on a live Wurlitzer pipe organ while you skate the night away. The event starts at 7 PM on November 28, 2024, and admission is $13, which includes standard skate rental.

The Portland Winter Ice Rink is back this holiday season. The family-friendly outdoor ice rink located at the west end of the Morrison Bridgehead on the waterfront. In addition to skating, enjoy a variety of activities in the Winter Village, which features a concession marketplace, food, warm beverages, and a cozy lounge. They open this Saturday, November 16.

OMSI is opening its own indoor ice skating rink for the holidays. They’ve turned their auditorium into a winter wonderland. Open Nov 23 through the New Year.

The Portland Cheese and Meat Festival November 23rd at the Leftbank Annex.

The Benson Portland will unveil their 53rd Annual Gingerbread Masterpiece on December 3.

The Hood River Annual Community Holiday Tree Lighting and Street Festival is Friday Dec 6.

Mt Railroad Polar Express Christmas Train is a must if you have littles. We took our boys in their pj's a couple of times. The free hot cocoa while they perform the hot cocoa song from the movie is worth the trip alone!.

The Portland Holiday Market (Nov 15-17) is an entirely new holiday shopping experience and the one place to get all your holiday shopping done. More than 100,000 square feet of display space are filled with hundreds of exhibitors at the Portland Expo Center.

The Silverton Christmas Market is open most nights November 21 – December 31. Weekends sell out so grab your tickets online.

Looking for unique handmade gifts this holiday season? Artifact in SE Portland is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with 25 local makers to bring you the best and the brightest. The front showroom has transformed into a cozy winter wonderland.

Come shop and support local vendors and Beaverton High School at the 21st Annual BHS Holiday Bazaar. **New location while Beaverton High School is under construction.**

Straight No Chaser brings their unique a cappella magic to the Elsinore Theater in Salem November 22nd.

Portland's Singing Christmas Tree returns to Sunset Church November 30-Dec 8.

Enjoy the twinkling magical wonderland of Zoo Lights—without any kids. Enjoy the sixth annual Brew Lights. Then come back with the little rascals for Zoo Lights November 22-Jan 5.

Jim Brickman's Comfort & Joy Holiday Concert, December 1st at the Newmark Theater.

Santa will arrive at Washington Square on November 7 and be available for family pics through December 24.

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree at the Sunset Church in Portland. November 30th thru December 8th. Win tickets.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra “The Lost Christmas Eve” at Moda Center (2 shows) November 24.Win Tickets

11/30 – Cyndi Lauper “Farewell Tour” at Moda Center

12/8 – Billie Eilish “Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour” at Moda Center

John Legend's Legendary Christmas at Moda Center December 9. Win tickets

Peacock Lane Dec 15-21st.

PORTLAND AREA TREE LIGHTINGS

The 40th Annual Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square Nov 29 5:30 p.m.

Hillsboro Holly Days Celebration November 23 2-7 p.m.

Forest Grove Tree Lighting November 29 6-7:30 p.m.

Banks Christmas Tree Lighting December 1 6:30 p.m.

Bethany Village Tree Lighting December 3 4-8 p.m.

Beaverton Winter Lights Tree Lighting December 6 6-8 p.m.

Jingle Thru North Plains Parade December 5 6-8 p.m. North Plains Commercial Street

Downtown Tigard Holiday Tree Lighting December 6 6:30 p.m.

Sherwood Holiday Festival December 7 4 p.m. Old Town Sherwood

Mrs.Claus Tree Lighting at Lloyd Center November 23 1 p.m.

Light Up St. Johns Ugly Sweater Tree Lighting November 22 5-7 p.m.

Join Us On Hawthorne November 24 12:30-5 p.m.

SANTA SIGHTINGS

Have a holiday event to share? We'll be updating throughout the season so let us know!

Jennie James