Grab your cocoa, turn on Portland's Christmas Station and get out and make some new holiday memories!

Time for your Pictures With Santa! Kick off the season at Washington Square and keep listening for Stacey & Mike's 12 Days of Christmas to win a $200 gift certificate to your favorite Washington Square stores like Lululemon, Dick's Sporting Goods and Aritzia thanks our friends at Explore Tualatin Valley.

The Polar Express Train Ride is such a fun family tradition on the Mt. Hood Railroad. Stacey and her boys went numerous years, dressed in pj's singing along to the soundtrack, sippin cocoa and meeting Santa!

LIGHT DISPLAYS:

Portland Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square is once again happening the day after Thanksgiving. Santa will be on hand to flip the switch on that gorgeous 75' Doug Fir festooned with 10,000 lights.

Oregon Zoo Lights has some new additions this season. Including 30 more luminous creatures are joining the regular cast of glowing wildlife and lanterns along the train route, including flamingos, beavers, bears and elephants. The Zoo is also hosting its first 21+ night when grown-ups get to take in the holiday magic without kids on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Silverton Christmas Market at The Oregon Garden Garden has 1.5 million lights. They have a Biergarten, snowless Tubing Hill and local artisan vendors. Santa will also be popping by between his toy making and eating cookies.

The Grotto Christmas Festival of Lights. Millions of lights across the sanctuary grounds. Opening November 28. If you can, bring a non-perishable food item for Snow Cap.

The Christmas Ships have been sailing for over 70 years. Check the schedule to watch the ships either on the Willamette or the Columbia rivers (dates vary). Some riverside restaurants book out early on Christmas Ship nights.

Peacock Lane is untangling millions of lights (better them than us!) so give them a minute. A Portland tradition for over 100 years, the annual Christmas Street opens Dec 15. Car-free nights (walkers only) are Dec. 19-20.

The Home For The Holidays Decades Tour at Pittock Mansion. Enjoy festive displays across 19 rooms in the mansion and four in the Gate Lodge, each artfully decorated to reflect a nesting of five iconic decades — from the 1910s through the 1950s. It’ll run thru January 9th.

PIR Winter Wonderland boasts 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes. All proceeds benefit the Sunshine Division, which provides food for residents in need. This year there will again be car-free nights including Bike the Lights on Nov. 30, and Lights & Leashes on Dec. 1-2.

Magic At The Mill in Salem The Willamette Heritage Center offers a weekend of living history demonstrations, museum tours, Santa visits, children’s activities, craft demos, model trains, vendors and, of course, evening outdoor light displays.

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND:

Portland Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square is once again happening the day after Thanksgiving. Santa will be on hand to flip the switch on that gorgeous 75' Doug Fir festooned with 10,000 lights.

Portland Holiday Brewfest Dec 5 & 6 has all the holiday beers and ciders you can stand in a heated tent under downtown Portland’s big lighted tree.

The PDX Pop-Up Shops are back! These beloved pop-up shops transform vacant retail spaces in downtown Portland into vibrant, temporary destinations for local designers and artists.

The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, also around The Square, has groups of carolers filling the streets of downtown Portland.

The Annual Tuba Christmas is a festive favorite for 34 years now. Dec 13th experience the mighty sounds of big brass as nearly 300 tubas play in harmony while the crowd is invited to sing along.

A uniquely Portland holiday tradition, the Cinnamon Bear Cruises aboard the Portland Spirit are now in their 20th year, introducing new generations to the holiday story that began as a Portland radio program in 1937.

VANCOUVER EVENTS:

Vancouver, Washington shines bright each winter with festive events, dazzling lights, and holiday cheer along the Columbia River. From waterfront parades and historic downtown celebrations to artisan markets and beloved performances, there’s no shortage of Christmas events and winter activities to enjoy.

Heritage Holiday at Fort Vancouver - Experience the joy of the season in a historic setting with lots of festivities for families.

Christmas Ships Parade - Watch a sparkling fleet of decorated boats sail along the Columbia River in this beloved Northwest holiday tradition.

Santa’s Holiday Hustle 5K - Get moving this holiday season with a festive run (or walk) perfect for the whole family—holiday attire encouraged!

Community Tree Lighting at Esther Short Park - Kick off the season with music, lights, and the ceremonial lighting of Vancouver’s community Christmas tree.

Ice Skating & Winter Activities - Lace up your skates at an ice skating rink or take in winter hikes and scenic parks.

HOLIDAY CONCERTS:

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree and it’s back for its 63rd year spreading joy, November 29 thru December 7 at Sunset Church in Portland. Nothing will get you in the holiday spirit like these performances. Enter now for your chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree.

Trans Siberian Orchestra is back with The Ghosts of Christmas Eve and we are pleased to present the 2pm performance on November 23rd at Moda Center. We hope you will join us for this beloved annual tradition and to make it even easier, you can enter below for a chance to win a pair of tickets provided by Live Nation. If you're there look for Mike Chase on stage!

Straight No Chaser's Holiday Road concert comes to the Elsinore Theatre in Salem on November 23rd. Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at The Keller Friday November 28. Chip Davis, founder of new age group Mannheim Steamroller with a team of 15 musicians and a backdrop of multimedia effects.

“A Very George Michael Christmas,” a holiday-themed concert featuring music from the beloved Wham! singer by tribute band The Careless Whispers, led by Portland artist Holcombe Waller.

The Annual Tuba Christmas is a festive favorite for 34 years now. Dec 13th experience the mighty sounds of big brass as nearly 300 tubas play in harmony while the crowd is invited to sing along.

White Album Xmas is a “holiday circus spectacular” at the Alberta Rose Theatre that also serves as a tribute to The Beatles, featuring music from The NowHere Band and performances by the Rose City Circus.

The Oregon Symphony plays all the popular holiday hits in “Holiday Pops” at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The show is billed as a perfect family activity or holiday date night.

Portland musician Michael Allen Harrison is known for his Christmas concerts at The Old Church featuring gospel, blues and jazz singer Julianne Johnson.

Portland Local News