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

The Gingerbread Masterpiece at The Benson Hotel is on display now through January 4. For 54 years the historic Portland hotel makes a special gingerbread creation the centerpiece of its lobby. This year, they display a castle inspired by The Royal Palace of Oz, from Wicked and the Wizard of Oz.

Free pet photos with Santa at PetSmart are happening next weekend! This event adds a fun option for pet lovers: Bring your pets leashed or crated to PetSmart for a free pet photo with Santa from 2-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photos can be taken on personal device or on store device, which will deliver the photo to you via email.

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 Winter Village in Hillsboro offers covered outdoor ice skating at Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station through January 11, 2026. Public skate sessions will be open Thursdays through Sundays.

There's nothing like the smell of a real tree in the house. Bundle up and go find yours at Topaz Farms on Sauvie Island. They transform into a miniature Winter Wonderland on select dates. All trees are freshly cut and pre-shaken.

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! It runs on select days now through early January.

LIGHT DISPLAYS:

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 Nov 21st - New Years Eve 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 71st season of The Christmas Ships Parades on the Columbia River and Monday December 9th on the Willamette River. Over 70 beautifully decorated and illuminated boats will parade 15 nights during December. Weeknight parades launch from Riverplace Marina on the Willamette and the Gleason Boat Ramp on the Columbia. Some riverside restaurants book out early on Christmas Ship nights.

A new holiday festival is going on in Keizer at the former Volcanoes Stadium, now Roto Rooter Park, is home to Glow Oregon. Over 1 million lights, and a ton of activities for the littles with a reindeer garden, teddy bear village, fairytale castle, even a scavenger hunt for presents.

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.

Lightopia in Hillsboro offers a whimsical drive-through experience with giant glowing characters, tunnels of color, and synchronized music. For 2025, the event runs December 9 through December 29, open Fridays through Mondays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex.

Ready to see dazzling lights nestled in a Washington forest? Take a drive to Skamania Lodge for the second annual Holiday Light Walk. It runs from November 28th through January 4th. From 5-9 p.m. every night.

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND:

Pride Northwest is putting on our their Powerfully Pink holiday celebration again this year including events like Melodies in Midtown Friday Dec 6th at the Midtown Beer Gardens and culminating in a two-day night market, Bigger Picture, on December 13 and 14. The Pop Up Gallery will be at 23 NW 4th Ave. The mission is to amplify voices, spark collaboration, and create an accessible space where every artist - of every medium - can be seen, heard, and celebrated. Our mission: to uplift local creators, inspire connection, and remind the world that art lives everywhere and in everyone.

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, Dec 12th at Pioneer Courthouse 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.

Ready to see dazzling lights nestled in a Washington forest? Take a drive to Skamania Lodge for the second annual Holiday Light Walk. During the holiday season, the lodge hosts a variety of events. From November 28, 2025, through January 4, 2026, attend the Skamania Lodge Holiday Light Walk. From 5-9 p.m. every night, you can walk through their lights and displays surrounded by towering trees in a Pacific Northwest forest.

VANCOUVER EVENTS:

Vancouver 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 Dec 13.

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!

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

HOLIDAY CONCERTS:

“A Very George Michael Christmas,” Saturday Dec 20 at Alberta Rose Theater. 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 Dec 13th at Pioneer Courthouse Square. 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 Nov 28-Dec 13. 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 Dec 13 & 14. 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. Dec 13 - Christmas Eve.

Stacey Lynn