Coming up soon is the time for joy and cheer as the holiday season descends upon us, and Portland will have no lack of opportunities to celebrate and have fun with your family and friends. From light-up events and music festivals to shopping fairs and performances, there will be no shortage of fun things for you to do and participate in this holiday season.
Whether you are looking for a cozy event to hang out and spend time with others or a festive event to spread cheer and joy, there will be something for you. Check out these upcoming events in Portland to spend with your family and friends this holiday season.
Portland Holiday Events and Light Displays
Holiday Lights in Portland
#1 Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
#2 Portland Winter Wonderland Light Festival
#3 Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo
#4 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Holiday Performances & Entertainment Events
#6 George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
#7 Comfort and Joy by Oregon Symphony
Holiday Shopping and Fairs
Holiday Lights in Portland
Light-up events and festivals are a staple of the holiday season. They are family-friendly and offer a hearty way to enjoy the season with your partner, family, and friends. Here are a few illuminations and light-up events in Portland for you to check out this holiday season.
#1 Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
Get ready for an illumination event between November 25th and December 30th (closed on Christmas Day) at the Chapel of Mary. You will find continuous entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy at The Grotto’s plaza, including outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and musical performances. The Festival of Light walk-through event features a one-quarter-mile walk full of beautiful holiday illuminations – the main attraction.
When: 5 PM – 9:30 PM (November 25 – December 16), 4:30 PM – 9:30 PM (December 17 – 30)
Where: 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR 97220
Cost: Online Advance Tickets: General Admission (Ages 12+) – $14, Youth (Ages 3-11) – $6, At the Door Pricing: General Admission (Ages 12 +) – $18, Youth (Ages 3-11) – $8, Children 2 and under: Free Admission
Website: https://thegrotto.org/christmas-festival-of-lights/
#2 Portland Winter Wonderland Light Festival
Head to the Portland International Raceway for the largest lightship in the Northwest! It is the 30th Annual Winter Wonderland powered by the Advents Credit Union for a spectacle you will not want to miss. Furthermore, all proceeds from the event will benefit the Sunshine Division’s year-round hunger relief programs that help provide free nutritious meals to thousands of people in Portland. If you would like to support your community, this is a fun way to spend an evening this holiday season!
When: November 25 – December 31
Where: 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR 97217
Cost: General admission: $45 – $155
Website: https://winterwonderlandportland.com/
#3 Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo
All animal lovers should mark their calendars for the annual Zoo Lights at the Oregon Zoo. It is where you and your family can enjoy discounted admission fees and revel in the colorful light displays throughout the zoo. You can enjoy local food carts, elephant ears, hot chocolate, Oregon beer, and more at this fun event aimed at people of all ages. For those interested in a more adult-oriented affair, join them for their Brew Lights event, where you and other 21 and over guests can enjoy beer samples from over 45 local vendors!
When: November 23 – January 5, 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
Cost: Adults (12 years and up): $24, Child (2-11 years): $19, Infants: Free Admission
Website: https://www.oregonzoo.org/visit/zoolights
#4 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Join your community at Pioneer Courthouse Square the day after Thanksgiving for a tree-lighting ceremony to mark the start of the holiday season. The ceremony will feature a joyful sing-along with Portland musician Thomas Lauderdale and more. At the location, there will be more than 14,000 LED lights to spread the holiday cheer – that will be turned on by Santa Claus himself! It is a perfect family-oriented event for a fun night out!
When: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM, November 25
Where: 701 SW 6th Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Cost: Free Admission
Website: https://www.thesquarepdx.org/event/38th-annual-tree-lighting-ceremony-presented-by-smartpark/
Holiday Performances & Entertainment Events
If you are looking for other ways to fill your calendar, check out these performances and entertainment events to celebrate the holiday season.
#5 Singing Christmas Tree
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree is the 60th annual event to celebrate the holiday season with audiences young and old. You can enjoy watching a cinematic living nativity and a visit from Santa and his elves, with 90 mins of music, dance, and pageantry that will kick off your holiday cheer. Special guests include Katie Harman, Georgene Rice, and Courtney Temple, so don’t wait to book your ticket for this event.
When: November 26 – 27, December 2 – 4
Where: 14986 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR 97229
Cost: Single Ticket: $27 – $47
Website: https://singingchristmastree.org/
#6 George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
If you’d like a dose of nostalgia, book your ticket to a rendition of the Nutcracker that will be hosted on select days from December 10th through the 24th at the Keller Auditorium. It is a family-friendly event where you can restore your belief in magic and relive your most beloved childhood dreams together in the Land of Sweets and dancing snowflakes, all to the tune of Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable musical score!
When: Select days from December 10 – 24
Where: 720 S Bancroft St., Portland, OR 97239
Cost: Single Ticket: $29 – $150
Website: https://www.obt.org/2022-23-season/nutcracker-2022
#7 Comfort and Joy by Oregon Symphony
Join the Oregon Symphony for an evening of joy and cheer as they perform renditions of holiday classics such as “We Need a Little Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas,” and more. It is a fun opportunity to sing along and kick off the holidays with family, friends, and neighbors.
When: 7:30 PM, December 7
Where: 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205
Cost: Single Ticket: $35 – $59
Website: https://www.travelportland.com/event/31832916751493/
#8 Holiday Express
Join Santa and his elves on Portland’s famous steam locomotives. You can ride in vintage rail cars through the wilderness and enjoy a round-trip ride from Oaks Park Station through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge to Springwater Trail Gateway. Make sure you arrive early so as not to miss your ride!
When: November 25 – December 18
Where: 2250 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
Cost: Single Ticket: $23 – $92
Website: https://www.travelportland.com/event/353203/
Holiday Shopping and Fairs
In addition to festivals and performances, the holiday season is a great time to take advantage of shopping events and deals. If you fancy a day out shopping with your family and friends, check out these events and fairs in Portland.
#9 Crafty Wonderland
The Oregon Convention Center will be holding the Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art and Craft Market this year. It is where you can shop from over 250 artists selling their holiday-themed wares. Tickets sell out quickly, so if you don’t want to miss out on a fun place to do your holiday shopping this year, buy your ticket to the Crafty Wonderland now to secure entry to the market!
When: December 9, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM & December 10-11, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
Cost: General admission: $4, Pre-Show Party: $23, Children (5 years and under): Free admission
Website: https://www.travelportland.com/event/31645327036723/
#10 The Portland Bazaar
Portland Bazaar is back for the city’s finest holiday gift showcase and sale, where you can find plenty of holiday-themed items and wares. You can browse from over 160 local makers, designers, and artists that will make for an exciting event that celebrates small businesses in Portland. Shopping at the Portland Bazaar is a great way to support your local vendors, but that’s not all. You won’t find a better opportunity to find unique gifts to give to your family and friends this holiday season!
When: 11 AM – 4 PM (December 10-11 and 17-18)
Where: 1715 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97209
Cost: Free Admission
Website: https://www.portlandbazaar.com/
These are just a few events taking place in Portland this holiday season. Join your family and friends for some fun activities and events, and don’t forget to grab your tickets for seats at music festivals and performances. Whether you are looking to do gift shopping or enjoy a night out with your loved ones, Portland has no shortage of fun this holiday season!
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