It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and we’ve got you covered for holiday events! From music to ships to parades, Portland offers a variety of holiday festivities for all ages and levels of Christmas spirit!
The Grotto’s 25th Annual Festival of Lights features 500,000 lights, 170 performances by church, school and civic choirs, a petting zoo, carolers, puppet shows and more!
Nov. 23-Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Day)
The Lights on Peacock Lane is one of Portland most beloved traditions. The quaint little street in SE Portland goes all out with lights, nativity displays, and other impressive holiday decor.
Dec. 15-31
Singing Christmas Tree is made up of hundreds of singers lined up in the shape of a fir tree every year. This year’s choir marks 50 years and consists of 265 adults, 40 children and a 40-piece orchestra.
Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2
ZooLights features more than a million LED lights and transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes. Cap off your visit by boarding the zoo’s light-bedecked steamer train, which provides a unique view of the ZooLights splendor.
(month of December)
Christmas Ship Parade In its 58th year, 55 to 60 bedecked boats glide up and down the Columbia and Willamette rivers each night during the Christmas season. So book a waterfront restaurant and enjoy the show!ys, offering rides from the Oaks Park station to the Springwater Trail gateway.
Various times, Nov. 30-Dec. 2; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 14-16 Dec. 7-21 (weather permitting)
Portland Revels is a 70-voice choir that brings to life a village in the Appalachian mountains with American songs, clogging and square dancing to chase the winter darkness away. The show features instrumental and choral music, children’s songs, drama, poetry and audience participation.
Dec. 7-9 and 13-16
“The Nutcracker” performed superbly by Oregon Ballet Theatre, you won’t want to miss George Balanchine’s classic 1954 version of this holiday staple. Tchaikovsky’s beloved score brings to life the world of sugar plum fairies, dancing snowflakes and armies of mice. Six performances will have live music.
Dec. 8-23
Handel’s “Messiah” performed by Portland Baroque Orchestra, this stylish and quick-tempo version of Handel’s masterpiece is always a crowd pleaser.
Dec. 14-17
