This is a guide to Portland events and activities for the holidays. Whether you live in the Portland area, or are visiting Portland around Christmas, I hope this guide helps you have fun.

Portland has a lot of stuff to do during the holidays. I highly recommend seeing the Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting and the Lights on Peacock Lane. Some of Portland’s more unique Christmas events are the Christmas Ship Parade, ZooLights, and SantaCon. (Bar hopping with a bunch of people dressed in Santa costumes? Really? Yep.)

I hope you find some fun things to do in Portland during the holidays. Contact me if you’d like to add anything to the list of Portland Christmas events, festivals, and other activities.

Portland Holiday Light Displays

ZooLights

Don’t miss this magical sight: zoo animals frolicking in the form of a million holiday lights. This Oregon Zoo event is fun for kids, and real zoo animals even appear among the lights! Open most evenings in December. Tickets available online.

Christmas Festival of Lights

Stroll through The Grotto’s decorated grounds, which include a beautiful cave in the side of a huge cliff, festive lights, and nativity scenes. You’ll find 150 choral performances, puppet shows, and outdoor caroling too. Open most evenings in December.

Winter Wonderland

The largest holiday light display “west of the Mississippi” can be toured in the comfort of your car: the twinkling display is hosted by the Portland International Raceway. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting Ceremony

After a choir kicks things off, well-known musicians lead sing-a-longs (songbooks provided) in honor of the colorful illumination of Portland’s 75-foot, 9,500-light tree in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Now in its 40th year.

The Miracle of a Million Lights

Located in North Portland, the beautiful c. 1885 Victorian Belle mansion gets seriously decorated with holiday lights. This season, look for events such as holiday teas and live performances.

Christmas Ship Parade

Boats decorated with holiday lights parade along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers on select nights in December. Check the website for a schedule with locations.

Lights on Peacock Lane

Head to Southeast’s Sunnyside neighborhood to tour an entire street of elaborately decorated Tudor homes. Each house offers something unique. Look for pedestrian-only nights so you can take over the entire block.

Pittock Mansion Holiday Display

See the c. 1912 mansion in a festive new light at this annual event, a Portland tradition for over 50 years. Each room will be artistically styled and decorated by professional designers and volunteers according to this year’s theme. Past examples include iconic places and local pastimes. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Portland Holiday Markets and Shopping

Holiday Food & Gift Festival

This November, jump start your holiday shopping by browsing more than 300 exhibitors offering one-of-a-kind gifts at the Westside Commons Wingspan Event & Conference Center in Hillsboro. For admission discounts, check the website.

Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market

For tons of gift ideas, check out Crafty Wonderland’s holiday market. Over 200 artisans gather at the Oregon Convention Center to share and sell their handmade products. Admission is free.

Portland Bazaar

Browse goods from 160+ of Portland’s high-quality local artisans and small businesses while enjoying food trucks, live music, and cocktails. Saturday and Sunday are free to attend.

Hawthorne Holiday Stroll

Hawthorne’s boutique stores stay open late for shopping, and carolers roam the streets. It’s a great way to explore this neighborhood and find one-of-a-kind gifts.

Portland Night Market

Enjoy music, food, and drinks while browsing many of Portland’s best-known local retail shops and vendors at the December edition of this evening-only market, held inside a 100-year-old Produce Row warehouse. Admission is free, all ages welcome.

Portland Holiday Shows and Entertainment

Midwinter Revels Show

Let the Portland Revels take you back to the days of yore with a traditional winter solstice celebration. The performances use medieval, Scandinavian, Victorian, and Celtic themes with singing, dancing, juggling, and poetry as well as a dash of whimsy and drama.

Rock the Holidays

Catch this high-energy blend of holiday songs and rock-n-roll classics at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. A local tradition since 2000, the concerts feature rock violinist Aaron Meyer and his virtuosic band.

Christmas at the Old Church

At The Old Church Concert Hall, hear original and traditional Christmas songs with gospel singers and more, led by pianist Michael Allen Harrison. This year, concerts begin on December 13th and run most nights until the 24th.

Tuba Christmas

Life’s just better with a tuba. And with 225 tubas, it’s exceptional—especially when the tubas are playing holiday songs in Portland’s Living Room for free. Time your downtown shopping with this holiday concert for a great mid-shopping break.

Portland Holiday Fun and Events

Ho Ho 5K

Show your holiday spirit—and get in shape—at this annual 5K fun run/walk in Tigard’s Cook Park. Santa will make a special appearance and all finishers receive an evergreen seedling. For a reduced registration fee, bring food and clothing for donation.

ScanFair

An homage to Scandinavian markets at Christmastime, this two-day festival is filled with Nordic crafts, foods, and dancing. You’ll also find a Finnish Santa Claus and an activity area for the kids.

Providence Festival of Trees

View more than 100 creatively decorated trees, mini-trees, and displays, with themes ranging from bicycles to the Trail Blazers, at the Oregon Convention Center. The event also features entertainment, craft activities, and the Teddy Bear Hospital. Proceeds benefit Providence Health & Services. All events will be online or televised this year.

Holiday Express

Santa and his elves operate this classic steam train, which runs between Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and the Springwater Corridor gateway. Tickets are now on sale.

Holiday Half

This flat half marathon, 15k, 10k, and 5K in North Portland is all about having holiday fun, with carolers to serenade you along the route. Both runs end with a celebration featuring seasonal ales, eggnog, and warm food.

Champagne Ball

Get tickets early for this wild New Year’s party, now at the Portland Art Museum.

SantaCon

Here’s your chance to dress like Santa, hang with hundreds of Santas, and partake in a holiday bar-hop. This long-running event can get wild, but remember, it’s all about celebrating the holidays in Portland.

Out of Town Holiday Fun

Mt. Hood Railroad’s Christmas Train (Hood River)

This festive holiday train ride meanders through the Hood River Valley. Expect lots of excited families and a special gift from Santa. Runs select dates in November and December.

Cosmic Tubing (Mt. Hood)

The mountain’s most festive party kicks off when the sun sets. That’s when Mt. Hood Skibowl cranks up the multi-colored disco lights and rockin’ music for hours of family-friendly snowtubing every Friday and Saturday night. Open Sunday night, too, during school holidays. Check the website for more info on the 2024-2025 winter season.

Sherwood Winter Festival (Sherwood)

The first Saturday in December, bring the whole family (pets too!) to this Tualatin Valley town for a holiday season celebration that includes a community parade, live music, tree lighting, Santa Claus, and lots of free activities.

More Portland Gift Guides

Travel Oregon’s Gift of Oregon Guide
Portland Monthly’s Holiday Gift Guide
Portland Mercury’s Gift Guide 2022

More Portland Christmas Event Listings

Portland Christmas Events Near Me (My new site including holiday events in hundreds of cities around the world!)

PDX Pipeline’s Holiday Events
Portland’s Holiday Traditions
Portland Monthly’s Things to Do in Portland