PORTLAND, Ore. — The holiday season brings plenty of festivities, including twinkling holiday displays, from the famous Oregon ZooLights to the long-established Peacock Lane. They are just a few of many displays across the metro area. What will be your pick to see?
Thankfully, there are a multitude of excellent holiday light displays opening soon, in and around the Portland metro area.
Oregon ZooLights
When: Nov. 24 - Jan. 7, 2024, various times
Where: The Oregon Zoo, 4001 Canyon Road, Portland
What's going on: Chief among holiday festivities are the lights at the Oregon Zoo. The Oregon ZooLights are a big deal every year, drawing massive crowds, and this year is expected to be no different. The display will be dazzling and is estimated to have more than 1.5 million individual lights.
You can experience this year's lights on foot. The traditional walking tour will give visitors the opportunity to see some of the various lights still on display through the winter months. The driving tour — a COVID innovation that was once available on select dates and featured the animals — will no longer be an option this year. Tickets for the walking tour can range from $12 to $26 depending on the date and tour time.
The Oregon ZooLights are open seven days a week until Jan. 7, with the exception of a few dates and Christmas Day.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
Christmas Ships Parade
When: Dec. 1 - 17, various times
Where: Multiple locations across the Portland metro area
What's going on: Another great opportunity to see holiday lights can be found on the Willamette and Columbia rivers, where the Christmas Ship Parade is back this year for its 69th season. The fleet will sail up and down the river showing off their colors on select nights through Dec. 17. Popular viewing locations include the North Portland Harbor, McCuddy's Steamboat Landing, the Vancouver waterfront and Hayden Bay. A full list of locations, dates and times are available on the Christmas Ships' website.
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one sailboat decked out in red-and-green ribbon. The parade now attracts an average of 60 boats between the club's Columbia and Willamette river fleets.
Each boater designs and illuminates their individual boat, giving the parade character and diversity. For those boaters interested in joining, the Christmas Ship Parade is always looking for new members. For more information, take a look at their New Skippers Guide.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
Peacock Lane
When: Dec. 15 - 31, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Peacock Lane, 805 Southeast Peacock Lane, Portland
What's going on: Portland has a reputation as a festive place for the holidays, and the city's Peacock Lane makes sure to uphold it each year. With the moniker "Portland's Christmas Street," Peacock Lane is home to some of the most creative and extensive lighting displays in the metro area. Located on Portland's South East side, strolling down Peacock Lane is an absolutely free, can't-be-beat holiday activity.
Originating close to a century ago, the historic lane features Tudor-style homes decorated in eclectic and varying style. With no central theme, each house takes on a character of its own and becomes an exhibit in the much larger holiday museum that is Peacock Lane.
Part of the fun is witnessing each neighbor's take on the season. With no set plan or agenda, there's no predicting what shape exhibits will take or when residents will kick off the celebration. There will also be pedestrian-only nights from Dec. 15-17.
For more information on this event, click here.
PHOTOS: Peacock Lane
The Grotto Festival of Lights
When: Nov. 24 - Dec. 30, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: The Grotto, 8840 North Skidmore Street, Portland
What's going on: For the more religious holiday observer, the lights at Portland's Grotto are the place to be. A place of serenity and tranquility throughout the year, The Grotto hosts its Festival of Lights starting Nov. 24. The festival is open 5-10 p.m. Nov. 24 through Dec. 15 and Dec. 16-30 from 4:45-10 p.m. and will be closed on Christmas Day.
Tickets for the event are on sale now on the Grotto's website. They're $14 when purchased in advance and $16 at the gate. Youth tickets are $6 online and $8 at the door. Kids under 2 can get in for free, capacity permitting. Attendees are also asked to bring a non-perishable food item for SnowCap.
This year's festival will feature lights, caroling, puppet shows and music. The festival is a walk-through event, so expect to walk about a quarter mile. It takes on average an hour and a half to see the whole thing.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
Winter Wonderland
When: Nov. 24 - Dec. 30, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Portland International Raceway, 1940 North Victory Boulevard, Portland
What's going on: Holiday adrenaline junkies can speed on over to Portland International Raceway for the annual Winter Wonderland event. Hailed as the biggest holiday light show west of the Mississippi, this year's 30th anniversary event features over 250 different displays, some of which are even animated.
In addition to being a lot of fun, this year's Winter Wonderland is for a good cause. All proceeds will benefit Sunshine Division, which helps provide food to families in need.
Starting back in 1993, PDX Raceway's Winter Wonderland is fun for the whole family, from kids looking for holiday sparkle to adults looking to drive a professional track. The Winter Wonderland takes you on a circuit around the historic PDX Speedway track, so please, no chains or studded tires.
The Winter Wonderland will open Nov. 24 and remain open through the end of December. You can hit the track Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m., or anytime 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Additionally, the Winter Wonderland will have special extended hours, 4:30-11 p.m., Dec 15-25. Tickets range from $5 to $155 depending on the night. Special event nights — such as walking nights, bike nights, dog walk nights and discount nights — are available depending on the date. Donations are accepted with proceeds benefitting the Sunshine Division. You can find more ticket information here.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
The North Pole at Eagle Crest
When: Dec. 8 - 10, 15 - 17, 22, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Parrett Mountain, 31727 Northeast Wilsonville Road, Newberg
What's going on: Here's your chance to catch the Christmas display at the Pacific Northwest's most magical Christmas display according to event organizers. You don't want to miss this magical experience. Bring the whole family to take a peek inside the North Pole present factory, see the reindeer and even get a chance to say hello to the polar bear family. Attendees will receive a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. There be vintage animated displays from David Hamberger and Harold Gale and a letter to Santa writing station. No tickets or reservations required.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
Silverton Christmas Market
When: Nov. 17 - Dec. 31, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Oregon Garden Resort, 895 West Main Street, Silverton
What's going on: The Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Resort will keep its holiday lights on through Dec. 31. The annual event first opened for the season the weekend after Thanksgiving, and the only nights it won't be open are Christmas Eve and Christmas. This year's event has more than one million lights set up along pathways that wind through the resort's property. The Silverton Christmas Market also features shopping opportunities, with handmade gifts from artisan vendors. There will also be a "snowless" tubing hill that attendees can check out. Tickets to the event are not available at the door. All admission tickets, along with tickets to ride down the snowless tubing hill, must be purchased online in advance on Silverton Christmas Market's website. Food and drink vendor booths are also cashless, so visitors are encouraged to bring a debit or credit card. Tickets range from $5 to $20.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
Clackamas County Winter Fair
When: Dec. 1 - 23, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Clackamas County Fairgrounds, 694 Northeast 4th Avenue, Canby
What's going on: The Clackamas County Fairgrounds will be bring to life the Clackamas County Winter Fair. The lighted festival will have over 200,000 lights. Santa will be in attendance each night, and attendees will be able to shop at the holiday market onsite. There also be live music and sights! The event will only take place Fridays and Saturdays up until Dec. 23. Tickets range from $5 to $10.
For more information on this event and ticket cost, click here.
THE UNOFFICIAL START TO THE HOLIDAYS: Tree arrives at Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square
39th Annual Portland Tree Lighting
When: Nov. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 Southwest 6th Avenue, Portland
What's going on: The annual Portland tree lighting, a beloved Rose City tradition for the past 39 years, will officially usher in the holiday season on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, at Pioneer Courthouse Square. KGW's Blair Best will be master of ceremonies, and Santa Claus himself will be on hand to flip the switch, igniting more than 9,500 colorful LED lights on the 75-foot Douglas fir tree. There will be a sing-along with talent straight from the Rose City. Attendance is free for everyone. If you and your family can't make it, you can watch the entire ceremony live on KGW+, KGW's YouTube channel, KGW.com and the KGW News app.
For more information on this event, click here.
Tree lighting events across the metro area
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Sabinna Pierre is the curator of "Things To Do" for KGW's digital platforms. Know of an holiday events you'd like to see featured? Let her know! Email her at SPierre@kgw.com. Follow Sabinna on Instagram @SincerelyBinna.
