PORTLAND, Ore. — Well, here we are: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With the tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square lit and most holiday events officially launched, things are looking jolly. This weekend, it's about all things festive, from holiday lights across the metro area, to Creole Night at Portland's newest Haitian restaurant, and more.
When: Now-Dec. 31, 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., times vary
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.
When: Dec. 13, 5-9 p.m.
Where: TapTap Cuisine, 3434 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Portland
What's going on: Portland's newest Haitian restaurant, TapTap Cuisine, is hosting one of many upcoming Creole Night events. It's a night highlighting and celebrating Haitian culture, unity and artistry. There will be local vendors, traditional Creole dishes and an inspiring Haitian arts exhibition by Marco St-Juste.
For more information about the event, click here.
When: Dec. 13-15, 20-22, 5-9 p.m.
Where: 31727 Northeast Wilsonville Road, Newberg
What's going on: This is your chance to catch the Christmas display at Eagle Crest. 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. No tickets or reservations required.
For more information about the event, click here
When: Now-Jan. 5, 2025, 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 is 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-19 innovation that was once available on select dates and featured the animals — is no longer be an option this year. Tickets for the walking tour can range from $9 to $24, depending on the date and tour time.
The Oregon ZooLights are open seven days a week until Jan. 5, with the exception of a few dates including Christmas Day.
For more information on this event and ticket costs, click here.
When: Now-Dec. 20, various times and dates
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 for its 70th season. The fleet will sail up and down the river, showing off their colors on select nights through Dec. 20. 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 costs, click here.
When: Throughout the end of November and into December
Where: Multiple locations across the Portland metro area
What's going on: This holiday season is all about the lights — the Christmas lights. Thankfully, there are five excellent holiday light displays in and around the Portland metro area: Oregon ZooLights, Christmas Ships Parade, Peacock Lane, The Grotto Festival of Lights and Winter Wonderland.
For more information about those, click here.
When: Now-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. The festival is open 5-9:30 p.m. now through Dec. 21-23 from 4:45-9:30 p.m. It will be closed on Christmas Day.
Tickets for the event are on sale now on the Grotto's website. They're $16.50 when purchased in advance and $18 at the gate. Youth tickets are $7.75 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.
When: Now-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 Day. 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 $22.
For more information about the event, click here.
When: Dec. 13, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square,
What's going on: Caroling groups will participate in a friendly competition hosted by KGW Sunrise anchor Drew Carney. The top three groups will hold a "carol off", and the grand prize winner will be selected based on crowd applause. The top winner will receive $1,000. For more details, click here.
