PORTLAND, Ore. — Each week, KGW provides a list of events you may want to try in the Portland area over the weekend.
Here are our picks for this weekend:
Turkey trot
Before you feast with family and friends, there will be plenty of opportunities to burn calories ahead of the big meal. There are several “turkey trots” throughout the Portland metro area that vary in distance. Find the turkey trot for you:
- Portland International Raceway (Wednesday night)
- Oregon Zoo (Thursday)
- Sherwood (Thursday)
- Tofurky trot at Oaks Park (Thursday)
Christmas Tree lighting
Once Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to jump into the Christmas spirit! Portland, Lake Oswego and Vancouver will each have their tree lighting on Friday. KGW will livestream the tree lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland at 6 p.m. More info on each tree lighting:
Opt outside
While many people will be battling long lines to get deals on Black Friday, you can also spend Friday getting outside and enjoying the beauty Oregon has to offer. Oregon State Parks is waiving $5 day-use parking fees for the day to encourage people to get outside.
- What: Opt Outside
- When: Friday
- Where: Oregon State Parks (click here to find a park near you)
Wine Country Thanksgiving
You may have food and beverage plans for Thursday, but what about the rest of the weekend? Beginning on Friday, Willamette Valley wineries will be opening their cellars and tasting rooms for the weekend. More than 140 wineries will be participating, each with its own flair.
- What: Wine County Thanksgiving
- When: Friday through Sunday
- Where: Various locations
Christmas bazaar
If you want to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend, America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar will be at the Portland Expo Center. There will be about 1,000 booths, so there will be hundreds of handcrafted gifts from local and regional artisans. You’ll also be able to take pictures with Santa in his village! Tickets are $8. The bazaar continues next weekend, Dec. 6 to 8.
- What: America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar
- When: Friday to Sunday
- Where: Portland Expo Center
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Another holiday shopping option is the annual Indigenous Black Friday Marketplace. The market, organized by Indigenous Come Up, is held to give Indigenous vendors an opportunity to sell their wares at an affordable and culturally respective event. It’s free to attend. Click here for a lineup of artists
- What: Portland Indigenous Marketplace
- When: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: 1820 NE 21st Ave.
Holiday Express
All aboard! The Holiday Express will take you through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge along the Willamette River. The round trip ride lasts about 40 minutes. Hot drinks and cookies will be available at the station. Tickets range from $16-$22 per person. Proceeds benefit the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation. The train also runs two more weekends, Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15.
- What: Holiday Express
- When: Friday through Sunday
- Where: Oaks Park
High school football playoffs
The high school football season is winding down and there will be multiple opportunities to support your local team in the state semifinals. On Friday, Barlow will play Central Catholic at noon at Hillsboro Stadium. Following that will be Jesuit vs. Lake Oswego at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Camas will play Mt. Si at 1 p.m. at McKenzie Stadium in Vancouver.
- What: High school football playoffs
- When: Friday, Saturday
- Where: Hillsboro Stadium, McKenzie Stadium