PORTLAND, Ore. — A festival tradition is helping light up a small corner of the Rose City for the holidays. Hundreds of miniature Santa Claus figures make up the Santa Clones display in Southeast Portland.
Each year, artist Chris Willis has been placing illuminated Santa Claus figurines throughout Portland, which are collected from all over the country. The exact location of his displays are kept secret so that people can stumble across them or actively search for them, like a scavenger hunt. Those who find the display are asked to avoid sharing the location so that others can have some fun looking for it.
Willis announced some clues on how to find this year's display on his Instagram page.
"The santas feel right at home plugged in at these SE INDUSTRIAL POWER BLOCKS," he wrote in the post. "They sit at the intersection of WINNING A BRONZE MEDAL and a POPULAR POTTERY MATERIAL. While in the area, pick up some RESTAURANT SUPPLIES or grab a beverage at OUR FAMILY next door."
The installation will be lit from 4 p.m.-11 p.m. each day, now through Jan. 1, 2024.
Willis encourages anyone who finds the Santa Clones display to snap a photo and post it on social media by using #thesantaclones2023.
Many people have been sharing their festive photos online over the past week.
"We found them for the second year in a row!" wrote Robin Wendlandt on Instagram.
A lot of photos have featured people's pets posing in front of the display.
Sean wrote on Instagram, "Charley found the secret santas."
Sara called this year's display "spectacular" and shared a photo on Instagram.
"It's the best kick-off to the holiday season for me. Following his clues to find the secret spot each year, always puts me in the mood for Christmas," Sara said.