Discover holiday joy in Eugene with our comprehensive event guide. Whether you're a local or a tourist, our guide helps you enjoy the festive fun in Eugene.
Popular events this season include the charming Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, where the community gathers to kick off the holidays with a beautiful illuminated display. Additionally, be captivated by the stunning performances of Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker, bringing classic holiday magic to life with enchanting choreography and music. And the ZooLights is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an array of colorful light displays that transform the local zoo into a winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Eugene
- Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker (Portland)
- Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Portland)
- ZooLights (Portland)
- Garden d’Lights (Bellevue)
- Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto (Portland)
- Pittock Mansion Holiday Display (Portland)
- Providence Festival of Trees (Portland)
- Holiday Pops by Seattle Symphony (Seattle)
- Issaquah Reindeer Festival (Issaquah)
- Singing Christmas Tree (Portland)
See these and even more events listed below!
Eugene Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo features dazzling new light displays, including a brand-new rolling river light show and life-size animal lanterns, along with interactive displays and a walk through famous tunnels of sparkling lights.
Where: Portland | More Info: ZooLights
Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
What to Expect:
Largest Christmas choral festival in the world with indoor concerts and outdoor entertainment.
Description:
The Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon, features nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts, continuous family entertainment, outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and a walk-through event with millions of lights. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful grotto and nativity scene, as well as hot chocolate and seasonal shopping.
Where: Portland | More Info: Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
Holiday Light Tours
What to Expect:
Guided tour of Eugene's top Christmas light displays.
Description:
Explore Eugene's best Christmas light displays with a guided tour by experienced chauffeurs. Enjoy a two-hour trip filled with holiday cheer and excitement, showcasing the brightest lights and cheeriest decorations.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Holiday Light Tours
Covered Bridge Lighting
What to Expect:
Historic bridge illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights.
Description:
The Covered Bridge Lighting is a special event where a historic covered bridge is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a beautiful and memorable holiday scene.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Covered Bridge Lighting
Garden d’Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with intricate plant and animal shapes.
Description:
Garden d’Lights features over half a million sparkling lights formed into whimsical shapes of plants, flowers, birds, animals, and cascading waterfalls set amid natural beauty at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
Where: Bellevue | More Info: Garden d’Lights
Wintertide Lights
What to Expect:
Illuminated garden walk with family-friendly activities.
Description:
Wintertide Lights is a free event at the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens where volunteers illuminate trees, bushes, and pathways, creating a beautiful winter display. The event includes family fun activities and luminary workshops.
Where: Everett | More Info: Wintertide Lights
Santa Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven lighted parade with live music and tree lighting.
Description:
The Auburn Lighted Santa Parade features lighted vehicles, floats, and walking entries filling Main Street with holiday joy. Live music at City Hall precedes and follows the parade, culminating in the annual tree lighting and a visit with Santa.
Where: Auburn | More Info: Santa Parade
Eugene Holiday Markets and Shopping
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live performances by local youth and Santa Claus appearances.
Description:
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Bethany Village features live performances, special events, and a holiday market with local vendors selling seasonal treats and gifts. The event includes a tree lighting countdown, Santa Claus appearances, and opportunities to shop small and local.
Where: Portland | More Info: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Crafty Wonderland
What to Expect:
Unique handmade goods from over 250 local vendors.
Description:
Crafty Wonderland is an annual holiday art and craft market featuring over 250 booths of handmade goods from local artists. Attendees can shop for unique items like illustrated portraits, pins, patches, and more.
Where: Portland | More Info: Crafty Wonderland
Portland Bazaar
What to Expect:
Custom gift wrapping and festive cocktails.
Description:
Portland Bazaar is a premier event showcasing local artists, makers, and small businesses. It features over 160 vendors selling unique gifts and seasonal items, along with custom gift wrapping and festive cocktails.
Where: Portland | More Info: Portland Bazaar
NAYA Native Made Winter Marketplace
What to Expect:
Support local Native artists with one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Description:
NAYA Native Made Winter Marketplace features over 50 local Native artists showcasing unique jewelry, clothing, crafts, and prints.
Where: Portland | More Info: NAYA Native Made Winter Marketplace
Artisan Markets
What to Expect:
Weekly live music performances by local musicians.
Description:
The Eugene Saturday Market is an open-air crafts market featuring locally handmade goods, live music, and an international food court. It is held every Saturday from April 6th to November 2nd, 2024, in the Park Blocks of downtown Eugene. The market showcases artisans and supports local micro-businesses, with a focus on handmade products and community engagement.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Artisan Markets
Giving Marketplace
What to Expect:
Unique gifts supporting various social causes with family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Giving Marketplace at the Gates Discovery Center offers unique gifts from dozens of vendors, supporting causes like immigrants and refugees, women and girls, global health, education, and the environment. Enjoy family-friendly holiday activities and performances while discovering ways to take action on issues you care about.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Giving Marketplace
Eugene Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker is a classic holiday ballet featuring George Balanchine's choreography to Tchaikovsky's score. Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince on a journey through the Land of Sweets, where toy soldiers battle mice, candy canes leap, and snowflakes whirl. The production includes an increased number of performances with the OBT Orchestra and offers a sensory-friendly performance for families with young children.
Where: Portland | More Info: Oregon Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker
Tuba Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Large-scale tuba ensemble performance.
Description:
Over 200 tubas play in unison at Pioneer Courthouse Square, creating a joyful holiday tradition with big brass sounds.
Where: Portland | More Info: Tuba Christmas Concert
Singing Christmas Tree
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music performance by a choir.
Description:
The Singing Christmas Tree at Sunset Church features a 28-foot tall Christmas tree illuminated by synchronized lights and music, performed by a choir in festive attire.
Where: Portland | More Info: Singing Christmas Tree
The Most Wonderful Season by Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
What to Expect:
Holiday concert with diverse seasonal selections.
Description:
The Most Wonderful Season by Portland Gay Men’s Chorus is a holiday concert featuring seasonal selections celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and the New Year. The event includes singing, dancing, lights, and costumes, making it an audience favorite.
Where: Portland | More Info: The Most Wonderful Season by Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
Gospel Christmas by Oregon Symphony
What to Expect:
25th annual performance of gospel music with the Oregon Symphony.
Description:
The Oregon Symphony presents Gospel Christmas, featuring the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus in a 25th annual performance. This concert brings together the region's premier gospel singers and the Oregon Symphony to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with joy and uplift.
Where: Portland | More Info: Gospel Christmas by Oregon Symphony
Visit with Santa
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa visit with photo opportunities.
Description:
Meet Santa Claus in a special holiday setting, perfect for family photos and holiday cheer.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Visit with Santa
The Nutcracker ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday performance featuring live music, captivating choreography, and a story of Clara's journey to the Land of Sweets. The elegant Eugene Ballet brings this beloved tradition to life with elaborate sets and costumes.
Where: Eugene | More Info: The Nutcracker ballet
Holiday Parades
What to Expect:
Vibrant community celebrations with festive floats and marching bands.
Description:
Holiday parades feature colorful floats, marching bands, and community participation, celebrating the festive season with joy and tradition.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Holiday Parades
Black Nativity
What to Expect:
Soulful retelling of the Christmas story with a city-wide gospel choir.
Description:
Langston Hughes' Gospel Song-Play, Black Nativity, returns to Intiman Theatre in a newly reimagined production. This holiday musical features a cast of over 30 actors, dancers, and vocalists, along with a live band and city-wide gospel choir. The show combines Hughes' poetry with gospel renditions of favorite carols, offering audiences the chance to sing along and experience a stirring celebration of hope and community.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Black Nativity
Holiday Pops by Seattle Symphony
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday concert with Chloe Flower.
Description:
Powerhouse pianist Chloe Flower joins the Seattle Symphony for a dazzling holiday concert at Benaroya Hall.
Where: Seattle | More Info: Holiday Pops by Seattle Symphony
Celtic Yuletide
What to Expect:
Family performance of Celtic music and Irish step dancing.
Description:
The Boulding Family's Celtic Yuletide Concert is a treasured holiday tradition in Kent, featuring three generations of family members performing on Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, strings, and percussion instruments. Guests add Irish step dancing, drumming, and storytelling to create a memorable performance.
Where: Kent | More Info: Celtic Yuletide
Eugene Other Holiday Activities
Providence Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly holiday experience with festive trees and entertainment.
Description:
The Providence Festival of Trees is an annual holiday event featuring elegant gala and inclusive community celebrations at the Oregon Convention Center. It includes a sensory-friendly public show with fun activities, festive trees, and holiday entertainment. Proceeds benefit Providence Children's Health.
Where: Portland | More Info: Providence Festival of Trees
Pittock Mansion Holiday Display
What to Expect:
Unique holiday celebration with community-driven decorations and live music.
Description:
Pittock Mansion transforms into a holiday spectacle with over seventy-five volunteers decorating the mansion around the theme of Winter Wonderland. The event features snow angels, ice skating, elves, snowmen, hot chocolate, and gingerbread, among other festive elements. Visitors can also explore the stunning art exhibition, Eliza Barchus: A Woman of Resilience, and the recently re-opened Gate Lodge.
Where: Portland | More Info: Pittock Mansion Holiday Display
Holiday Express
What to Expect:
Historic steam locomotive ride with Santa Claus.
Description:
Join Santa Claus and his elves for a ride behind the 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive. Heated vintage rail cars transport you along the Willamette River, offering scenic views of the city and its wildlife. Explore the Oregon Rail Heritage Center's Gift Shop for unique souvenirs and enjoy festive offerings and exhibits.
Where: Portland | More Info: Holiday Express
Ice Skating
What to Expect:
Flexible skating options for beginners and experienced players.
Description:
The Rink Exchange offers ice skating sessions for all ages and skill levels, including youth hockey programs and adult leagues. Participants can enjoy various activities such as drop-in hockey, stick time sessions, and figure skating.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Ice Skating
Winter Waterfalls
What to Expect:
Walk behind a 177-foot waterfall in a temperate rainforest.
Description:
Silver Falls State Park offers breathtaking winter waterfalls, including South Falls, where you can walk behind a 177-foot curtain of water. The park's dense forested landscape and winding creek create a serene and natural setting.
Where: Eugene | More Info: Winter Waterfalls
Issaquah Reindeer Festival
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa and reindeer in a zoo setting.
Description:
The Issaquah Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo offers a unique holiday celebration with Santa, Rudolph, and other reindeer. Enjoy interactive experiences, holiday fun, and festive atmosphere.
Where: Issaquah | More Info: Issaquah Reindeer Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Springfield (3 miles)
- Corvallis (36 miles)
- Albany (40 miles)