See the top holiday highlights in Oregon! Our guide features all the must-see festive events and activities. Whether you're deeply connected to Oregon or just making connections, this guide illuminates your holiday path.
One of the highlights of the season is the Silverton Christmas Market, where local artisans showcase their crafts amidst delightful holiday decorations. Also, be sure to wander through the enchanting displays at ZooLights, featuring thousands of twinkling lights that transform the zoo into a magnificent winter wonderland. And the Festival of Trees is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully decorated trees that celebrate the spirit of giving. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Oregon
- Silverton Christmas Market (Silverton)
- ZooLights (Portland)
- Festival of Trees (Portland)
- Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (Portland)
- Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony (Portland)
- Crafty Wonderland (Portland)
- Dayton Winter Festival (Dayton)
- ScanFair (Portland)
- Columbus Christmas Market (Columbus)
- Castle Noel (Medina)
See these and even more events listed below!
Oregon 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 magical meadow light show and life-size animal lanterns. Walk through famous tunnels of sparkling lights and pose next to colorful animals to make holiday memories.
Where: Portland | More Info: ZooLights
Light Up Downtown Vermilion
What to Expect:
Community tree lighting with Santa's arrival and festive activities.
Description:
Light Up Downtown Vermilion is a family-friendly holiday event featuring a community tree lighting, Santa's arrival, a scavenger hunt, and various activities like chestnut roasting and a Christmas concert. The event takes place in Exchange Park, offering a festive atmosphere with local businesses participating in window displays and treat distributions.
Where: Vermilion | More Info: Light Up Downtown Vermilion
Oregon Holiday Markets and Shopping
Silverton Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Immersive light display with authentic German Christmas Market.
Description:
The Silverton Christmas Market features an awe-inspiring light display with over 1.5 million lights, an authentic German Christmas Market with artisan vendors, and activities like snowless tubing and visits with Santa.
Where: Silverton | More Info: Silverton Christmas Market
Crafty Wonderland
What to Expect:
Unique handmade goods from over 250 local artists.
Description:
Crafty Wonderland is an annual holiday market featuring over 250 booths of handmade goods from local artists. Shop unique items like illustrated portraits, elemental brass jewelry, and craft spirits at the Oregon Convention Center.
Where: Portland | More Info: Crafty Wonderland
ScanFair
What to Expect:
Traditional Nordic food and cultural heritage celebration.
Description:
ScanFair brings Scandinavia to Portland through traditional food and drink vendors, an entertainment program focused on cultural heritage, games, activities, and crafts, and welcoming local community organizations.
Where: Portland | More Info: ScanFair
Columbus Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique handmade gifts and local artisans.
Description:
The Columbus ChristmasFair is a holiday market featuring 150 artisans from Ohio and surrounding states, showcasing unique handcrafted items like painting, pottery, woodworking, jewelry, and glass.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Columbus Christmas Market
Oregon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony
What to Expect:
25th annual performance of gospel music with the Oregon Symphony.
Description:
The Oregon Symphony's Gospel Christmas concert, celebrating its 25th year, features the region's premier gospel singers alongside the Oregon Symphony. This event brings joy and uplift through gospel music performed with passion and feeling by some of the finest musicians in the region.
Where: Portland | More Info: Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
What to Expect:
Uplifting choral performances celebrating community and humanity.
Description:
The Portland Gay Men's Chorus presents eclectic performances that honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community through a wide range of choral expressions, including uplifting pop songs and soul-stirring music.
Where: Portland | More Info: Portland Gay Men’s Chorus
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with integrated live narration and elaborate sets.
Description:
North Pointe Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a holiday classic featuring professional ballet dancers, live narration, and special theatrical effects. The production includes epic battles, heartwarming joy, and colorful larger-than-life sets and costumes.
Where: Lorain | More Info: The Nutcracker
Oregon Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Inclusive community celebration with sensory-friendly activities.
Description:
The Safeway | Providence Festival of Trees is a Portland holiday tradition featuring an elegant gala and inclusive community celebration at the Oregon Convention Center. The event includes a sensory-friendly public show with fun activities for all abilities and a gala dinner and auction to support vital programs for women and children.
Where: Portland | More Info: Festival of Trees
Dayton Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting and children's parade with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
The Dayton Holiday Festival is a family-friendly event in downtown Dayton, featuring the Grande Illumination tree lighting, a children's parade, live entertainment, and various holiday activities like horse-drawn wagon rides and a gingerbread house contest.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Dayton Winter Festival
Huron Winter Fest
What to Expect:
Holiday activities with Santa and fireworks.
Description:
Huron Winter Fest is a family-oriented event featuring holiday activities like shopping on Main Street, arts and crafts, sleigh rides, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy face painting, ice sculpture, a hot cocoa bar, and meet festive characters. The festival also includes fireworks at 6 pm and offers a variety of local foods and shopping opportunities.
Where: Huron | More Info: Huron Winter Fest
Castle Noel
What to Expect:
Extensive collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and interactive exhibits.
Description:
Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio, is a year-round Christmas attraction featuring an extensive collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes, including animated New York City Christmas windows and interactive exhibits like Santa's Chimney Squeeze and the Santa Slide. The venue also offers a party room, group tours, and Alien Vacation Mini Golf.
Where: Medina | More Info: Castle Noel
Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes
What to Expect:
Unique holiday tour showcasing historic homes.
Description:
Explore beautifully decorated historic homes in Sandusky, each telling its own unique holiday story. Marvel at timeless architecture and festive displays that capture the warmth and joy of the season.
Where: Sandusky | More Info: Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Toledo (4 miles)
- Perrysburg (9 miles)
- Monroe (19 miles)
- Bowling Green (20 miles)
- Adrian (33 miles)
- Romulus (40 miles)
- Southgate (42 miles)
- Findlay (42 miles)
- Sandusky (42 miles)
- Taylor (43 miles)
- Wyandotte (43 miles)
- Allen Park (45 miles)
- Lincoln Park (45 miles)