Celebrate the season with the Portage community! Discover all the festive happenings in our guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Portage or just branching out, this guide maximizes your holiday joy.
One of the highlights of the holiday season is the Winter Fest & Tree Lighting, where the community gathers to kick off the festivities with a dazzling display of lights and holiday cheer. Fair Oaks Farms Forest of Lights offers a picturesque stroll through a stunning array of illuminated trees and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. And the Holiday Pops presented by South Shore Orchestra is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring delightful musical performances that capture the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Portage
- Fair Oaks Farms Forest of Lights (Fair Oaks)
- Winter Fest & Tree Lighting (Valparaiso)
- Magic of Lights Holiday Drive Through (La Porte)
- Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights (Elkhart)
- Christmas Tyme Lights Drive-Thru (Lowell)
- Holiday Pops Presented by South Shore Orchestra (Valparaiso)
- Free Photo with Santa (Valparaiso)
- Santa & Sirens Toy Drive (Valparaiso)
- Mistletoe on Main-City Holiday Celebration
- Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kids 1K
See these and even more events listed below!
Portage Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tyme Lights Drive-Thru
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with seasonal characters.
Description:
Explore a half-mile walking trail at Harvest Tyme Family Farm, featuring classic holiday tunes, millions of lights, unique festive displays, hot cocoa, fresh-baked cookies, and campfire s'mores. Meet seasonal characters like Bluey, Bingo, the Grinch, Jack Skellington, Elf on the Shelf, and Frosty the Snowman.
Where: Lowell | More Info: Christmas Tyme Lights Drive-Thru
Fair Oaks Farms Forest of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and interactive scenes celebrating nature's sky, land, and water.
Description:
Fair Oaks Farms Forest of Lights features dazzling light displays, interactive scenes, and bonfires for making s'mores and enjoying hot cocoa and adult beverages. The event includes Santa appearances on Sundays and a holiday train ride, making it a comprehensive holiday experience.
Where: Fair Oaks | More Info: Fair Oaks Farms Forest of Lights
Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Professional light displays highlighting the natural beauty of Wellfield Botanic Gardens.
Description:
Wellfield Botanic Gardens presents Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights, featuring professional light displays that accentuate the natural beauty of the gardens. The event includes a half-mile Promenade Pathway aglow with color and texture, framing the garden spaces in a unique way. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and treats from Navarre Catering and explore a boutique shopping experience in the Cottage.
Where: Elkhart | More Info: Wellfield Botanic Gardens’ Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights
Magic of Lights Holiday Drive Through
What to Expect:
Over 2 million sparkling lights in a drive-through holiday display.
Description:
A dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring spectacular light displays, including a larger-than-life Holiday Barbie display, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: La Porte | More Info: Magic of Lights Holiday Drive Through
Portage Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops Presented by South Shore Orchestra
What to Expect:
Holiday music performance by South Shore Orchestra.
Description:
The Holiday Pops event, presented by the South Shore Orchestra, is a Valparaiso tradition featuring holiday music from around the world, including classical and contemporary Christmas favorites. Maestro Troy Webdell leads the orchestra in a festive celebration with Santa Claus.
Where: Valparaiso | More Info: Holiday Pops Presented by South Shore Orchestra
Portage Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa & Sirens Toy Drive
What to Expect:
Drive-through display of emergency vehicles with Big Santa.
Description:
Join Valpo Parks and the Dunes Leathernecks Marine Corp League for the Santa & Sirens Toy Drive, a festive drive-through event featuring emergency vehicles, Big Santa, and holiday treats. New, unwrapped toys will be accepted for Toys for Tots.
Where: Valparaiso | More Info: Santa & Sirens Toy Drive
Portage Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Free event with festive activities and ice skating.
Description:
Join Valparaiso Parks for Winter Fest & Tree Lighting at Central Park Plaza. Enjoy caroling, photos with Santa, treats, and the lighting of the Central Park Plaza Christmas tree at 6:00 PM. After festivities, guests are encouraged to enjoy dinner at a downtown restaurant. Present a receipt from a downtown business at the ice rink from 7 - 10 PM for a special of $10 admission and skate rental to support Small Business Saturday.
Where: Valparaiso | More Info: Winter Fest & Tree Lighting
Free Photo with Santa
What to Expect:
Free photos with Santa in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Capture a special moment with Santa at Central Park Plaza, where you can take free photos and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Where: Valparaiso | More Info: Free Photo with Santa
Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kids 1K
What to Expect:
Professionally-timed 5K with a FREE 1K Kids Fun Run.
Description:
The Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kids 1K is a Thanksgiving morning event featuring a competitive 5K run and a FREE 1K Kids Fun Run. Proceeds support the Portage Township YMCA's Annual Campaign, providing financial assistance for community programs that offer food, shelter, chronic disease management, education, and physical activity.
Where: Portage | More Info: Annual Turkey Trot 5K & Kids 1K
Mistletoe on Main-City Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Santa's Parade of Toys and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Mistletoe on Main-City Holiday Celebration in Portage, IN, features a Santa's Parade of Toys hosted by Portage Kiwanis, starting at 4:30 PM. The event also includes a tree lighting ceremony by Portage Event Partnership, concluding the parade approximately at 5:15 PM.
Where: Portage | More Info: Mistletoe on Main-City Holiday Celebration
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hobart (5 miles)
- Gary (9 miles)
- Valparaiso (9 miles)
- Merrillville (10 miles)
- Highland (14 miles)
- Crown Point (15 miles)
- East Chicago (15 miles)
- Schererville (16 miles)
- Michigan City (17 miles)
- Munster (17 miles)
- Calumet City (18 miles)
- Lansing (19 miles)
- South Holland (22 miles)
- South Chicago (23 miles)
- Dolton (23 miles)
- LaPorte (24 miles)
- La Porte (24 miles)
- Chicago Heights (24 miles)
- South Shore (24 miles)
- Harvey (24 miles)
- Chatham (25 miles)
- Woodlawn (26 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (26 miles)
- Hyde Park (26 miles)
- Park Forest (26 miles)
- Morgan Park (27 miles)
- Blue Island (27 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (27 miles)
- Englewood (28 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (28 miles)
- West Englewood (29 miles)
- Douglas (29 miles)
- Oak Forest (29 miles)
- New City (30 miles)
- Ashburn (30 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (30 miles)
- Near South Side (30 miles)
- Bridgeport (30 miles)
- Gage Park (31 miles)
- Chicago (31 miles)
- West Lawn (31 miles)
- Tinley Park (31 miles)
- Oak Lawn (31 miles)
- Lower West Side (32 miles)
- Chicago Loop (32 miles)
- Brighton Park (32 miles)
- Near North Side (33 miles)
- Burbank (33 miles)
- South Lawndale (33 miles)
- West Town (34 miles)
- Lincoln Park (34 miles)
- North Lawndale (34 miles)
- East Garfield Park (34 miles)
- Cicero (35 miles)
- Orland Park (35 miles)
- Logan Square (36 miles)
- Uptown (36 miles)
- North Center (37 miles)
- Berwyn (37 miles)
- Avondale (37 miles)
- Edgewater (38 miles)
- Oak Park (38 miles)
- Lincoln Square (38 miles)
- Irving Park (39 miles)
- Albany Park (39 miles)
- Rogers Park (39 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (39 miles)
- Homer Glen (39 miles)
- West Ridge (40 miles)
- Portage Park (40 miles)
- Maywood (40 miles)
- New Lenox (41 miles)
- Melrose Park (42 miles)
- Skokie (43 miles)
- Darien (43 miles)
- Westmont (44 miles)
- Wilmette (44 miles)
- Niles (44 miles)
- Morton Grove (45 miles)