Free Portland Christmas Activities
No Cost Holiday Activities in the Greater Portland, Oregon Area
Nov 10, 2008
There are many no-cost Christmas events in the Portland area that make for easy holiday planning and are both fun for all ages and easy on any budget.
The Parade
Macy's Holiday Parade
Every holiday season must start off with a parade! Portland's Macy's Parade is filled with marching bands, horses, many floats, and of course, Santa. People line the streets for this fun event. Spend the day shopping in Portland to see the Tree Lighting Ceremony in the early evening. The parade begins at 8:45 am on November 28th on 14th avenue.
Christmas Lights
Pioneer Courthouse Square Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
This event takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving. Thousands of people gather to officially start off the Christmas season with the lighting of the 75 foot tree. This is a great community event with music and Santa. The tree stays lit through Christmas. It is also great fun to watch the tree arrive into town two weeks prior via parade, making it's way through the streets with marching band music and many supporters. The Pioneer Courthouse Square is located at 701 SW 6th Avenue, bordered by SW Morrison, SW Yamhill, and SW Broadway. The lighting of the tree will begin at 5:30pm.
Peacock Lane
Peacock Lane is Portland’s unofficial “Christmas Street”, with it’s own song . Residents of the street have been decorating their Tudor style homes every year since the 1920’s with sparkling lights, nativity scenes, and blow up Santa’s and Frosty’s. This is a very popular holiday wonderland which people choose to drive through, walk, or take horse drawn carriages rides. Some of the homes pump music into the street. Vendors are often available for hot chocolate or other wintertime treats. The street can be driven down but gets so crowded that walking it is a much more pleasant experience. Peacock Lane is located in Portland with it's light show running from December 15th through the 31st.
Christmas ships parade
This water parade consists of 55 to 60 ships that light up the Columbia and Willamette rivers every night for two weeks in December. All boat captains volunteer their boats, and decorate them with beautiful lights and holiday decorations. Restaurants overlooking the two rivers offer great seats to watch the parade, or several parks along the waterfront have uninterrupted views as well. Dress warmly, as gusts blowing off of the river can be cold. The parade will run from December 10th through the 21st, weather permitting.
Musical Concerts
Tuba Christmas
This fun event consists of nearly 200 tubas playing Christmas carols. It is a free concert that is so fun for the entire family, as watchers are encouraged to participate by singing along. Performed in the heart of downtown Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square, Tuba Christmas is a fun break from Christmas shopping. Stop by the Square on December 13th between 1:30 and 3:00 pm to hear the festive tubas.
Kazoo Christmas
Kazoo Christmas is a holiday fundraising event in Portland that is free for all to attend and enjoy. A kazoo choir plays Christmas music while onlookers can join in by purchasing a kazoo to benefit Portland's own Kinship House. The kazoo concert will take place at the Bridgeport Village Gazebo in Tigard, Oregon, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on December 13th.
Plan Ahead
With so many fun holiday events in the Portland area, it is hard to pick which ones to attend. Knowing which activitites are available at no cost makes it easier to plan a budget friendly season.
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