Portland Christmas Activities
Fun Events in the Portland, Oregon Area for the Entire Family
Nov 14, 2008
The Portland area has a great time celebrating the Christmas season, with many of the holiday traditions going back for decades.
Light Shows
The Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto
Visiting the Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights has been a Portland tradition since 1988, “welcoming all who seek the true spirit and meaning of Christmas.” With over half a million lights, over 150 music concerts, puppet shows, a petting zoo, and a living history theater program there is something to interest everyone. This is a walk through event with free parking, located at 8840 NE Skidmore Street in Portland. The Grotto’s light festival runs from November 28th to December 30th, from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm. It is closed on Christmas day.
Portland International Raceway Winter Wonderland
Hailed as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi”, this drive through extravaganza has over 250 light-filled displays and 40 fully animated scenes. The great appeal of this Winter Wonderland is the ability to drive through by car, staying warm and dry while enjoying the sights. The best times to visit, and drive leisurely through the lights, are weeknights or early in December. The Portland International Raceway is located off exit 306B of I-5, seven miles north of downtown Portland. Viewing hours are Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
Themed Events
Pittock Mansion “T’was the Night Before Christmas…In Oregon”
This year’s theme for the Christmas celebration at Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion is based on Clement C. Moore’s “T’was the Night Before Christmas” with an Oregon twist. Each of the mansion’s 23 rooms will reflect a verse from the classic poem. Children will find mice hiding throughout the house, Santa carefully placing presents beneath the tree, and several reindeer waiting patiently on the mansion’s terrace. The social room displays a collection of Santa figurines from around the world. The Mansion will be open for the seasonal display from November 24th through December 31st, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. The Pittock Mansion is located at 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland.
The Theatre
The Nutcracker at Oregon Ballet Theatre
The Christmas season wouldn’t be complete without watching a production of George Balanchine’s classic The Nutcracker. The Oregon Ballet Theatre is the only ballet company west of the Mississippi licensed to perform this show, which has been so popular in New York City since 1954. Take a magical journey to the candy-coated realm of the Sugarplum Fairy in December at the Keller Auditorium in Portland. The Keller auditorium is located at 222 SW Clay in downtown Portland.
There’s so much to enjoy during the holiday season in Portland. Plan ahead to fit everything in. There are also many free Christmas activities in the greater Portland area to enjoy.
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