10 Holiday Events in Portland That Are Not to Be Missed This Season

Santacon in Portland, Oregon

The Holiday Spirit Is Alive and Well in the Rose City

There are a lot of things to love about Portland, Oregon: the great food, the friendly people, and the vibrant creative scene among them. And one thing is for sure: Portlanders really know how to celebrate, so of course, the holiday season is definitely no exception.

Looking for something magical to do in Portland this holiday season? Well look no further. Check out our guide to 10 extra special Portland holiday events that you can’t afford to miss.

Gospel Christmas Concert at the Schnitz

Gospel Christmas Concert, December 11-13 at the Schnitz

This December 11th – 13th, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (affectionately known to locals as “The Schnitz”) will be filled with the soul-stirring sounds of gospel music. And this isn’t just any gospel concert. Gospel Christmas features the region’s premier gospel singers, backed by the Oregon Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Community Gospel Choir. For music lovers, this event is not to be missed!

300 Tubas Playing Holiday Music in Unison

Ah, the lowly tuba. Often outshone by its flashier brass family cousins, the trumpet and the trombone, the lowest brass instrument rarely gets its due. But at the Annual Tuba Christmas Concert, Pioneer Courthouse square will resonate with the thunderous sound of any army of tuba players paying a repertoire of the very best holiday favorites.

300 Tubas Play in Unison This Holiday Season in PDX

Winter Wonderland

Billed as the Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi, Winter Wonderland has been dazzling Portlanders for more than two decades. It’s a drive-through light show featuring more than 250 unique displays, many of them animated. PDX insider tip – go to see the lights on a weekday before the week of Christmas if you want to beat the crowds.

Ugly Sweater Dash

If you’re going to run a 5k in the dead of winter, then you’ll need to dress for the weather, and you might as well get decked out in an ugly sweater while you’re at it. On December 5th, the city of West Linn (15 miles south of Portland) hosts the Ugly Sweater Dash. Not a trained athlete? Don’t worry: walkers are welcome, too. After the run, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and catch the West Linn Holiday Parade.

The Annual Ugly Sweater Dash in the City of West Linn

Portland Santacon

Around here, Santacon is the stuff of legend. What is Santacon, you ask? It’s a pub-crawl where everyone dresses up as jolly old St. Nick, or Mrs. Claus, if you prefer. This event always promises a raucously good time, but it’s not for the kiddos, for obvious reasons.

Nutcracker Ballet

Few things convey the magic of the holiday season like Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet, and the Oregon Ballet Theatre puts on one of the best shows on the West Coast. This year, the performances will take place December 12-26 at Keller Auditorium, and several of the performances will feature a live orchestra. It’s a truly wondrous experience, and well worth the price of admission.

Peacock Lane

The DIY spirit has been alive and well in Portland for a long, long time. Case in point: Peacock Lane. Residents of this charming southeast PDX neighborhood have been putting up stunning light displays since the Jazz Age. It’s a tradition that’s been passed from generation to generation, and it keeps getting better every year. Be advised: everybody loves Peacock Lane, so you should expect big crowds. Our advice: suit up for the weather, park nearby, and walk through the neighborhood with a tumbler of spiced cider or hot cocoa in hand.

Visit Peacock Lane in SE Portland, Between Belmont and Stark

Pittock Mansion: the Magic of Wintertime

You’ve probably heard of Pittock Mansion. Once home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock, it’s one of Portland’s grandest historic residences. And there’s simply no better time to visit this stunning residence than the holiday season. Every December, a loyal cadre of volunteers transforms this stunning manse into a dazzling winter wonderland. There’s hot cocoa, music from taste-making local musicians, and stunning views of the city below.

Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting

On November 27th, catch the giant tree lighting at Portland’s official living room: Pioneer Courthouse Square. Thousands of Bridge City residents flock to this must-see gathering each year, and there’s nothing quite like the big moment when thousands of lights suddenly spark to life! In true Portland fashion, there will be a sing-along featuring members of Pink Martini, the Pacific Youth Choir, and the von Trapps.

From November 27th on, See the Famous Tree in Pioneer Courthouse Square

Santaland Diaries

If you’ve ever read David Sedaris’s work, then you know: it’s as gut-bustingly funny as it is poignant. This winter, Portland Center Stage, Ellyn Bye Studio and Darius Pierce will put on a dramatic reenactment of Sedaris’s memoir, set during his brief career as a department store elf. If your holiday M.O. is more “bah humbug” than “HO-HO-HO,” this is surely the event for you.

Happy Holidays From Urban Nest

We at Urban Nest would like to wish our fellow Portlanders a grand and lovely holiday season. May your home be filled with warmth and laughter, and your spirit overflow with holiday joy this year!

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