Celebrate the holiday season with a trip to the Portland Christmas tree lights & many other holiday light shows. 

Portland Winter Light Festival Christmas Lights
Image Courtesy of the Portland Winter Light Festival

After Thanksgiving, the city of Portland transitions into the holiday season, bringing merriment and cheer through the end of the year. From holiday shopping centers to musical productions to snow-mazing Christmas lights and festivals, Portland, Oregon, has everything a holiday-lover could wish for. Visitors and tourists alike can get in the holiday spirit too with these nine wintery events. 

Family-Friendly Portland Light Festivals 

One of the most popular family-friendly Portland light festivals, the Portland Winter Light Festival (PDXWLF), is a free event presented by the Willamette Light Brigade. It combines art installations and light technology for a dazzling display. Families can enjoy the festival between Feb. 4 and 12, 2022. 

But the PDXWLF isn’t the only light show in town. Portland has tons on display. 

The Christmas Ships Parade, which runs from Dec. 3 through 21, features 55 to 60 decorated vessels in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway is recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi.” Through Jan. 1, families can enjoy 250 light set pieces and full animated scenes from the comfort of their car. 

Don’t Miss the Oregon Zoo Portland Light Festival 2021

One of Oregon’s most beloved light festivals has returned! ZooLights, a walk-through holiday display with more than 1,000,000 lights, is back with an incredible Portland light festival for 2021. Yes, you read that right. There are 1.5 million lights to be exact. Your kids are sure to be amazed by the dazzling sights as they walk through the zoo. On select nights, you can even drive through. 

The Best Productions for Christmas in Portland, Oregon

Before or after you take in the holiday lights, friends and family can attend a holiday production to get the full experience of Christmas in Portland, Oregon. The Oregon Ballet Theatre presents a George Balanchine choreographed production of The Nutcracker from Dec. 11 to 26. 

The Sunset Presbyterian Church hosts Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree through Dec. 5. More than 300 choir voices create a jaw-dropping holiday music experience for the whole family. The production features classic holiday songs, dancing Santas and a cinematic Nativity. 

Take a Christmas Lights Tour in Portland, Oregon 

Not only is Portland stocking-full with holiday light festivals, but there are also tons of homes decked out with holiday decorations and lights. Take a self-guided walking or driving Christmas lights tour in Portland, Oregon, and try to find the best-looking house around town. One of the best streets to stop? Peacock Lane. From Dec. 15 to 31, each house on Peacock Lane takes Christmas decorations to the next level with incredible light displays and replicas of Santa.

While browsing decor in Portland, be sure to check out the city’s Christmas tree in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Throughout December, there will be performances, caroling, concerts and more in the square. 

Check out the Grotto Lights in Portland

Just a few miles from downtown Portland lies The Grotto, a sanctuary for reflection and peace. But during the holiday season, this area becomes a hub for holiday cheer with the Christmas Festival of Lights. Combining dazzling light displays with holiday season entertainment, the Grotto offers indoor concerts, outdoor caroling, puppet shows, a petting zoo, holiday food and beverages and a gift shop.

Kwanzaa Events in Portland, OR

The most popular Kwanzaa celebration in Portland, OR, is Kwanzaa on Killingsworth, a cultural celebration and artisan market at the Dismantle, Change, Build Center on Killingsworth Street. Curated by Sunshine Dixon and The Soul Restoration Project, this event features artisans, vendors, and musical and spoken word performances through Dec. 19.

 

VIDA Coworking, a locally-owned coworking space, is located just 10 minutes from downtown Portland—the center of holiday cheer. Learn more about the shared workspace by booking a tour today!