Here’s Your 2024 Guide to Holiday Happenings, Including Lights, Markets, Santas & More. 

Our wonderful city of Portland, OR, transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, offering a plethora of festive events for all ages. From dazzling light displays to heartwarming traditions, there’s something for everyone. 

Here’s a roundup of the most magical Portland holiday events and experiences for 2024:

Light Displays, Holiday Markets & Festive Traditions

• ZooLights: Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland at the Oregon Zoo, illuminated with millions of twinkling lights.This year, there a
  • Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• Shore Acres Holiday Lights: Witness the stunning coastal beauty of Shore Acres State Park, adorned with breathtaking light displays.
  • Dates: November 28 – December 31, 2024
• Silverton Christmas Market: Experience 1.5 million twinkling lights, live music in the Biergarten, a festive German market, a snowless tubing hill, visits from Santa and more!
  • Dates: November 21 – December 31, 2024 (closed Nov. 28 and Dec. 24-25) from 5 – 9 p.m. daily
• Sunriver Grand Illumination: Celebrate the season with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony and fireworks display in Sunriver. Plus, there’s live music, train rides, telescope viewings, huggable characters and more!
  • Date: November 23, 2024
• Portland Tree Lighting Ceremony: Join the Portland community in lighting up the city’s iconic Christmas tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
  • Date: November 29, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
• Seaside Parade of Lights: Marvel at the festive parade filled with illuminated floats and holiday cheer.
  • Date: November 29, 2024 from 7 – 8 p.m.
• Ashland Festival of Light: Immerse yourself in the magic of downtown Ashland, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, along with shopping, live music and a visit from Santa.
  • Date: November 2, 2024 at 5 p.m.
• Jingle Thru Joseph: Experience a small-town Christmas celebration with a charming light parade and holiday festivities.
  • Date: November 30, 2024 at 5 p.m.
• Tuba Christmas: Listen to the joyous sounds of over 200 tubas playing holiday classics at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
  • Date: December 21, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.
• Christmas Ships: Head to the 70th annual Christmas Ships Parade, setting sail on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers
  • Dates: See website for schedules for both fleets
• Portland Brew Fest: Holiday brewski anyone? Sip winter beer and ciders in cozy heated tents, complete with a live DJ.
  • Dates: December 6 – 8
• Beaverton Winter Lights and Tree Lighting: Head to Beaverton City Park to see thousands of lights on display as well as enjoy crafts, shopping, live music and a visit from Santa.
  • Date: December 6 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• Give!Guide: Help make the season brighter for those less fortunate with Give!Guide, a big annual giving tradition in Portland. Plus, this year features VIDA Member, Xcelerate Women and Momentum Alliance!
  • Dates: November 1 – December 31, 2024

Visit with Santa Claus

Spread holiday cheer with a glimpse of the jolly man himself! Santa will be making appearances at various locations throughout Portland, including malls, farms and even a train. Here’s a rundown of where to see Santa! 

Be sure to start marking your calendar ASAP to experience as many of these amazing holiday events as possible. Happy Holidays!