1. Zoo Lights at The Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo brings over a million and a half lights to brighten up the night for the Christmas season. Walk around the animal exhibits while viewing the gorgeous Christmas lights decorating the park. Santa is also available for photo ops each night. Zoo Lights is open now through January 7th. $10 for kids, $15 for adults. Purchase Tickets
2. Winter Wonderland at PIR
Drive the Portland International Raceway and take in the dazzling light spectacle in the warmth of your car. Families pay per car and are encouraged to listen to our sister station K103 for their Christmas music fix while taking in the view. Winter Wonderland also has special nights for walking your dog along the track, riding your bike, or The Night of Holiday Misfits which includes Beer Garden. Winter Wonderland is running now through Christmas. $20+ per car, varies by size. Pre Order Tickets
3. Stumptown SantaCon
This 21+ event is not the bar crawl that you think it is. A wristband gets you into the 20+ bars participating in the event free of charge, including a pre party and street dance parties with other attendees. Party goers are encouraged to dress up and move from venue to venue at the allocated times. The event takes place starting at 3pm on December 16th. $10 Purchase Tickets
4. Holiday Ale Festival
There are plenty of Beer festivals in Portland, but the Holiday Ale Festival is one of the biggest and longest running in the Northwest. They take over Pioneer Courthouse Square with a large, heated, tent with tons of craft beer specials for the Holiday season. The festival starts November 29th and runs through December 3rd, a wristband grants you access to all five days of the event. $35+ Purchase Tickets
5. The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights
The Grotto in Portland presents the largest Christmas choral festival in the world for your season. Five indoor concerts are scheduled for every night of the festival in the 600 person chapel. Holiday food and drink is also available for purchase as well as light Holiday shopping in their gift shop. Tickets start at $6 for children, and are purchased at the gate.
6. Christmas in The Garden
The Oregon Garden lights up the night for Christmas for their European inspired event. Head to The Oregon Garden for a night with ice skating, shopping, pictures with Santa, and so much more. Christmas in The Garden is running now through Christmas and day passes start at $15. Purchase Tickets
7. Portland Christmas Ship Parade
Watch ships sail down the river while they have been decked out in their Christmas best. The ships cruise down both the Willamette River and Columbia River December 1st through December 21st. Schedules can change and vary due to weather. Check out their website to make sure the ships are ready to set sail on the night you plan to go. Free.