11 minute read
Oregon's Best Holiday Experiences
Oregon’s Best Holiday Experiences
From coastal lights to mountain sleigh rides, make the most of the season with Oregon’s best holiday celebrations and cozy escapes
written by Cathy Carroll
Oregonians’ winter holiday celebrations are as diverse as its landscape, with each region offering new and time-honored traditions. It’s the perfect chance to sample a bit of both. Dive into a speed-dating comedy show, perfect for a season that often calls for a romantic partner. Let horse-drawn sleigh rides carry you over rivers and through snowy woods. Bask in the glow of thousands of colorful lights illuminating botanical gardens perched above the sea. Immerse yourself in the fun of floating parade-goers paddling upstream and city-street caroling competitions that challenge you to utter a “humbug.” It’s all here, with inviting retreats offering getaways that impart true and new tastes of local culture and spirit.
Portland
Fun & Flirty: A Comedy Dating Show
DEC. 12, 7 p.m.
Forget mistletoe. For a love match—and laughs—just in time for the holidays, hook up with Fun & Flirty, the new, homegrown comedy/dating show. Comedian hosts Zahnae Aquino and Jesse Warren explore the essence of dating—Pacific Northwest style. The duo pitches some hot, sexy singles to the audience for live, comedic speed dating. This local brand of humor and romance is perfect for the single, dating, divorced, widowed and married, too. It hits the stage at the Tomorrow Theater at Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow. www.tomorrowtheater.org/movies/ pdx-speed-dating-presented-by-funflirty-productions
Pee-wee’s Playhouse Holiday Special
Destined to become a celebrated holiday tradition in its second year, the screening of Christmas at Pee-wee’s Playhouse, with cameos from all the late-’80s’ icons, from Cher and Oprah to Portland’s own k.d. Lang, returns to the Tomorrow Theater at Portland Art Museum’s Center for an Untold Tomorrow. A life-size Conky robot draws pictures by hand/metallic claw for guests young and old—more than 500 last year—all sporting red bow ties. Watch for the date to be posted in November. www.portlandartmuseum.org/pam-cut
Oregon Symphony’s Gospel Christmas
DEC. 14, 7:30 p.m.
DEC. 15, 4 p.m.
This twenty-five-year tradition brings together the region’s premier gospel singers and the Oregon Symphony to offer the energizing, joyful and uplifting power of gospel music at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. www.orsymphony.org/concertstickets/2425/gospel-christmascelebrating-25-years
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
NOV. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Hip hop’s not just for the Olympics this year. This remixed, reimagined version of the holiday classic is a contemporary dance spectacle mash-up of hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. In The Hip Hop Nutcracker, just like the original, a girl and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from nineteenth-century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of today’s New York City. The show is directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, with Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, opening the show with a short set at Keller Auditorium. www.portland5.com/keller-auditorium/ events/hip-hop-nutcracker
Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini Live at Portland’s Tree Lighting
NOV. 29, 5:30-6:45 p.m.
The day after Thanksgiving, sing along with Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers as Santa Claus flips the switch to light up the city’s 75-foot Douglas fir. www.thesquarepdx.org/events
Portland Holiday Brew Fest
DEC. 6, 5:30-9 p.m.
DEC. 7, 12-9 p.m.
DEC. 8, 12-5 p.m.
Quaff from among more than twenty-five holiday and winter beers and ciders from around the Northwest while staying toasty under heated tents. www.pdxholidaybrewfest.com
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
DEC. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
Carolers sing around a ten-block radius of Pioneer Courthouse Square, and the top three groups engage in a “carol-off” at the square. Crowd applause determines the grand prize winner of $1,000. www.thesquarepdx.org/events
33rd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert
DEC. 21, 1:30-3 p.m.
More than 200 tubas play in unison at this longtime, big brass tradition. www.thesquarepdx.org/events
Retreat: The Ritz Carlton
Stroll from the Ritz to the Schnitz and to Pioneer Courthouse Square festivities, shops and more shows from a luxurious holiday haven. Take in the city skyline twinkling with lights from a spacious room in the thirty-five-story property. Savor holiday cheer and Northwest-inspired cuisine at the twentieth-floor signature restaurant, Bellpine. Wrap up the year by rejuvenating at the spa. www.ritzcarlton.com/portland
Central Oregon
Fall River Forest Bathing
NOV. 16, 3 p.m.
DEC. 14, 3 p.m.
Take a cue from the forest about slowing down and resting around the holidays. Bend-based R’oming Yoga’s Missie Wikler, a former field biologist and forest therapy guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, guides you in cultivating deep relaxation and releasing stress. Much more than a walk in the woods, the experience begins with a forest immersion meditation to open you to an intentional connection to the land and a new way to experience nature through a guided sensory practice. www.romingyogabend.com/forest-bathing
Mt. Bachelor’s Christmas Eve Santa
DEC. 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Old St. Nick stays young by cruising the slopes, passing out candy and taking selfies with fans—a Christmas Eve tradition. www.mtbachelor.com
Sunriver Traditions
NOV. 23-JAN. 1
Sunriver Resort’s 3,300 acres are the idyllic backdrop for horse-drawn sleigh rides through a snowy meadow, sipping hot cocoa by the fire, building a gingerbread house and enjoying a festive feast. It kicks off with the Grand Illumination—a tree lighting and fireworks show with Santa, pony rides, live music, train rides, telescope viewings, hot cocoa, huggable characters, food vendors, dining at the lodge and gift-finding at the Merchant Trader shop. www.sunriverresort.com/traditions
Holiday Lights Paddle Parade
DEC. 13, 4 p.m.
Paddlers clad in holiday garb parade up the Deschutes River through Bend’s Old Mill District in canoes, kayaks, paddleboards—whatever floats—decorated with colorful lights in a thoroughly Bend celebration. Gather along the banks and footbridges as stars appear overhead, the illuminated crafts reflect on the water and the sense of community, creativity and love for the outdoors builds. www.oldmilldistrict.com/event/ holiday_lights_paddle_parade
Black Butte Ranch
Since 1970, Black Butte Ranch resort’s 1,800 acres is a retreat for wholesome holiday fun, including its Turkey Trot, tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, sleigh rides and skiing at nearby Hoodoo Ski Area. Sipping cocoa by the fire and morning alpenglow with views of the Three Sisters, Mount Washington, Black Butte, Broken Top, Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson set the stage for mountain holiday magic. www.blackbutteranch.com
Hood River
Polar Express Train Ride
LATE NOVEMBER THROUGH EARLY JANUARY
As soon as the conductor calls, “All aboard!” and the train chugs from the station, the spirit of Christmas permeates the air. Magically, Santa boards at the North Pole within minutes, and while everyone nibbles cookies and sips hot cocoa, they get to tell him what they want to find under their tree. www.mthoodrr.com/train-rides/ polar-express-christmas-train
Hood River Holidays
DEC. 6
Soak up small-town atmosphere, shop small and stay in boutique charm. Make the fully decorated Historic Hood River Hotel your downtown winter base camp for the Holiday Vintage Bazaar or a Santa meet-and-greet with hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps for the parents. Or stay high above the Columbia River at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and walk the gardens, filled with colorful lights. www.visithoodriver.com/events
Oregon Coast
Heceta Lighthouse B&B + Victorian Christmas Open House
DEC. 14, 15, 21, 22, 4-7 p.m.
The open house, in its twenty-seventh year, transports you to 1894, the year of the first Christmas at the beautifully decorated Keeper’s House. Local musicians, from jazz and string quartets to folk and choral ensembles, generously volunteer performances. Keep your holiday purchases local at the Heceta Lighthouse Gift Shop, and then don a headlamp and jacket for a stroll up to the lighthouse. Follow the Fresnel light, still shining from 205 feet above the Pacific, casting its beams 21 miles out to sea. www.hecetalighthouse.com/ events#christmas
Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park
NOV. 28-DEC. 31, 4:30-9 p.m. (including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve)
Stroll through an illuminated, 7-acre botanical garden and Japanese lily pond on the rugged cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Since 1987, this celebration has evolved into a spectacle of more than 325,000 holiday lights (nearly all of them LED), twenty-six Christmas trees, illuminated sculptures—including some that are animated—and landscape lights focused on the trees that encircle the garden. This tradition is the result of the efforts of the Friends of Shore Acres and 1,500 volunteers and support from local businesses, state park personnel and the community. www.oregonsadventurecoast.com/event/ annual-holiday-lights-at-shore-acres
Willamette Valley
Eugene Concert Choir Presents Handel’s Messiah
DEC. 15, 2:30 p.m.
Most audiences have only heard the Christmas portion and the “Hallelujah Chorus,” but this is a rare opportunity to hear the excitement of the entire beloved masterwork. The story continues through life, suffering, triumph and redemption—in distinct, dramatic scenes. In Handel’s lifetime, Messiah was so popular that he created numerous versions of the arias and choruses to achieve the finest performances from the artists who sang in his concerts. Today, with so many variations to choose from, every performance of Messiah is a unique experience shaped by the selections of the conductor. www.eugeneconcertchoir.org/ 2024-2025-season/handels-messiah
Eugene Ballet’s The Nutcracker
DEC. 19-22 AND 24, varied matinees and evenings
Orchestra Next performs live to accompany this ballet replete with the sugar plum fairy and en pointe, twirling snowflakes—an annual tradition at Hult Center. www.hultcenter.org/events/ ebc-the-nutcracker-24
Retreat: The Campbell House Inn
Make your Victorian holiday atmosphere complete by getting cozy at this luxurious bed-and-breakfast that dates back to 1892. Take in the wintery acre of landscaped grounds in Eugene’s historic district, old world charm and first-class amenities. Wake to freshly baked scones, and take a short saunter to all the holiday happenings downtown at a range of venues including the Hult Center, Fifth Street Public Market and top-notch restaurants. www.campbellhouse.com
Wine Country
Friendsgiving 2024
NOV. 30, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
This new (second annual) tradition in McMinnville comes from a close-knit group of friends who are also behind twelve dynamic wineries. United by friendship and collaboration, they’ve created a spirited tasting event, pairing exciting new Oregon wines with holidayinspired dishes by chef Brett Uniss of Humble Spirit in McMinnville. It’s a chance to experience some of Oregon’s finest up-and-coming wineries in one place. Approachment, Arabilis, CHO, Corollary, de la boue, Dolores, Liska, Lonesome Rock, Lundeen, Sealionne, Suzor and Vincent will pour their best selections, showcasing a vibrant slice of Oregon’s wine scene.
In the true valley spirit, Friendsgiving gives back, with part of sales benefitting the Yamhill Community Action Partnership, which works to improve the lives of local, low-income residents through housing stabilization, energy services, a regional food bank and youth services. www.corollarywines.com/events/2024/ friendsgiving
Willamette Valley Wine Celebrations
Be it red, white or bubbles, a bottle of something festive and fabulous food pairings are the way to celebrate the year’s end, family and friends. Scores of seasonal events are happening throughout Willamette Valley wine country. www.willamettewines.com
Retreat: The Setting Inn
Newberg, Dundee, Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem Mountain AVAs surround the inn’s Oregon-meets-Europe guest rooms. Unwind at the end of the day in the charmingly renovated barn to exchange gifts next to the fireplace, or in the courtyard with s’mores around the warming fire pits. www.thesettinginn.com/willamette
Eastern Oregon
“Little Works” Art Exhibition and Fundraiser
NOV. 22-DEC. 19
In Joseph, the Josephy Center for Arts & Culture’s “Little Works” Exhibition of small works of art priced under $200 offers a platform for artists to display their talents and raises funds for programs nurturing young artistic talent. Peruse the works to find creative Christmas gifts that give back to others. The exhibition’s opening reception is November 29, from noon to 4 p.m., and coincides with the Stocking Stuffer Black Friday Art Supply Sale. www.josephy.org/event/little-works-2024
