Portland Holiday Activities

The day after Thanksgiving, head downtown for some holiday shopping and the Macy's Holiday Parade. The parade will begin at NW Park and Davis, then travel east to Broadway, south on Broadway to SW Alder, east on Alder (past Macy’s) to 4th, north on 4th to NW Flanders, west on Flanders to Park.

Get your tickets now and enjoy a theatrical performance with your loved ones. The Oregon Ballet puts on a spectacular performance of the Nutracker each year, and if you've never seen the Santaland Diaries, based on a David Sedaris book, it's highly recommended.

With so many worthy organizations in town, the holidays are a great time to kick off your commitment to the community. 

Enjoy the Oregon Zoo, holiday style. Hop on the zoo train and take a zoo tour, with a million lights! The 2009 dates for Zoolights are: Nov 27 through January 3.

Whether it's the drive-through display at PIR or a stroll down Peacock Lane, Portland's holiday lighting displays are a beautiful, bright way to celebrate the season.

The Willamette and Columbia Rivers will host the 55th annual Christmas Ships Parade. Watch 55 to 60 boats decorated with festive holiday lights as they cruise down both of the rivers, December 9, 2010 and running through December 21, 2010. Get the schedule online.

The Chanuka Menora will shine in Pioneer Courthouse Square from 12/11 - 12/18

December 4 and 5
Experience the holidays by walking through a village with more than 100 trees, wreaths and holiday vignettes created by local designers, businesses, and volunteers. Vote for your favorites, too. Kids can also visit Santa's workshop, and have photos taken with Santa.

Holiday lights, a 40 foot castle, and festive Christmas scenes are all part of the Christmas Fantasy Trail. Take a walk, have some refreshments, and experience the fantasy trail. Open December 4th - Dec. 29, 2009.

The Pittock Mansion will be decorated to illustrate different traditions of Christmas, including decorating trees, writing Christmas cards, serving holiday foods, playing Christmas music, and giving gifts.

Runs November 23 through Thursday, December 31.

On the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27, 2009) thousands will gather in and around Pioneer Square for the 25th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. It begins at 5:30 p.m.