Looking for things to do this month? Check out these community events around town that you can take transit to:

🎄Tree Lightings🎄

 

 

 

Pioneer Square Tree Lighting

⏰ Friday, Nov. 29, 5:30–6:45 p.m.
📍 Pioneer Courthouse Square
🔗 More info

Portland’s Tree Lighting will feature a joyful sing-along with Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale from Pink Martini, local musicians and chorale singers.  Join in the celebration as Santa Claus ‘flips the switch’ to illuminate more than 9,500 colorful LED lights on the 75 ft Douglas-fir donated by Stimson Lumber Company for all to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Any MAX line will get you downtown, and a lot of bus lines, too!

 

Lake Oswego Tree Lighting

⏰ Friday, Nov. 29, 3–7 p.m. (lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m.)
📍 Millennium Plaza Park
🔗 More info

Festivities take place at Millennium Plaza Park, with holiday music and caroling, festive vendors, letters to Santa, photos with Santa, hot food, sweet treats and more.

Line 35 will take you there!

 

Beaverton Winter Lights and Tree Lighting

⏰ Friday, Dec. 6, 6–8 p.m. (lighting takes place at 7 p.m.)
📍 Beaverton City Park
🔗 More info

Bring the whole family for an evening of festive fun, featuring live performances by local musicians, crafts and activities for all ages, and vendors selling seasonal items. There’s also going to be a special surprise visit from Santa Claus himself!

Line 76 will get you to the park! Line 58 and MAX Blue Line will drop you off about a 15 minute walk away.

 

Gresham Tree Lighting

⏰ Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. (lighting takes place at 6 p.m.)
📍 Historic Downtown Gresham

Kick off the holiday season with the Spirit of Christmas presented by the Center for the Arts Foundation. It’s a beloved community gathering with music, free treats, pictures with Santa and more.

Line 9 will take you straight there. Lines 20, FX2 and MAX Blue Line will drop you off about a 10 minute walk away.

 

Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting

⏰ Saturday Dec. 7, 4–6 p.m. (lighting takes place at 5:15 p.m.)
📍 Downtown Milwaukie

Celebrate the holidays in Milwaukie with the Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting. Decorate your umbrella and join the fun — no registration required! The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. in South Downtown Plaza (11222 SE Main St.) and ends at historic City Hall.

The City Hall/SW 5th Ave MAX Station, serving the MAX Orange Line, is less than a quarter mile away.

 

Rockwood Spirit of Christmas

⏰ Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. (lighting takes place at 6 p.m.)
📍 Gresham Arts Plaza

Rockwood will transform into its own North Pole with the Spirit of Christmas at Gresham Arts Plaza (401 NE Second St.). Come for the crafting activities and events!

The Gresham Central Transit Center, serving the MAX Blue Line, is just a quarter mile away.

 

⛸️ Ice Rinks 🧊

Portland Winter Ice Rink

🔗 More info
A family-friendly outdoor rink on the waterfront that’s open from November to January. In addition to skating, enjoy a variety of activities in the Winter Village, which features a concession marketplace, food, warm beverages, and a cozy lounge.

Line 15 stops on 2nd and 3rd avenues, and MAX Blue and Red lines stop at Oak/SW 1st Ave. Or simply take any of the bus or MAX lines with stops at the Transit Mall on SW 5th and 6th Ave, and you’ll be just a few blocks’ walk from the rink.

 

Lloyd Center Ice Rink

🔗 More info
Come to this beginner-friendly rink for the snowfall! Skate under a magical snow flurry. Snowfall lasts five minutes on specific days and times.

MAX Blue and Red lines are just a short walk away, as well as bus lines 6, 8 and 17.

 

Winterhawks Skating Center (Beaverton)

🔗 More info
An ice skating center in Beaverton that offers public skating times, figure skating, and skating lessons. It’s the official practice facility for the Portland Winterhawks.

Line 54 is a four minute walk away from the center!

 

Sherwood Ice Arena (Sherwood)

🔗 More info
An ice skating center in Sherwood that offers public skating times, figure skating, and skating lessons.

Line 94 is a seven minute walk away.

 

OMSI on Ice

🔗 More info
Put on your skates and take to the rink this winter at OMSI on a unique indoor synthetic ice rink. Experience all the joys of ice skating together while comfortably indoors in OMSI’s auditorium turned winter wonderland.

Several lines are just a short walk away, including MAX Orange Line and bus lines 6, 9, 14, 15, 17 and 19.

 

Winter Village at Orenco Station (Hillsboro)

🔗 More info
Find seasonal cheer at this outdoor ice-skating rink. Winter Village is a beloved Hillsboro event that is back for the first time since the pandemic. Bring your friends and family to a skate session!

You can take MAX Blue or Red lines and hop off at the Orenco MAX Station.

 

🎅 More Holiday Fun 🎅

 

The Holiday Express Train

⏰ Open through Jan. 4
🔗 More info
Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind the 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive. Decorated in festive cheer, the heated vintage rail cars transport you along the Willamette River in the heart of the city.

Take MAX Orange Line, bus lines FX2, 9, 17, and 19, or the Portland Streetcar’s A and B loops.

Fremont Holiday Fest
⏰  Dec. 6
🔗 More info
Get selfies with Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy caroling, see arts and crafts and more! The event will take place on NE Fremont from 42nd-50th.

Lines 24 will drop you off on Fremont and lines 71 and 75 will drop you off within walking distance!

Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar

Dec. 8
🔗 More info
📍Laurelhurst School, 840 NE 41st Ave Portland, OR 97232
Check out this fundraiser event for the Laurelhurst School’s PTA! There will be plenty of shopping from local arts makers, food and more!

MAX Blue, Green and Red lines will drop you off just a short walk away, and bus lines 12, 19, 20, 75 and 77 are also nearby!

 

Peacock Lane Christmas Lights

⏰ Dec. 15–31
🔗 More info
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again, and the residents of Peacock Lane will be displaying their lights from December 15–31. Pedestrian-only nights will be December 15 and 16.

You can take Line 15 to SE Belmont & Cesar Chavez, or Line 75 to SE Cesar Chavez & Belmont. Line 14 is a 10 minute walk to Peacock Lane, just get off at SE Hawthorne & Cesar Chavez.

 

Oregon ZooLights

⏰ Open through Jan. 5
🔗 More info
This year promises to be the brightest ZooLights yet, with a brand-new magical meadow light show, dozens of life-size animal lanterns along the train route, and more interactive displays than ever. Walk through the famous tunnels of sparkling lights, pose next to colorful animals and make holiday memories to last all year.

Take MAX Blue or Red lines to the Washington Park MAX Station to reach the zoo!

 

A Pittock Mansion Christmas

⏰ Open through Jan. 9
🔗 More info
Enjoy the combined splendor and warmth of the mansion and the charming Gate Lodge decorated with this year’s theme, Holiday Classics. Your admission includes access to the mansion, the Gate Lodge and the Georgiana Pittock and the City of Roses exhibit.

Here’s a video on how to hike up to Pittock Mansion from transit.

 

Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto

⏰ Open through Dec. 30
🔗 More info
Entertainment for all ages is offered in The Grotto’s plaza area, including outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests. There’s also snacks and drinks for purchase.

Line 12 takes you along NE Sandy Blvd. to The Grotto, and lines 71 and 72 drop you off just a short walk away. You can also take MAX Red Line to the Parkrose/Sumner MAX Station and then board The Grotto’s shuttle bus located in the bus pull-out on Sandy Blvd. The shuttle bus runs every night and is free to use.

 

 

Holiday Health Fair

⏰ Friday, Dec. 13
📍 4–7 p.m.
Come for free hot food and drinks, music, raffles, face painting, free bread, resources and more!

Take lines FX2 and 9 to the event at 3130 SE 148th Ave.

 

The Nutcracker at Keller Auditorium

🔗 More info
Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince as the mischievous Drosselmeier sends them on a magical adventure. Brave toy soldiers battle villainous mice, candy canes leap and snowflakes whirl, all to Tchaikovsky’s wonderous score – and don’t forget about a Portland Holiday favorite, Mother Ginger!

Any MAX line will take you to downtown Portland. You can also take several bus lines that drop you off near the auditorium.

 

Oregon Symphony

Multiple events
🔗 More info
From Love Actually in Concert to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, make live concerts with your Oregon Symphony part of your holiday soundtrack.

Any MAX line will take you to downtown Portland. You can also take several bus lines that drop you off near the Arlene Schnitzer Concert hall.

 

🎁 Shopping 🎁

Mike Bennett’s Snow Day Village

⏰ Open through Dec. 23, 7 days a week, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
🔗 More info
This festive wonderland includes cartoon characters, cozy fire pits, snow flurries, and more. Celebrate the season’s kickoff with live goats, music and a Holiday Gift Shop packed with unique goodies.

Portland Flea + Food

⏰ Sunday, Dec. 1
📍 Nova Building
🔗 More info
This market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally sourced goods in town.

Take bus lines 6, 10 and 14 to get there. You can also take the Portland Streetcar A Loop to SE MLK & Hawthorne.

Portland Bazaar Pop-Up

⏰ Dec. 1–22
📍 Various locations
🔗 More info
A fun event that highlights the skilled artists, makers and small businesses of our region. With over 160+ makers to shop, you’ll find the right gift for everyone on your list!

 

Portland Indigenous Marketplace and Pop-Up Shop

⏰ Dec. 1–29
📍 Various locations
🔗 More info
Over 30 vendors, food, art exhibits and more! Find hand made and original designs by Indigenous/Black vendors.

Pop-ups will happen throughout the month at various locations, so check the website for more.

 

Other events

Roboto Octopodo presents FATHOM

⏰ Open through Feb. 28
🔗 More info
Join this temporary pop-up immersive experience! It’s hard to describe so take a look for yourself.

Take any MAX train downtown and walk over to the venue on SW 4th Avenue and Alder St. You can also ride bus lines 8, 9, 12, 17, 19, 35, 40 and 44.

 

The Curio: Presented by Beaverton Arts Market

⏰ Open through Dec. 23
🔗 More info
The Curio, a collaboration between the Beaverton Arts Market and The Reser celebrates the creativity and diversity of regional Northwest artists and craftspeople. Whether looking for a gift or a unique work of art to adorn your home or office, The Curio features dozens of artists in this exhibition and sale. Forging connections between artists and the broader community, The Curio provides the perfect setting to discover creativity during the giving season.

You can take MAX Blue or Red lines to The Reser in Beaverton.

 

2024 Wild Arts Festival

⏰ Dec. 7 and 8
🔗 More info
Explore beautiful artwork, nature-inspired books, an array of silent auction items and much more. When you make a purchase at the Wild Arts Festival, you’ll be supporting Bird Alliance of Oregon’s mission.

Both MAX Blue and Red lines take you just a short walk away from the Wingspan Event Center at Washington County Fairgrounds.

 

Portland Winterhawks Games

⏰ Through March 22
🔗 More info
Come enjoy a family-friendly hockey game this season!
You can take any MAX train to the Interstate/Rose Quarter MAX Station, and bus lines 4, 8, 35, 40 and 44 also drop you off nearby.

 

Helium Comedy Club

Multiple events
🔗 More info
For a modest ticket price, patrons enjoy live standup comedy and other performance art from a nationally accredited act, no more than 60 feet away. Check out all the comedians coming in December.

 

 

We hope this guide helped!

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