2025 Holiday Event Guide for Kids and Families: Portland and Beyond

ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo

• When: Nov 21, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026
• Where: Portland (West Hills)
• What: A Portland classic with millions of lights, glowing animal displays, and family friendly walk-through routes.

The Grotto Festival of Lights

• When: Nov 28 to Dec 30, 2025 (closed Christmas Day)
• Where: Northeast Portland
• What: A peaceful evening walk through lighted gardens with live music and choral performances.

Winter Wonderland at PIR

• When: Nov 28 to Dec 31, 2025
• Where: Portland International Raceway
• What: A huge drive-through light display around the racetrack so you can stay warm and cozy in the car.

Peacock Lane: Portland’s Christmas Street

• When: Dec 15 to 31, 2025 (pedestrian-only nights Dec 19–20)
• Where: SE Portland (Belmont & Sunnyside)
• What: A historic street where neighbors decorate their homes with classic and whimsical holiday displays.

Christmas Ships Parade

• When: Dec 4 to 21, 2025 (no fleets Dec 11 & 15)
• Where: Columbia & Willamette Rivers
• What: Lighted boats parade along the rivers, viewable from waterfront parks, restaurants, and bridges.

Lightopia Drive-Through Light Show

• When: Dec 9 to 28, 2025 (closed Dec 24–25)
• Where: Hillsboro (Gordon Faber Recreation Complex)
• What: A free, drive-through light show with large animated scenes and festive music.

Snow Day Village and Santa’s Mailbox

• When: Nov 21 to Dec 24, 2025
• Where: Director Park (815 SW Park Ave)
• What: Scheduled snowfalls Wednesday through Sunday, a Mike Bennett gift shop, and a special mailbox for letters to Santa.

Silverton Christmas Market

• When: Nov 28 to Dec 31, 2025 (closed Dec 24 and 25)
• Where: Oregon Garden Resort (Silverton)
• What: European style market with lights, food, gluhwein for adults, and a snowless tubing hill for kids.

Portland Night Market Holiday Edition

• When: Dec 4 to 7, 2025
• Where: Central Eastside Portland
• What: A huge indoor market with food, drinks, and hundreds of local vendors. Great for older kids and teens.

Sherwood Winter Festival

• When: Dec 6, 2025
• Where: Old Town Sherwood
• What: A small town style celebration with a parade, tree lighting, and family activities.

Topaz Farm Holiday Market

• When: Weekends from Nov 26 to Dec 7, 2025
• Where: Sauvie Island
• What: A relaxed farm holiday market with trees, gifts, hot drinks, and plenty of space for kids to roam.

Nob Hill Christmas and Santa Land

• When: Weekends from Nov 29 to Dec 21, 2025
• Where: Northwest Portland (Nob Hill)
• What: Urban tree lot with Santa visits, photo ops, and a small holiday market feel.

15 Days of Decemberville

• When: Nov 29 to Dec 13, 2025
• Where: Sellwood Westmoreland
• What: Neighborhood events that include scavenger hunts, shop specials, and family friendly activities.

Holidays on Hawthorne

• When: Dec 7, 2025, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Where: Southeast Hawthorne Blvd
• What: Live music, shop discounts, and festive street activities along one of Portland’s favorite main streets.

Benson Hotel Gingerbread Masterpiece

• When: Dec 2, 2025 to Jan 2, 2026
• Where: Downtown Portland (The Benson)
• What: See the annual architectural gingerbread creation in the lobby and make it part of a downtown outing.

Sauvie Island Christmas Tree Farms

• When: Nov 21 to Dec 24, 2025
• Where: Sauvie Island
• What: Choose and cut your tree at one of several family run farms on the island.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (Oregon Ballet Theatre

• When: Dec 6 to Dec 24, 2025
• Where: Keller Auditorium
• What: A magical holiday ballet with colorful costumes, beautiful music, and a story that kids and adults love.

Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree

• When: Nov 29 to Dec 7, 2025
• Where: Sunset Church
• What: A joyful mix of choir performances, live music, and festive storytelling that brings the holiday spirit to life.

NW Children’s Theater: The Wizard of Oz

• When: Nov 30, 2025 to Jan 4, 2026
• Where: The Judy (Downtown Portland)
• What: A youth edition of the classic story with music, munchkins, and plenty of family friendly magic.

Midwinter Revels: Highland Hearth

• When: Dec 12 to 21, 2025
• Where: Scottish Rite Center
• What: A celebration of the season with Scottish music, dance, and storytelling rooted in winter traditions.

Beauty and the Beast: Musical Panto

• When: Dec 12 to 14, 2025 (check site for full run)
• Where: Mission Theater
• What: A funny, interactive musical comedy that invites kids and adults to cheer, boo, and laugh together.

Merry-achi Christmas with the Oregon Symphony

• When: Dec 10, 2025
• Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
• What: A festive mariachi performance that blends holiday music with vibrant Mexican traditions.

Holiday Express at Oregon Rail Heritage Center

• When: Weekends from Nov 28 to Dec 28, 2025
• Where: Southeast Portland
• What: Ride a vintage steam train along the river with Santa, elves, and plenty of photo moments.

Cosmic Tubing at Skibowl

• When: Friday and Saturday nights beginning in December 2025
• Where: Mt. Hood Skibowl
• What: Glow in the dark snow tubing with lights, music, and plenty of energy for older kids and teens.

Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

• When: Select dates in December 2025
• Where: Local theaters around Portland (check neighborhood listings)
• What: Special screenings of the animated and live action Grinch, perfect for a cozy family movie outing.

A Christmas Story at Moreland Theater

• When: Dec 7, 2025
• Where: Moreland Theater (Sellwood)
• What: A one day screening of the classic film at a beloved neighborhood theater.

Santa Photos at Washington Square

• When: Nov 7 to Dec 24, 2025
• Where: Washington Square
• What: Classic mall Santa photos with a range of packages and time slots.

Santa Photos at Clackamas Town Center

• When: Nov 29 to Dec 24, 2025
• Where: Clackamas Town Center
• What: Santa photos in a busy, kid friendly mall setting with plenty of nearby food options.

Bluey and Bingo’s Holiday Pajama Date

• When: Dec 21, 2025
• Where: Play and Ponder (Portland)
• What: A ticketed playdate event with themed activities, perfect for younger kids who love Bluey.

Portland’s Public Menorah Lighting

• When: Dec 14 to 21, 2025
• Where: Pioneer Courthouse Square
• What: Nightly Hanukkah candle lightings with a grand celebration and community gathering on the first night.

Cedar Hills Crossing Pet Photos with Santa

• When: Dec 1, 8, and 15, 2025
• Where: Cedar Hills Crossing
• What: Special evenings where pets can join their people for photos with Santa.

Washington Square Pet Nights

• When: Monday Dec 1 and 8, 2025
• Where: Washington Square
• What: After hours Santa photos with pets welcome on leash.

Clackamas Town Center Pet Photos

• When: Mondays and Tuesdays through Dec 16, 2025
• Where: Clackamas Town Center
• What: Dedicated evenings for pet and family photos with Santa.

PIR Dog Friendly Nights at Winter Wonderland

• When: Dog walk nights on Dec 1 and 2, 2025
• Where: Portland International Raceway
• What: On select nights you can walk through the light displays with your leashed dog instead of driving.

Peacock Lane Dog Friendly Nights

• When: Same dates as the main Peacock Lane display
• Where: Southeast Portland
• What: Dogs are welcome on leash while you stroll the decorated street.