Christmas Festival of Lights

Parkrose

Editor's Pick

When

Nov. 28–Dec. 30, 2025

Days vary, 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Where

The Grotto

8840 NE Skidmore St
Portland, OR 97220

Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The festival features nearly 160 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the festival theme reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers many thousands of families around the Pacific Northwest.

• Choirs in the Chapel: Enjoy the amazing sounds of local schools, churches and civic groups as they perform inside the Chapel of Mary, with its cathedral-like acoustics.
• Fun for Everyone: Continuous entertainment for all ages is offered in The Grotto’s plaza area, including outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests.
• Puppet Show: At the top of each hour in the plaza tent, enjoy a puppet show.
• Caroling: The Grotto Carolers perform every hour at the bottom of the hour in the plaza tent. Sing along to your favorite Christmas songs.
• Snacks and Drinks: Find snacks and drinks available for purchase inside the Interpretive Center, next to the Chapel.

The Festival of Lights is a walk-through event, and visitors can expect to walk approximately a quarter of a mile. All entertainment areas are either indoors or tented; however, visitors should dress accordingly for the weather. Rubber-soled shoes, warm socks, gloves, and ear coverings are recommended, especially on colder nights. The average festival visitation time is between 60 and 90 minutes. Visitors wishing to hear a specific concert should arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance of the scheduled concert time.