Get into the spirit with a visit to Portland’s holiday tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

December Events

Celebrate winter with beautiful light displays, festive train rides, holiday shopping and other great December events in Portland.

Get into the spirit with a visit to Portland’s holiday tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

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During the year’s final month, Portland overflows with seasonal events and winter activities. Whether you want to revel in traditional holiday happenings, finish shopping for everything on your list or cheer for your favorite winter sports, December has it all. Read on for some of our top picks for December events, or search our full events calendar to see even more fun things to do in Portland in December.

Holiday Traditions

See the dazzling display of twinkling cheer at ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo, featuring over a million colored bulbs. For a different spin on the holiday light experience, pay a visit to Portland International Raceway for Winter Wonderland, where you can drive (or walk or bike, on certain nights) through a spectacular show featuring over 250 lighted set pieces.

Want to take a ride in holiday style? All aboard the Holiday Express, a holiday train pulled by a 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive, hosted by the Oregon Rail Heritage Center. For another holiday train ride option, check out the Mount Hood Railroad, which offers a Polar Express-themed experience for the whole family that runs all through December, plus late November and early January. (These events sell out fast, so be sure to book early.)

Christmas lights strung on everything in sight, lining trees and buildings as people walk through Zoo Lights — A favorite Portland holiday tradition, ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo features all sorts of animals (real and animatronic) — all illuminated with 1.5 million LED lights.

a woman surrounded by Portland tote bags and other Portland clothes and merch holds up a print of a Portland bridge — Cathy Zwicker is the co-founder of Crafty Wonderland, a massive arts and crafts market held at the Oregon Convention Center.

a group of roller derby skaters bash into each other on a rink floor — Over 400 gender-expansive folks contribute to the Rose City Rollers derby league, which includes four home teams and an internationally ranked travel team.

Holiday Shopping

With no sales tax and an extensive variety of holiday shopping events, Portland is a great place to find everything on your list for the holidays. Crafty Wonderland, a massive arts and crafts market that brings together over 200 local artists and makers, is one shopping extravaganza you won’t want to miss. Other December events for shoppers include ScanFair (which boasts Scandinavian vendors, treats, musicians and more) and the Silverton Christmas Market, a perfect place to find an authentic German nutcracker or sip traditional German mulled wine.

Catch a Game

Want to take a break from the holidays and experience a different kind of cheer? December in Portland offers many opportunities to get on your feet and root for some of your favorite teams.

Portland loves their Blazers, and if basketball is also your sport of choice, you can catch a Portland Trail Blazers game at the Moda Center throughout December. If you’re more of a winter sports fan, then get yourself a ticket to see Portland’s junior ice hockey team, the Portland Winterhawks, play at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum all winter.

Sitting trackside at the roller derby can be an exciting (and sometimes dangerous) sport in itself, but it’s worth it to see one of Portland’s beloved Rose City Rollers games at Oaks Amusement Park — or, sit up in the bleacher seats and bring the whole family to a Rose City Rollers Juniors game.

More About Portland in December

What is the average December temperature in Portland?

Winter in Portland (Dec. 21–March 19) is the coolest season of the year, with frequent rain showers and mostly cloudy skies. The average high in December is 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees C), and the average low is 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees C).

Is December a good time to visit Portland?

Yes, December is a great time to visit Portland! Cooler temperatures provide the perfect excuse to do as locals do and indulge in Portland’s legendary culinary scene, or take advantage of tax-free holiday shopping throughout the city. Also, the drop in temperature makes for great conditions at Mount Hood, where locals love to ski, snowboard and snowshoe (or just cozy up to a fireplace with a warm drink in hand).

What should I pack when visiting Portland in December?

We recommend packing a coat, a fleece jacket and rain-friendly shoes for a December visit to Portland. Old-school Portlanders tend to shun umbrellas, but they can come in handy to shield glasses and faces from heavier showers. And if you’re a skier or snowboarder, don’t forget your gear, since rain in Portland means plenty of snow on Mount Hood.

Does it snow in Portland, Oregon?

A bit! Though Portland isn’t the snowiest city, we do get some snow in the winter. The average snowfall in December is about 1 inch (2.5 cm).

Outdoor Recreation

Portland is a renowned destination for outdoor recreation, and December is a beautiful time of year to get in on the fun. From winter hikes around the region to skiing Mount Hood, there’s no shortage of winter activities in the great outdoors. And if you fancy a trip to the Oregon Coast, December is also a peak time for whale watching, especially during the second half of the month.