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

December Events

Celebrate winter with beautiful light displays, belly-warming beer and other great Portland events.

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

Know Before You Go

COVID-19 Event Update: Large gatherings are not currently permitted. Most events are canceled, modified or being held online. Please visit event websites for latest status.

During the final month of the year, Portland overflows with seasonal events and activities. Celebrate the holiday season with special shopping events, light displays and festivities; then ring in the New Year at one of the city’s many Jan. 31 events. Read on for some of our top picks for December events in Portland, or search our full events calendar to see everything on offer.

Holiday Ale Festival

Packed with revelry and cheer, the five-day Holiday Ale Festival (always held the first week of December) features dozens of the Pacific Northwest’s best-tasting seasonal suds, many not available anywhere else. Held underneath a cozy, heated tent at Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Ale Festival invites local brewers to collaborate on special editions beers. Ranging from decadent stouts to light, hoppy IPAs, the one-of-a-kind brews range from classic to funky.

Go To Holiday Ale Festival

New Year's Eve in Portland

When the clock strikes midnight in Portland, you could be dancing to bhangra beats, running through downtown or indulging in chocolate and Champagne.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Light Displays

Some of Portland’s bright spots include ZooLights, a display of more than a million lights at the Oregon Zoo and the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto. The Christmas Ships Parade, going strong since 1954, features brilliantly decorated boats on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

GO TO HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS

Holiday Traditions

Portland gets into the spirit of the season with festive decorations at Pittock Mansion, a gingerbread display at the Benson Hotel and the Festival of Trees at the Oregon Convention Center. Annual performance traditions include Handel’s Messiah from Portland Baroque Orchestra and The Most Wonderful Season from Portland Gay Men’s Chorus.

Events, Winter

go to holiday traditions

The annual Holiday Tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square is a festive annual Portland tradition.

Portland Holiday Events

Like an Advent calendar loaded with sugary treats, the days leading up to Christmas in Portland hold an abundance of sweet memories.

$Give cheers for beers underneath the Holiday Ale Festival\'s clear tent.$

Portland’s Holiday Ale Festival

The Holiday Ale Festival, set beneath the region’s largest decorated holiday tree, returns every year with more than 50 big, bold beers designed to keep revelers warm on cold winter nights.

Holiday shoppers browse local wares at Give Good Gift.

Holiday Shopping Events

Do your holiday shopping for locally made gifts at hip parties, makers' fairs, sprawling sales and garden grounds filled with handcrafted items.

The Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto.

Holiday Light Displays in Portland

Portland is full of bright ways to embrace the shorter days of winter; here are some of the stars in the city’s constellation of holiday light displays.

A midnight fun run is among Portland’s New Year’s Eve offerings.

New Year’s Eve Events in Portland

When the clock strikes midnight, you could be dancing to bhangra beats, running through downtown or indulging in chocolate and Champagne.

Portland Night Market

Central Eastside Industrial District

The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Come meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators! The Portland Night Market is a bimonthly, free event and open to all ages. See the latest health…