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Holiday Light Displays in Portland
As the days grow darker, Portland glows with eye-popping light displays.
Portland is full of bright ways to embrace the shorter days of winter: hundreds of thousands of lights in our neighborhoods, our waters and plenty of spots in between. Read on for some of the stars in the city’s constellation of holiday light displays.
Know Before You Go
As of June 30, 2021, COVID restrictions have been lifted in Portland and the state of Oregon. While events are now allowed, some events may still be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check the event website for the most up-to-date information.
The first twinkles come as Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway kicks off the season with one of the largest holiday light shows in the Northwest. Grab some hot chocolate and drive (or walk or bike) through the more than 250 spectacular light pieces set up along the racetrack.
Next, the Oregon Zoo switches on ZooLights. This family favorite is a unique opportunity to see the zoo after hours and all aglow. ZooLights features carolers, bright trees and all sorts of animals (real and animatronic) — all illuminated with 1.5 million LED lights. (For the 21-and-over crowd, the zoo also hosts BrewLights, a kid-free evening to enjoy ZooLights and dozens of local beer, cider and seltzer vendors to sample from.)
At The Grotto in Northeast Portland, the Christmas Festival of Lights uses more than 500,000 lights and 150 choral performances to share the spirit at the internationally renowned Catholic shrine. People of all faiths are welcome to the 62-acre park that features a rock cave carved into the base of a 110-foot cliff.
Some of Portland’s other natural wonders, the Columbia River and the Willamette River, also shine during the holiday season with the Christmas Ships Parade. This long-running tradition sees around 60 festively decorated boats floating on the area’s waterways nightly, delighting shore-bound onlookers in local hotels and restaurants. The entirely volunteer-run event has been lighting smiles since 1954.
The residents of Southeast Portland’s Peacock Lane have had the holiday glow since the 1920s. Every year from Dec. 15-31, houses on the street break out the twinkle lights and welcome onlookers with the season’s brightest greetings. The first three nights are pedestrian-only nights, the lane is closed off to car traffic — because nothing makes the season bright like a well-lit holiday stroll.
Happy Portland Holidays
Revel in the city’s holiday spirit with these events and activities.
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.
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.
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.
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