It has arrived! You can’t even go grocery shopping without hearing Christmas music because the holiday season is already well underway. This week’s events list includes a few non-holiday options, but otherwise it’s all Ho, Ho, Ho all the time.
For activities through the end of the year, check out our Holiday activities Guide postings if this list isn’t sufficient:
Music: entertainment.oregonlive.com.
Displays of lighting: oregonlive.com/events.
OregonLive.com/stage is the stage.
The Mexican film “Amanita,” which is a part of the Fungi Film Fest, was directed by Garc a. Angeles, Mar a. Alexa, and Revilla Casillas.Cinema 21 provided the image.
The Fest for Fungi Film
Do you need a vacation from the never-ending Christmas activities? With a focus on fungus, Cinema 21’s 20-film program includes films from 17 different nations, including Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, India, and more. During this 2.5-hour mushroom festival, which features animated, comedy, experimental, and abstract films, immerse yourself in the minutia of mycology. The documentaries include everything from information about fungi in India to fungal conservation.
Start at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 12, followed by a second live performance at 3:30 p.m. Cinema 21, 616 N.W. 21st Ave., Sunday, Dec. 15, tickets $13–$15; funifilmfest.com/2024.
Alabama’s Blind Boys Christmas Show
The Blind Boys’ Grammy Award-winning holiday classic album, Go Tell It On The Mountain, and other albums are mixed with seasonal songs on The Blind Boys Christmas Show. Enjoy this celebration of the Christmas spirit by singing along to your favorite holiday tunes.
First Congregational Church of Christ, 1126 S.W. Park Ave., Friday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Tickets: $40; events.humanitix.com/blind-boys-of-Alabama.
Bach’s Magnificat
Under the direction of Matthew Dirst, Trinity Music and Portland Baroque Orchestra deliver a festive evening of Baroque masterpieces. Along with other pieces, the program features J.S. Bach’s Magnificat and Cantata 62. Attend the yearly Wassail Party following the concert.
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Friday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m.; $15–$60; trinitymusicpdx.ticketspice.com.
ZooZoo
For family-friendly holiday entertainment, Imago returns with its revue, which includes polar bears, hippos, persnickety penguins, an acrobatic grub, baby birds, and more.
It opens on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through January 1 at different times and dates. Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave., $19.50-$37.50; imagotheatre.com or 503-231-9581.
Kristi Turnquist Oregonlive.com/The Oregonian
The Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” by DanceWorks will be presented at the Fort Vancouver High School Auditorium.The picture is from DanceWorks.
DanceWorks’ Nutcracker Friends
During the holidays, there are several ballet performances. However, DanceWorks is celebrating its 31st anniversary with a grandiose rendition of the holiday classic if you’re in Vancouver and want to stay close to home. Over 100 pupils and pre-professional dancers participate in the performances. Ages 4 and up are ideal.
Dec. 13–15, Fort Vancouver High School auditorium, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver; 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday; $25–$40; danceworksperformingarts.com.
“Gospel Christmas: Celebrating 25 Years”The Symphony of Oregon
Christmas Gospel: Marking 25 Years
The Oregon Symphony continues a 25-year tradition by performing a concert full of fervent, upbeat gospel songs at the Schnitzer to celebrate the Christmas in Portland. The Northwest Community Gospel Chorus, an audition-based chorus created especially to introduce gospel music to Oregon Symphony audiences, will sing during the performance.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Dec. 14–15, 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday; tickets start at $25, orsymphony.org.
Stage, Screen, and Page Music
The public is invited to a concert by Beaverton Community Band that will include jazz compositions, Christmas tunes, timeless oldies, and movie themes. Chicago, Ain’t Misbehavin, and The Lord of the Rings will all include music. The featured soloist is Lisa Neher, a mezzosoprano.
Tickets are $15; beavertoncommunityband.org/performances. Taylor Meade Arts Center, Pacific University, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m.
During the Christmas season, wander down Peacock Lane in Southeast Portland. File shot from Oregon.The person from Oregon
Lane Peacock
Millions of light strings have been untangled and put on Portland’s Christmas Street, and the city’s residents are prepared for what has been a must-do holiday tradition for almost a century. December 15–16 are car-free nights (for walkers only). Donations are welcome, and the Hot Cocoa booth is back with free warm drinks (while supplies last).
Peacock Lane, located along Southeast Peacock Lane north of Belmont Street, is open every night from 6 to 11 p.m. from Sunday, December 15 through December 31; free;peacocklane.org.
The Posada Milagro this year will feature music and dance.Milagro provided the image.
Milagro Posada 2024
Enjoy family fun, dance, and music at this joyous cultural Christmas party. Enjoy performances for all ages, try some tamales, and learn how to make your own pinatas. First-come, first-served, free tickets are available.
between 1 and 3 p.m. Milagro Theatre, 525 S.E. Stark St., Sunday, Dec. 15, free, but get there early to guarantee a seat; milagro.org/event/posada-milagro.
Wintertide Brings Out a Youth Choral Performance
The Pacific Ringers handbell choir will join the Pacific Youth Choir, which consists of elementary and middle school singers, and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony will join the high school choir in two concerts aimed at inspiring awe and reverence for the unadulterated beauty of winter.
High school choir at 5 p.m., younger singers at 2 p.m. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 N.W. 19th Ave., Sunday, Dec. 15; admission is $10; pacificyouthchoir.org/wintertide-awakes.
Liedertafel Christmas Concert with Harmonie
After the majority of German-language choirs on the west coast disbanded during the COVID years, this century-old German choir claims to be the only one still in operation. German, Austrian, and Swiss carols will be performed during the next Christmas event.
German Heritage Hall, 5626 N.E. Alameda St., Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m.; $12 cash at the door only; free admission for children under 12; Facebook.com/p/Liedertafel-Harmonie.
Cast members of “Season’s Readings” (back, left to right): David Meyers, John Morrison, Wendy Westerwelle, Nancy Benner, Vana O. Brien, and Don Alder. Front: Director/Producer Louanne Moldovan.Owen Carey took the picture.
Readings for the Seasons: A Holiday Mix-Up
In an effort to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend, including those who purchase tickets at the door, Cygnet Salon rescheduled its December reading to the lobby of the Artists Repertory Theatre. A group of well-known actors from the Portland area will be led by Louanne Moldovan in a series of humorous stories and upbeat tunes that will make any theatergoer smile.
Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 S.W. Morrison St., Monday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.; $18;cygnetsalon.ludus.com.
Please send submissions to [email protected] at least three weeks before the start of your event if you would want your event to be included on OregonLive.com or in The Oregonian’s weekly printed A&E section. Links to films or digital photos are useful.
Stein, Rosemarie
@trafficportland, [email protected], and 503-221-4376
Your support is essential to our journalism. Please sign up for a subscription at OregonLive.com/subscribe right now.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
