Sometimes the elves need a little respite from the holiday chaos to simply stroll (or drive) among dazzling illumination displays. Some of the top lighting displays in Oregon have been shining brightly for over a century, and we’ve compiled a list of them. Bring the kids along and visit your favorites or try something new.
The Oregon Garden Resort’s Silverton Christmas Market offers a half-mile stroll through the resort’s sparkling grounds.”The Oregonian” or Ryan Fernandez
Silverton Christmas Market
An expanded Biergarten and Tubing Hill, 1.5 million lights, new and enhanced light displays, and local artisan sellers, some of whom sell German-imported goods like nutcrackers, are all features of this magical holiday spectacular. Santa will also be there at different times. Market closed on November 28 and December 24–25.
Oregon Garden, 895 W. Main St., Silverton; admission $5–$22; secure.interactiveticketing.com; various hours everyday, November 21–December 31.
The Oregon Zoo hosts the yearly Oregon ZooLights show, which features more than a million lights. File shot from Oregon.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian
Zoolights
favorite in the Portland area The Oregon Zoo’s Zoolights feature rides on a Christmas lighted zoo train, forests of lighted trees, and life-size, sparkling animal silhouettes. The festival this year also has interactive displays by local makers and artists, such as Ron Smith, commonly known as OctoEyes; Charmed Machine’s LED stars; and Colton Nye’s moving wall of linear light tubes.
There are a few unique activities prior to Zoolights opening. BrewLights has two adult-only nights from November 15–16. Additionally, there is a night for those with sensory processing difficulties on November 18. It has the same features as Zoolights, but the sounds and lighting have been altered to create a more calming experience.
Tickets for timed entrance must be bought in advance. Oregon Zoo, 4001 S.W. Canyon Road; nightly, except Nov. 22–Jan. 5; $13–$35 depending on the time and date; oregonzoo.org/lights
Magic of Lights (Salem)
In 2023, the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center hosted the first-ever holiday illumination show. Have you missed it? This year, you get another opportunity to see the drive-through attraction, which has animation and lighting displays created from millions of individual LED lights. As you go through traditional holiday attractions like Reindeer Road, Toyland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and merry Elves, stay warm inside your vehicle.
Various evenings from November 22 to December 5 are limited night shows. Every night at 5:30 p.m. Magicoflights.com/locations/Salem-or Tickets start at $19 per vehicle and vary per night, with early purchase discounts available. Dec. 6, Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E., Salem.
Numerous winter events, such as the nightly light shows in December, are open to visitors at Sunriver Resort.Tyler Roemer took the picture.
Sunriver Grand Illumination and Holiday Light Shows
Attend the tree lighting on November 23 and return every night until January 1 for a Christmas light spectacular accompanied by upbeat music. For additional entertaining holiday decorations and events throughout the season, visit the website. Snowshoe excursions, creating a gingerbread house, and horse-drawn sleigh rides across a beautiful field are all ticketed activities.
Outside behind the Sunriver Lodge, 17600 Center Drive, Sunriver; sunriverresort.com/traditions, at different times every night from November 23 to January 1.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights (Roseburg)
There are over 500,000 lights and holiday music playing on your car’s radio during this yearly event in southern Oregon. Your winter evenings will be illuminated by over 90 animated displays. The World’s Largest Nutcracker and the Dutch Bros Holiday Village, which offers Santa visits, are further highlights. Dogs are welcome on the walk-through night on November 26 and there is a bike-through night on November 25.
River Forks Park, 380 River Forks Road, Roseburg; entry $10 per vehicle; uvfestivaloflights.com; open every night from November 24 to January 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Holiday Lights at Shore Acres features illumination displays with a maritime theme. File shot from Oregon.”The Oregonian” or Jamie Hale
Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park
Thousands of lights and exhibits are set up in the formal garden along the south coast of Oregon for the Holiday Light show. Tickets for timed entrance must be purchased in advance.
Every night from November 28 to December 31, from 4:30 to 9 p.m., on Cape Arago Highway, 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay/North Bend; $5 parking fee. You may find information about how to reserve times and dates at stateparks.oregon.gov.
Winter Gleam at Oaks Park
A festive fantasy world filled by dynamic light displays, immersive light tunnels, and sparkling walkways that will brighten the season is part of a brand-new winter lighting experience at Oaks Park. Only on weekends, it’s a walk-through event that also has activities with a holiday theme, seasonal fare and delicacies, local vendors selling holiday presents, and chances to take pictures with Santa Claus.
5–10 p.m. Friday–Sunday, Nov. 29–Dec. 29 Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; $18; wintergleampdx.com; timed-entry tickets required.
Magic at the Mill (Salem)
A weekend of living history exhibits, museum tours, Santa visits, kid-friendly events, craft demonstrations, model trains, merchants, and, of course, nighttime outdoor light displays are all available at the Willamette Heritage Center.
The Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. S.E., Salem, Nov. 29–Dec. 2, 5:30–8 p.m.; admission $10–$15; willametteheritage.org.
In December, the Portland International Raceway hosts the Winter Wonderland light show. File shot from Oregon.Graves, Mark/The Oregonian
Winter Wonderland
In 2024, the Portland International Raceway’s drive-through light show, which bills itself as the biggest holiday light show in the Pacific Northwest, will return. As you take in the racetrack’s more than 250 vibrant light sets and numerous fully animated scenarios, stay warm and dry in your own car. There will be car-free evenings this year as well, such as Lights & Leashes on Monday through Tuesday, December 2-3, and Bike the Lights on Sunday, December 1. On these special nights, admission varies; for more information, visit the website. The Sunshine Division’s year-round hunger relief initiatives, which give thousands of free, wholesome meals to Portland families in need, will be supported by all event revenues.
Hours: 5–10 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, 4:30–11 p.m. Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd., Fridays–Sundays, extended hours 4:30–11 p.m. everyday, December 15–31; general single vehicle entrance starts at $38 and varies based on date and vehicle size; winterwonderlandportland.com.
There are over two million lights in the Grotto during the Christmas season. File shot from Oregon.The person from Oregon
Grotto s Christmas Festival of Lights
The Grotto s celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023-2024 and will continue the celebration by welcoming the public to its festive Christmas event offering outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests during nightly choral concerts (see website for schedule).
Festival hours are generally 5-9:30 p.m. nightly, Nov. 29-Dec. 30 (closed Christmas day), entrance at Northeast 85th Avenue at Sandy Boulevard; admission $7.75-$16.50 in advance online, standard nights; gate prices are higher;The Grotto’s Christmas website.
Keizer Miracle of Lights Display
For almost 30 years, the holidays have been bright in Keizer’s Gubser area. The event offers a drive or walk-through of entertaining neighborhood displays and serves as a fundraiser for the Marion/Polk Food Share. On 14th Street, there is a donation station before you leave the neighborhood.
6-10 p.m. nightly, Dec. 6-26, beginning at corner of Lockhaven and 14th Street in Keizer; free;facebook.com/MiracleofChristmas.
The Christmas Ships celebrate 70 years of sailing both the Willamette and Columbia rivers in 2024. File shot from Oregon.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian
Christmas Ships
This metro area favorite celebrates 70 years in 2024! Make sure you check the schedule for an evening trip to watch the ships either on the Willamette or the Columbia rivers (dates vary). Spectators can get an excellent view of the lights from riverside locations in Portland, Milwaukie, St. Helens, Vancouver, Camas and Lake Oswego. Some restaurants book out early on Christmas Ship nights. Get your reservations in soon.
Dec. 5-22, times, dates and locations vary with some nights offering both fleets sailing together. Parades are weather dependent. See the schedule online atchristmasships.org; free
The City of Hillsboro hosts a lighting display at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex this holiday season.Image courtesy of the City of Hillsboro
Lightopia
in Hillsboro
Take a free ride through the dazzling drive-through light show at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex (where the Hillsboro Hops play). The half-mile loop features thousands of twinkling lights in bright displays that include seasonal light vignettes, colorful characters, and holiday icons. This is the light show s fifth year, and admission is still free, but new this year is a policy of advance, timed registration required on Fridays and Saturdays. Other nights are open first-come, first served.
5:30-8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 5:30-9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 6-30 (closed Dec. 9, 19, 24-25), Faber Recreation Complex, 4450 N.W. 229th Ave., Hillsboro. Visit this page for weekend reservations:hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/parks-recreation.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium will be open for “Sea of Lights” on Fridays and Saturdays during the first three weekends of December.Image courtesy of Oregon Coast Aquarium
Oregon Coast Aquarium Sea of Lights (Newport)
Drink hot cocoa, pose for photos with Santa (second and third weekend only), and see the Aquarium in an entirely new light during this annual after-hours event. Guests who buy general admission tickets that same day also get access to Sea of Lights with no exit and re-entry necessary. Special events include Santa visits Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21; area food drive Dec. 6, 7 offers $5 off admission with donation of human or pet food, live music Dec. 13 and 20.
Event hours 5-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Dec. 6-21, Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road, Newport; admission $10;aquarium.org/visit/calendar.
Displays as seen during a stroll through Peacock Lane in Southeast Portland, December 2021. Beth Nakamura/StaffThe Oregonian
Peacock Lane
Residents of Portland s Christmas Street are currently untangling millions of light strings and getting ready for what has been one of Portland s must-doholiday traditions for more than 100 years. Car-free nights (walkers only) are December 15-16.
6-11 p.m. nightly Dec. 15-31, Peacock Lane, along Southeast Peacock Lane north of Belmont Street; free;peacocklane.org
– If you have events you d like to see highlighted atOregonLive.comor in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions [email protected] least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376,[email protected];@trafficportland
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