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It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but we are totally ready for Christmas. Portland is a pretty small city, but during the holiday season, there are several options for Christmas light viewing.
We are only listing three for now, but there are many other spots throughout the city. If you have any suggestions, let us know in the comments below!
Photo: Waz Mix Pix
November 25-December 30, 2018One of the most popular attractions in Portland during the holiday season is The Festival of the Lights at the Grotto. Featuring live concerts, over 500,000 Christmas lights, a live nativity scene, and other festive entertainment, there’s something for everyone.
A live, master puppeteer does 3 shows nightly at 6, 7, and 8pm. If you want to hear The Grotto Carolers perform classic Christmas carols, you can listen at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30pm every night.
Each night, the 600-seat Chapel hosts 5 live concerts. If you would like to attend a concert, it’s best to arrive 30 minutes before it starts. These start at 5:15, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00pm.
The festival itself takes about 75-90 minutes to walk through and fully experience. Visitors should dress warm for the weather and expect to walk about a quarter of a mile.
General Admission: $12.00Senior(65+)/Military: $11.00Children (3-12): $6.00Children (2 & under): Free(Purchase tickets at the gate)
Visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of canned or dry food benefiting Snow-Cap, an East-county food bank.
ADDRESS8501 NE Skidmore St,Portland, OR 97220
HOURSNightly 5 – 9:30pmGrounds close at 10pm
Photo: ZooLights//The Oregon Zoo Steamer decked out for Zoo Lights
Nov. 21, 2018 through Jan. 5, 2019.Closed Nov. 22 & Dec. 24-25 for the holidays, & Nov. 27-28 for BrewLights.Value Nights are Nov. 26, 29 & Dec. 3–6 & 10–13. Zoo For All families are also welcome to attend those dates.
Another great Christmas lights festival is the Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights. With over 1.5 million lights, you will experience the zoo like you never have before.
You can see the lights and visit the animals all in the same trip. One of the most popular attractions at ZooLights is the lighted train.
If you are hungry, grab some dinner at the food carts. You can also get a classic elephant ear, hot cocoa, and light-up cotton candy.
Oregon Zoo members get into ZooLights for free! Adults 12-64: $17.95//Value Nights: $12.95Seniors 65+: $15.95//Value Nights: $10.95Youth 3-11: $12.95//Value Nights: $7.952 & Under: Free//Value Nights: Free
For those of you who want to drink a beer while walking through the festival, BrewLights is November 27 & 28.
Zoo For All is an Oregon Zoo program that offers lower priced tickets to individuals and families who qualify for a variety of income assistant programs.
ZooLights ADDRESS4001 Southwest Canyon Road,Portland, OR 97221
HOURSNightly, 5-9pmValue Nights, 5-8pm
Photo: Beth Nakamura//OregonLive Staff
December 15-31, 2018
This FREE light festival is one of Portland’s most popular holiday events. Once a year, every house in this southeast neighborhood decorates for Christmas, as they have for several decades.
Each house has a different theme and some are extremely elaborate. They even had a Star Wars themed house like in the photo above when I went.
Peacock Lane is closed for pedestrians only nights on December 15, 16 and 17 and Portland Police may close the street on additional nights. Click here for the full schedule.
Be prepared for large crowds and tough parking because it gets extremely busy.
PEACOCK LANE ADDRESSBetween SE Stark St. & SE Belmont St. One block east of SE 39th
HOURSNightly, 6-11pm
We can’t wait to hear about the Christmas-themed activities you do this winter.Tag us in your photos on Instagram with #discovermthood.