When it comes to holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Eve in Portland, Oregon, for us it all comes down to where one can experience Portland in a old fashioned way with friends and loved ones.
MT. HOOD RAILROAD'S POLAR EXPRESS
11/12 thru 12/28, 2011
Climb aboard Mt. Hood Railroad's Polar Express as the train makes it's imaginary roundtrip journey to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, a treat and a special gift for each child. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas and read along with he story as the train makes its magical journey to the North Pole.
Click Here for more details.
THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS EVE AT TIMBERLINE LODGE
Mt. Hood’s Historic Timberline Lodge is the perfect majestic setting for a magical Holiday experience. Enjoy a seated dinner that highlights traditional holiday favorites and seasonal accompaniments. Pull up a comfy chair by one of our fireplaces and gaze at the 30′ tall Christmas tree just outside the Cascade Dining Room (will be put up closer to the holidays) or work-off your meal by putting on a pair of ski's and shooshing down the slopes.
FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL TIMBERLINE LODGE'S HOLIDAY RESERVATION SPECIALIST – RYANE GRIFFIS AT 503-272-3267.
THANKSGIVING
Seating Times (1:00pm to 7:00pm)
Adults, $65.00, children 4-11 yrs. $18.00
3 & under are free.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Special Note: Santa will be at this dinner giving out presents to children ages 14 and under.
Seating Times (3:00pm to 6:00pm)
Adults, $75.00, children 4-11 yrs. $18.00
3 & under are free.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Seating Times (1:00pm to 7:00pm)
Adults, $75.00, children 4-11 yrs. $18.00
3 & under are free
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Special Note: Too Loose Band will be playing for the second seating.
1st seating – Adults, $85.00, children 4-11 yrs. $18.00
3 & under are free. Seating Times (5:45pm to 7:00pm)
2nd seating – Adults, $110.00, children 4-11 yrs. $18.00
3 & under are free. Seating Times (8:15pm, to 9:30pm)
Click Here for more detailed information.
THANKSGIVING IN WINE COUNTRY!
November 25 through 27, 2011 more than 160 wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley will open their doors for special tastings and holiday festivities. Enjoy this unique opportunity to visit some of the region’s small, family-owned wineries only open to the public on select holiday weekends.
Click Here for more detailed information.
2011 PIR WINTER WONDERLAND
Open Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) - Dec. 25*
*Closed Tuesday Nov 29, Dec 6, and Dec 13.
Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi", the 19th annual Jubitz Winter Wonderland - Powered by Comcast will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a Holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. Spectators can enjoy the most spectacular drive-through light show in the region, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle.
Click Here for more details.
2011 MACY'S HOLIDAY PARADE
11/25/2011 9 AM - 10 AM
Macy's is proud to usher in the 2011 holiday season on Friday, November 25 with the annual My Macy's Holiday Parade in downtown Portland. Straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus will be spreading joy and good cheer as he winds his way through the streets of Downtown Portland on his sleigh. Accompanied by Macy's unique inflatable floats and costumed characters, Santa will lead the parade to the downtown Macy's where he will open Santaland at 11 a.m. for the 2011 holiday season. The My Macy's Holiday Parade, one of Oregon's most treasured family traditions, will begin promptly at 9 a.m. on the corner of NW Park and Davis. The parade will travel east on Davis to Broadway, south on Broadway to SW Alder, east on SW Alder (past Macy's) to SW 4th, north on SW 4th to NW Flanders, west on SW Flanders to NW Park Avenue. The parade lasts approximately one hour. Those wishing to secure curbside seating are encouraged to arrive early. Featuring 24 inflatable floats, local school and community marching bands, drill teams, equestrian units and over 450 costumed characters, this year's parade will introduce a new inflatable Matryoshka (Russian Nesting Dolls) float. In addition, we will feature new costumes from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York! Special guests will also be joining the festivities, including an amazing Make-A-Wish family who will ride alongside local Portland dignitaries and treasured community organizations.
Click Here for more details.
2011 SANTALAND AT DOWNTOWN PORTLAND MACY'S
11/25/2011 - 12/25/2011
11 AM on Nov. 25, 2011 - 5 PM on Dec. 24,2011
Santa Claus will take his holiday post at Santaland for the holiday season on Level A of the downtown Macy's store. Santaland will offer daily photos with Santa through Friday, December 24. A wide assortment of digital photography packages and Santa photos will be available almost immediately after they're taken. The famous Monorail and train garden will also be on display next to Santaland for candid family photo opportunities. For more information go to www.macys.com/believe.
Click Here for more details.
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY at Pioneer Courthouse Square presented by SmartPark
11/25/11 - 5:30pm
Be Merry at the Square! On the day after Thanksgiving, Portlanders will gather at the Square to celebrate the official start of the season by lighting the spectacular 75ft Tree provided by Stimson Lumber Company. This year's event will feature a holiday sing-a-long featuring Pink Martini, members of the Oregon Symphony, and the Pacific Youth Choir. With a big tree, lots of lights and a great community sing-a-long this is an event you won't want to miss!
For more details click here.
2011 ZOOLIGHTS
11/25/11 through 1/1/12
Celebrate the holiday season amid the sparkling lights and brilliant hues of ZooLights.* More than a million lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes.Cap off your visit by boarding the zoo's light-bedecked steamer train, which provides a unique view of the ZooLights splendor.
Click Here for more details.
2011 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Friday, November 25 – Friday, December 30, 2011
At The Grotto, NE 85th and Sandy Boulevard, Portland
Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The 2011 festival features nearly 170 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the 2011 festival theme “Joy to the World” reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers to many thousands of families from around the Pacific Northwest.
Click Here for more details.
ALPENROSE CHRISTMAS IN DAIRYVILLE IS BACK!!
Storybook Lane and Santa's House open weekends in December with additional hours for Santa.
Click Here for more details.
2011 CHRISTMAS SHIP PARADE
12/8-20, 2011
This year marks the 57th year for the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon. Please click on the Willamette or the Columbia Schedule links for complete schedules with route details including viewing locations and times for restaurants, hotels and outdoor viewing. The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets will be out every night for two weeks beginning December 8, 2011 and running nightly through December 20, 2011. The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, WA on Dec. 3rd.
Click Here for more details.
2011 PEACOCK LANE
12/15 through 12/31, 2011
Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. Mostly Tudors, the houses are adorned with not only beautiful sparkling lights, but also nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees and stunningly life-like replicas of Santa and Frosty. Be forewarned: this is a very popular Portland tradition and the crowds can get quite thick. It is wise to park several blocks away and walk, rather than drive through the area. Better yet, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. More info about the carriages is available at Cowboy Carriage.
Click Here for more details.
Downtown shopping and christmas package schlepping can leave one weak. Our favorite places to "Nosh"?
The BlueHour
Hall Street Grill
The Heathman
Huber's
JoBar / Papa Hayden's
The London Grill
The Melting Pot
Oba!
The Original Pancake House
Papa Hayden's
Portland City Grill
Salty's on the Columbia
The Saucebox
Tad's Chicken and Dumplings
Trader Vic's
Favorite hotels for "Operation Christmas Wrap" & a couples massage?
The Heathman
Hotel Lucia
Hotel DeLuxe
The Nines
