Poised atop the Dundee Hills, with gentle slopes that capture the breezes and sunshine, Domaine Drouhin's 235-acre estate overlooking the Willamette Valley produces some of the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay fruit in the world.
The classic treat you love is now available to enjoy at home! This dairy-free dessert is perfect for Summer or anytime you feel like adding a little sweetness to your day. With only five ingredients and minutes to prepare, it's almost as good as enjoying this treat while on vacation...
almost.
Notes: For best results, freeze fruit in airtight containers.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup ripe DOLE® pineapple, chopped and frozen
1 ripe DOLE® Banana, peeled and frozen
2-1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon lime juice
DIRECTIONS
COMBINE all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Cover; blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh pineapple. Serve immediately.
Distance from Portland: 40 minutes This 154-acre park sprawled along the shores of the Lewis River holds acres of grassy expanse ripe for wheelbarrow races, plus picnic tables, barbecue shelters, playgrounds, a baseball field, and, of course, several swimming holes. But families seeking a mellow day on the water best head for the Larch area of the park, where a smallish sand-and-pebble beach affords easy wading and swimming for those still sporting water wings. Parents can watch from the grass clearing directly behind the beach … or return alone another day for more secluded lounging in the Ponderosa part of the park, where the current is stronger and the beaches are smaller, but curtained by rows of swaying trees.
Lower Oneonta Falls (currently closed)
Distance from Portland: 45 minutes Descend into Oneonta Gorge’s mossy, magical slot canyon, wading through chilly waters and clambering over log jams for 0.6 miles until you reach the source: the slender Lower Oneonta Falls.
Collins Beach
Distance from Portland: 40 minutes On Sauvie Island’s northeastern shores, the sandy, 1-mile stretch along the Columbia River makes for a quick, refreshing dip. Be forewarned: a segment of Collins Beach is well-known for its clothing-optional policy.
Rooster Rock State Park
Distance from Portland: 30 minutes Oregon’s other designated nude beach (see Collins Beach above), the three-mile long stretch of Rooster Rock sits just 30 minutes away from downtown Portland on the south side of the Columbia River Gorge.
Distance from Portland: 45 minutes A little over two miles into the iconic Eagle Creek trail, hikers find refuge by scrambling down to the oft-photographed, bowl-shaped pool, fed by a powerful, 36-foot waterfall.
Henry Hagg Lake
Distance from Portland: 50 minutes Despite (invalidated) rumors of ghostly underwater cemeteries at Forest Grove’s 1,113-acre dammed lake, it’s one of Portland’s best spots for recreational water sports, with picnic areas, 13 miles of hiking trails, and two boat launches.
Under Two Hours from Portland
Moulton Falls
Distance from Portland: 1 hour The utility player of swimming holes, 387-acre Moulton Falls Regional Park has something for everyone: Instagram-worthy falls surrounded by plentiful flat rocks for playing lizard in the sun, inviting flat water upstream, two miles of trails tracing the Lewis River’s banks, and a three-story arch bridge daredevils (illegally) leap off. Even better, it’s free, which means it can get crowded, so arrive early to stake out your bit of beach or stone and savor this MVP.
Distance from Portland: 1 hour As you head west from Portland to the coast, a quick turn at Highway 6’s milepost 18 leads sweaty carloads to a relatively still, wide section of the Wilson River, near where it meets trickling Keenig Creek. Rock steps fit for Q*bert and a rope hanging from the bridge offer a variety of heights from which to jump in and cool off, while risk-takers launch from the bridge deck itself. For pleasures less vertical, a rocky bar in the middle of the river is perfect for wading.
Lake Merwin
Distance from Portland: 1 hour As the Lewis River winds its way from Mount Adams to the Columbia River, three dams interrupt its delivery of glacial mountain runoff. Lucky for us. The result: a sprawling natural water park for all ages in the three massive lakes extending from the edge of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Lake Merwin, Yale Lake, and Swift Reservoir offer 12,321 acres of combined space for splashing, swimming, and good old Marco Polo. Should your brood tire of pruney fingers, excursions of a less liquid variety await on nearby Mount St. Helens’s zip line or inside the popular Ape Cave. And once your adventure’s over, your trip home is only an hour—barely enough time for a single “Are we there yet?”
Dougan Falls
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 10 minutes At the end of winding Washougal River Road, you’ll find this Washington river’s most picturesque landing: 19-foot-tall cascades tumbling into a giant, blue-green pool and a rocky beach for lying out below the adjacent bridge.
Alder Flat
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 15 minutes Whether the “flat” in Alder Flat refers to the 40-foot-long stone and sand beach or the quality of the blue-green Clackamas River stretching slowly around a bend, we don’t know. What’s more certain is that you’ll rarely have to share. Thanks to a ¾-mile hike to the water’s edge, only the adventurous frequent this idyllic swimming spot. (Fitting, since there is a slight but very manageable current.) Firs, ferns, and alder trees line the lush riverbanks, where just a few swim strokes away a trio of basalt boulders beckon from the middle of the river, gently, insistently, singing their siren song: cannonball!
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 40 minutes Tucked away in the same enchanting swath of the Mt Hood National Forest that contains Buck Lake, Timothy Lake, and Alder Flat, Pegleg Falls enjoys a more serene, off-the-radar status than these primo—but oh-so-well-known—spots. (The lack of signage certainly helps.) Just park your car at the “Road Closed” sign a few miles upstream of the Bagby Hot Springs campground on the Collawash River, and after a short stroll you’ll be treated to a 60-foot-wide pool at the bottom of a 15-foot waterfall. Flat rocks flank the pristine basin, dense foliage conceals it from the road, and a fish ladder carved into the bedrock beside the low-slung falls offers prime scrambling territory.
Cliff Pool
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 40 minutes The journey to Cliff Pool is not one for the faint of heart: it hides at the bottom of a quick but truly treacherous, all-fours descent, after a winding drive through the Willamette National Forest southeast of Portland. But once you’ve conquered this challenge, your worldly worries melt away as you settle into your own little slice of Oregon splendor. A picturesque, six-foot waterfall defines this spot on the North Fork of the Santiam River, carving out a wide, smooth bowl in the rocks—ideal for swimming and diving—while a rocky riverbank provides real estate for sunning and spying rainbow trout in the crystal-clear water.
Distance from Portland: 1 hour and 45 minutes The Potamoi (Greek river gods) themselves might well have carved out this impossibly clear trifecta of swimming holes along the Little North Fork Santiam River. Once your feet hit parking lot pavement, a mere 64 steps separate you from Three Pools’ calm aquamarine “shallows” (ahem, they’re still 12 feet deep) near a towel-ready pebble beach. Upstream, a stone totem stands guard over two clear-to-the-bottom pools that eventually squeeze into a kind of natural waterslide. You’ll pay a price—crowds—for easy access to such a striking scene, but then again, few offerings worthy of the gods come without a little sacrifice.
Two Hours or More from Portland
Lost Lake
Distance from Portland: 2 hours Isolated (think 26 miles on winding back roads) but accessible (they’re good roads), Lost Lake sits high on Hood’s slopes, at a heat-blasting 3,100 feet. Besides the 10 degrees of mercury you’ll lose on your way up, you’ll also ditch the crowds. Shrouds of firs and pines offer prime fort-building terrain for the kids (and a welcome contrast to the scarred slopes of clear-cut you’ll pass on the way here) and ring the 175-foot-deep emerald waters. You’ll need a person-powered craft, like one of the paddleboats for rent outside the 1950s-esque General Store, to gain the best view of Hood’s perfect peak—from the middle of the lake—because no motorized craft are allowed. That means only one thing will interrupt your serenity: water-bound first-timers’ inaugural whoops of glee.
Buck Lake
Distance from Portland: 2 hours Pristine Buck Lake sits 70 miles from downtown Portland—15 of them corkscrewing Forest Service roads. But the crucial last half-mile is what keeps this stream-fed swimming hole relatively secluded and unspoiled: it’s traversable only by foot. Hike through gorgeous stands of old-growth fir, serenaded by a chorus of croaking frogs and willow flycatchers to the edge of the lake’s spectacular emerald waters—waters so clear you’ll be able to see every rock and log (and sometimes fish) beneath the placid surface. A rocky section to the left of where the trail meets the lake offers the best perch for the day—besides a raft in the middle of the lake, of course.
Wahtum Lake (temporarily closed due to summer fires; call 503-668-1700 for updates)
Distance from Portland: 2 hours Rarely does a buttery-smooth paved road and a five-minute jaunt from the car lead to a densely forested lakeside retreat free of RVs and motorboats. But Wahtum Lake is a case apart. A serpentine drive with vistas of Mount Hood’s northeast face ends abruptly in pristine wilderness. Descend a winding staircase through hemlock, Pacific yew, and huckleberry to reach the glassy waters. Lakeside campsites are plentiful, and hiking options—including a stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail—abound. Take the four-mile round trip up Chinidere Mountain for a close-up of Hood.
Distance from Portland: 2 hours Photographs just don’t do this place justice. A wall of water, 200 feet across, gushes from 43 feet high into a turquoise plunge pool big enough to shelter Shamu. With a crazy (but not death-wish-crazy) vertical drop from the rim and smaller pools etched into pockets of the rock wall, this is a cliff jumper’s paradise. Hike east upriver through lush old-growth forest to discover Middle (1.5 miles) and Upper Lewis River Falls (about another mile on), stunning in their own right and ripe for swimming if the lower section is overcrowded.
Boulder Lake
Distance from Portland: 2 hours Nestled in a thicket of evergreens in a remote swath southeast of Mount Hood, Boulder Lake is uncommonly still; if someone swats a fly across the lake, or an eagle swoops overhead, you’ll hear it. The 13-acre pool sits at the base of soaring scree slopes, with a sequence of rustic campsites, some with picnic tables, tucked in the woods of its east and south shores. Travel light for a day of basking, swimming, and fishing, or pack a tent and stay the night. Twilight here is stunning.
Opal Pool
Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 15 minutes One of the Northwest’s greatest ecological controversies—the fight for and against the endangered species listing of the spotted owl—detonated here in the 1990s, with conservationists eventually triumphing over timber interests. But the establishment of the 34,365-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area in 1998 preserved more than just habitat for our feathered friends. It also protected one of Oregon’s most scenic swimming holes—a 25-foot-deep turquoise pool at the base of a frothy Opal Creek torrent. There’s only one path into these breath-stealing jewel-hued waters, though: a 3.5-mile hike down an old rocky logging road and a final leap of faith from a 25-foot cliff.
Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes Every time Portland Monthly publishes a swimming holes article, at least one genuine, well-kept secret fuels an almighty Internet-comment backlash from the elect few who already knew the place. So here we go. A gem in the crown of the 200-lake Olallie Lakes, a scenic area roughly between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, Gifford offers aqua-blue waters, campsites with 270-degree views, and private-island seclusion. But getting there involves following an unsigned, overgrown path that doesn’t exist on most topographic maps. Start at the Lower Lake Trailhead, take a left at the four-way intersection past Lower Lake, and hike less than a half-mile more until you reach a tree marred by hatchet marks. Follow the overgrown trail on your left a few hundred feet to paradise. We’ll take the flak.
North Fork of the Willamette
Distance from Portland: 2 hours and 30 minutes Prime territory for a family of dyed-in-the-wool river rats looking to homestead, this fork of the state’s 187-mile artery is too far afield for the masses looking for a speedy escape from town. Look for sweet spots 1.4, 3.5, and 11 miles east of Lane County’s Westfir Covered Bridge, with protected pools of super-clear water and big boulders for sunbathing and lounging. If things get tight—and they sometimes do, owing to the river’s proximity to Eugene—simply drive a few miles farther to find a secluded patch of your own to call home.
Distance from Portland: 3 hours With dunes on one side and leafy forest on the other, the sandy-bottomed Cleawox Lake, inside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, offers sun and shade for swimmers, paddlers, and fishers (the lake is stocked through spring with trout). A sandy beach and roped-off shallow zone, just an easy stumble from the parking lot, become kid central in the summer. Once the youth tucker out, catch the sunset from the Eye of the Needle sculpture on the lake’s eastern shore, or drive to the nearby South Jetty to watch it set over the Pacific.
Kirkland on Lake Washington
Distance from Portland: 3 hours With million-dollar panoramas of Seattle’s skyline rising against the Olympic Mountains, Kirkland is rich in more than just vistas. The core of this tree-lined burg (where salaries are on average nearly twice Portland’s) boasts a grid of high-end boutiques, wine bars, and galleries—most of which are more easily enjoyed with a platinum Amex card. Fortunately, the best part of Kirkland—Marina Park’s manicured lawns, sandy shores, and lapping waves—comes absolutely free.
Waldo Lake
Distance from Portland: 3 hours and 15 minutes Don’t even bother packing your iPhone when you go to Waldo Lake. For one thing, you probably won’t get service in this secluded basin, one of the world’s purest alpine lakes and the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Plus, you don’t want any pings and rings interrupting the silence. Thanks to a 2010 ban, nary a whir of a gas motor will tarnish your serenity at this 9.8-square-mile jewel. In fact, except for the occasional swoosh of a bald eagle’s wings and the harmonic song of a hermit warbler, the only sound you’ll hear is the echo of your paddle dipping into Waldo’s haunting blue waters, where the view down reaches a world-record 157 feet.
Sunset Beach - This wide open stretch of beach is on the North coast, right past Gearhart. In fact, it is part of a 10 mile area between Gearhart and Warrenton where driving is permitted. Here, you can drive on the beach any hour of the day, as there are no restrictions. There are also 21 paved parking spots near the park entry, where you can ditch the car if you decide you want to frolic on the beach without it. The 120-acre park is located off of US-101 and is known for it’s hiking trails and vehicle access.
Pacific City - One of the most popular places to drive on the Oregon Coast is Pacific City. There are certain areas of PC where vehicles are allowed, the most common entrance being next to Pelican Brewing, right off of Cape Kiwanda Dr. (And while you’re there, try the Pelican Spicy Burger – you won’t regret it). Beware – there are certain areas of Pacific City where driving on the beach is not allowed. Make sure to keep an eye out for signs indicating that driving is no longer permitted.
Tierra Del Mar - At Tierra Del Mar, driving access is available year-round! Tierra Del Mar is another stunning North Coast location with a couple vehicle access points. The first vehicle access point is in Tierra Del Mar, while a second access area is an unmarked beach location about a mile north of Kiwanda. Tierra Del Mar has about a quarter mile stretch of beach that cars are allowed on. Enjoy the beautiful views at this small, quaint village. Tierra Del Mar isn’t too far from Pacific City, so make it a day trip and hit both beaches while you’re at it!
Tips / Suggestions - All Wheel Drive Vehicle
Reduce your tire pressure - It’s good practice to reduce your tire pressure before you hit the sand, especially if the sand is rather deep. Reducing tire pressure causes your tires to not sink in quite so deep, allowing you to keep your vehicle on the surface of the sand. Lighter tires have a wider footprint, which helps you navigate the beach much easier. This helps to reduce the risk of getting stuck. Tire pressure depends on what vehicle your driving as well as the tires equipped, but dropping to 10-20 psi should be helpful in your Oregon Coast excursion.
PDX Jazz Festival presents 100 performances by “internationally recognized jazz masters alongside local jazz musicians” in 30 venues.
Monster Jam
March 1, 2020
Big trucks with big wheels create big noise and excitement at Monster Jam in Moda Center.
Portland Golf Show
March 1, 2020
Attend seminars, shop from vendors, and try out a driving range at the Portland Golf Show in the Oregon Convention Center.
KidFest
March 1, 2020
KidFest has an entertainment stage, sports demos, inflatables, games, kids’ activities, a petting zoo, food exhibits, and vendors at Portland Expo Center.
Free Days At The Portland Art Museum
March 5, 2020 (5 to 8 p.m.)
Visit the Portland Art Museum on Free Days, which include the first Thursday evening of every month. Free.
Holiday Hai Glow Party
March 6, 2020 (9 p.m.)
A ticket to Holi Hai Glow Party includes a dance lesson at 10:30 p.m., a dance performance at 11 p.m., body paint and accessories that glow in the dark, and DJ dance music at The Whiskey Bar for age 21+.
Billed as America’s Largest Antique & Collectible Show, this event has hundreds of vendors selling furniture, movie memorabilia, glassware, estate jewelry, paintings, and toys at Portland Expo Center. Held in March, July, Oct.
Psychic Fair & Mystical Marketplace
March 7 - 8, 2020
You’ll find tarot and oracle readings, palmistry, Norse runes, divination tools, crystals, ritual clothing, books, and art for sale at the Psychic Fair and Metaphysical Market at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas. Free.
Portland Metro RV Dealers Show
March 11 - 15, 2020
See the latest recreational vehicles and accessories at Portland Metro Dealers RV Show, the Spring RV Show of Shows, at Portland Expo Center. Repeats in Nov.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival includes music, dancing, and bagpipes at two Kells locations: Kells Irish Pub (downtown) & Kells Brewery (NW). The downtown location has a boxing event at 7 p.m. on Friday and a family day on Sunday.
OMSI After Dark For Adults
March 13 & 25, 2020
Explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight, and drink beer or wine while learning about robots, tornados, and fossils at OMSI After Dark for age 21+. This event repeats many times per year.
Portland Women’s Expo
March 14, 2020
Portland Women’s Expo features a fashion show, food samples, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, and health & beauty products at Oregon Convention Center.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
March 14, 2020 (12 to 5 p.m.)
St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival includes a family parade at noon, a family-friendly carnival and book fair until 4:30 p.m., and Irish music, dancing, food, and a beer garden until 5 p.m. at St. Agatha Catholic School.
St. Patrick’s Day at McMenamins
March 14 - 17, 2020
Portland locations
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with music, dancing, Irish Stout, Irish coffee, and Irish food at McMenamins. [Not all events they list are in Oregon.]
Portland Roadster Show
March 20 - 22, 2020
See 400 outstanding cars, trucks, and motorcycles at the Portland Roadster Show at Portland Expo Center. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Northwest Horse Fair And Expo
March 20 - 22, 2020
See precision drill teams, elegant musical dressage freestyle performances, and cowboy mounted shooting and vaulting at Northwest Horse Fair and Expo, which also has educational seminars, demonstrations, and vendors in Albany.
Tulip Fest
March 20 - May 3, 2020
See 40 acres of tulips and daffodils in bloom, visit the gift shop & cafe, and check the weekend events schedule for Tulip Fest at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. Children age 12 and younger are free.
Enchanted Forest Ball
March 21, 2020 (7 to 11 p.m.)
You’re encouraged to wear a rainforest costume or formal wear to the Enchanted Forest Ball, which includes a light buffet, a drink ticket, live music, dancing, and a silent auction at Saint David of Wales for age 21+.
Oregon Ghost Conference
March 27 - 29, 2020
Oregon Ghost Conference features guest speakers, classes, vendors, ghost tours, and social events in Seaside.
Rose City Classic is a large dog show at Portland Expo Center. Spectators will find the all-breed shows that are held Thursday to Sunday the most interesting.
Wait Until Dark
January 16 - Feb. 16, 2020
Based on the classic film starring Audrey Hepburn, Wait Until Dark is a psychological game of cat and mouse that will keep you on the edge of your seat at Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego.
Hear speakers, shop a marketplace, and enjoy fine dining during Oregon Truffle Festival. Events sell out.
Jan 23 to 26 - Eugene
Feb. 14 to 16 - Newberg
First Taste Oregon
January 24 - 25, 2020
First Taste Oregon features local art, beer, food, music, spirits, and wine at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem.
Wizard World Portland
January 24 - 26, 2020
Wizard World Portland is about comic books, science fiction, fantasy, film, horror, animation, anime, manga, and card games, at the Oregon Convention Center.
Winter Music Festival
January 24 - 26, 2020
Winter Music Festival features performances, jam sessions, a pie-baking contest and sale, and an artisan fair with 20 vendors (Sat. & Sun.) in Florence.
Reel Music Festival
January 24 - Feb. 16, 2020
Downtown Portland locations
Reel Music Festival screens new films and timeless classics with a music theme at Portland Art Museum.
Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade
January 25, 2020 (11:30 a.m.)
The Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade begins at 315 NW Davis Street and ends at the Oregon Historical Society where there is free admission plus 1 p.m. dance performances. Free.
Chinese New Year Cultural Fair
January 25, 2020
Chinese New Year Cultural Fair includes folk dance, instrumental music, martial arts, and Chinese food at Oregon Convention Center.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with lion dances, martial arts, cultural performances, and children’s activities at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Schedule.
Japanese New Year
January 26, 2020
Mochitsuki has entertainment, hands-on activities, ikebana, calligraphy, games, rice pounding, mochi, and Japanese foods at Portland State University in the Viking Pavilion.
Blizzard
January 26, 2020 (7 p.m.)
0.6 miles south
Filled with trampolines, juggling, live music, a playful sense of humor, and stunning stage design, Blizzard is a winter-themed spectacle performed by Flip Fabrique at Keller Auditorium.
Omsi After Dark
January 29, 2020 (6 p.m.)
Explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight, and drink beer or wine while learning about robots, tornados, and fossils at OMSI After Dark for age 21+. This event repeats many times per year.
Mamma Mia
January 30 - Feb. 16, 2020
Set at a Greek wedding and full of Abba songs, Mamma Mia! is a rousing musical about a young bride in search of her true father, at Winningstad Theatre.
Portland Seafood & Wine Festival
January 31 - Feb. 1, 2020
Portland Seafood & Wine Festival features “fresh Oregon seafood and wine, craft beer, cider, and distilled spirits” plus 175 exhibitors and kids’ activities in the Oregon Convention Center.
Jugglers, aerialists, and acrobats of The Portland Circus Allstars perform onstage as The Nowhere Band plays a classic Beatles album at the White Album Xmas show, with a full bar in Alberta Rose Theatre.
Willamette Shore Trolley
December 11 - 21, 2019 (SOLD OUT)
Reserve a seat on the Willamette Shore Trolley in Lake Oswego to see the Christmas Ships Parade.
Christmas Ship Parade
December 11 - 22, 2019
Portland locations
Watch 50 boats with Christmas lights cruise the Columbia River and the Willamette River during the Christmas Ships Parade. Closed Dec. 8, 9, 16. Free.
The Miracle Of A Million Lights
December 11 - 28, 2019 (6 to 10 p.m.)
Visit the Victorian Belle mansion and its 2.5-acre grounds to see decorated rooms, a million lights, a train display, and musical performances during The Miracle of a Million Lights. Closed Dec. 24 and 25. The last date on Dec. 28 is a special event.
Christmas Festival of Lights
December 11 - 30, 2019
Christmas Festival of Lights features a walk among lights, choirs, carolers, a petting zoo, puppet shows, and hot chocolate at The Grotto. Closed December 25.
Winter Wonderland
December 11, 2019 - Jan. 4, 2020
Billed as the largest light show in the Northwest, Winter Wonderland has 250 colorful displays at Portland International Raceway. Dog walk nights are Dec. 2 & 3. No studded tires or tire chains.
A Pittock Mansion Christmas
December 11, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
Walk through Pittock Mansion during A Pittock Mansion Christmas, when it’s decorated for the holidays by professional designers and volunteers, and musicians play holiday music in the music room. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
ZooLights
December 11, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
ZooLights uses 1.5 million LED lights to transform the Oregon Zoo into a winter wonderland of lighted trees, animal silhouettes, and moving sculptures. Closed Dec. 25.
Christmas in the Garden
December 11, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
Christmas in the Garden offers 1 million lights, festive music, warm fires, a Christmas market, and Santa at Oregon Garden in Silverton. A “fun pass” adds ice skating and snowless tubing. Buy tickets online to avoid sell outs. Closed Dec. 2, 3, 9, 24, 25.
The Train To Christmas Town
December 12 - 29, 2019
Take a 90-minute train ride along the Columbia River as you drink cocoa with cookies and hear music on the The Train to Christmas Town, with a visit from Santa and his elves. See schedule.
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
December 13, 2019 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Carolers sing on downtown streets from 6 to 7 p.m. and give a final performance in Pioneer Courthouse Square at 7:15 p.m. for a $1000 prize during The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition. Free.
The Nutcracker
December 13 - 26, 2019
The Nutcracker by George Balanchine is a holiday classic with outstanding choreography and dance by Oregon Ballet Theatre at Keller Auditorium.
Tuba concert
December 14, 2019 (1:30 to 3 p.m.)
Hear 240 tubas play in unison at the Tuba Christmas Concert in Pioneer Courthous Square.
Dinners in the Field
December 14, 2019 (5 p.m.)
multiple locations
Dinners in the Field features “stunning wines of Oregon over a six-to-seven course dinner expertly prepared by Field & Vine chefs using ingredients sourced straight from the host and surrounding farms.”
Holiday Express
December 14 - 15, 2019
Take a one-hour ride along the Willamette River and meet Santa on the decorated Holiday Express train going roundtrip from the white tent at 7806 SE Oaks Park Way.
The Peppermint Bear Show
December 14 - 23, 2019
A dragon wants to eat Santa’s elves in The Peppermint Bear Show, which includes “a special holiday continental breakfast 30 minutes before the show” at Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego for ages 3 to 12.
Cinnamon Bear Cruise
December 14 - 27, 2019
“Enjoy holiday treats while a cast of fanciful characters entertain you with storytelling, music, and magic” on the two-hour Cinnamon Bear Cruisedeparting from Waterfront Park at 1000 SW Naito Parkway.
Peacock Lane
December 15 - 31, 2019 (6 to 11 p.m.)
See quaint houses adorned for Christmas at Lights on Peacock Lane, which on some days is closed to cars and open only to pedestrians. Free.
Winter Solstice & Christmas Ships Viewing Event includes bonfires, food for sale, a beer garden, and a view of the Christmas ships at Milwaukie Riverfront Park with a tent in case of rain. Free.
Holiday Spirits Festival
December 21 - 22, 2019
Meet local craft distillers, sample their products, and buy signature cocktails or bottles at Holiday Spirits Fest for age 21+, and then hear live music and visit the vendors at the Saturday Market. Free.
Whale Watching Week
December 27 - 31, 2019
Volunteers will help you spot whales at 24 sites during Whale Watching Week. Mileage shown is to Depoe Bay Whale Center in Newport. Held in March & December.
New Year’s Eve Reservations via Open Table
December 31, 2019
Portland locations
OpenTable lists restaurants that offer special menus and celebrations on New Year’s Eve.
Champagne Ball
December 31, 2019
Count down to 2020 at the spectacular Champagne Ball, which has three dance floors, food, and 18 bars at the Hilton Portland Downtown for age 21+.
New Year’s Eve concert
December 31, 2019
Greet the new year listening to Pink Martini and the Portland Youth Philharmonic with special guest Ari Shapiro at A Pink Martini New Year’s Eve Celebration in Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
A ticket to The Governor’s Ball includes reserved seating, a three-course dinner, wine, dancing to live music, and a champagne toast at the Sentinel Hotel. General admission tickets don’t include dinner or seats.
New Year’s Eve powwow
December 31, 2019 (1 p.m. to midnight)
Family-friendly New Year Eve Sobriety Powwow has games and activities for kids, arts & crafts vendors, fry bread for sale, music, and dancing in Oregon Convention Center but no alcohol. Free.
New Year’s Eve - Bollywood #2
December 31, 2019 (8 p.m.)
Bollywood Roaring Twenties Party is a DJ dance party with music from India, dance performers, a dance lesson, and dancing at the Hawthorne Theatre for age 21+.
New Year’s Eve - Bollywood #1
December 31, 2019
New Year’s Eve with Anjali has dance music and dance performances with a guest band at Polaris Hall for age 21+.
New Year’s Eve comedy
December 31, 2019 (8 p.m.)
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza is four hours of sketch, stand up, improv, and aerial arts plus appetizers, dessert, and a midnight champagne toast at Curious Comedy Theater.
Holiday Food & Gift Festival features 200 exhibitors selling art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, toys, Christmas decor, and gourmet foods in the Oregon Convention Center.
House of Shadows promises a “disturbing” haunt with optional grabbing by performers at 2925 NW Division Street in Gresham. Kids age 13 to 17 require a parent. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Oct. 31.
RV show
November 7 - 10, 2019
See the latest recreational vehicles and accessories at the Portland Metro Dealers RV Show at Portland Expo Center. Repeats in March.
Lit Crawl Portland
November 8, 2019 (6 to 9 p.m.)
multiple locations
Lit Crawl Portland features local authors reading their works in dozens of bars, cafes, bookstores, art galleries, and performance spaces downtown. The after-party is 9 to 11 p.m. Free.
OMSI After Dark: Uncorked
November 8, 2019 (6 to 10 p.m.)
Taste wine while learning about robots, tornados, fossils, and chocolate, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight at OMSI After Dark: Uncorked for age 21+.
Gorge Wine Weekend
November 8 - 10, 2019
Gorge Wine Weekend has dining, tasting, touring, and talking events in Hood River and beyond.
NW Food and Wine Festival
November 9, 2019 (5 p.m., VIP 4 p.m.)
Sample 600 wines and a variety of gourmet foods from 50 restaurants at the Northwest Food & Wine Festival at the Oregon Convention Center for age 21+. This event has mixed reviews on Yelp.
The Hip-Hop Nutcracker gives Tchaikovsky’s score a modern twist with 12 hip-hop dancers (including “King of Rap” Kurtis Blow), an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist, and a digital background with an urban vibe, at Keller Auditorium.
Ski Ball
November 15, 2019 (6 to 11 p.m.)
A $125 ticket to Ski Ball includes hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, two drink tickets, DJ dance music, a silent auction via cellphone, and a chance to meet alpine skiing legend Keely Kelleher at West End Ballroom.
The Train To Christmas Town
November 16 - Dec. 29, 2019
Take a 90-minute train ride along the Columbia River as you drink cocoa with cookies and hear music on the The Train to Christmas Town, with a visit from Santa and his elves.
Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival
November 22, 2019 (6 p.m.)
A ticket to Beaujolais Nouveau includes tastes of the latest vintage, spirits, a gourmet buffet, desserts, and live music at the Heathman Hotel.
Singing Christmas Tree
November 22 - Dec. 1, 2019
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree holds a 300-voice choir singing holiday songs, and they’re joined by dancers, a cinematic Nativity, and Santa at Keller Auditorium.
Cranksgiving scavenger hunt
November 23, 2019
Cranksgiving is a scavenger hunt on your bicycle for Thanksgiving food that you donate to a food bank, with prizes. Bring cash, a bag/pack, a bike lock, and a phone to Nomad Cycles PDX.
A Pittock Mansion Christmas
November 25, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
Walk through Pittock Mansion during A Pittock Mansion Christmas, when it’s decorated for the holidays by professional designers and volunteers, and musicians play holiday music in the music room.
Thanksgiving Dinner Reservations
November 28, 2019
Greater Portland area
Find a list of restaurants offering special menus for Thanksgiving Day at OpenTable or The Oregonian.
America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar has 400 booths of juried handcrafted items plus 500 booths of commercial holiday products at Portland Expo Center. Open only Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Holiday Express Christmas Train
November 29 - Dec. 15, 2019
Take a one-hour ride along the Willamette River and meet Santa on the decorated Holiday Express train going roundtrip from the white tent at 7806 SE Oaks Park Way.
Festival of Lights at The Grotto
November 29 - Dec. 30, 2019
Christmas Festival of Lights features a walk among lights, choirs, carolers, a petting zoo, puppet shows, and hot chocolate at The Grotto. Closed December 25.
Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Light Show
November 29, 2019 - Jan. 4, 2020
Billed as the largest light show in the Northwest, Winter Wonderland has 250 colorful displays at Portland International Raceway. No studded tires or tire chains.
ZooLights
November 29, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
ZooLights uses 1.5 million LED lights to transform the Oregon Zoo into a winter wonderland of lighted trees, animal silhouettes, and moving sculptures. Closed Dec. 25.
Christmas in the Garden
November 29, 2019 - Jan. 5, 2020
Christmas in the Garden offers 1 million lights, festive music, warm fires, a Christmas market, and Santa at Oregon Garden in Silverton. A “fun pass” adds ice skating and snowless tubing. Buy tickets online to avoid sell outs. Closed Dec. 2, 3, 9, 24, 25.
