Go Guide

See what’s happening in your area this month!

Want to add an event? Go here to submit an event for consideration.

Click a link below to jump to that area

Submit an event for consideration in the next Go Guide

Willamette Valley

Portland December Events

Liberace & Liza: Holiday at the Mansion (A Tribute) at Portland Center Stage.

Local favorites David Saffert & Jillian Snow sparkle in this exhilarating night of musical & comical fireworks.

Join Santa Claus & his elves for a magical ride on the Holiday Express 1912 steam locomotive. The decorated, heated vintage rail cars transport you along the Willamette. Fun at Oregon Rail Heritage Center includes a Gift Shop, concessions, activities & exhibits. Every Fri & Sat. Details orhf.org/train-rides/holiday-express.

1-15

Black Nativity: A Gospel Songplay at Albina Arts Center Brunish Theatre. Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity combines scripture, poetry, dance, & song with griot-style narration. Roof-raising, spirit-catching musical tour-de-force that will bring you to your feet and bring joy to your heart. Tickets/Details passinart.org.

1-27

Portland Spirit Cinnamon Bear Cruise. 2-hour cruise on the Willamette with breakfast, cocoa, photos with Cinnamon Bear, character storytelling, autograph sessions & magic show. Tickets/Details portlandspirit.com.

2, 9, 16

Pet Photos with Santa, 4-7pm at Vancouver Mall.

Bring your furry friends to a special pet photo session with Santa Well-mannered, leashed or kenneled pets can visit Santa and his “Elf”-themed home while professional photographers capture the fun. All pets must be leashed or caged while in the mall. Packages start at $39.99. Advance RSVP recommended but not required: https://bit.ly/3Yd6df7.

Michael W. Smith – Every Christmas, 7pm at the Schnitz.

Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum, singer songwriter Michael W. Smith performs live. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

4, 11-14

Snow Day Village, noon-5 at Director Park. Cozy up by a fire pit and enjoy this winter wonderland created by snow machine @ noon, 2 & 5pm. Kids can drop a letter to Santa, & his costumed helpers will send a heartfelt reply. *Mail by Dec 14 & include return address or name to pick up response in person at the park. Details 503 823 8087.

PSU Orchestra Candlelight Masterworks Series, 730-9pm at Lincoln Hall. Featuring V Williams, Vivaldi & Haydn. Tickets/Details kselden@pdx.edu.

4-5

The NowHere Band: White Album Xmas, 7pm at Alberta Rose Theatre. A holiday circus spectacular & tribute to The Beatles featuring The NowHere Band and Rose City Circus. Tickets/Details albertarosetheatre.com.

5, 12

Adult Happy Hour with Clay, 6pm at Owl & Bee Clay Co. Want to give hand-made ceramic gifts this year? Build & glaze your project, working independently or with guidance. BYOB. Details owlandbeeclaycompany.com or 503 516 4837.

Oregon Symphony: Deanna Tham – Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, 730pm at the Schnitz. Start the holiday season with classical favorites by Vivaldi & Tchaikovsky. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

5-8

Portland Night Market Holiday Event, 4-11 at Alder Block. 175+ of Portland’s best vendors celebrating local food, culture, music, drinks and retail. Details pdxnm.com.

Enter the “Kingdom of the Sugarplum Fairy” with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at Keller Auditorium, featuring 90 dancers, 62 musicians, 40 stagehands, & more than 125 children, in alternating casts. Fav features include the 1-ton xmas tree, crystal snowflakes, & Mother Ginger, whose 85 lb, 9’ wide costume requires 3 people to help once lowered onto the dancer by pulley. Dec 7-24 with Oregon Ballet Theatre & the OBT Orchestra. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

NW Marine Art Works Hosts Open Studios + Holiday Market, 10-4 at NW Marine Art Works Studios. See artists at work, watch engaging demos, & explore a unique art community housed within a historical complex in Portland’s NW Industrial area. 75+ local artists & artisans; jewelry, art in all forms, home goods, & more. Live music & local food/beverages. Industrial building — bundle up! Staver Locomotive’s “Winter Steam Up” is happening right across the street.

7-8

Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Wild Arts Festival at Washington County Fairgrounds. Art fair, book Fair, silent auction, all benefitting Bird Alliance of Oregon’s mission to inspire the love/protection of birds, wildlife, & the natural world upon which life depends. Tickets/Details wildartsfestival.org.

Weihnachtsmarkt: A German Christmas Market, 11-6 at German American Society. Vendors, holiday gifts, crafts & ornaments from Germany, live entertainment, baked goods & glühwein. NW Craftspeople & artisans, kids activity area including photos with Santa. Details germanamerican.org.

7-8

UNIQUE WORLD: HOLIDAY POP-UP EXPERIENCE, 11-4 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Discover the next big brands, designers & artists, shop amazing items. “Atelier-like pop-up experience in cohesive sections.” Details uniqueworldofficial.com/Portland.

7-22

Five Golden Rings: A Greeting Card Channel Holiday Musical, 2pm at Broadway Rose. Humorous & heartwarming romance; an affectionate parody of America’s favorite greeting card channel. Tickets/Details broadwayrose.org (tickets selling fast).

Light Up St. Johns!, 6-11pm in St Johns Business District. One of Portland’s most charming neighborhoods lights up the holidays with multiple events. Today, see Ugly Sweater-themed holiday window displays or join the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl. Details stjohnsboosters.org/light-up-st-johns.

Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers Tribute: A Christmas To Remember, 7pm at Alberta Abbey. Jacob Westfall & Sarah Vitort, along with Jordan Sings. An enchanting blend of nostalgia, music, & holiday cheer on a cozy, festive set perfect for all ages. Tickets/Details albertaabbey.org.

7-8

Oregon Symphony: Deanna Tham – Love Actually in Concert, 730pm at the Schnitz. See the festive romantic comedy on the big screen while the Oregon Symphony plays the score live in an unforgettable movie-concert experience. Tickets/Details orsymphony.org.

Portland Christmas Fashion Show, 4-730pm at Holiday Inn, Wilsonville. Glam black-tie event featuring fashion, live performances, entertainment, & gourmet food/beverages. Walk the red carpet to compete for prizes, enter the raffle, & bring winter wearables for Union Gospel Mission. Dress code: black-tie. Tickets/Details stylebycherechi.com/portlandchristmasfashionshow.

Model Train Show Open House, 10-5 at Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club. Trains, trains, trains! Plus, animatronic chickens, fisherman, cyclists & more. The 1950s layout features architectural models of Union Station, Crown Point, Multnomah Falls Lodge, and more. Tickets/Details CGMRC.com.

8, 15

Oregon Repertory Singers present Glory of Christmas, 4pm at First United Methodist Church. Featuring legendary guest organist Jonas Nordwall accompanies the choir in famous arrangements of traditional carols. “One of the finest community choruses in the USA” — Tickets/Details orsingers.org.

PDX Jazz Presents An Evening with Branford Marsalis, 8pm at Revolution Hall. With a legendary scope of work (and awards), Marsalis is a saxophonist, band leader, featured classical soloist & film and composer for Broadway and film. Tickets/Details pdxjazz.org.

Powell’s Books Presents: Robin Wall Kimmerer, 730pm at Newmark Theatre. Educator, Indigenous scientist, & best-selling author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer asks: How can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Environmental writer Emma Marris, author of Wild Souls: What We Owe Animals in a Changing World, joins the conversation. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

Oregon Symphony: Deanna Tham – Comfort and Joy: Songs of Good Cheer, 730pm at the Schnitz. A wonderland experience of holiday favorites & sing-alongs — lyrics provided. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

12-13

The Wizard of Oz: A Musical Panto, 730pm at McMenamin’s Mission Theatre. Interactive, all-ages holiday event with slapstick, witty dialogue, music, dancing & and a few adult wink-wink jokes. Panto is interactive theater where the audience becomes part of the show. Tickets/Details portlandpantoplayers.com.

Oregon Garden Holiday Bazaar, 10-3. Family-friendly holiday event with local artisans, food & beverage, holiday crafts, live entertainment, & more. Details oregongarden.org.

14, 15

Christmas in Ukraine, 730pm at St Mary’s Cathedral. Tradition and celebration await, including music by the renowned Ukrainian composer Dmitro Bortniansky, the Palestrina of the Slavic World. Esteemed Dr. Marika Kuzma guides charming traditional carols and captivating storytelling. Dec 15 performance at Our Lady of the Lake Church. Tickets/Details cappellaromana.org.

Oregon Symphony: Charles Floyd: Gospel Christmas, 730pm at the Schnitz. The region’s premier gospel singers, NW Community Gospel Chorus, join the Oregon Symphony. Charles Floyd conducts. Tickets/Details portland5.com.

Candlelight: Winter Special, 830pm at Alberta Rose Theatre. Listeso String Quartet performs a candlelight concert featuring holiday classics. Tickets/Details albertarosetheatre.com.

17-22

Christmas Ship Dinner Cruise, 7pm om the Portland Spirit. See the Christmas ships while dining on the water. 2½ hour cruise, 3-course meal, & live piano music. Tickets/Details portlandspirit.com.

Friends of Chamber Music: VOCES8 Holiday Concert, 730pm at Reed College’s Kaul Auditorium. Back by popular demand, British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is known for inspiring people through their joy of singing. Presented by Friends of Chamber Music. Tickets/Details focm.org.

Christmas Day Cruise, 11am & 4pm on the Portland Spirit. A relaxing, festive cruise on the Willamette with live piano music & a buffet of holiday classics. Tickets/Details portlandspirit.com.

New Year’s Eve Gala, 6pm at The Ritz-Carlton. Luxurious New Year’s Eve celebration with live DJ entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, 5-course dinner, live music/dancing, plus roaming stilt walkers, aerialists, & champagne skirt girls. Tickets/Details sevenrooms.com/experiences/theritzcarltonportlandbanqueteventspdxrz/new-years-eve.

Willamette Valley December events

Eugene | Festival of Trees, 9-2 at the Graduate. 9-2 Tour 45 decorated Trees available for purchase; 4pm Light up a Life candlelight ceremony. Benefits Cascade Health’s charitable programs. Details cascadehealth.org/festival.

1-2

Salem | Magic at the Mill, 530pm at Willamette Heritage Center. Annual festival with thousands of twinkling lights & history interpreters. Details magicatthemill.com.

1-15

Eugene | Oliver! Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. Tickets/Details theshedd.org.

1-31

Independence | Exploring the Holiday Wreath at River Gallery. Details 503 838 6171.

1-31

Silverton | Christmas Market at Oregon Garden Resort. 1.5 million+ lights, authentic German Christmas Market, visits with Santa, Biergarten, snowless tubing, & more. Details silvertonchristmasmarket.com.

Salem | LESLIE ODOM, JR. – THE CHRISTMAS TOUR, 730pm at Elsinore Theatre. Award-winning songwriter, actor, & NYT bestselling author, Odom is renowned for excellence on Broadway, television, film, & music. Tickets/Details elsinoretheatre.com or 503 375 3574.

Eugene | Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 1-2pm at Eugene Family YMCA. Learn the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as the stages, risk factors, research & treatments. 1^st Thursdays thru June. Details eugeneymca.org.

Salem | Cheerful Yoga, 6pm at CreativiTEE. Celebrate the holidays appreciating what you have & where you are in the moment. Includes a Merry & Bright tank or t-shirt, wine & snacks. Details/RSVP creativiteespace.com.

5-22

Salem | Holiday Village at Oregon Expo Center. Carnival rides, food/beverage, holiday lights, seasonal treats. Thurs/Fri 5-10; Sat/Sun 11-10. Details oregonstateexpo.org.

6-7

Salem | A Christmas Carol, a 1940’s Radio Show, 7pm at Willamette U’s Theatre 33. One snowy Christmas eve in 1941, the weather made traveling to the radio station difficult for the actors of Salem’s own KSL. They are to perform A Christmas Carol by Dickens, but trouble ensues, setting off a series of comic mishaps. Tickets/Details

December 6-7 and 11-13 at 7 PM and December 8 and 14 at 2 PM

Dec 6 – Jan 4

Eugene | The Magic of Lights drive-through holiday lights experience at Oregon State Fairgrounds. 1 mile+ holiday displays. Days/times vary; details tixr.com.

Monmouth | Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities, 5pm at Western Oregon U. Vendor Market @ 5, Parade @ 6, Tree Lighting @ 630, Santa, Cookie Decorating & music, 730 at WUC. Details wou.edu.

6-30

Salem | Opening Night Reception, 5pm at Artists In Action’s Art Gallery. Featuring co-op members’ works in watercolor, oil, & acrylic, the show runs thru Dec 30. Details AiAArtGallery.org.

Eugene | First Friday at the Museum, 10-5. Investigate Oregon’s fossils, ecosystems, & cultural history. Free admission to The Museum of Natural and Cultural History every 1^st Friday. Details mnch.uoregon.edu.

Eugene | Fiesta Cultural, a celebration Latin American cultures & heritages, 530-8pm at Farmers Market Pavilion. Live music, dance performances, marketplace & more. Free admission. Details lanearts.org/first-friday-artwalk.

Eugene | Lifestyle & Nutrition Course, 7pm at Irving Grange. Free class on ways to improve, prevent, & potentially reverse chronic disease thru food. Details eugeneplantbasedproviders.com.

Springfield | A Christmas Portrait: Carpenters Tribute, 7pm at Wildish Theater. Tickets/Details wildishtheater.com.

6-8

Florence | The Holly Jolly Follies, 7pm at the Florence Event Center. C.R.O.W. presents Sweet Dreams: A North Pole Nutcracker — “Not your grandma’s Nutcracker!” Tickets/Details eventcenter.org or 541 997 1994.

6-7

Eugene | Clay Space Holiday Sale, 10-4/10-5 at clayspaceeugene.com.

Silverton | Garden U: Winter Wreaths, 11am at Oregon Garden Resort. Guided by pro florist. Tickets/Details oregongarden.org.

Salem | Indoor Winter Market, 10-3 at Wavra Farms. Details wavrafarms.com.

Keizer | Holiday Bazaar, 9-3 at Countryside Christian Church. Gifts, bake sale. Details countrysidechristianchurch.org.

Salem | Holiday Open House, 10-1 at Deepwood Museum & Gardens. Victorian decorations, Santa, roaming staff in period attire. Holiday sale in the Solarium. Details xx

Springfield | Winter Wonderland Skate Party, 6pm at Bob Keefer Ctr. All-ages skate party with live DJ. Bring or rent skates. Details willamalane.org/skate.

Salem | Etsy Team Handmade Market, 10-5 at Jack Longman Bldg. 150+ vendors, raffle baskets, kids’ scavenger hunt, Santa. Free admission & parking. Details oregonstateexpo.org.

7-8

Pleasant Hill | Pottery Holiday Sale, 10-5 at Pleasant Hill Pottery. Handmade pottery, glass, jewelry, & more. Studio/kiln/greenhouse tours all weekend. Details pleasanthillpottery.com.

7-8

Salem | Holiday Sparkles, 5-8pm at Powerland Heritage Park. Free Admission: Donations Gladly Accepted. Details antiquepowerland.com.

Eugene | Paint & Sip: “Red Truck” 2pm at Art with Aljandro. All skill levels; materials provided; BYOB. Details/RSVP artwithalejandro.com.

Salem | Watercolor Holiday Cards for Beginners, 1pm at Art department. Tickets/Details artdepartmentsupply.com

Monroe | Sunday Funday Goat Yoga, 5pm at No Regrets Flower Farm & Animal Sanctuary. Part Yoga, Part Animal Assisted Therapy. Details headquarters.goatyoga.net/events.

Corvallis | A John Prine Christmas w/ Jenner Fox Band, 7pm at Whiteside Theatre. Holiday Classics & More. Tickets/Details xx or 541 752 0437.

Eugene | Gentle Restorative Yoga w/ Robert, 10am at Trauma Healing Project. Gentle restorative yoga is for all levels. Details xx

Eugene | Tree Planting Crew Leader Training, 6pm at Campbell Community Center. Friends of Trees is seeking volunteer crew leaders for the upcoming planting season. Leaders teach volunteers how to plant & work together as a team. Details xx

Eugene | Aphasia Conversation Group, 2pm at Campbell Community Center. Supportive community where adults experiencing aphasia can improve & preserve communication skills amongst others sharing similar challenges. Details xx

Salem | Snowman Ornament Needle Felting Class, 6pm at CreativiTee. Learn to needle felt a snowman with Audrey Comerford of Wee Woollies Fiber Arts. Great for all exp levels. Details creativiteespace.com or 971 301 5277.

Springfield | 2nd Friday Art Walk, 5pm at Emerald Art Center. Details xx

Eugene | Lifestyle & Nutrition Course, 7pm at Irving Grange. Learn the power of food to improve, prevent, & potentially reverse many chronic diseases. Details/RSVP eugeneplantbasedproviders.com.

Eugene | Living River Exploration Day, 8-4. Walk near where the Willamette & McKenzie Rivers meet. Observe 15 years of tree-planting & the home of beaver, river otter, and 150+ species of birds. Offered 2^nd Saturdays thru December. Free; no need to RSVP. Details 541 345 2799.

Eugene | Death Café, 1-230 at Midway Manor Mobile Home Park Rec Bldg. Gather for tea, snacks, and conversation about the often-complicated feelings surrounding death. Not counseling or grief support. RSVP to bit.ly/cascadedeathcafe.

Eugene | Eugene | Paint & Sip: “Xmas Gnome ” 3pm at Art with Aljandro. All skill levels; materials provided; BYOB. Tonight @ 630: Paint & Sip: “Xmas Tree.” Details/RSVP artwithalejandro.com.

Eugene | “Swingin’ in the Season!” with Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus, 730pm at 1^st United Methodist Church. A holiday concert with bells, whistles, & brass. Tickets/Details eugenegmc.org.

14-15

Springfield | McKenzie Holiday Bazaar, 9-3 at Walterville Community Center.

Corvallis | “Swingin’ in the Season!” with Eugene Gay Men’s Chorus, 5pm at 1^st United Methodist Church. A holiday concert with bells, whistles, & brass. Tickets/Details eugenegmc.org.

Eugene | Handel’s Messiah with Eugene Concert Choir, 230pm at the Hult Center. Experience the complete Messiah, Including the Christmas, “Hallelujah,” and “Worthy is the Lamb” portions. 50 years ago, this work in its entirety is what Eugene Concert Choir was formed to do. Tickets/Details xx

Fashion Clownette’s Costume Academy: Sunday Sewing, 2pm at Eugene Ballet Costume Shop. Make a belt bag (aka cross-body bag) with help from Axel Dāzee, Eugene Ballet’s costume shop manager & costume designer. Details xx

15-16

Springfield | Chamber Music Amici ft. #instaballet, 2pm at Wildish Theatre. Guests join Amici to combine classical guitar, ballet, & chamber music. Tickets/Details chambermusicamici.org or 541 953 9204.

16-23

Salem | Photos with Santa at Riverfront Carousel. Visits are always free (no photos). Keepsake Photo $15. Take your own (up to 5), $5 per device. Dates/times vary: details salemcarousel.org.

Salem | The Nutcracker by World Ballet Co, 7pm at Elsinore Theatre. Multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, 150+ handcrafted costumes, Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, and Lev Ivanov choreography. Tickets/Details elsinoretheatre.com.

Salem | Candlelight: “The Nutcracker” & More, 830pm at Salem’s Historic Grand. Listeso String Quartet presents a live, multi-sensory experience. Tickets/Details feverup.com.

19-21

Springfield | Christmas Presence, 730pm at Wildish Theatre. A tapestry of stories & music that explores the wonder, the disappointments and the joy of Christmas. Tickets/Details xx

19-24

Eugene | Eugene Ballet: The Nutcracker at The Hult Center. Join Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy for an adventure filled with sparkling snowflakes, cheerful celebrations, and dancing delights. Tickets/Details xx

20-22

Eugene | Jingle All The Way! 730pm at The Shedd. Joyful melodies & holiday cheer, traditional carols & heart-warming classics. Tickets/Details theshedd.org.

Eugene | Candlelight: “The Nutcracker” & More, 9pm at 1^st Christian Church. Listeso String Quartet presents a live, multi-sensory experience. Tickets/Details feverup.com.

Salem | Sing We Now of Christmas, 230pm at Loucks Auditorium. The Festival Carolers perform traditional while dressed in Victorian costume. All-ages event includes a sing-along and children’s story. Details festivalchorale.org.

Corvallis | Jingle All The Way! 3pm at OSU Stewart Center. Tickets/Details 541 740 8098.

Eugene | Live Nativity, 7pm at Friendly St Church. Details friendlystreetchurch.org.

Salem | Breakfast with Santa, 8am at Riverfront Carousel. Join Santa for breakfast buffet, craft activities & a keepsake photo. Details salemcarousel.org.

Monroe | Holiday Goats & Stained Glass Workshop, 10am at No Regrets Farm & Sanctuary. Goat Happy Hour. farm tour, mimosas, brunch, stained glass workshop. Tickets/Details headquarters.goatyoga.net.

Eugene | Lifestyle & Nutrition Course, 7pm at Irving Grange. Learn the power of food to improve, prevent, & potentially reverse many chronic diseases. Details/RSVP eugeneplantbasedproviders.com.

Salem | The Fab Four-The Ultimate Tribute. The 2024 tour brings an all-new show celebrating The Beatles’ first visit to the US, with performances from the Ed Sullivan show and the Meet The Beatles album, plus hits of every era. Tickets/Details elsinoretheatre.com.

Salem | Michale Jackson Tribute, 8pm at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre. America’s #1 Michael Jackson impersonator, Danny Dash Andrews performs. All ages. Tickets/Details salemshg.com or 541 221 8701.

Salem | Basic Drawing Class, 530pm at Art Department. In this welcoming and encouraging environment, Bella Ramey guides simple exercises to build drawing skills & confidence. Details artdepartmentsupply.com.