December 2018 Events - Portland, OR

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December 1 - 16, The Holiday Express:
Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you through wilderness in the heart of the city. Round-trip rides run from Oaks Park Station through Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge to the Springwater Trail gateway on the Oregon Pacific Railroad.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 1 - 26,  Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway:
Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi”, the 26th annual Safeway Winter Wonderland powered by Advantis Credit Union, will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner.
For more information, Click Here.

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December 1 - 31, Christmas in the Garden:
​Enjoy an immersive holiday event based on a traditional European-style Christmas Market, where you can experience the sights, sounds and smells of the season. Stroll through the forest and our one million lights, while sipping a warm, spicy gluhwein. Explore our Market vendors and find the perfect Christmas gift. Enjoy music from choirs and cozy up to a wood-burning fire pit. Those more adventurous will enjoy ice skating or snowless tubing,while the rest of the crew watches from the comfort of our fully-covered, heated tents.
​For more information, Click Here!

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December 1 - January 5, ZooLights:
It wouldn’t be the holidays in Portland without a visit to ZooLights, the Oregon Zoo’s annual winter festival.  As you walk around the zoo, you’ll see a dazzling display of more than million and a half lights, and experience your zoo in a whole new light. In addition to visiting elephants, penguins and other animals, you can ride the popular lighted train.
​For more information, Click Here!

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Saturday, December 1, Harlem Globetrotters:
The Original Harlem Globetrotters are on the road for their action packed tour! A star-studded roster will have fans on the edge of their seats to witness the ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. Join Globetrotter stars after the game where they will stay for an autograph, photograph and high five session for fans (subject to availability).
For more information, Click Here!

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December 1 - 2, Holiday Ale Festival:
Imagine 50+ big, bold craft beers at one winter event. 'Tis the holiday season and beer lovers rejoice. We offer this humble gift... the gift of great beer... to the beer lovers of Portland and beyond. Come start your own holiday tradition.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 1 - 2, Portland's Singing Christmas Tree:
Katie Harman (2002 Miss America) will be joining the show this year and is very excited to be returning to the Keller Stage!  With a 300 voice choir and 26 new songs audiences will enjoy the the music and costumes from the Victorian Era. Santa Claus will join his elves at the North Pole as they sing and celebrate getting ready for Christmas. 
For more information, Click Here!

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December 1 - 2, 34th Annual ScanFair Market:
Experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and traditions of a Nordic Christmas during the holiday season! An event reminiscent of Christmas markets in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Reykjavik, and Stockholm, there are vendors, food, entertainment, games, and more.  
For more information, Click Here!

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Friday, December 7, Starry Nights and Holiday Lights:
The holidays are a chance to spend time with family and friends to celebrate many things including community. The Starry Nights and Holiday Lights event is a perennial favorite for Tualatin residents to kick-off the holiday season.  On the first Friday in December bring your family and friends down to the Lake of the Commons in Tualatin. Slip into the holiday spirit and watch the tree lighting ceremony while marveling at the holiday lights around the lake.
​For more information, Click Here!

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Friday, December 7, Duniway Home Tour:
Ring in the holiday season with a cherished Eastmoreland tradition that supports Duniway Elementary School. The tour offers a sneak peek into seven stunning neighborhood homes decked out for the holidays, along with neighborhood trolley rides and live music.  Running in conjunction with the tour is the Holiday Boutique, featuring the wares of many local artists and merchants.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 8 - 9, Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art & Craft Market:
Mark your calendars because on Saturday and Sunday, December 8th + 9th Crafty Wonderland will fill a 60,000 sq. ft. hall at the Oregon Convention Center with over 250 of the best and brightest handmade vendors from the NW and beyond!
For more information, Click Here!

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December 8 - 26, The Nutcracker Ballet:
Oregon Ballet Theatre’s annual performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker ® has brought joy to the holidays for 15 years. Join Marie and her charming Prince as they are swept away by dancing snowflakes, to a magical land of sweets ruled by the Sugarplum Fairy – all to Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score!
For more information, Click Here!

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Sunday, December 9, Holiday Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K:
Get in the holiday spirit and bookend your race season with Portland’s favorite winter Half Marathon, 5K, and new 10K in December! All races now start and finish at the beautiful LEED Platinum-certified Daimler Trucks North America campus on Swan Island and feature carolers and cookies along the course! 
For more information, Click Here!

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December 14 - 16, Do Jump & 3 Leg Torso:
Holiday Cirque Show
DO JUMP, 3 Leg Torso and friends team up for a holiday celebration full of musical, acrobatic and theatrical glory. Come be swept away by the timeless impassioned music of 3 Leg Torso, and the whimsical heart stopping beauty of DO JUMP.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 15 - 31, Lights on Peacock Lane:
Each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas for decades. 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.
​For more information, Click Here!

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Friday, December 21, Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Concert:
For many in the Northwest, it wouldn’t be the holidays without the harps, dulcimers, and energetic Celtic sounds of acclaimed family ensemble Magical Strings. The tradition continues this year, as Magical Strings announces its 40th triumphant year of annual Celtic Yuletide Concerts taking place throughout the Pacific Northwest in December 2018.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 27 - 31, Whale Watching:
Whales in Oregon!  People come from all over the world to learn about the gray whales that travel along the Oregon coast each year. Whales are visible from Oregon's shores all year long although some months are better than others.  In the Winter we watch nearly 20,000 gray whales from mid-December through mid-January as they travel south to the warm lagoons of Baja Mexico.
For more information, Click Here!

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December 30 - 31, Big Band and Beethoven: New Year's Celebration:
What finer way to ring in the New Year than with Duke Ellington’s delightfully cheeky twist on Tchaikovsky’s classic, followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and its glorious Ode to Joy? A little bit smart, a little bit sassy, thoroughly exhilarating.
For more information, Click Here!

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Monday, December 31, New Year's Eve Party with Funktown PDX:
Join the party in Edgefield's Blackberry Hall for this seven-piece showstopper of a funk band, playing favorites from the '60s to current.  Live Music also includes The Junebugs at the Loading Dock.
​For more information, Click Here!

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If you make it out to any of these events, or other events in the area this month, let us know.  
​We'd love to hear about it!