The One Thing To Do in Oregon Before the End of the Year

Are you looking for a fun and memorable end-of-the-year activity in Oregon that's fun for the whole family? If so, then you should check out the Silverton Christmas Market. It's open almost every evening from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, and it's the perfect place to eat, shop, celebrate, and spend some quality holiday time with the people in your life who mean the most to you.

There's so much waiting for you at the Silverton Christmas Market held at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton, and people from all over the state and beyond come to visit it during the holiday season. Plus, you'll be happy to hear that it's only an hour from Portland and approximately 30 minutes from Salem, too!

When you arrive, you'll find a variety of things to see and do, but you should start with a stroll through the holiday lights display. The resort's paths have been draped with more than 1.5 million lights, and the result is absolutely beautiful.

Next, take some time to check out the vendors. The market here is styled after an authentic German Christmas market, and you'll love exploring it with your friends or family. Nearly two dozen vendors sell items such as nutcrackers, ornaments, works of art, apparel, food, and much more. All vendors are local to Oregon, and patronizing them is a fantastic way to support small, local businesses.

After you've finished your shopping, you might consider taking a ride down Silverton Christmas Market's snowless tubing hill. It offers four lanes and is fun for all ages. Tubes are provided, of course.

If you become a little cold or tired during your snowless snow tubing adventure, you might choose to stop by the Biergarten. It offers heated indoor seating, and it's the perfect spot to take a break. Enjoy a beer, a hot chocolate, a hot apple cider, or another beverage of your choice while you chat with your companions about the wonders of the holiday season.

There's also plenty of food available on site. You can choose from a variety of options, including hot dogs, mac and cheese, soft pretzels, German baked potatoes, schnitzel sandwiches, kettle corn, gingerbread cookies, bread pudding, chocolate-dipped waffles, and more.

If you want a more substantial meal during your visit, you might consider eating in the resort's ballroom at the family-friendly Food Haus or making a reservation at the hotel's Garden View Restaurant. Groups in which all members are 21+ might enjoy sitting by the fire and listening to live music in the Fireside Lounge.

Of course, you don't want to miss a visit with Santa while you're at the Silverton Christmas Market. He'd love for you to stop by so you can tell him what you hope to find under the tree this year. And, you can cherish this moment for years to come as your little ones sit on his lap and have their photos taken.

The Silverton Christmas Market is a wonderful place to spend an evening before this year comes to an end. It's the perfect spot to make memories while celebrating the holiday season in a festive environment. Plan a visit today. There's a good chance that once you attend, you'll want to make a tradition of going back every year. Have fun and happy holidays!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Christmas adventure using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.