Christmastime is truly wonderful here in Oregon. The amazing light displays, ice skating rinks, and Christmas parades will astound you and fill you with holiday cheer. To help you get the most out of the season, we’ve put together this list of 10 fabulous activities that will make your winter extra magical. Add these to your Christmas in Oregon bucket list this year!

10. See one of Oregon's amazing Christmas light displays.

The Grotto Portland/Facebook
The Christmas light displays in Oregon are simply magical. Here's a photo of the Festival of Lights at The Grotto in Portland. This is one of our favorite Oregon Christmas activities.

9. Or, better yet, go on a Christmas Lights Road Trip!

Todd Kulesza/Flickr
Take an enchanting road trip through Oregon to see some of the best light displays in the state, including Portland's Zoolights, Christmas In The Garden, Sea of Lights at the Newport Aquarium, and more. Check out this Christmas light display itinerary if you are looking for a little inspiration!

8. Take an unforgettable ride on Oregon's Polar Express train.

110 Railroad Street, Hood River, OR 97031, USA
Mt Hood Railroad/Facebook
Every year, the Mt. Hood Railroad takes visitors on a magical, themed train ride to the North Pole on their very own Polar Express, complete with hot chocolate, Santa Claus, caroling, and more.

7. Go ice skating.

What to do in Southern Oregon/Google
One fun winter tradition is lacing up your skates and heading to an ice rink! There are numerous seasonal ice skating rinks throughout the state; you'll find outdoor ice skating rinks in Ashland, Sun River, Klamath Falls, and more.

6. See the Nutcracker ballet.

Roger Meike/Flickr
All over the state, local schools, theaters, and production companies put on unique renditions of the beautiful Nutcracker ballet during the winter. These are Oregon Christmas events you'll want to plan far in advance — it isn't uncommon for performances to sell out.

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5. See the largest nutcracker in the world at the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights in Roseburg.

Roseburg, OR, USA
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
This unique festival of lights in Roseburg is home to the tallest nutcracker in the world, which measures to a whopping 41 feet tall! You'll want to see it for yourself.

4. Go to a tree lighting ceremony.

Drburtoni/Flickr
Here's a picture of the Christmas tree all lit up in downtown Portland. Isn't it beautiful?

3. Sip hot cocoa.

Bunches and Bits {Karina}/Flickr
What better way is there to warm up on a cold day than sipping a steaming mug of hot chocolate?

2. Take a picture with Santa.

T Dale Bagwell/Flickr
Santa's pretty easy to get ahold of this time of year -- stop by and say hi and don't forget to snap a photo!

1. Go to a Christmas Parade.

Baker County Tourism Travel Baker County/Flickr
Many towns and cities in Oregon host wonderful Christmas parades every year. Several of these parades are just one of the many activities Christmas towns in the state host.

What are some of your favorite Christmas things to do in Oregon? Are there any Oregon Christmas events you would add to this list? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Christmas is truly a magical time of the year in the Beaver State. Don’t forget to add these best Christmas light displays to your holiday bucket list. And, if you are having a hard time finding the perfect Christmas gift for a special person in your life, check out some of our favorite gift ideas.

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More to Explore

Christmas In Oregon

Courtnie Erickson | October 20, 2023

What are some Christmas things to do in Oregon?

There is nothing quite like Oregon Christmas events. From magical light displays to tree lighting ceremonies, there are dozens of activities to help you get into the holiday spirit. While we could make a long list of Oregon Christmas activities, the following are just a few of our favorites.

 

What are some of the best Christmas towns in Oregon?

Christmas in Oregon is even more magical when you visit one of the best holiday towns in Oregon. While there are several charming Christmas towns that you may want to visit, some of our favorites include the following:

  • Newport
  • Oregon City
  • Ashland
  • Hood River
  • Colton

 

Take a look at this list featuring just 10 incredible Christmas towns in Oregon to visit. Many of these towns will make you feel like you’ve fallen into a snow globe when you visit.

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