It’s Christmas All Year Round in This Artistic Oregon Town

It’s easy to get caught up in visual stereotypes when thinking about the holiday season. Christmas means snow, chilly weather, pine trees, sparkling lights, and more. Of course, there are also the typical Christmas sayings that remind us of the holiday's meaning, some reciting that "it’s always better to give rather than to receive" and "peace on earth, goodwill to men." These sayings reflect an aspect of Christmas that many perceive as the "true" meaning of Christmas: community. And, although the visual markers for the holidays can be pleasant, a town that has the spirit of Christmas all year round isn’t one that is snowy and sparkling at every moment; it’s one that has a sense of community etched into the foundation of the land itself. 

So, where can one find such a place in Oregon? The state itself has its own distinct PNW pride, evident in our weather, natural landscapes, and general sense of oddness (but in a good way, as any PNW native knows and proudly claims). But there’s one city that truly excels in showing just how strong their community is throughout the year and thus, has the Christmas spirit all year long. Say hello to Lincoln City, a small town on the Oregon coastline stuck between Newport and Cannon Beach. 

Even with all the earlier fuss of not needing visual indicators of Christmas stereotypes to carry the spirit of the holiday, Lincoln City does have some (and admittedly, it does add to its Christmas appeal). First of all, the weather. Although not snowy, Lincoln City is often cold with grey skies, rain, and a thick mist that tends to cling to the mountainside. What does this mean? Cozy vibes, of course! Then, there’s also the fact that Lincoln City exists in a place full of evergreen trees (mainly fir and pine), so the famous Christmas-tree scene is almost always present. 

But, back to the community. Lincoln City is famous for two main things: kite flying festivals and artisan glass blowing. The Kite Flying Festival happens twice a year (summer and fall) and draws worldwide attention with professional kite flyers in attendance. There, and at multiple other community events like farmers markets, parades, runs, charity affairs, Easter egg hunts, Halloween haunts, and more, the famous blown glass is often brought into play.

The city has a long history of glass blowing, but the art has become an active community event with the Finders Keepers program. Through this, glass orbs are placed throughout the miles and miles of beach alongside Lincoln City for people to find. The orbs are free to keep and offer information about the artisan who made them. In this way, Lincoln City has made its residents more involved in promoting their town, as well as actively protecting the future of the art and the artists who make it. 

Ironically, when it’s actually Christmastime, all of these factors plus the twinkling lights and holiday-themed events make the city an absolutely perfect place to visit for some Christmas spirit.

Have you ever spent time in Lincoln City? What is your favorite thing to do in this Oregon town? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you. And, if you are ready to start planning your next trip to the Oregon Coast, make sure to try Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.