The holiday season is finally here, and all over Oregon people are beginning to cut down Christmas trees, write wish lists, and haul out Christmas lights to decorate their houses. Every town has its own way of celebrating the holidays; there are community tree lightings, seasonal concerts, Christmas trains, food drives, and boat parades... you name it. Christmas in Oregon is an absolute delight, and these are some of the best Christmas towns in Oregon to add to your list this year. How many of these Christmas towns in Oregon have you visited?
1. Sumpter
One of our favorite Christmas towns in Oregon, Sumpter is an amazing place to be during Christmas time. You can take a ride on a Christmas train, watch a Christmas parade, take a snowmobile ride, check out the Christmas bazaar, and help decorate the community Christmas tree. Read more about this historic small town in Oregon here.
2. Oregon City
In Oregon City, Christmas is celebrated with a tree lighting, a winter farmers market, and the Christmas Fantasy Trail.
3. Hood River
Hood River gets decked out for Christmas by decorating the town with twinkling lights. There's a tree-lighting, a parade, caroling, and more.
4. Newport
Newport, Oregon, welcomes the holidays with a whole festival of fun. Past years have featured a festival of trees, a lighted boat parade, a holiday bazaar, and the Little Nutcracker, a Nutcracker performance put on by kids. There's also the Sea of Lights at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which will absolutely blow you away.
5. Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a historic, picturesque town that loves to celebrate Christmas. The whole town is decorated in red bows and twinkling lights. Past years have featured a tree lighting, carolers, a parade, a Jolly Holly Trolley, a Christmas bazaar, and more.
6. Medford
Medford is a lovely place to be in the winter, and it's full of holiday spirit. There are phenomenally decorated houses, a festival of trees, Christmas performances, Santa workshops, a holiday bazaar, and the Greystone Court Holiday Food Drive.
7. Ashland
Christmas in Oregon isn't complete without paying a visit to Ashland, one of the best Christmas towns in the state. Christmas has been a big deal in Ashland for a long time, as you can see from this 1960s postcard. There's the Festival of Light, Santa’s parade, caroling, a winter ice rink, the Artisan’s Christmas Faire, wreath-making, A Christmas Carol at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre, and so much more.
8. Bend
Bend gets festive at Christmas time with carolers, holiday markets, a parade, carriage rides, and more. Their most unique Christmas event has got to be the Annual Christmas Paddle, where residents take to the river on their kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes, all decorated for the holidays. It's a uniquely Oregon Christmas experience everyone should see at least once!
9. Florence
When the holidays come around, Florence hosts some great festivities, like the Heceta Head Lighthouse Victorian Christmas Open House, a Christmas choral event, a festival of trees, tree lighting, Christmas concerts, the Nutcracker, and more.
10. Portland
One of the most popular Christmas towns in Oregon, Portland is a great city to find yourself in during the holiday season. With tons of holiday parties, a huge tree lighting, light shows, Christmas-themed performances, the Holiday Ale Festival, Santacon, and more, the holidays are an exciting time in Portland.
11. Salem
Salem, Oregon, is a magical place in the winter. There's an annual tree lighting, a Christmas boutique, and the festive Magic Mill holiday celebration.
12. Coos Bay
One of the greatest things about Christmas in Coos Bay is the Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park, an incredible garden light show. In the Garden House, you'll find hot cider, punch, coffee, and cookies, as well as occasional entertainment in the Performance Pavilion.
13. Baker City
The historic Baker City knows how to celebrate Christmas. The city is decorated beautifully, and the holiday events include a festival of trees, a Christmas bazaar, a family holiday craft day, and the twilight Christmas parade and tree lighting.
What are your favorite Christmas towns in Oregon? Give your favorite small towns a shout-out in the comments below! For more holiday adventures, check out some of our favorite spots to see Oregon Christmas lights.
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