10 Things to do in Portland at Christmas

If you're someone who enjoys exploring new places at Christmas time, then Portland is an unforgettable experience for you. It's an attractive option, as it's one of the cheapest cities to celebrate the holidays with the family. In addition, you'll find food tours that show you the essence of the city through the palate, as well as colourful festivals and cultural offerings.

During your stay I invite you to discover Portland' s best holiday activities, including light displays, Nutcracker screenings, pine tree fields at holiday farms and must-see multi-sensory experiences at perimeter flea markets.

Christmas festivals celebrate Portland's local traditions and decorate the atmosphere with lights, music, food and entertainment. It's the best way to find a variety of activities in one place and optimise your Christmas itinerary. Here's a list of the most important events of the season so you don't miss out on a second of fun.

La Gruta Festival of Lights

The Grotto Festival of Lights takes place between November and December and you'll find a festive atmosphere in what is a Catholic shrine and garden located fifteen minutes from the centre. There are usually live entertainment, puppet shows and hot chocolate tastings.

You can also see the choirs in Mary's Chapel and take a night tour to see all the light installations.

Portland Christmas Boat Parade

Alternatively, head to the Seaport for the Portland Christmas Boat Parade, considered one of the most special shows. It' s free and lights up the Willamette River at dusk with decorated boats sailing through the cool December nights.

If you want to experience the experience and see the catamarans lit up up close I suggest booking a dinner cruise on the Willamette River in Portland on the day of the parade so you can have an enjoyable evening.

ZooLights

Among the festivals that have become popular in recent years is ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. It's an ideal event if you're planning to visit Portland with children, as it's all about theatrical evenings and sensory shows. There are also adult areas where you can cool off with a craft beer.

You can glide through glowing tunnels, ride the zoo train and walk through all the installations decorated with millions of lights. Admission starts at 15 euros for children and 20 euros for adults.

Winter Light Festival

Winter arrives in Portland from December to March, so the holiday season is all about the colours and events. So don't miss the Winter Lights Festival which coincides with the festivities and offers activities from November to December. It features more than 160 light installations and each year there are pop-up locations that expand the festival throughout the metropolis.

It's completely free and features art programmes, fire shows and lantern parades along the city's main thoroughfares.

A cultural experience that will leave you spellbound is the Christmas markets, whose mix of smells, sounds, colours and flavours will stimulate your senses and ignite the Christmas season. In Portland they are often filled with twinkling lights, handcrafted goods, traditional entertainment and local food.

Here's a list of some of the most interesting ones:

Crafty Wonderland

Crafty Wonderland Christmas Market is the perfect place to browse for gifts and try your hand at seasonal food. It is also known for giving gifts to the first 175 people who arrive at the event. It's completely free, but only available for one weekend in December. If you're organised, this can be a great plan for a 3-day stay in Portland.

It is sometimes accompanied by Christmas concerts and other entertainment that embellish the season. Keep in mind that the rest of the year offers other interesting events, as well as art passages and seasonal markets.

The Portland Bazaar

The Portland Bazaar is a Christmastime classic, as it has a homey atmosphere that brings together the best traditions of Oregon's largest city. It first opened in 2011 and every December since then brings exciting events, traditional shows and gift stalls that represent the local feel.

You'll find more than 160 manufacturers and, specifically, the season kicks off with the European market that sets up in late November. Later on, the Christmas market is held throughout the month of December.

Every city has special dishes that bring warmth to family tables during the holidays. Portland is no exception and is known for its rich cuisine, which is influenced by many different cultures including Asian, Mexican and Mediterranean. Therefore, there is no one favourite food that accompanies Christmas, rather there is a diversity of emerging proposals.

A guided tour can be the perfect option to create a first contact with its gastronomy, especially in December when the restaurants are full to capacity and it is difficult to move among so many tourists. This way, it will be easier to try seasonal flavours that the locals are proud of, such as:

• Hanukkah Sufganiyot: this is a Jewish dish that resembles a doughnut and has been adopted in Portland.
• Seafood: There are many different seafood flavoured dishes, and to celebrate Christmas there is a Feast of the Seven Fishes in some restaurants, with 5 different gastronomic offerings.
• Portland Doughnuts: During the holiday season you can book a doughnut tour of Portland, with special flavours and holiday decorations.
• Eggnog: Eggnog is a traditional Christmas drink made in the United States with milk, eggs and sugar.

Another must-see aspect of Christmas in Portland is the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, an annual tradition that takes place at the end of November, usually the day after Thanksgiving. You can attend as a family to enjoy Santa's appearance and choral entertainment.

While it's the largest of its kind, it's not the only option. You will also find the Christmas Wishing Tree which was adopted from the culture of Japan, China and India. Note that such displays are set up in northern neighbourhoods and involve a ritual of thanksgiving that requires you to bring offerings or letters to fulfil your most cherished wishes.

Finally, there's the Singing Christmas Tree, a majestic fir tree set up at Sunset Presbyterian Church, which features performances by Santa and his elves, as well as special appearances by the local choir.

Portland's most enchanting places come alive during Christmas, emphasising their beauty through lightings and cultural events. Of course, you can't overlook the local mansions, which have been preserved for decades and simulate palaces in the midst of modern civilisation.

Specifically, you'll want to make time on your itinerary for the following offerings.

Pittock Mansion

The Pittock Mansion is a museum that preserves the legacy of an important family that lived in Portland decades ago. Its façade is striking and there are interesting temporary exhibitions throughout the year. However, nothing compares to the magic of Christmas. Its interior is transformed into a winter fairytale with lights and decorations that are reinvented every year.

This event can be seen from November to January and it is recommended to buy tickets in advance to ensure the experience. Children under 5 are free and adult tickets are available from 15 euros.

Victorian Belle Mansion

Another popular mansion on the perimeter of Portland is the Victorian Belle, whose gardens and spaces are illuminated for Christmas. Different types of festivals are organised here, usually taking place between November and December. The most popular are related to the history of the house and feature seasonal dramatisations.

If you'd like to get out of Portland to explore the surrounding area, a great option is the Christmas farms, which offer refreshingly unusual plans. Want to cut down your own pine trees or simply witness the process? Then your first stop is Quail Creek Ranch, which is open the last few months of the year for the Christmas season.

Note that this particular farm usually operates from Friday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:30. It is also located just a few minutes away by car or on the Portland TriMet lines 4 and 44. Alternatively, visit Hemphill Farms an hour away by trolley, where you'll find an enriching experience with Santa shows and pine logging.

One of Portland's most popular Christmas theatrical showings is the ballet show The Nutcracker, a classic that has captivated generations for decades. To enjoy a performance, I suggest a trip to the Oregon Ballet Theatre, which offers 12 performances in December that will take you back to your childhood.

In this way, you will be immersed in a fairy tale represented through ballet choreographies that are complemented by costumes, scenery and concepts that embellish each scene. Both its traditional version and the adaptations implemented year after year have a special touch that connects with the essence of Christmas.

Depending on the location you can find tickets from 5 euros, but I recommend buying them in advance as they sell out quickly.

A Portland Christmas is not complete without a ride on the holiday train. This experience takes you on a fun ride on the Holiday Express which offers an approximately 75-minute journey along Oregon's North Pole. If you dare to experience this adventure, then you must follow the dress code and wear your best Christmas pyjamas on board.

This way, you will follow a captivating itinerary with Christmas stories, music shows in the cars, special surprises and souvenirs of the experience. It's usually only available from November to December and offers striking views of the Willamette River and other natural scenery. If you plan to ride the Christmas train, then you should buy tickets in advance, as it's a sell-out activity.

You're allowed to succumb to temptation at Christmas, so don't worry if you're crazy about the idea of a tour of Portland' s craft breweries. It's one of the most exciting plans of the season, allowing you to indulge in the star drink that often accompanies the festive atmosphere. In fact, some breweries offer seasonal offerings and limited editions that can only be consumed during the season.

For example, you can try winter ales, spruce ales and spiced ales to keep you warm during the cooler days of the year. People also often enjoy Oregon hot chocolate, hot cider and classic eggnog. If you don't know where to start, it might be best to book a Portland beer tour to plan the best tour for you.

The cold weather arrives in Portland in December and locals organise holiday marathons to keep the mood warm and energetic. There are proposals with different levels of intensity, ideal for the whole family. Here is a selection of my favourite roads:

• Daimler Holiday Half: it is an annual race with 5 and 10 kilometre routes, which can be done comfortably with the family.
• Jingle Bell Run: is the most popular marathon of the season and takes place in early December. Most editions have donation programmes for charitable causes, so it's an empathetic gesture at the best time of the year to share.
• Holiday Ale Fest: If you want to merge a marathon with a beer tour of Portland, this is the adventure that fits best. It's a beer event where you can enjoy a mix of activities including themed cider tastings, bratwurst tastings and live music performances.

Alternatively, take part in SkiBowl's Cosmic Tubing - far from being a traditional road race, it's a friendly river tubing competition that will take you on an out-of-the-ordinary experience. This way, you can experience the adrenaline rush of sliding down a raft at full speed.

• Weather: Christmas in Portland coincides with winter, so it is advisable to dress warmly.
• Booking: It tends to be a busy time for tourists, so book early to secure accommodation, flights and experiences.
• Excursions: There's plenty to see and do in the city and if you've got the time you can book a trip to Mt Hood from Portland, where Oregon's North Pole is hidden away with hundreds of snowy activities including hiking, skiing, camping, light aircraft flights and Christmas exhibits at the Mt Hood Museum and Cultural Centre.