HOLIDAY EVENTS THIS SEASON

Oregon Zoo – ZooLights 

The Oregon Zoo hosts ZooLights every year and it is a very popular community event as you can walk around to check out all of the lights, drink some hot chocolate, grab an elephant ear, and with an additional cost you can ride the train to see even more lights. 

ZooLights is open 5 to 9 p.m. each night.

The event officially opened to the public on Nov. 29 and will continue to run through Sunday, Jan. 5.

Value Nights will be on Dec. 9-12, which means the Zoo Lights prices will be cheaper than usual. Value Night hours are from 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information: oregonzoo.org/visit/zoolights 

Portland International Raceway – Winter Wonderland 

Winter Wonderland is similar to ZooLights in a sense of there being lots of lights! But instead of walking out in the freezing cold, you can stay in your warm and toasty car, bring warm refreshments, listen to Christmas songs, and drive right through the holiday lights.

As described on the website, it is “The largest light show in the Northwest, spanning the track at Portland International Raceway.”

Winter Wonderland started on Nov. 29 and will run through Saturday, Jan. 4.

With exception of special events, hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday-Saturday. 

For more information: winterwonderlandportland.com

Portland’s Christmas Street – Peacock Lane

The Peacock Lane neighborhood in southeast Portland has the prettiest Christmas lights in the town. The best part about this event is that it is FREE. 

Peacock Lane opens on Dec. 145 and runs through Dec. 31, from 6 to 11 p.m. each night.

Pedestrian-only nights are on Dec. 15-17. Otherwise, from Dec. 18 through the 31st, visitors can drive through the Peacock Lane neighborhood (warning: it gets very crowded) or still choose to walk instead.

The best way to get to Peacock Lane is by TriMet Bus, as the #15 and #75 will drop you less than a block away.

For more information: facebook.com/peacockln

Christmas Ships Parade 

The Christmas Ships parades have been going on since 1954, starting with one sailboat. Now the annual event has close to 60 sailboats (using their small engines) with different Christmas lights on each. 

The parade is a highlight for family, friends, and the community to go on the sailboat and enjoy the ride as passengers, but the views from shore are great. Depending on the schedule, the parade runs on either the Willamette River or Columbia River each night.

The Christmas Ships parade opened this year on Dec. 5 and continue most every night through Dec. 22.

For more information: christmasships.org

McMenamins Edgefield – New Year’s Eve 2020 Celebration 

For all of you age 21 and older in the Gresham community… Do you want to go out on New Year’s Eve and have a grand old time at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale? 

McMenamins is hosting a “New Year’s Eve 2020 Celebration” party on Dec. 31-Jan. 1, running 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

It costs $15 to attend with an advance ticket, $20 if purchased on Dec. 31. 

For more information: mcmenamins.com/events/210458-2020-new-years-eve-celebration