2024 Holiday Events & Performances
The Holidays are a magical time and Portland never fails to offer endless opportunities to get out and celebrate them. We’ve rounded up all of the best of the season! Head to nwkidsmagazine.com/events to find even more!
Nov 29
Santa’s Arrival at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
At Noon, Santa will arrive to the Salem Carousel aboard the Carousel Express Train, ready to greet all visitors. Soon after his arrival, Santa will be available for Photos from 12:30pm-5pm.
Visits are always free (no photos). Carousel Keepsake Photo $15 each. Take your own photos – up to 5 shots, $5 per device.
Nov 29-Jan 4
The Holiday Express at Oregon Rail Heritage Center
Climb aboard the festively decorated train, pulled by the historic Polson #2 steam locomotive, and enjoy a scenic ride along the Willamette River with Santa. It’s the perfect way to start your holiday season. Trains depart from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center Friday-Sundays.
Nov 30-Dec 1
Firebird and Petrushka at The Portland Ballet
Experience the wonder of Firebird and Petrushka with The Portland Ballet! With vibrant choreography set to Igor Stravinsky’s iconic scores, these captivating ballets bring to life tales of magic, love, and courage. A perfect experience for the whole family! See website for tickets and pricing.
Nov 30 & Dec 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21–24, 26-27
Cinnamon Bear Breakfast Cruise
Cinnamon Bear and friends from Maybeland return for the 20th anniversary! The whole family will enjoy this 2-hour breakfast cruise featuring a cast of fanciful characters to entertain the kids with storytelling, music and magic.
Nov 30-Dec 29
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at NWCT
Back by popular demand, this LIVE musical adaptation of the beloved television special returns to The Judy in downtown Portland! Join Rudolph on his adventure to the Island of Misfit Toys and the North Pole, and help him save Christmas! 11am & 2:30pm showtimes. Tickets at:
Dec 6-15
Annie presented by Imagine Theatre
With street-smarts and optimism, Annie is determined to find her long-lost parents. Although her search doesn’t go as planned, she outsmarts the wicked Miss Hannigan and discovers a new family with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell, and Annie’s lovable dog, Sandy. Tickets & info:
Dec 7
Winter Faire at Cedarwood Waldorf School
Celebrate the season at Cedarwood’s Winter Faire! Enjoy crafts, activities, and our Artisan Marketplace featuring over 30 PNW vendors. Hungry? Stop by the Culinary Marketplace for bites from Portland favorites like Tamale Boy, Let’s Roll PDX, Birrieria Don Pepe, and Alchemy Sandwich Co. Fun for all ages! 12-6pm
Dec 8, 13 & 15
Glory of Christmas
Oregon Repertory Singers pulls all the stops (quite literally) for this year’s Glory of Christmas with legendary guest organist Jonas Nordwall, who will accompany the choir in many of the most famous arrangements of traditional carols including David Willcocks’s world-famous O Come All Ye Faithful. With ORS accompanist Naomi LaViolette, patrons will hear choir, organ, and piano (and sometimes harpsichord) for versions of great holiday classics.
Dec 12-22
Wizard of Oz -The Musical Panto
A fun, interactive, family-friendly holiday event filled with slapstick, witty dialogue, music, dancing and a few wink-wink jokes for the adults. The production retells the classic story adding uplifting moments that will get both kids and adults cheering, laughing, and having a wonderful time. Use code – Oz – for a $2 per ticket discount!
Dec 13-Jan 1
ZooZoo
Having toured everywhere from Los Angeles to New York City, Imago’s crowd-pleasing ZooZoo is back in Portland, the city where it was born. This enchanting show is truly magical featuring persnickety penguins, hippos, polar bears, an acrobatic grub, and more, and the newest addition: baby birds! – tickling the imaginations of all ages. ”…a perfect first theatre experience for children!” – MommyPoppins.com
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Nov 29-Dec 15
Black Nativity
Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity tells the story of the Nativity from an African-American perspective through a combination of scripture, poetry, dance, and song with griot-style narration. A roof-raising, spirit-catching, musical tour-de-force that will bring you to your feet. Pure joy for the season! Bring the whole family. Make it a block party!
Nov 29-Dec 22
It’s a Wonderful Life
It’s A Wonderful Life is a holiday favorite for all ages! An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.
Nov 30-Dec 8
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree
For this year, you can look forward to a new Immersive Nativity set, audience sing-along, new music and dance numbers for their youth cast and so much more.
Dec 7-8
ScanFair 2024: Nordic Christmas Market
ScanFair brings Scandinavia to Portland through traditional food and drink vendors; an entertainment program focused on cultural heritage; games, activities, and crafts; and welcoming local community organizations.
Dec 11
Comfort & Joy: Songs of Good Cheer
Make memories together as the Oregon Symphony creates a magical winter wonderland through classic sing-alongs and your favorite holiday music. And, just in case you forget how many fa-la-la-las are in “Deck the Hall,” lyric sheets will be provided!
portland5.com/arlene-schnitzer-concert-hall/events/comfort-joy-songs-good-cheer
Dec 13-15
Crafty Wonderland’s Holiday Art & Craft Market
Head to the Oregon Convention Center for Crafty Wonderland’s annual Holiday Market and knock off the rest of your shopping list with gifts made by local makers!
Dec 17-24
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at OBT
Join Marie and her Nutcracker Prince as the mischievous Drosselmeier sends them on a magical adventure. Brave toy soldiers battle villainous mice, candy canes leap and snowflakes whirl, all to Tchaikovsky’s wonderous score – and don’t forget about a Portland Holiday favorite, Mother Ginger!
For more events, check out our Events Calendar!
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Families may also want to visit the Oregon Historical Society on Sunday, December 8 from Noon to 4 p.m. 67 Oregon authors will be signing copies of their books, including picture books and chapter books. Also, enjoy The Dickens Carolers at this free event.