Happy December, everyone! This is that glorious period between holidays, where we get to bask in the glow of Thanksgiving past and Christmas to come. Don’t you love the weeks before Christmas, when the lights start to twinkle and everyone seems to be humming carols? This weekend has lots of holiday lights, music and cheer in store for us!

Dec 2

Community Tree Lighting

It’s hard to have too many Christmas tree lightings around the holidays. All those sparkling lights never get old, do they? This weekend, West Linn will light up their holiday spirit at the West Linn City Hall and Cascade Summit Town Square. The Corner Church Children’s Choir (aww!) will fill the outdoor air with their lovely Christmas songs while attendees nibble on treats provided by Starbucks. You’ll even be able to catch a holiday movie while you’re there! Keep an eye out for Santa riding in on an antique fire engine with the Tualitin Valley Fire and Rescue Crew, and then be sure get your little ones a photo with Santa and the Sugar Plum Fairy! Free, westlinnoregon.gov

Dec 2-3

Pop-up Shop PDX

Get a head start on finding the most perfect, hand-crafted Christmas gifts this weekend! Pop-up Shop PDX is having their holiday opening party from 6 pm to 11 pm this Friday, and then the shopping fun continues at 11 am Saturday morning. Browse the best of Portland’s all-local, all-artistic, all-unique vendors; scope out some of your tried-and-true favorite artisans and stumble upon some new names from the up and coming scene. Products sold will range from clothing and home goods to art, vintage, accessories and so much more. This event is all-ages and family-friendly, so bring the whole gang for a fun day of local shopping! Free, popupshoppdx.com

Dec 2-4

Festival of Nativities

The holiday season is about many different things to many different people. For those of us who celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, there is a very special event this weekend. Pick a night and head to Beaverton for the Festival of Nativities and Carols! Festival goers will be treated to a display of hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world, live choral and string performances of carols, and there will even been a Children’s Room with crafts and a nativity scene with costumes for dress up. Canned food donations welcomed. If you’re burnt out on shopping and the hustle bustle, this is a perfect peaceful, family-friendly event. Free, facebook.com/BeavertonFestivalofNativitiesandCarols

Dec 3

Umbrella Parade

Sure, maybe when you think of the holidays, you don’t immediately think “umbrellas!” But if you’re at all familiar with Milwaukie’s Umbrella Parade tradition, you probably do. This weekend, watch Main St. fill up with umbrellas decked to the nines parading from the Light Rail Station to City Hall. Paraders will proudly display their decorated umbrellas and compete for Most Creative, Most Festive and Most Milwaukie, with prizes for both adults and children in all categories. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the parade, during the Christmas tree lighting, while you and the gang munch on cookies from Bob’s Red Mill, sip hot chocolate and hang out with Santa. And don’t forget to bring a new toy to donate to the toy drive and help spread the joy to those in need. Free, milwaukieoregon.gov

Dec 4

Caspar Babypants Holiday Show

We all know and love Chris Ballew’s adorable musical act, Caspar Babypants. This weekend, he and the gang are gearing up to celebrate the holidays with a brand-new holiday record. With these new, cheerful holiday tunes, your little ones will be giggling and wiggling their way into the holiday season—and beyond! Food and drinks for the whole family will be available for purchase in the Village Ballroom bar, courtesy of The Oregon Public House. No outside food permitted, but snacks for the littles are okay. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday music extravaganza! Kids two and under free, $7-8.24, babypantsmusic.com