This weekend is shaping up to be all about putting that little historical touch on your holiday outings. Portland has some rich history and great stories to tell, so prepared to be charmed as it all gets wrapped in lights and set to a soundtrack of Christmas carols!

All Weekend

WinterVille Festival

Start a new holiday tradition this year with the Zimmerman Heritage Farm. WinterVille is a brand new festival celebration of the season, located at the historical Zimmerman Heritage Farmhouse. Take a tour of the beautifully decorated Zimmerman home and feel the joy of holidays past. There will be a winter beer and cider garden for the 21+ crowd, local food and craft vendors to browse, a children’s area with fun crafts and free photos with Santa for the little ones. And as a lovely backdrop to all the celebrating, local high school choirs will fill the air with holiday song and good cheer. A $2 discount is offered to all who bring a canned food item or new, unwrapped toy to donate. $8-12, facebook.com/WinterVilleAtTheZimmerman

All Weekend

Christmas in Dairyville

Dairyville is already a charming replica town of the old western frontier. For the holidays, this town pulls out all the stops to give you and the family a real, old-timey holiday experience. Vintage store fronts will shine with lights and winter greenery, animals will file in to fill Storybook Lane with their friendly, furry presence, local choirs will be singing and Santa himself will be there to fill your littles with Christmas wonder. If you start feeling chilly, pop into the Opera House and cozy up with a holiday movie. Free, alpenrose.com

All Weekend

Reindeer Village

If you’re looking for holiday myth and magic, you’ll find it on the winding paths of Reindeer Village in Vancouver. Take the shuttle from the Vancouver Dog Walk Park at the BPA Ross Sub Station, and be transported to a storybook setting of enchantment. Meet the elves that live at Candyland and enjoy one of their special treats. Wander on the gravel paths until you hear the sounds of the season, and you’ll know you’ve reached Fairyland. Step into the woods to take a peak into the lives of fairies and their tiny, magical homes, and follow the forest displays to a musical light show. When you find the hobbit house, peak inside, but don’t disturb the residents! At the end of your hour visit, stop for a picture with Santa, indulge in delectable hot cocoa or cider, and make an ornament to take home. Children under 3 free. $10-15, reindeervillagenw.com

Dec 9

The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition

There are few things quite so holiday-cheer-inspiring as a troupe of rosy cheeked carolers. But nowadays, it’s not so common a sight on frosty December streets as it once was. If you feel a little nostalgia for this charming tradition, then you should head to Pioneer Courthouse Square this Friday for The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition! Bundle up with friends and neighbors, big and little, and get your fill of holiday song as voices fill the Square. Free, thesquarepdx.org

Dec 10-11

Christmas Tea Benefit

The holidays are a wonderful time that serve to remind us how important it is to give. This Saturday and Sunday, the Historic Overlook House is hosting a charming Christmas tea event to benefit Old McDonald’s Farm, Inc. Old McDonald’s Farm is a non-profit children’s program that combines farm animals, agriculture, gardening and natural resources in an educational out-reach program for all children, including at-risk and special needs children. Spend an afternoon listening to live Christmas music by violinist Chibia Ulinwa, sipping on tea and picking at traditional sweet and savory High Tea fare. Children are welcome, and large parties can be accommodated. A great event if you have family in town! Check out the Farm Store if you have some shopping to get done, proceeds will also benefit Old McDonald’s Farm. $39, $15 if tax deductible, oldmcdonaldsfarm.org