5 Wow Spots for Christmas in Portland Oregon

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Here are some great places to enjoy holiday events and decorations and 5 of my favorite wow spots to experience Christmas in Portland, Oregon.

Rainstorms or not, Portland, Oregon, is filled with holiday spirit. Since the Pacific Northwest is known for having some damp, grey weather this time of year, the sparkle of lights and decorations is more than welcome. Here are some great places to enjoy holiday events and decorations during the 2025 holiday season, and 5 of my favorite wow spots to experience Christmas in Portland.

Editor’s Note: This was originally written by Elizabeth R Rose in 2021, but has been updated for 2025.

1—Christmas in Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square and Downtown

After Thanksgiving, the holiday season in Portland is traditionally kicked off with the lighting of a 75-foot Douglas fir tree. Surrounding the square are shops and stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, and the Pioneer Place Mall. All usually decorate for the season and entice shoppers inside for a bit of tax-free shopping.

This year’s Douglas fir was grown on sustainable forestlands in Timber, Oregon. It arrived in Pioneer Courthouse Square on November 12, 2025, with the help of Highway Heavy Hauling, a woman-owned Oregon-based trucking company. The gorgeous Douglas fir is 75 feet tall and weighs more than 9,000 pounds. It glistens in 9,500 multicolored LED lights.

There are usually performances by school children and dance groups throughout the season. One spectacular event has been the 34th Annual Tuba Christmas Concert, bringing the square to life with the sound of 300 tubas performing a medley of seasonal songs in unison. (Free) There is also a nightly Menorah lighting December 14 through 21.

2—Christmas in Portland on the Rivers with the Christmas Ships

Each December, the Christmas Ships parade up and down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers for 15 nights. Well over 50 lighted sailboats and yachts draw viewers to the riverbanks and bridges of Portland and nearby river towns. The 2025 Christmas Ships Parade season begins on Thursday, December 5, along the Columbia River and on Monday, December 9, along the Willamette River. There are Meet & Greet Open Houses at Rivverplace Public Docks on Friday, December 20, from 8 to 10 PM, and Saturday, December 21, from 2 to 4:30 PM. Be sure to check the Facebook page because water levels, debris in the rivers, and weather can affect the sailings.

The ships, all skippered by volunteers, ply the waters while families wait patiently in the dark, and applause breaks out when the Christmas Ships round a bend or float under a bridge to come into sight. Light displays move, music plays, and the ships bring holiday magic to the rivers.

My favorite places to see the Christmas Ships are from the bridges along the Willamette River in downtown Portland. Schedule, details, and weather information impacting the sailings can be found on the Christmas Ships website. (Free)

3—Winter Wonderland Lights at Portland International Raceway

Baby, it’s cold outside! A great way to keep warm and enjoy the holiday lights is to head for Holiday Lights at Portland International Raceway (PIR) just south of the I-5 Bridge into Washington State. The lighting display is recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi.”

You can drive on the racetrack to view the huge displays beginning November 28 through December 31, 2025. Be sure to check the PIR website or Facebook page for closures in case of severe weather and for the exact hours and days of operation. (Entrance fee)

4—Christmas in Portland: Christmas at Pittock Mansion

Pittock Mansion, high in the west hills overlooking Portland, was home to Portland pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock in the early 1900s. The City of Portland restored the elegant mansion in the 1960s.

Traditionally, each holiday season, volunteers transform the museum into a winter wonderland with themed trees, elegant table settings, themed rooms, and a look into the family life of days gone by.

Check the Pittock Mansion website for this year’s event, “The Decades Tour,” scheduled for November 17, 2025, through January 11, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Tickets are $17 for General Admission (discounts for seniors and youth, children under 6 are free).

5—Christmas in Portland Festival of Lights at the Grotto

In Northeast Portland, you’ll find a peaceful 62-acre conference center with gardens, a grotto, and a marvelous view of the city from the upper-level chapel. But the Grotto becomes magical during the Christmas season with lighting displays and chorale performances. You can purchase the Festival of Lights tickets online.

The Festival of Lights this year is scheduled for November 28 through December 30, 2025. They are closed on Christmas Day.

When You Go to Portland for Christmas 

Travel Portland lists many more holiday events. Remember to wear layers and bring waterproof gear. Portland can be dry and sunny in December or cold and icy, but no matter what the weather, Christmas in Portland will be a time to make memories. Find more ideas for your visit to Portland in these Portland articles by Wander authors.

 

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