The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, and you can feel the chill in the air. Some overly enthusiastic stores and neighbors have already strung up some lights, and your friends and family have started to lean into conversations about holiday plans while you try to remind yourself it’s November already.
That can only mean one thing – it’s time to find the light displays your family looks forward to every year.
As we get farther removed from the pandemic, more and more public holiday events have started popping up, and the ones you are already familiar with are better than ever.
You likely know about the best ones, like Zoo Lights, The Grotto, Pittock Mansion, Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway, Silverton’s Market, and the Christmas Ships. So, let’s look at the less popular events that may be a little harder to find but are also likely to be less crowded.
The Holiday Express
You’ve probably watched enough movies with folks taking a special journey on a steam engine to know you want to take your family on one. You have likely heard of the Polar Express running passenger rail journeys out of Hood River, but did you know there is a 1912 Steam Engine running during the holidays from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland? Step aboard this vintage steam engine and journey across time and holiday magic as you are visited on board by some of your favorite holiday characters.
Tickets can be purchased now, and weekly journeys are available from late November through early January. If you like holiday lights, trains, and staying close to town but still getting to go on a magic adventure, this is the experience for you.
Holiday Sparkles at Powerland
If you like trains but don’t live close enough to the Portland or Hood River area to board one for a holiday journey, perhaps Powerland is the right place for you. With a museum of local railroad history and a light show that is accessible by car, it’s perfect for busy families that want to take an evening to appreciate some local heritage and see those hard-to-find lights.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Their light shows are open to the public on weekends starting the first week of December.
Holiday Village and Magic of Lights
Like many people, you probably visit the Oregon State Fair in the summer and wait until the calendar gets back to August before you think about heading back, so you might be surprised to find they have events for the rest of the year, too. When the calendar hits November, for example, they put on a dazzling display of lights and sounds and fun just for the holidays.
The winter village features rides, sights, and games for the whole family, as well as unique treats. The Magic of Lights is a dazzling light display that you can enjoy from the comfort and warmth of your car. Take in the incredible scenery regardless of the weather.
The Winter Village and Magic of Lights run from November 22nd through January 4th.
Lightopia
If you want one of your holiday lights experiences to be in the car but don’t want to drive down to Salem, Hillsboro has a great alternative. The Gordon Faber Recreation Complex hosts a fantastic route of incredible light displays and attractions. With over a ½ mile of lights that takes roughly 15 minutes to pass through, the only way it could get better is if admission were free. Well, great news: the event is free to all, and all you have to do to claim your ticket is make a reservation online, as they limit how many groups can navigate their property each night. If you like Zoo Lights and wish they still offered the version in your car, this is a very good option and a fraction of the price.
Sea of Lights
If you live near the coast (or just need an excuse to go), the Oregon Coast Aquarium has a special event each year. For just a few magical weekends in December, the aquarium decorates its already incredible grounds with holiday lights. Use your imagination to combine your Zoo Lights experience with enchantment under the sea, and you won’t be far off. This special experience is only in the evening and only on weekends in December, so plan your trip carefully.
The first night is December 6th, and the event wraps on the 21st, so don’t wait if you want to be part of the limited run.
Casey Mabbott is a husband and parent first, and also an experienced and dedicated writer and researcher. Born and raised in the Portland area, when Casey is not spending time with his family gallivanting around Portland and the surrounding areas, he genuinely enjoys helping people (especially families) find the “hidden gems” in the Pacific Northwest. In today’s world of lightning fast information at our fingertips, it’s truly a wonder to stumble across a place, an experience, or an activity you’ve never heard of.