The holiday season is certainly my most favorite time of the year. It is a time to reflect as the new year approaches, spend quality time with loved ones, and slow down from our normally busy lives. What comes along with that is delicious food, presents to give, and beautiful decorations to see. There is even something mildly charming about hearing certain season-themed songs on repeat, although I am sure that plenty of retail workers would disagree with that assessment. Nevertheless, these seasonal markers signal a time of joy for families, and for parents, creating Christmastime magic for their children is simply unmatched. There are countless holiday events for families to take part in, and one that I would like to recommend would be the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto in Portland.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, every year, The Grotto transforms into the festive spirit of Christmas with a lot of activities every night. The Grotto was founded in 1924 by a Catholic friar who purchased the land with the help of a national campaign. The Grotto is on 62 acres of land, so there is plenty of space to roam around despite The Grotto receiving about 300,000 visitors every year. Some visual features here are various shrines, Stations of the Cross, Via Matris, a Monastery, as well as a Peace Garden. Twenty-three statues and memorials at The Grotto are also registered at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. I should also stress that you do not need to be Catholic or religious to enjoy what The Grotto offers. The decorations, lights, and overall atmosphere provide something for everyone to have a positive, memorable experience, regardless of where they stand with religion.
The entrance to The Grotto is right on NE 85th and Sandy Boulevard in Portland, Oregon. I will say that going out there from the suburbs in rush hour traffic was a little time-consuming. Depending on which part of town you come from and the time and day, plan accordingly for traffic. Anyone who has driven down Sandy Boulevard will know why. However, once I turned onto NE 85th, the stress of traffic melted away. There are clear, bright signs for entering and exiting, and a good number of employees with The Grotto will guide you to your parking spot. Finding parking was incredibly fast and easy. It was our first time visiting this place, so we did not know what to expect with parking. However, I will say it was much more seamless than what I would have expected. The parking lot also acts as essentially a loop, so once you leave you are able to head out with ease.
From November 29th to December 30th at The Grotto is their Christmas Festival of Lights, and it is certainly not to be missed. The hours to experience the magic are from 5:00pm to 9:30pm, and the grounds close at 10:00pm. Tickets for 3-11 are $7.75, for 12 and older is $16.50, and 2 and under are free. The Grotto also suggests a non-perishable food donation as well. An awesome incentive with these prices is that it also includes all ticketing fees as well as parking. There are many events taking place at The Grotto. Some of these events are caroling, drinks and snacks, and puppet shows. My personal favorite was listening to a local choir perform in the large, breathtaking chapel there. I was amazed at the level of talent. There are also many beautiful lights that you can walk alongside while taking in the views.
The Festival of Lights is an event that you walk through and is about a quarter of a mile long. Make sure to dress warm because it is December in Oregon, after all. But there are several heated buildings you can slide into, so you can heat up if needed. If you are interested in seeing a specific event, it is recommended to arrive 30 to 45 minutes prior to the performance start time. There are many things to see and do at The Grotto, and you don’t need to plan to see an event in advance if you don’t want to. It is worth it to simply purchase your tickets, make your way out there, and enjoy what they have to offer. The holiday season can be a busy time of year, and that can bring on stressors. However, try your best to make this a time to reflect, relax, and spend with your family. The rest of the complexities of life can wait. You won’t regret it.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.