Looking for the best place to see Christmas lights in Oregon for 2022? Some could argue Oregon is the Christmas capitol as we produce more Christmas trees than any other state in the US! It's that time again, time to drink hot cocoa, spend some much-deserved time off with loved ones, and of course go see beautiful Christmas light displays. These places are magical and truly beautiful and we really owe it to the people who put in the hard work every year to make it a special holiday for all Oregonians.
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Christmas Lights in Oregon
1. Silverton Christmas Market
Image courtesy of The Oregon Garden
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Join us for an awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort! The annual event, Silverton Christmas Market, offers a joyous and magical holiday experience for all ages.
Stroll along immersive paths draped in more than one million lights. Explore their authentic German Christmas Market for gifts from artisan vendors and imported German nutcrackers, smokers and ornaments. Visit Santa to share your wish list or enjoy music and a brew in the Biergarten, presented by Western Beverage. Cozy up to a wood-burning fire pit or take a ride down the snowless tubing hill. There will be no ice skating this year.
The event is designed for friends and family to enjoy time together and experience the traditions that make this time of year so special.
Book your 2022 overnight stay today with two special overnight options:
Lights at the Oregon Garden Resort
Jan. 2 – 8, 2022
Enjoy an intimate holiday light experience after the Silverton Christmas Market has closed, and experience one million lights and snowless tubing without the crowds. *Vendor market, Santa, live music, food and drinks will not be available.
Silverton Christmas Market
Enjoy vendors, Santa, live music, 1+ million lights, and more during the Silverton Christmas Market.
- Dates: November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023 (Closed Dec. 24-25)
- Tickets: Depending on the day, ticket prices range from $5-$20.
- Location: Silverton, Oregon
- Website: http://silvertonchristmasmarket.com/
Related: Catch a Ride on the Magical Candy Cane Express For the Holidays
2. Christmas Festival of Lights in The Grotto
photo: Ben Arboleda / XQSME Photography / Facebook
The Grotto in Portland is one of the most popular places this time of the year during the holidays. This particular stunning image comes from a friend, Ben Abroleda, who has contributed many beautiful photos to That Oregon Life. One event you don't want to miss at The Grotto is the winter choir performances which are held every year.
Lights In The Grotto Information:
- Dates: November 25, 2022 to December 30, 2022
- Nightly 5 p.m. – 09:30 p.m. (Nov. 25 - Dec 16)
- 4:30 p.m - 9:30 p.m. (Dec. 17 - Dec 30)
- Grounds close at 10 p.m. each day
- Tickets: Sold at the gate. General admission (12+) - $14.00. Children (3-11) - $6.00. Children 2 and under - Free.
- Website: https://thegrotto.org/christmas-festival-of-lights/
3. Zoolights At The Oregon Zoo
You can't go wrong with the beautiful annual ZooLights festival at The Oregon Zoo in Portland, where you'll see a dazzling display of a whopping million and a half lights.
photo: Todd Kulesza / Flickr
Oregon Zoolights Information:
- Dates: November 23, 2022 - January 5, 2023. Closed December 25th.
- Member Preview Nights: Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 (drive night)
- Times: ZooLights hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Value Night hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tickets: General admission (12+) - $24.00. Children (2-11) - $19.00. Infant (0-1 yrs) - Free.
- Website: https://www.oregonzoo.org/visit/zoolights
4. Portland Christmas Ships
photo: Christmasships.org
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Bows of green with some ribbon were tied along the rails and they paraded on the rivers. The next year the parade started to grow.
Today, the Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Things have changed from the first lone ship. Now the displays are brightly lit and can be seen from bank to bank on each river.
Each boat owner designs and builds their lighted Christmas display and pays their operating costs which include fuel. Many of the displays can be seen each year, but new boats join the flotilla each year and bring with them new Christmas oriented lighted exhibits.
Christmas Ships Information:
- 2022 Schedule: Click here for the Columbia fleet schedule. Click here for the Willamette fleet schedule. Starts December 2, 2022.
- Donations: If you'd like to make a donation to the Christmas ship parade visit the donation site here.
Related: Catch a Ride on the Magical Candy Cane Express For the Holidays
5. The Pastega Christmas Light Display (formerly at Corvallis Pepsi Plant)
photo: Corvallis Gazette-times
The Pastega Christmas Light Display is a holiday tradition in Corvallis going back to 1981.
One of my favorite memories of going to visit my grandparents in the Salem area was driving through the Corvallis Pepsi plant to see the light display which has been going strong every Christmas for 25 years. A spectacle of plywood cutouts, Christmas lights, and canned music, the local paper reports 40,000 visits per year to this drive-through Christmas pleasure. Every year the lot outside a small Pepsi Cola factory was transformed into a Christmas paradise.
Plywood cut-outs of Disney characters, Santa Clauses, angels, and even an Oregon Beaver jingle and jangle on small motors, adorned with Christmas lights. On a good night, near Christmas, it takes twenty minutes just to get into the driveway.
For 31 years the Pepsi Bottling Plant hosted the popular display. After the death of founder Mario Pastega, the display moved across town to the Benton County Fair Grounds. Display pieces are created and maintained by community members. 400 - 700 cars enjoy the display each day.
6. Old Mill District
oldmilldistrict.com
Paddle in the Parade or Watch from the Old Mill District!
Celebrate the holidays with Tumalo Creek’s annual Holiday Lights Paddle Parade on Friday, Dec. 9! From fun in the snow at Mt. Bachelor to holiday lights and special meals and gift runs in the Old Mill District, the eggnog flows like wine in this part of Oregon during the holiday months.
Every year Bend’s most dedicated paddling enthusiasts dress up their canoes and kayaks in bright lights and other holiday garb for a paddle around the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District. After missing out on last year’s Paddle Parade, Tumalo Creek is more excited than ever for this year’s event.
Paddle Parade Information:
December 9 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Celebrate the holidays with Tumalo Creek’s annual Holiday Lights Paddle Parade on Friday, December 9, 2022.
Parade begins at 4 P.M.
Every year Bend’s most dedicated paddling enthusiasts dress up their canoes and kayaks in bright lights and other holiday garb for a paddle around the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District.
- Website: Get more info here.
7. PIR Winter Wonderland
Photo by Josh Bancroft via Flickr. CC2.
USA Today called it "One of 10 great places for families to see Christmas lights". Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the "Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi."
Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a Holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. Spectators can enjoy the most spectacular drive-through light show in the region, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle.
Over two million visitors have taken the Winter Wonderland journey since its origin.
PIR Winter Wonderland Information:
- Dates: November 25, 2022 to Dec 31, 2022. See the event calendar for dates that are closed. Some nights are special event nights, so be sure to check the calendar before you go.
- Tickets: Buy tickets in advance here.
- Location: Portland International Raceway at 1940 N Victory Blvd Portland, OR 97217
- Website: http://winterwonderlandportland.com/general-info/
- Don't Forget: Saturday nights are VERY busy. Primetime hours can be 50+ minute wait. The first hour is always the best time to come for little to no wait.
8. Festival of Lights at Riverforks Park
photo: umpquavalleyfestivaloflights.com
The Festival of Lights has become an annual tradition in Douglas County, drawing nearly 30,000 visitors in 2014 and generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for Rotary Club scholarships since beginning in 1993.
While visitors once again enjoy 90 light displays containing nearly 500,000 and all the traditional attractions that have made the Festival famous, some new additions such as the world's largest nutcracker will make the experience even more unforgettable.
Umpqua Valley Festival Of Lights Information:
- Dates: November 20, 2022 - January 1, 2023. Opens at 5:30 pm nightly. Please see the website for the schedule to see specialty nights before you go.
- Admission: $10 per car.
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A ticket allows one car visit to the Festival of Lights between November 20, 2022, and January 1, 2023 along with one car visit to the Holiday Village December 1st, 2022, and December 24th, 2022
- Location: River Forks County Park, Roseburg, Oregon 97471. This park is located 6 miles West of Roseburg.
- Website: https://www.uvfestivaloflights.com/
9. Azelea Park
Brookings’ Azalea Park is transformed into a Holiday Wonderland with 500,000 lights and sculptures, attracting thousands of people from around the Northwest. This amazing 45min walk will take you through a magical light display on the Oregon Coast.
Azalea Park Holiday Lights Information:
- Dates: November 25, 2022 - December 27th, 2022 from 5-9 pm. Please note that extreme weather can cancel the event for a night. Check the Facebook event page for information on closures.
- Location: Azalea Park, Brookings, OR
- Admission: $3 for adults, kids 12 and under are free. No additional charge for parking. Snacks will be available for sale.
- Pacific Coast Trolley is Now Reserving for Nature's Coastal Holiday Brookings Oregon in Azalea Park!
- Website: https://naturescoastalholiday.com/
10. Holiday Lights at Shore Acres
Oregon Coast Adventure
Shore Acres State Park with rugged sandstone cliffs washed by the ocean, is one of the most beautiful Pacific Northwest places. During the holidays, it transforms into a winter wonderland hosting one of the brightest and most beautiful displays on the West Coast. A 7-acre (3-ha) Botanical Garden with a picturesque Japanese lily pond gets illuminated with over 250,000 lights. There are many animated displays, Santa Claus, choirs, and activities. This fun holiday Oregon tradition runs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Eve from 4 pm to 9:30 pm. This Year, Everyone must have a timed entry ticket to get in to see the lights! It’s easy to secure your time.
- Dates: November 22, 2022 - December 31, 2022 from 4-9:30 pm.
- Location: 89039 Cape Arago Hwy. Charleston, OR
- Admission: Entry into the lights is Free, but you must pay the $5 parking fee per vehicle to park at Shore Acres for the Event - in advance this year.
- Website: https://oregonsadventurecoast.com/
- Print your pass - you must bring the pass with you to enter the park
- Have more questions? Call 541-888-3778, the local State Parks office.
Where's your favorite place to see Christmas lights in Oregon? Let us know in a comment, and tag the friends you want to go with! Don't forget to bookmark this page to come back and find the information you need.
Related: Catch a Ride on the Magical Candy Cane Express For the Holidays
