Christmas Lights in Portland, OR
Portland, OR's best Christmas light displays include Forest Park (Lower Macleay Trail) (Free), Oregon Zoo ($26), Rimsky-Korsakoffee House ($5-12), and Rontoms (Free-$10). Most displays run from late November through early January, with peak crowds on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Take the MAX to avoid the $8 parking fee. The polar bear exhibit is genuinely impressive and the winter hours mean fewer crowds.
4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221 · Daily 9:30am-5:30pm, Nov-Feb 9:30am-3:30pm
Twelve miles of trails through a living tree collection, all free. The redwood grove makes you forget you're in a city.
4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221 · Grounds: Daily 5am-10pm; Visitor Center: Daily 10am-4pm
The skating rink has been here since 1905 and it still slaps. Rides are seasonal but the rink runs year-round.
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202 · Seasonal; skating rink Tue-Sun, varies
Free to walk, fun to eat. The elephant ears alone justify the trip. Artists making things in real time keeps kids interested longer than you'd expect.
2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204 · Saturdays 10am-5pm, Mar-Dec
Three dollars, diving boards, and a shallow end for little ones. This is summer in Portland.
7951 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97202 · Daily during summer, check Portland Parks for schedule
250+ artisans every Saturday since 1974 — free admission, waterfront
2 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204 · Saturdays 10am-5pm, Mar-Dec
Witch's Castle glows green after rain — 1.6 miles roundtrip, free
1905 NW 29th Ave, Portland, OR 97210 · 5am-10pm daily
Walk in free since 1905 — $1 per ride or $22.95-$43.95 all-day bracelet
7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, OR 97202 · Seasonal (Mar-Oct), check schedule
Massive covered patio with string lights and fire pits — free live music and DJ nights
600 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214 · Daily 11am-2:30am
Quintessential 'Keep Portland Weird' — a quirky dessert-and-coffee house in a creaky old Victorian.
707 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 · Thu-Sun 7pm-12am