5 Family Holiday Events in & Around Portland 2025
PC: visitvancouver.org
Christmas Ships Parade
Boats strung with Christmas lights on the Columbia River? Ummm, yes please! I seriously loved going last year-and that was with driving rain going RIGHT into our faces. A couple of the boats even had music playing so it was really fun to jam out and experience a different way to see some Christmas lights.
When: Dec 4th, 8th, 12th, 17th for the Vancouver Waterfront, more areas listed at their website
Where: We’re going to the waterfront, but there are other options too!
Cost: Free
2. Parades & Tree Lightings
We didn’t make it to any of these last year, so I’m really hoping we make it to at least one this year. Seems like a really fun and simple way to celebrate the season and spend some time together as a family.
Portland Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: Nov 28th, 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
Where: 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204
Cost: Free
Washougal Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
When: Dec 4th, 5 pm for activities, 6 pm for the light parade
Where: Reflection Plaza, Pendleton Way, Washougal, WA 98671
Cost: Free
Hometown Holidays in Camas
When: Dec 5th, 5 pm-8 pm
Where: NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA 98607
Cost: Free
Ridgefield Hometown Celebration
When: Dec 6th, 9 am-7 pm for various activities, 4:30 pm tree lighting
Where: Overlook Park (113-131 S Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642)
Cost: Free
PC: ridgefieldwa.us
PC: thegrotto.org
3. The grotto’s Festival of Lights
This one is in Portland, and it looks so fun! There’s a little plaza area with lots of lights as well as caroling, puppet shows, and various musical entertainment. You can also go and sit inside the chapel and listen to different choirs. You’ll want to buy your tickets online for this one-at the door is a couple bucks more each ticket which can add up quick!
When: Nov 28th-Dec 30th, 5-9:30 pm
Where: NE 85th & Sandy Blvd. Portland, Oregon
Cost: Adults $16.95, Kids 3-11 $7.95, they have tickets cheaper on value nights
4. Fun Holiday Light Displays
I posted about an area that I heard great things about last year, but I was a bit disappointed. We visited Candycane Lane in Ridgefield last year thanks to some friends and loved it! I also widened my search to Portland and found some other holiday neighborhoods that display lots of fun Christmas lights. You’ll park and get out to walk the neighborhood for Candycane Lane, Peacock Lane also has a couple of walk only nights.
Candycane Lane
When: No info yet, it’s usually one Saturday of the month that they announce on Facebook at the beginning of December
Where: 34th Court off Pioneer in Ridgefield
Cost: Free
Peacock Lane in Portland
When: Dates haven’t updated yet, but last year it was Dec 15th-31st, 6-11 pm
Where: SE Peacock Ln, Portland
PC: pdxpipeline.com
PC: Mark Graves
5. Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway
Want to see a bunch of Christmas lights from the warmth and comfort of your car? Then this one’s for you! Sooo excited to have something like this close by in Portland because the last city we lived in did not have anything like this. The cheapest way to get tickets is to buy them from Albertsons or Safeway for $33. Takes a little bit of extra effort, but definitely worth it. They charge by the carload, so if you think about it, $33 for the whole family isn’t a bad price. Just thinking of ways to justify it to my husband ;)
When: Nov 28th-Dec 31st, 5-10 pm with extended hours on certain days
Where: 1940 N Victory Blvd Portland, OR 97217
Cost: $38-$53 *depends on the night