Holiday Events in Portland

If you plan on being in Portland, Oregon for the 2006 holiday season, there are plenty of events and celebrations scheduled this year. You don't need to look very far for something to get your in the spirit of the holidays. Many events are free and some charge an admittance fee, but there will be something for everyone, both young and old. Just get ready to enjoy the beauty of the season in Portland, Oregon this year.

Try something new and exciting this Christmas and watch the annual Christmas Ship Parade. The event runs December 7th through 20th this year. It is an amazing spectacle of beautiful ships brightly lit for the Christmas season on the river fronts. The sight will be something you long remember for years to come, and is a magical event for children as well. Shops and restaurants all along the waterways participate, making it a miles long celebration of the holidays.

The 2006 Christmas Ship Parade will be the 52nd year for the annual holiday Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon. You can check out the official web site for more information on the parade. The site offers options to click on the specific Willamette or the Columbia Schedule links for complete schedules with route details including viewing locations and times for restaurants, hotels and outdoor viewing.

The Christmas Ship Fleet averages runs of about 55 to 60 boats between the two Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Both fleets will be out every night for two weeks beginning December 7, 2006 and running through December 20, 2006. They are an all volunteer organization, so it is not possible for all the boats make it out every night due to prior commitments of the volunteers.

Donations from the restaurants and the hotels along the waterfront are vital to keeping the parade running each year. This parade would not be possible without the support of the local businesses, the generosity of the ship captains and crew, and the people who visit the area each holiday season. The donations are used to pay for the ships required "Event Insurance Policy". Each Christmas Ship skipper pays his own fuel costs and receives no money from the donations. Christmas Ships, Inc is a non-profit organization, so please consider supporting this wonderful, amazing event this holiday season. If you are interested in attending the Christmas Ship Parade, please visit www.christmasships.org for more information on this holiday event.

The annual Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto runs from November 24th through December 30th, 2006, in Portland. Over 50,000 visitors flock to this holiday event annually, and this lighting and music festival is quite possibly the largest Christmas choral festival of its kind in the world. The Festival features 140 holiday music concerts performed in The Grotto's 600-seat chapel with over 5,000 singers and musicians giving their gift of music during the annual celebration. The Grotto is located at NE 85th and Sandy Boulevard, Portland, OR 97220. For more information, please phone 503-261-2400.

Portland's 12th annual Christmas Revels, with its music, dance, and comedy, will take you to 12th century France, to a town in which the locals are celebrating Christmas and the New Year with the help of a troop of traveling tragedians, players with masks and props who bring a seasonal story to celebrate life at the death of the year.
There will be ten matinee and evening performances at the Scottish Rite Theater, SW 15th and Morrison, Portland. Scheduled dates are:

Friday, Dec 1, 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec 2, 1pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, Dec 3, 1pm
Thursday, Dec 7, 7:30pm
Friday, Dec 8, 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec 9, 1pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, Dec 10, 1pm and 5pm

Ticket prices are: Adult $18-32, Senior/Student $12-24, Children 4-12 $7-12 Phone 503-274-4654 for more information or visit www.portlandrevels.org

Whatever your preference, whatever makes the holidays special for you, Portland will most likely have it waiting this year. Whether it's the soft glow of twinkling lights on fragrant pine trees or a cup of hot chocolate while you watch the Christmas parade, you can find it here. Put on your hat, warm coat, gloves, and a smile and head out into the holiday season ready to experience the joy in Portland, Oregon, this winter.