Holiday Light Displays in Portland, Oregon: From the Zoo to the Grotto

Portland, Oregon, offers a large variety of light for the holiday season. Here, I will show you the best of the best, the must-see displays while driving around.

First, we have the Holiday Walk of Lights Tour at the Portland International Raceway. Walkers get to circle the racetrack past lovely light displays featuring the 12 Days of Christmas and other themes. The walk is a benefit with a $4 fee for the Christie School for emotionally disturbed children. Check for the walk date at Walkoregon.org. The walk is a sanctioned 10K volkssport walk. Volkssport credit is an additional $3.

A must-see is ZooLights, at the Oregon Zoo. The zoo gets transformed with more than 200 animated animals swing through trees, jump across lawns, hide in bushes and appear in places where they're least expected. Displays include swinging monkeys, leaping frogs, flying bats, diving penguins and a perfect-for-photos light sculpture featuring a dozen animals. For more information visit the Oregon Zoo's Website.

One of the best lit and most brightly lit areas of Portland is Peacock Lane, a block east of se 39th between Stark and Belmont. Since 192 this stretch of homes has gotten together to light up the street. There are a total of 31 homes all together and each puts up a unique design for the street. You can walk or stroll through peacock lane between 6 pm and 11pm hot cocoa and cider are available, as is Santa for any last minute requests.

Don't miss the Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto. The Grotto is a Catholic Shrine and Botanical garden that offers lighted displays and over 160 concerts thought the holiday season! These displays are rich in holiday traditions and there are also food vendors, a gift shop, a books store, and a petting zoo offered for entertainment. This display lights up from5:30pm - 9:30. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children. For more info please visit their website.

Also visit the Christmas Ships. This event will run from December 6, 2007 - December 20, 2007, Each December two fleets of brightly decorated motor boats, a volunteer effort by dedicated Portlanders, sail the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers thrilling all that see them. You can have a look from an isolated beach along the Columbia or mingle with the crowds at Riverplace in central Portland. Check out http://www.christmasships.org/ for route and schedule information.

Now you know all the best lights in town go and impress your friends and family with you new found knowledge of the holiday light displays.