If you celebrate Christmas, you know all too well that it's finally time to put lights around the house, put up the tree, and blast Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" as loud as possible in hopes that the joy and magic of the holidays will spread like wildfire. Counting down the days till the 25th seems like a long and endless task, especially in the midst of final exams for many students, so here is a handful of ways to brighten your holiday season if you live in or around the Portland area.
1. Peacock Lane
Starting December 15th through the 31st from 6-11 p.m., visit Peacock Lane to see a collection of houses wrapped top to bottom in Christmas lights while drinking (free) hot cocoa or cider. There are two ways to view the display: you can either drive through, or, on pedestrian days, you can stroll through with family and friends and enjoy the collection of lights on foot.
2. Hawthorne Boulevard Holiday Stroll
Already stressing about finding the perfect gifts for friends and family? Look no further than the Hawthorne Boulevard Holiday Stroll on December 5th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A collection of vendors and local street music awaits. There will also be a tree lighting at this event at 5 p.m.
3. Salt and Straw
There's no doubt that Portland favorite Salt and Straw will have some excellent new flavors just in time for the holidays. In past there have been flavors reminiscent of peppermint hot cocoa, figgy pudding, spiked eggnog, butter roasted chestnuts, and more. I can't wait to see what weird and wonderful flavors they come up with next.
4. Lloyd Center Ice Rink
After a 10-month renovation, the beloved Lloyd Center Ice Rink is finally open again — just in time for the holiday season! So grab your skates, a handful of good friends, and spend countless hours trying to be as graceful as Michelle Trachtenberg in Disney's Ice Princess.
5. ZooLights
Looking for the perfect date night? Like many cities, Portland has their own ZooLights event running from November 25th through January 1st. If you're a zoo member, you also get free admission to this exciting holiday event!
6. Christmas Ships
Since 1954, the Christmas Ships Parade has voyaged through both the Willamette and the Columbia rivers. For most nights, there will two separate Christmas Ship parades (one in the Willamette and one in the Columbia), however, for six scheduled nights, the parades will combine fleets for a larger parade.
7. Jingle Bell Run
Take part in the annual Jingle Bell Run to get in the spirit of giving and help fund arthritis research. This year's run is on December 4th and holiday-themed costumes are encouraged.
Hopefully these ideas will help you make the most of your holiday season. Have any other suggestions? Leave your ideas in the comments below!
