Activities, events and local spots to keep the whole family entertained!
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Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Our Kids Calendar is packed with family-friendly events happening all around Portland! Please confirm event details with the host— we do our best to keep things accurate, but event details can change!
Director’s Park transforms into a Snowy Village.
OMSI's new feature exhibit, Monsters of the Abyss, opens on Saturday, October 4 and will be on view through February 16, 2026. Dive back in time to explore what lurked beneath the surface at the newest exhibit in Portland—Monsters of the Abyss: Aquatic Predators Past + Present. Meet massive mosasaurs, a spine-chilling Spinosaurus, and bizarre […]
Put on your skates and take to the rink this winter at OMSI on a unique indoor synthetic ice rink! Experience all the joys of ice skating together while comfortably indoors in OMSI’s auditorium-turned-winter-wonderland. Ticket Information Indoor Ice Rink Admission Adult (14+): $10.00 Senior (63+): $9.00 Youth (5-13): $8.00 Member Pricing OMSI members receive 50% off of ice […]
Pittock Mansion Christmas celebrates the holiday in style, with a new theme every year. This year, they’re bringing back an expanded and reimagined version of the Home for the Holidays event, titled “The Decades Tour.” Visitors will enjoy festive displays across nineteen rooms in the mansion and four in the Gate Lodge, each artfully decorated […]
The holidays are the highlight of many children’s year, and combining them with festive train rides and enchanting boat trips will have your kids over the moon! We’ve compiled some of the best holiday train and ship experiences in the area in this guide! Many of these magical journeys feature a special appearance by Santa […]
Zen Penguin went on a trip and we need help getting him home! DEC 6 - DEC 31 12 unique 4ft Zen Penguin cutouts are hiding in local Portland businesses! Find them for your chance to win a FREE YEAR of Swim Lessons! How to Play: Follow our daily social media clues, snap a photo […]
400+ vintage Santa Clones are officially out in Portland! They're illuminated daily from 4 pm -11 pm until January 1. Follow clues by creator Chris Willis to find this year's installation! Check out his instagram @thesantaclones for more information.
The region’s biggest holiday light display is back at the Oregon Zoo! ZooLights runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 4. Every year, ZooLights dazzles visitors of all ages with wildlife-inspired light displays and a whole lot of seasonal fun. It’s the ideal place to gather friends and family, snap photos and make lasting memories. Check out the […]
Presenting the sights, sounds, and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights features over two million lights and is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The event includes nightly indoor holiday concerts, outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests. Holiday shopping is available in the gift shop. […]
Winter Wonderland is the largest holiday light show in the Pacific Northwest, spanning the entire racetrack at Portland International Raceway. Bring the whole family for a leisurely cruise to see over a million holiday lights from the comfort of your own car. Kids and adults alike will stare in awe at the hundreds of festive […]
Starkwood Holiday Lights For 65 years, Starkwood HOA has brightened East Portland by lighting our homes to spread warmth and cheer during this special time of year. This beloved tradition creates treasured memories for all who come to experience our hidden gem, and we warmly invite you to share in the magic with your friends […]
It's the most wonderful time of the year again, and the residents of Peacock Lane will be displaying their lights from December 15th - December 31st, 2025! Bundle up and stroll through their beautiful holiday displays. General days/times: December 15-31, 6 pm - 11 pm each night Pedestrian-only Nights (no vehicles allowed): Friday, December 19, […]
OMSI's new feature exhibit, Monsters of the Abyss, opens on Saturday, October 4 and will be on view through February 16, 2026. Dive back in time to explore what lurked beneath the surface at the newest exhibit in Portland—Monsters of the Abyss: Aquatic Predators Past + Present. Meet massive mosasaurs, a spine-chilling Spinosaurus, and bizarre […]
Put on your skates and take to the rink this winter at OMSI on a unique indoor synthetic ice rink! Experience all the joys of ice skating together while comfortably indoors in OMSI’s auditorium-turned-winter-wonderland. Ticket Information Indoor Ice Rink Admission Adult (14+): $10.00 Senior (63+): $9.00 Youth (5-13): $8.00 Member Pricing OMSI members receive 50% off of ice […]
Pittock Mansion Christmas celebrates the holiday in style, with a new theme every year. This year, they’re bringing back an expanded and reimagined version of the Home for the Holidays event, titled “The Decades Tour.” Visitors will enjoy festive displays across nineteen rooms in the mansion and four in the Gate Lodge, each artfully decorated […]
The holidays are the highlight of many children’s year, and combining them with festive train rides and enchanting boat trips will have your kids over the moon! We’ve compiled some of the best holiday train and ship experiences in the area in this guide! Many of these magical journeys feature a special appearance by Santa […]
Zen Penguin went on a trip and we need help getting him home! DEC 6 - DEC 31 12 unique 4ft Zen Penguin cutouts are hiding in local Portland businesses! Find them for your chance to win a FREE YEAR of Swim Lessons! How to Play: Follow our daily social media clues, snap a photo […]
Set sail to Maybeland this holiday season with Cinnamon Bear and friends aboard the Portland Spirit! This year marks the 20th anniversary of the cruise, and it promises to be as enchanting as ever. The whole family will enjoy reserved seating and a plated breakfast, while the kids are captivated by storytelling, music and magic. […]
Join us every Saturday morning for children’s storytime! Whether an author is here to read their book or our staff is reading a favorite, we’ll feature stories that spread compassion, awareness, and positivity. Children will get a coloring page or sticker to take home too! The shop carries juice, snacks, and other items for kids, […]
Join us for a story and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum. We will use all of our senses to explore the natural surroundings and maybe even get our hands dirty! Staff and trained Arboretum volunteers will introduce you and your family to the plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more found at Hoyt […]
Enjoy a kid-centered skating session featuring a special playlist of kid-friendly hits, skate games, a visit from Chipper the Squirrel. During October-May, the session also features a short group lesson taught by a certified coach. One adult skates free per child. Saturdays, 10-11:30 AM $13 per child 10 & younger only
Sabin CDC is hosting its annual Kwanzaa event! Join on December 27th for a toy giveaway , arts and crafts , drum session, and reading by Ms.Nikki @nikkibrownclown.
Welcome to Open Saturday at Education Center on Pearson Field in Vancouver, WA! Join us on Saturdays from 10am-3pm for a day of STEAM education through aviation. Our center is perfect for youth of all ages to experience hands-on learning and exploration. Explore our flight simulator lab featuring Kerbal Space Program and Microsoft Flight Simulator, […]
“We must walk lightly when we are between worlds with this sacred being.” – Phillip Cash Cash Indigenous peoples have long been in relationship with and shared stories about sacred forest protectors, often called Sasquatch and Bigfoot. The works in this exhibition are made by Indigenous artists and honor generations of spiritual practices, storytelling, and tradition. Leave your preconceived […]
Climb aboard the Imagination Express for train-themed fun December 20th through January 4th! Young engineers can go full steam ahead with hands-on engineering, art, and dream building. Each stop brings brand-new adventures. Go full STEAM ahead in the MakeSpace, get crafty in Art Studio Junction, and visit the Tinker Toyland at East Bay Depot. From crafty […]
November 30, 2025 – January 11, 2026* Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station Find seasonal cheer at this outdoor ice-skating rink. Winter Village is a beloved Hillsboro event. Bring your friends and family to a skate session or rent the rink for your private party. Don't miss exciting special events and skate days! Public Skate Sessions […]
Join us every Saturday as Gerard "The Bard" Bardler (the bard of Wonderwood) reads stories and sings songs! Books are generously donated by our neighbors at Twin Rivers Books. Free for all ages!
Bring the family out for festive movie nights at Ponzi this December. Kids can load up on self-serve hot chocolate, mini candy canes, popcorn, and warm cookies while you treat yourself to Ponzi wines by the glass or bottle—or go all-in on the Holiday High-Low: fried chicken & caviar with Bollinger or a champagne flight. […]
This holiday season Director Park will turn back into a true winter wonderland with the return of Snow Day Village! Warm up by a fire pit, grab some smore’s, and do your holiday shopping at Mike Bennet’s Ornament Gift Shop. Central City Concern will be hosting a Giving Tree in the gift shop for those […]
Visit Snow Day Village downtown for so many holiday festivities including holiday shopping at Mike Bennet’s Ornament Gift Shop. Central City Concern will be hosting a Giving Tree in the gift shop for those wanting to spread holiday cheer to other families.
Mike Bennett's Gilly the Goldfish has escaped from the Portland Aquarium and we need your help finding her. Come take part in the Gilly the Goldfish Scavenger hunt happening this holiday season in Downtown Portland. Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet at Snow Day Village located in Director Park! Open daily from 11am - 7pm.
Starting December 8th and running through the end of Winter Break, come find your favorite characters from the new Spongebob Movie at the Portland Aquarium!! Explore under the sea where you will find over 100 cartoon animals swimming with some of your favorite Spongebob characters. Free Spongebob prizes for everyone that completes the scavenger hunt […]
Northwest Children’s Theater presents the timeless musical, The Wizard of Oz, just in time for the holidays! With a shortened run time, this youth edition version is perfect for young theater-goers. Playing Saturdays and Sundays November 29–January 4 at The Judy in downtown Portland. Shows at 11:30am and 3pm. Make your holiday plans today at […]
Experience the magic of the season at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center! The most highly anticipated event of the year is just around the corner – the beloved Holiday Express! Climb aboard with Santa Claus and his elves for a festive ride behind the historic 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive. Relax in our warm, decorated […]
