It’s December. And that means some big spending holidays are riiiight around the corner. (Some of us have already been given wishlists from our kids). But it’s still possible to have lots of festive fun this month. Here are lots of ideas for getting out of the house with the family — all without spending a dime. Cheers!
Llama love. Want your picture with a fuzzy llama? Then head over to Migration Brewing for Fa La La Llama on Sunday, December 1. The llamas will be hanging out at Migration’s back patio (the North Williams location) and there will also be free hot cocoa.
Go on a holiday tree scavenger hunt. Did you miss some of the community tree lightings? Never fear! The trees will be sparkling all season long, so pack up your littles and check each one off your bucket list. See our list of tree lightings here.
Visit Santa. While some visits with Santa can be pretty spendy, there are plenty of opportunities that are free. Check out some other opportunities here.
Celebrate Kwanzaa. Free to the community, Joyous Kwanzaa Celebration is a seasonal event embracing African-American traditions of food, music, love and unity. Kids will love the crafts and games on December 27, 5-8 pm at the Tualatin Hills Athletic Center.
Jingle all the way. Residents light up the roads and “decorate anything that moves” during the Jingle Thru North Plains, an annual, 21-year-old parade tradition. Afterward, there’s a tree lighting. Thursday, December 5 from 6-8 pm.
Mail out that wishlist. Kiddos can mail out their wish list to Santa at Director Park during Snow Day Village now through December 23. Dress warmly, it’s going to “snow” three times in one day! Families can then warm up by the outdoor fire pits. Pro tip: Santa and his helpers will reply to each letter! Just make sure to supply a return address and drop off wishlists by December 15. Check out more Snow Day Village events here.
Return of the clones. Santa Clones that is! A Portland winter tradition, local artist Chris Willis hides 400 mini, lit up Santas in the city. Can you find their location?
Festive Fremont. Don’t miss some holiday cheer during the Fremont Holiday Fest on Friday, December 6 . Santa and the Mrs. will be on hand for selfies, plus arts and crafts at various neighborhood spots and the Grant Royal Blues will be caroling up and down Fremont.
Merry Multnomah. And for families in Southwest, there’s the Holiday Gala in Multnomah Village, also on Friday, December 6. The Grinch and Santa will make a special appearance, and there’s also a holiday tree lighting, carol sing-a-along, live music, art fair at Multnomah Arts Center, and more!
Constructive cookies. Take in the edible creation that is the Gingerbread Masterpiece at the Benson Hotel downtown on display from December 3 through January 5. The structure is made from 150 pounds of house-made gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 20 pounds of chocolate, 10 pounds of Rice Krispies treats, and buckets of royal icing.
Bake off. Next, make your own masterpiece with these fun — and easy! — holiday treats.
Under the umbrella. What better way to enjoy Portland’s rainy season than with an only-in-the-PNW parade. Don’t miss the Milwaukie Umbrella Parade and Tree Lighting featuring the city’s annual tradition of walking downtown with your festively-decorated umbrellas — both fashion and function.
Be dazzled. Bundle up and check out holiday lights. There’s free displays at the iconic Christmas Street, Peacock Lane; the Beaverton Winter Lights; the lights at Holidays on Franklin in Vancouver and more. See our full list of light displays here and be on the lookout for “FREE” in the title.
Get outside. What’s that? You don’t want to stay inside? No problem. Check out one of these kid-friendly winter hikes.
Declutter. The holidays can often bring lots of new stuff—toys, clothes, games, decorations and more. Find a new home for your old things with a Buy Nothing Facebook group. You’ll also build community, help out other families and model generosity for your kids. If that doesn’t say “holiday spirit,” we don’t know what does.
Listen to holiday music! There’s a lot happening at the Pioneer Square this month. Don’t miss the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition on Friday, December 13 from 6-8 pm. The following weekend, Saturday, December 21, from 1:30-3:30 pm, check out the 33rd Annual Tuba Christmas Concert, featuring more than 200 tubas playing holiday songs in unison.
Festooned vessels. Watch the colorful Christmas Ships cruise along the Columbia and Willamette rivers all month long. It’s a Portland tradition since 1954.
Festival of Lights. Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah on December 25 with the Mittleman Jewish Community Center during Lighting and Latkes. There will be a community menorah lighting and plenty of those delicious potato pancakes. Chabad SW Portland will also host a community menorah lighting (complete with music, and lakes) at Pioneer Courthouse Square December 25 through January 2.
Skip the parking fees. The perfect chance to get out and explore. Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp and Chinook Landing Marine Park on Thursday, December 19.
North Pole adventures. Check out the restored holiday displays from holidays past and see the Big Guy in Red himself at the Nob Hill Christmas.
Give back. Tis the season to make the world a little brighter. You and your kids can volunteer together with many organizations around town.
Create a time capsule. Wrap up 2024 by working on time capsules. Draw pictures, write stories, add photos and include trinkets to help you document the year. Store them in a shoe box and tuck them away for a bit of future nostalgia.
Get crafty. Make one of these crafts with your little from the comfort of your own home, like this DIY snow dough . The best part? You probably already have the items you need to create these one-of-a-kind projects!
Galleries galore. Visit one of the city’s free mini galleries, libraries, dioramas or displays. This is one of the many reasons Portland is the best.