The events from 2019 are listed below. We’re updating this list for 2020 as we learn the latest information.
Santa Claus is coming to town. In fact, there are rumors he’s already been spotted in some nearby malls. Have your kids get their wishlist together, and head out for a photo op with Santa at one of these spots. You can also sometimes meet Santa when picking out your holiday tree at a U-Cut Tree Farm.
For more holiday fun, check out our holiday highlights event guide and our cheat sheet to the area’s light displays.
Note: check with the organizer’s website before heading out for event details, including any possible changes to dates, times or format.
Photos with Santa or Hipster Santa at Pioneer Place
Take your picture with Santa or with Portland’s Hipster Santa! On Sunday, November 24, Santa will host a sensory-friendly event.
When: Photos with Santa Friday, November 15-Tuesday, December 24. See website for hours. Hipster Santa (“like regular Santa, but cooler”) is taking photos Saturday, December 7-Thursday, December 19.
Where: Pioneer Place, Lower Level Rotunda
Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase.
Santa at Washington Square Mall
Get your picture taken with Santa at Santa HQ! You can try out the Magic Mirror, where guests can be transformed into Santa’s Elf in the latest elf fashions. You can also create an Elf ID card or be scanned on the naughty-or-nice meter. Reservations are available but not required. Check the website for special events, including a free storytime with Mrs. Claus.
When: November 8 through December 24. Closed Thanksgiving. Hours vary; check website. Sensory Santa on December 1 and 15.
Where: 9585 SW Washington Square Rd., Portland
Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase.
Discover Santa’s Toy Factory
Embark on an exciting adventure at Santa’s Toy Factory. Become an official toy tester, and help digitally design one-of-a-kind toys.
When: November 10-December 24. Closed for Thanksgiving. Hours vary. Santa Cares sensory-friendly event on November 24. Check the website for special events.
Where: Clackamas Town Center, 12000 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley
Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase.
Bridgeport Village
Visit Santa in his Cozy Cottage! In addition to posing for holiday photos, Santa will hand out small toys and candy canes to guests (while supplies last). Check the website for special events, including Santa’s arrival party, Breakfast with Santa, and Santa Paws for pets.
When: November 23-December 24. Silent Santa events on November 24, December 1, 8, 15; please RSVP at (503) 968-1704.
Where: Bridgeport Village, 7455 SW Bridgeport Rd., Tigard
Cost: Photo packages available for purchase.
The Holiday Express
Take a slow train ride aboard a real steam engine from Oaks Park down toward OMSI along the Springwater Corridor. Santa and his elves come by for photo ops and to hand out candy canes.
When: November 29-December 1, December 7-8, 14-15, 10 am-7 pm.
Where: Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland
Cost: $16 for children 12 and under (age 2 and under free); $22 for adults. Family and group packages available; discounts for patrons of the Oregon Rail Heritage Center.
Santa at Cedar Hill Crossing
Santa arrives Friday, November 29 at 10 am. Santa is located inside the interior mall near Claire’s.
When: November 29-December 24
Where: Cedar Hill Crossing, 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton
Cost: Visits are free! Photo packages are available to purchase.
Christmas in the Garden
At this annual light display, you can visit Santa, plus check out ice skating, a holiday market, live music, fire pits, a snowless tubing track and more.
When: November 29 to December 23, 5:30-8:30 pm (closed December 2, 3, 9).
Where: 879 W Main, Silverton
Cost: Guests are welcome to visit and take their own photos with Santa, with a suggested $2 donation to the Oregon Garden Foundation. Ticket prices to enter Christmas in the Garden range from $5 to $15 per person, depending on the day. Children 10 and under free. Parking is an additional $5, or there are free shuttles from various parking lots in Silverton.
The Christmas Bazaar at The Portland Expo Center
America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar takes place in two large halls at the Expo Center. It features a large section with booths of juried handcrafted items, plus Santa, a small village/sleigh for exploring, and a carousel ($3/ride). Purchase a print or take your own.
When: November 29-December 1 and December 6-8
Where: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland
Cost: $8 adults, $3 ages 12-17, free under 12. Parking $10. Free admission December 6 with donation of 2 cans of food.
Santa Days at Old McDonald’s Farm
Get your picture taken with Santa, plus your choice of farm animal, including baby donkey, baby horse, goat, sheep, chicken or rabbit. Warm by an outdoor fire and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies.
When: November 30-December 1, 12-4 pm
Where: Old McDonald’s Farm, Corbett, OR
Cost: $12 donation for a picture
Breakfast with Santa at McMenamins
Santa comes to visit at various McMenamins locations around town to join families for a hot buffet breakfast. When it’s your kid’s turn to meet with Santa, capture it on your own camera. Please pre-register; events sell out quickly. Santa will also be at the Bagdad Theater on November 30 for breakfast at 10 am and a 12:15 pm screening of Frozen 2.
When: Weekends November 30-December 21
Where: Various McMenamins, including Edgefield, The Kennedy School, and others.
Cost: $18 adults, $13 kids 10 and under, under 6 months free.
Uniko Fotobus’s Photos with Santa
Get your Santa photos inside a vintage 1971 Volkswagen bus. Fun for families, friends and pets!
When: November 30, December 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15. Hipster Santa December 6.
Where: Madison Automotive, 7820 N Lombard St., Portland
Cost: $25 for 3 photos with Santa, 1 GIF via text, and an electronic image.
Merry Mondays at Gresham Station
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy complimentary hot cider or hot cocoa, Christmas Carolers, a reindeer selfie station, and a pop-up holiday bookstore from Maggie Mae’s Kids Bookshop with story time at 6:00 pm. Free meet-and-greet with Santa’s live reindeer on Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th. Visitors are encouraged to donate a canned food item.
When: Every Monday, December 2 to December 16 from 4-8 pm.
Where: Gresham Station Shopping Center, 649 NW 12th Street, Gresham
Cost: Free visits plus professional photos with Santa on Mondays.
Elf Academy at the Festival of Trees
Stroll through a magical winter wonderland filled with stunning Christmas trees and displays decorated by local businesses, designers, florists and talented volunteers. Proceeds from the entire event series will benefit Providence Children’s Health. Kids will love the Elf Academy, where they will perfect their cookie decorating skills in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, create crafts for themselves or kids in the hospital in Santa’s Workshop, become gift experts as they explore the holiday tree forest to complete a scavenger hunt, visit Teddy Bear hospital, and earn their prestigious elf ears.
When: December 6, 10:30 am-8 pm, and December 7, 9 am-5pm
Where: Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd., Portland
Cost: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Children ages 3-12 $8, Family 4-pack $28. Tickets available online.
Decemberville in Sellwood/Westmoreland
In addition to free pictures with Santa at Oodles 4 Kids, there are holiday activities throughout the day in the neighborhood, including double-decker bus rides, caroling, crafts, a puppet show and more.
When: December 7, 11 am-4 pm
Where: SMILE, usiness corridors in Sellwood and Westmoreland
Cost: Free!
Diving Santa at the Oregon Zoo
Watch Diving Santa hang out with the resident harbor seals—great selfie opportunities with the kids. Enjoy breakfast with Santa on December 14, 15, and 21. You can also get photos with Santa every night through December 24 at ZooLights.
When: December 7, 14, 21 at 11-11:45 am
Where: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland
Cost: Free with zoo admission.
Milwaukie Umbrella Parade & Tree Lighting
Join the Milwaukie holiday tradition of decorating umbrellas and parading through downtown, ending with the tree lighting. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and spiced cider, grilled cheese bites, caroling and an appearance from Santa (bring your camera).
When: December 7. Parade begins at 4:15 pm, tree lit at 5 pm.
Where: City Hall, 10722 SE Main St., Milwaukie
Cost: Free!
ScanFair Market
A two-day Nordic craft fair extravaganza at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland’s Rose Quarter. Get a picture taken with Finland’s jovial Santa, Joulupukki, on a beautifully picturesque set, and benefit the Finlandia Foundation’s Columbia Pacific Chapter.
When: December 7-8
Where: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Winning Way, Portland
Cost: Entry $10 adults, $9 students and seniors, children under 12 free, $20 for families.
Winter Celebrations at Milwaukie Center
Celebrate many winter holiday traditions from around the world with live music, games, crafts and food! Treat yourself to the hot chocolate bar with toppings galore to choose from. Enjoy cheerful holiday songs, meet Santa and Frosty the Snowman, decorate gingerbread men, and create memories with a visit to the photo booth.
When: December 7, 9:30 am-12 pm
Where: Milwaukie Center, 5440 SE Kellogg Creek Drive, Milwaukie
Cost: Free!
Reindeer Magic at Dennis’ 7 Dees
See and take pictures with reindeer, ride the holiday train, sit on Santa’s lap, enjoy holiday music and other fun event happenings. Vendor activities such as face painting, food, beverages and professional photos with Santa are additional costs. It’s outdoors, so dress for the weather.
When: December 7-8, 10 am-5 pm
Where: Lake Oswego Dennis’ 7 Dees, 1090 McVey Ave., Lake Oswego
Cost: $7 per person or $26 for family 4-pack; children under 1 are free. Register ahead to reserve a spot.
Santa Visits Santaland at Oregon Historical Society
Santa Claus will be landing his sleigh in Santaland at the Oregon Historical Society! All are welcome to visit Santa from 12pm to 4pm on December 8, 14, and 21. Admission to Santaland and to see Santa is free, and visitors are invited to take their own photos with St. Nick. Items from Meier & Frank’s popular Santaland display will be on view at the Oregon Historical Society through December. The display, donated to OHS following the closure of Macy’s downtown store this past year, includes Santa’s chair, Rudolph, animatronic elves, and a decorated Christmas tree!
When: December 8, 14 and 21, 12-4 pm
Where: Oregon Historical Society, 1200 SW Park Ave, Portland
Cost: Free!
An Afternoon with Black Santa
Hosted by the Portland Willamette Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill, this fundraiser (including games and local vendors) benefits Albina Head Start and the Jack & Jill of America Foundation This year’s event features a can drive and $700 prize raffle, with tickets available for $1 or one can donated.
When: December 8, 3-5 pm
Where: Matt Dishman Community Center, 77 NE Knott St., Portland
Cost: $20 for a framed professional photo with Black Santa
Victorian Belle Miracle of a Million Lights
The historical Victorian Belle mansion and its 2.5 acre plot in North Portland is decked out with a million lights, 35 uniquely-decorated Christmas trees, themed rooms and decorations. Immerse your family in a mesmerizing Christmas wonderland at an iconic Portland landmark.
When: December 8-28, 6-10 pm nightly.
Where: 1441 McClellan St., Portland
Cost: Updated rates not yet available. Get notified when tickets go on sale or call (503) 970-0213.
Santa at Lloyd Center
Visit Santa at Lloyd Center this holiday season! Special events include Mrs. Claus’ Magical Tree Lighting Sing Along on November 23, as well as selfie sessions with the Grinch (November 30), Jack Skellington (December 1), and Buddy the Elf (December 7).
When: Photos with Santa December 14-December 24.
Where: 2201 Lloyd Center, Portland
Cost: Photo packages available for purchase.
Brunch & Tea with Santa at Hotel deLuxe
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for a buffet breakfast at Gracie’s Restaurant. Each child, and child at heart, will have a one-on-one visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Reservations required.
When: December 15. Brunch: 10 am-2 pm, Tea: 3-5:30 pm
Where: Hotel deLuxe, 729 SW 15th Avenue, Portland
Cost: Updated price currently unavailable. Call (503) 222-2171 for reservations.
The Santa Experience
Create breathtaking works of art with your young ones at their visit with Santa. Professional photography in an astonishingly whimsical setting will capture this moment in your child’s life to cherish forever. This enchanting experience includes milk and cookies, a Nice List (don’t worry, your kids’ names will be on it) and a magical gift from St. Nick.
When: Session space limited.
Where: Haugen’s Galleri, 275 Main St. E. Monmouth
Cost: $299/session fee plus the cost of prints.