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.
For more holiday fun, check out our holiday highlights event guide and our cheat sheet to the area’s light displays.
Santa Visits Forest Grove Fire & Rescue
Bring your camera and get a photo with the jolly old elf from the North Pole, when he visits our fire station.
When: Saturday, December 2, 11:30 am – 2 pm
Where: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, 1919 Ash St., Forest Grove
Cost: Free
A Visit with Santa at Hammer and Jacks
Come and have a visit with the big guy in red. There will be some light snacks and warm drinks for everyone. There will not be a photographer, but please feel free to bring your own camera, and take as many pictures as you would like!
When: Saturday, December 9, 9 am – 12 pm
Where: Hammer and Jacks, 6416 SE Foster Rd.
Cost: Free!
Santa at Washington Square Mall
Get your picture taken with Santa at Santa HQ. Other features include Elf-Ray vision, naughty and naughty or nice meter. Reservations are available but not required.
When: November 10 through December 24. Closed Thanksgiving. November 10-22, Monday-Saturday 10 am–8 pm, Sundays 10 am–7 pm. November 24-December 8: Monday-Saturday 10 am–9 pm, Sundays 10 am–7 pm. December 9-23, 9 am–9 pm. December 24, 7 am–6 pm.
Where: 9585 SW Washington Square Rd., Portland
Cost: Picture packages vary
Discover Santa’s Toy Factory
Embark on an exciting adventure at Santa’s Toy Factory. Put on your safety hat, test new toys and even digitally design your own!
When: November 11-November 22; Monday-Saturday 11 am-8 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. Closed Thanksgiving. November 24-December 14, Monday-Saturday 10:30 am-8 pm; Sunday, 11 am-6 pm. December 15-December 23 9 am–9 pm. December 24, 9 am-5 pm.
Where: Clackamas Town Center, 12000 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086
Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase.
Vancouver’s Festival of Trees
In addition to seeing Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, there will also be live entertainment, the talking tree, Loci train engine rides, a scavenger hunt and—of course—trees!
When: November 24, 4 pm-8 pm; November 25, 9 am-5 pm; November 26, 10 am-4 pm.
Where: Vancouver Hilton Hotel, 301 W. 6th Ave., Vancouver WA 98660
Cost: $5 suggested donation per family.
Santa at Cedar Hill Crossing
Santa arrives Friday, November 24 at 10 am!
When: November 24-December 24; Monday-Saturday, 10 am-8 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm (December 24 hours 10 am-5 pm).
Where: Cedar Hill Crossing, 3205 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005
Cost: Visits are free! Photo packages are available to purchase.
The Christmas Bazaar at The Portland Expo Center
A holiday tradition for over 35 years! The show features 500 booths of juried handcrafted items. Plus Santa’s Village, a walk-through display that changes every year. Purchase a print or take your own.
When: November 24-26 and December 1-3. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am-6 pm; Sundays 10 am-5 pm.
Where: Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland OR 97217
Cost: $8 adults, $3 ages 12-17, free under 12.
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 24-25, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 10 am-8 pm.
Where: Oaks Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland OR 97202
Cost: $10.50-$14 for children; $17-$20.50 for adults.
Santa at Lloyd Center
Visit Santa at Lloyd Center this holiday season!
When: November 22-December 24. Daily hours vary between 9 am-9 pm. Break times from 1 pm-2 pm and 5 pm-6 pm, but may vary.
Where: 2201 Lloyd Center Portland, OR 97232
Cost: Photo packages available for purchase
Christmas in Dairyville
During the holidays, Dairyville, a replica of a western frontier town, transforms into a winter wonderland. Animals are on display in nostalgic Storybook Lane, vintage storefronts, local choirs singing, holiday movies in the Opera House and, of course, Santa.
When: December 1-3, 8-10, 15-17; 10 am-6 pm and December 22-23 from 10 am-5 pm.
Where: Alpenrose Dairy, 6149 SW Shattuck Rd, Portland, Oregon 97221
Cost: Photo packages available for purchase
Breakfast with Santa at McMenamins
Santa comes to visit at various McMenamins around town. Enjoy a hot buffet breakfast. When it’s your kid’s turn to meet with Santa, capture it on your own camera. Please pre-register.
When: Weekends December 2-17.
Where: Various McMenamins, including Edgefield, The Kennedy School, and others.
Cost: $18 adults, $13 kids, under 6 months free
Reindeer Magic at Dennis’ 7 Dees
See and pet a real baby reindeer, plus bring your camera to capture a photo with Santa. You can also enjoy face painting, balloon art and hot chocolate. Bring a blanket to donate to Human Solutions winter shelter.
When: December 2-3, 10 am-5 pm
Where: The event will take place on December 2 at the Lake Oswego Branch and December 3 at the Cedar Hills branch. Details on the site.
Cost: $5; under 1 are free. Register ahead to get a spot.
The Santa House
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus all holiday season. Share your holiday wish list with Santa, share a story or bring your pet on designated nights! You are free to come out and take pictures with your phone or camera. Instead of charging we are asking for donations for the Forest Grove Toys for Tots and the Oregon Food Bank.
When: Tuesday-Friday, December 5-15, 4 pm-8 pm. December 9, 16 and 19-23 3 pm-8 pm. Sunday, December 24, 12 pm-4 pm. Pet nights are December 13th and 20th. Service dogs are always welcome. If you have a family member with a sensory condition or special needs that are more difficult to accommodate with large crowds or due to bright lighting / loud music, please contact us directly so we can set up a special time with you to make your experience a joyful memory.
Where:The Santa House, 43465 SW Hiatt Road, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116
Cost: Free to take pictures, local photographer, Kathy with A Life Condensed, will be available some evenings for taking photos as schedule permits.