One of our favorite free ways to celebrate the season is with a holiday tree lighting — and lucky for us, there are so many to choose from around Portland. Grab your cocoa, bundle up, and find an in-person tree lighting ceremony near you to kick off the season with a little sparkle. You just might run into Santa, and best of all — virtually all of these events are free to attend!
Here are some of the confirmed and most-loved tree lighting ceremonies happening across the Portland metro area this year:
🎁 Where & When to See the Trees Light Up
Find a holiday tree near you! These are listed in order of their lighting ceremonies, but once lit you can visit them all season long.
🎄Lloyd Center Ice Rink Mrs. Claus Tree Lighting & Skate Experience
Location: Lloyd Center Ice Rink, 2201 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR
Why go: Watch skating performances, meet Santa’s elves, and enjoy “snowfall” from the ceiling — all before Mrs. Claus flips the switch.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 15, 2025, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
🎄Light Up St. Johns
Location: St. Johns Plaza (N Lombard St & N Philadelphia Ave), Portland, OR.
Why go: St. Johns turns into a cozy neighborhood celebration with ornament-making, a makers market, live music, free hot cocoa & cookies — a hands-on, family-friendly tree lighting event.
Ceremony Date & Time: Fri, November 21, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
🎄Hillsboro Holly Days Tree Lighting
Location: Historic Downtown Hillsboro, Civic Center Plaza (150 E. Main St)
Why go: This festive celebration includes an artisan market, live music, carolers, and a big community sing-along. The tree lighting is led by the mayor, Santa, and friends — followed by a performance from the Oregon Chorale.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 22, 2025, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM (tree lights at ~6:00 PM)
🎄Pioneer Courthouse Square
Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland
Why go: Join a joyous sing-along led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, surrounded by local musicians and chorale singers. The highlight: Santa flips the switch to illuminate nearly 10,000 lights on a towering Douglas fir.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 28, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM
🎄Hoffman Farms
Location: Hoffman Farms, 22242 SW Scholls Ferry Rd, Beaverton, OR
Why go: A cozy, low-key farm celebration with hot chocolate, cider, seasonal milkshakes — and a magical moment when the tree lights up at dusk.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 28, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM; lighting at ~6:00 PM
🎄Vancouver Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Location: Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA
Why go: This celebration features a festive parade of lighted Christmas ships and vehicles, live entertainment, and Santa’s grand arrival by barge. The community tree lights up amid music and family fun, including visits from Santa and Frozen characters.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 28, 2025, 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM, tree lighting at 6:00 PM
🎄Lake Oswego’s Tree Lighting Festival
Location: Millennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego, OR
Why go: Celebrate the longest-running tree-lighting festival in the area: enjoy caroling, a holiday marketplace with artisans and food, letters to Santa, and reindeer viewing before the tree lights.
Ceremony Date & Time: November 28, 2025, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM; tree lights at 5:30 PM
🎄Santa’s Parade and Tree Lighting in McMinnville
Location: Historic 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR.
Why go: Kick off Small Business Saturday with a hometown parade, live holiday vibes, and Santa arriving to light the downtown tree — classic small-town charm and a great photo op.
Ceremony Date & Time: Fri, November 28, 2025, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
🎄Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Pearl District)
Location: Jamison Square, Pearl District, Portland, OR.
Why go: Shop the artisan market, hear carols from local choirs, join a sing-along, then watch the 36-foot tree light up — a lively neighborhood celebration on Small Business Saturday.
Ceremony Date & Time: Sat, November 29, 2025 • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (tree lighting during the event).
🎄Bethany Village Tree Lighting Ceremony
Location: Bethany Village Plaza, Bethany, OR
Why go: Shop local at 30+ vendor booths, enjoy live performances, and warm up with seasonal treats while the tree lights.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 2, 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎄Wilsonville Community Tree Lighting
Location: Town Center Park, 29600 SW Park Place, Wilsonville, OR
Why go: Hot cocoa, choir performances, Santa photos, “Letters to Winter Wonderland,” and a cozy lighting ceremony.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 4, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
🎄Tigard Holiday Tree Lighting
Location: Universal Plaza, 9100 SW Burnham Street, Tigard, OR
Why go: Holiday market, choir performance, Santa’s arrival, and a festive tree lighting — all in one downtown Tigard evening of fun.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 5, 2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM; lighting at ~6:45 PM
🎄Beaverton Holiday Bazaar and Tree Lighting
Location: Beaverton City Park (12500 SW 4th St), Beaverton, OR.
Why go: New this year: two vendor markets plus family performances leading up to a community tree lighting — bring kids for the Children’s Entrepreneur Market and stick around for the 7 PM lighting.
Ceremony Date & Time: Fri, December 5, 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Tree lighting at ~7:00 PM).
🎄Multnomah Village Holiday Gala and Tree Lighting
Location: Multnomah Village (community tree at SW Capitol Hwy & SW 35th Ave / Village Park).
Why go: Multnomah Village packs shopping, dining, a Grinch photo-op, a sing-along, live music, and Santa into one lively evening — perfect for families who want market browsing + a quick tree lighting.
Ceremony Date & Time: Fri, December 5, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Community tree lighting & Santa arrival ~6:00 PM).
🎄West Linn 24th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Community Celebration
Location: West Linn City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, West Linn, OR PDX Parent
Why go: Santa arrives by vintage fire engine, community chorus sings, and there’s hot chocolate + photos after the tree lights. PDX Parent
Ceremony Date & Time: December 5, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (tree lights around ~6:10 PM)
🎄Milwaukie Umbrella Parade & Tree Lighting
Location: 10723 SE Main St., Milwaukie
Why go: One of a kind parade at 4:30 pm, hot drinks, sweet treats, and a tree lighting
Ceremony Date & Time: December 6, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎄Oregon City Christmas Tree Lighting
Location: Liberty Plaza, 813 Main St, Oregon City, OR
Why go: Downtown festive vibes, live music, Santa visits, and a cozy tree lighting to launch the season.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 6, 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
🎄Sherwood Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
Location: Cannery Square Park, Old Town Sherwood, Sherwood, OR
Why go: A charming parade, live music from local choirs and teh Maid Marian Court, Santa experience, and a tree lighting that captures small-town holiday magic.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 6, 2025, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (lighting around 5:00–5:15 PM)
🎄Happy Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony
Location: Happy Valley City Hall, 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, OR
Why go: It’s a warm, family-friendly event with live musical performances, kids’ activities, Santa photo ops, and community booths.
Ceremony Date & Time: December 7, 2025, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
✨ Finale: Make It a Holiday Bucket List
Think of this list like your very own holiday tree-lighting bucket list. Make a plan to visit a few (or all!) of these holiday trees — each one brings its own vibe, community spirit, and sparkle. Whether you’re downtown in the thick of the lights or tucked into a small-town celebration, you’re bound to make some magical memories.
And if tree lightings still don’t give you quite enough glow? Check out our favorite holiday light displays around Portland.