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!
Come hear festive cheer at the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s Christmas concert.
Set sail to Maybeland with Cinnamon Bear and friends aboard the Portland Spirit!
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 […]
Panto is Returning for the 2025 Holiday Season! Beauty and the Beast - A Musical Panto is a fun, interactive, family-friendly holiday event filled with slapstick, witty dialogue, great music, dancing, and a few wink-wink jokes for the adults. Kids and adults will laugh, cheer, and have a wonderful time. Panto is Interactive Theater and […]
Don't miss Santa pictures at Cedar Hills Crossing! Walk ups welcome every day until closing time. Please Note: Multiple families are scheduled during the selected 15-minute time. Hours vary by day, so be sure to check the event host's website before heading out! Visits with Santa are FREE, and photo packages will be available for […]
Twirl Into the Holidays! A sparkling winter tale set to Tchaikovsky’s festive score. When Marie’s mysterious godfather gives her a magical Nutcracker that comes to life, Marie and her Nutcracker Prince set off on an unforgettable Christmas Eve adventure to the Land of Sweets. Performed by Oregon Ballet Theatre. Presented by Fred Meyer | December […]
A family-friendly abridged version of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is a magical journey that will enchant the whole family. "A Nutcracker Tea" has been a popular sought after Christmas tradition event in the Portland Metro area since 2004. The traditional classic story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince is presented by NWDT with elaborate sets, stunning costumes, […]
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 […]
Go see Wicked: For Good at OMSI's Empirical Theater! Tickets $9 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Youth | OMSI Members receive half-off admission for this screening Member Empirical vouchers are not applicable. About the Film Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now demonized as The Wicked Witch of the West, lives in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while […]
Don't miss Santa pictures at Washington Square! Walk ups welcome every day until closing time. Please Note: Multiple families are scheduled during the selected 15-minute time. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase. Santa's Schedule and Hours November 7: Fri: 2pm-7pm November 8-9: Sat & Sun: 11am-7pm (Break: 3-4pm) […]
The North Pole Adventureland Experience is an indoor walk-through, immersive holiday attraction for families of all sizes and ages! Guests will venture down Candy Cane Lane to find The North Pole Post Office, where kids can write their letter to Santa and mail it in our Magic Mailbox (with the help of a mischievous elf, […]
Delight in the Portland Christmas Ships Parade this season! Several events take place throughout December, and Santa might be at a few! Visit the event host's calendar for details. Most events are at 7pm, but times can vary. Over more than half a century, the Portland Christmas Ships Parade has grown into the longest continuously […]
Bring your loved ones, take a short drive, park your car and get hunting for the Christmas tree of your dreams, as you gaze upon thousands of Nobles, Douglas and Grand Fir-trees to be discovered! With over 100-acres of land to be explored, with plenty of parking, facilities, and that much desired “u-cut Christmas tree […]
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 […]
Say hello to Santa and other Christmas/Winter characters at Yesteryear Farm! Each weekend has a special character to say hello to (like Frosty the Snowman, Elsa and the Grinch!) — visit the event host's website for details including specific times. Pick a precut tree and visit their Holiday Farm Store with tons of cute photos […]
Here at PDX Parent, we love a Christmas tree adventure! Make magical memories at some of the local u-cut tree farms that surround the Portland-metro area. Many farms also offer food and drinks, and a chance to see animals or meet Santa. Some require ticketed entry, so check the farm websites before you go. Use our interactive […]
Santa and his elves will be available for visits and photos at Vancouver Mall through December 24! Sensory-friendly Santa is on December 7 at 9am. Check the event host's website for specific hours each day. Reservations are recommended but not required. Walk-ups are always welcome and will be accommodated as time allows.
Catch Santa by Macy's through December 24 at Clackamas Town Center!
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 […]
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 […]
Youth athletes, this one’s for you — ages 17 and under race FREE at Santa’s Holiday Hustle! That’s right, 17 and under!!! Thanks to the generous support of @nwpx.infrastructure and their donation to our nonprofit, Road and Trail, we’re able to give this special gift to the community and make it easier for young runners to […]
Wing It! is an interactive children's show that is fun for all ages. Kids are encouraged to sign, dance, shout out ideas, and participate as much as possible. There is a Sing It!, Swing It!, and Bring It! portion of the show, the entirety of which lasts about 45 minutes. Cash or check at the […]
Santa Claus will be joining us every Saturday this month from 5-7 pm to walk around, take pictures and hand out candy canes.
Santa is coming the Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop! December 13th There are two different time slots one will be the slot with added fun activities (tickets required for this time slot on pdxstorytime.com) and the other a drop-in meet up with Santa. From 9 AM to 10 AM *Santa storytime *Letter to Santa writing […]
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. […]
Looking for a cozy, FUN place to explore and play with your little as we head into the inclement fall & winter months? Join us for sensory play, creative building, intentionally built and set imaginary place zones, dress up and books galore! Not to mention snacks, drinks and coffee (for deeply deserving parents and caretakers). […]
Please join us for our 2nd Annual Santa's Sweet Shoppe and Storytime, proudly presented by Bows + Arrows Junior Socials! A morning full of Christmas Classics for Kids! Admission includes... Cookie decorating kit by Honey from the Rock Bakery Storytimes with Santa (9:30, 10:30, 11:30) (visits + pictures permitted)! "The Littlest Christmas Tree" toddler play […]
Join Music Together of Portland to welcome the winter season with singing, dancing, jamming, and imagination!... Snowflakes, snowfriends, sledding adventures, ice skating, and more... All this wintry fun--plus songs of peace, light, and coziness--await in our magical Seasonal Sing-Along classes! Classes for children birth through 8 years, Monday through Saturday from December 1 through December […]
The roster for the 2025 St. Johns Farmers Market season includes more than 80 small businesses, including new and returning vendors spanning local farmers, artisan food, and handmade arts and crafts. New this year, SJFM is excited to partner with OSU Extension Service to bring hands-on nutrition education to the kids activity booth. The program, […]
Join us for our annual Holiday Market, a magical seasonal event featuring over 70 local artisans and vendors offering handcrafted gifts, festive décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures. Hosted at our Farmington Road location, the market comes to life with stunning holiday displays beautifully paired with the plants we grow and sell year-round. Enjoy unique attractions like […]
Skip the mall and make lasting memories right here on the farm. Santa will be making special appearances on select days during our Christmas Season (open November 21 – December 21) and you’re invited! Visits are donation-based and open to all. Bring your own camera, come as you are, and capture the magic. While you’re […]
Hop on your bikes as a family for a weekly bike ride! This is an all-ages/all-abilities ride from Southeast Portland to the PSU Farmers’ Market. This ride helps support local farmers, bakers, and makers of all kinds and builds community in a relaxed, informal setting. Rides are on every Saturday the market is open (year […]
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 […]
Looking for a fun Saturday activity for your preschooler? Join us for Cub Club, a free morning of stories, crafts, and seasonal fun—perfect for children ages 2–5! December's Cub Club meets from 10–11 AM in the Portland Christian Preschool & Elementary School library. (The library is on the east end of campus, toward 122nd Ave. Look for balloons!) Upcoming Cub […]
