Activities, events and local spots to keep the whole family entertained!
Connect with businesses that serve families, discover Portland’s family-friendly neighborhoods, and get the latest info from our e-newsletter and monthly print magazine.
Explore child care, preschool and private school options. Plus after-school activities and enrichment programs to reinforce your child’s learning.
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 […]
“We must walk lightly when we are between worlds with this sacred being.” – Phillip Cash Cash Indigenous peoples have long been in relationship with and shared stories about sacred forest protectors, often called Sasquatch and Bigfoot. The works in this exhibition are made by Indigenous artists and honor generations of spiritual practices, storytelling, and tradition. Leave your preconceived […]
Step into an Old World Nordic Christmas Market. For over 40 years, ScanFair has brought the magic of an old-world Nordic Christmas market to Portland. We invite you to experience the warmth, wonder, and timeless traditions that make it so special. Stroll through a festive marketplace of handcrafted gifts and Nordic treasures, savor traditional […]
November 30, 2025 – January 11, 2026* Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station Find seasonal cheer at this outdoor ice-skating rink. Winter Village is a beloved Hillsboro event. Bring your friends and family to a skate session or rent the rink for your private party. Don't miss exciting special events and skate days! Public Skate Sessions […]
Experience the magic of the season at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center! The most highly anticipated event of the year is just around the corner – the beloved Holiday Express! Climb aboard with Santa Claus and his elves for a festive ride behind the historic 1912 Polson #2 steam locomotive. Relax in our warm, decorated […]
This flagship holiday shopping experience shines a spotlight on Portland’s most skilled artists, makers and small businesses. Enjoy 160+ vendors for TWO weekends this holiday season!
ReClaim It’s annual winter pop-up fundraiser, Holiday Shop 2025, is a celebration of local creativity and sustainable gift giving! Held the first two weekends in December in downtown Portland, this festive pop-up features art and gifts made from at least 80% salvaged or recycled materials by more than 70 local artists. You will find home […]
This holiday season Director Park will turn back into a true winter wonderland with the return of Snow Day Village! Warm up by a fire pit, grab some smore’s, and do your holiday shopping at Mike Bennet’s Ornament Gift Shop. Central City Concern will be hosting a Giving Tree in the gift shop for those […]
Visit Snow Day Village downtown for so many holiday festivities including holiday shopping at Mike Bennet’s Ornament Gift Shop. Central City Concern will be hosting a Giving Tree in the gift shop for those wanting to spread holiday cheer to other families.
Mike Bennett's Gilly the Goldfish has escaped from the Portland Aquarium and we need your help finding her. Come take part in the Gilly the Goldfish Scavenger hunt happening this holiday season in Downtown Portland. Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet at Snow Day Village located in Director Park! Open daily from 11am - 7pm.
Starting December 8th and running through the end of Winter Break, come find your favorite characters from the new Spongebob Movie at the Portland Aquarium!! Explore under the sea where you will find over 100 cartoon animals swimming with some of your favorite Spongebob characters. Free Spongebob prizes for everyone that completes the scavenger hunt […]
Join us at Wonderlove for a cheerful indoor 3 Day Holiday Market featuring Vendors, Live Music, Food Carts, Holiday Cocktails, Experiential Light Art, and more!! WHAT TO EXPECT: -Over 15 Vendors featuring a variety of artisinal goods such as stocking stuffers, custom jewelry, vintage clothing, home goods, high end artists & sculptures, oddities, health and […]
This Portland tradition is back! Black Santa will be making his way through the metro area throughout the holiday season. See a list of events on his website to know where to find him this year and to confirm dates/times listed below. Friday, November 28: 5 pm - 7 pm @ The Workshop, 912 SW Morrison […]
Join us for Crafternoon, a self-guided, themed crafting session with reuse materials! Our weekly themes vary, offering exciting inspiration like seasonal decor, miniatures, paper crafts, and unusual material challenges. All materials provided. Different themes each week - visit for event details and to confirm it's happening on this date! https://events.humanitix.com/host/scrap-pdx 2-4pm | Ages 5+. Youth […]
This timeless holiday classic returns to the Playhouse, relating the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy and miserly businessman who ultimately experiences redemption. As Scrooge learns the importance of kindness, connection, and love, this heart-filled, musically-infused telling of the story is sure to leave audiences feeling uplifted and inspired. Always a local highlight, A Christmas Carol is […]
Mainstage Presents - “Pippin” 2013 Broadway Revival With an infectiously unforgettable score from four-time Grammy winner, three-time Oscar winner and musical theatre giant, Stephen Schwartz, Pippin is the story of one young man's journey to be extraordinary. Winner of four 2013 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, this updated circus-inspired version of Pippin continues to […]
