Check out these volunteer opportunities and community events in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy.
For more opportunities to serve, go to the Hands On Portland Calendar, or check out our roundup of Kid-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities.
MLK Community Events
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Monsters of the Abyss Featured Exhibit at OMSI
OMSIOMSI'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 […]
$15 – $20 -
OMSI On Ice: Indoor Skating
OMSIPut 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 […]
$8 – $10 -
Pittock Mansion’s Home for the Holidays
Pittock Mansion 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, Portland, OR, United StatesPittock 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 […]
Free – $17 -
Climb Aboard a Holiday Train or Ship This Season
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 […]
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12 Days of Zen Penguin!
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! […]
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Winter Village @ Orenco Station Outdoor Ice Skating
Jerry Willey Plaza at Orenco Station Plaza 943 NE Orenco Station Loop, HillsboroNovember 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 […]
$19 -
Snow Day Village & Santa’s Mailbox at Director Park
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORThis 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 […]
Free to attend -
Mike Bennet’s Holiday Gift Shop & Giving Tree
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORVisit 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 […]
Free to attend -
Mike Bennett Studios: Gilly Scavenger Hunt
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORMike 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 […]
Free -
SpongeBob Scavenger Hunt at the Portland Aquarium
The Portland Aquarium 603 SW Broadway, Portland, OR, United StatesStarting 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 […]
$10 – $14 -
Holiday Express Train Excursion
Oregon Rail Heritage Center 2250 SE Water Ave., Portland, OregonExperience 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! […]
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Glide & Gather Skating + Goose Lights – Holidays at the Hanger
Evergreen Aviation Musuem 500 NE Capt. Michael King Smith WAY, McMinnville, OregonThis year Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum will be hosting the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce’s Glide & Gather Skating Experience. The Goose Lights Holiday Celebration begins the Friday after Thanksgiving (November […]
$10 – $20 -
Santa Clones
400+ vintage Santa Clones are officially out in Portland! They're illuminated daily from 4 pm -11 pm until January 1. Follow clues by creator Chris Willis to find this year's […]
Free -
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo
Oregon Zoo 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, United StatesThe region’s biggest holiday light display is back at the Oregon Zoo! ZooLights runs Nov. 21 through Jan. 4. Every year, ZooLights dazzles visitors of all ages with wildlife-inspired light displays […]
$13 – $35 -
Christmas Glow
6700 Field of Dreams Way NE 6700 Field of Dreams Way NE, Keizer, OregonOpens Friday, November 28th and goes through December 31! Glow Christmas Oregon is a festive light celebration with something for everyone! Glow Oregon is an expansive outdoor walk-around light experience, […]
$18 – $25 -
Silverton Christmas Market
Oregon Garden ResortEnjoy an awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort! This annual event offers a magical holiday experience for all ages. Stroll along immersive paths draped in more […]
$12 – $20 -
Hawthorne Loop Light Show in Newberg
Hawthorne Loop Light Show 1202 Hawthorne Loop, Newberg, OR, United StatesExperience the magic of the holidays at the Hawthorne Loop Light Show! This dazzling neighborhood display transforms this family home into a winter wonderland with thousands of synchronized lights, festive […]
Free -
The Grotto Festival of Lights
The GrottoPresenting the sights, sounds, and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights features over two million lights and is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. […]
$8 – $17 -
Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway
Portland International Raceway 1940 N Victory Blvd, Portland, OR, United StatesWinter Wonderland is the largest holiday light show in the Pacific Northwest, spanning the entire racetrack at Portland International Raceway. Bring the whole family for a leisurely cruise to see […]
$50 -
Starkwood Holiday Lights
Starkwood Holiday Lights For 65 years, Starkwood HOA has brightened East Portland by lighting our homes to spread warmth and cheer during this special time of year. This beloved tradition […]
Free -
Lightopia: An Illuminated Journey in Hillsboro
Gordan Farmber Recreation Center 4450 NE Century Boulevard, HillsboroDrive through this free light show at Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, over a half-mile. New this year: no tickets or reservations required! All visits are first come, first served 7 […]
Free -
Peacock Lane, “Portland’s Christmas Street”
Peacock LaneIt's the most wonderful time of the year again, and the residents of Peacock Lane will be displaying their lights from December 15th - December 31st, 2025! Bundle up and […]
Free -
Pittock Mansion’s Home for the Holidays
Pittock Mansion 3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, Portland, OR, United StatesPittock 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 […]
Free – $17 -
12 Days of Zen Penguin!
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! […]
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THPRD Indoor Play Parks
Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic CenterIndoor Play Parks are officially back! 🎉 Cozy up in the Conestoga Recreation Center! Families with children up to 6 years of age can gather to interact and develop motor and […]
Free – $8 -
The MusikLab
The Musikry 43 NW 3rd St, Gresham, ORWhat is a MusikLab? We provide the space and instruments and you do whatever moves you. MusikLabs are unstructured, all ages (we recommend 6 months - 9 years), and all […]
$7 -
Tree Time! Preschool Walks
Hoyt Arboretum 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, ORJoin 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 […]
$5 – $8 -
Holiday Activities at Hands On
Hands On Children's Museum 414 Jefferson St. NE, Olympia, WA, United StatesClimb aboard the Imagination Express for train-themed fun December 20th through January 4th! Young engineers can go full steam ahead with hands-on engineering, art, and dream building. Each stop brings […]
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Extended Mini Golf hours at Mike Bennett’s Wonderwood Springs!
Wonderwood Springs 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, ORJoin us as we extend our hours for the holidays at our kid-friendly 9-hole indoor mini golf course spanning 7,000 sq ft! Next door to Wonderwood Cafe where you can […]
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LEGO Free Play
Cedar Mill Library 1080 NW Saltzman Road, Portland, ORJoin us for our popular drop-in program for kids ages 5 and up who enjoy building with LEGOs. This event includes an optional building challenge!
Free -
Snow Day Village & Santa’s Mailbox at Director Park
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORThis 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 […]
Free to attend -
Mike Bennet’s Holiday Gift Shop & Giving Tree
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORVisit 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 […]
Free to attend -
Mike Bennett Studios: Gilly Scavenger Hunt
Director Park 815 SW Park Ave., Portland, ORMike 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 […]
Free