‘Tis The Season for (Safe) Fun in PDX
The halls have been decked, the Cyber Monday deals have been delivered, and the cold air has already made for many cozy nights at home this holiday season.
Even with increased safety precautions in place, our city is still finding safe, distanced ways to enjoy the holidays both in and outside of the home. Here are our picks for top activities to fit into your holiday itinerary:
Drive-Through ZooLights
ZooLights, a favorite PDX holiday tradition, has returned for the 2020 season in a new way - drive through! You can catch this attraction filled with over 1.5 million twinkling lights from the warmth of your car now through January 10 (with the exception of December 25). The experience will take your vehicle through the insect garden, penguin exhibit, gorilla group, and more.
You can even pre-order snacks when you purchase your ticket online, and the ZooLights workers will have them prepared for you when you arrive for your time slot. Tickets are $50-65 per car and available online up to seven days in advance.
The Cinnamon Bear Holiday Show
A Pacific Northwest tradition for over 80 years, the Cinnamon Bear Holiday show has been heard on the radio and seen for live audiences in the past aboard the Portland Spirit. This classic show has been reimagined this year as a drive-in experience taking place at the Oaks Amusement Park.
Enjoy live music from the Cocklebur Cowboys played through your car radio as you see and hear the holiday story with special appearances from the Cinnamon Bear and Santa Claus himself. Shows are Thursdays through Sundays now through December 31st with matinee and evening performance times. Each car’s ticket is $49.
Portland Symphonic Choir’s WinterSong (Online Event)
It’s not the holiday season without those classic tunes. Portland Symphonic Choir is taking their annual winter celebration online and simultaneously celebrating their 75th anniversary on December 13th at 4 p.m. with WinterSong.
The show will feature performances by three Portland-area schools: Jesuit High School, La Center Middle & High Schools, and Grant High School.
This virtual production will go live on the Portland Symphonic Choir’s Facebook, YouTube, and website on Sunday, December 13 and can be viewed at any time once it is live.
Santa’s Enginehouse
If you’ve loved the Portland Holiday Express for the past 15 years, Oregon Rail Heritage Center has adapted this event to be socially-distanced, safe, and fun for all ages. This event will take place in the locomotive shelters where the historic steam engines will stay parked while Santa and his elves transform the Rail Heritage Center inside and out into Santa's Enginehouse.
Outside, vintage rail cars and trains will twinkle with colorful holiday lights. Inside, Portland's historic steam engines will be surrounded by newly built displays (complete with a Polar Express themed display and 9-foot Christmas tree).
Santa will be there too, posted in the cab of the legendary SP 4449 steam locomotive, welcoming visits by kids able to look in from a nearby staircase. In front of Santa's workshop, children can write their letters to Santa and will receive a response back in the mail.
This experience runs December 18 - 23 and January 1 -3 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. all days. Tickets are $8 per adult, $5 per child, and masks must be worn at all times.
Shop Online to Support Local Businesses
This year more than ever, supporting the small and local businesses in our Portland community is vital. Built Oregon has made this easier than ever by keeping an updated inventory of offerings from local Oregon makers.
They’ve even sorted gifts by category so you can shop for every person in your life - from the pet lover to the artisan foodie.
Enjoy Hot Mulled Cider and Santa Sauce
On your way home from one of these fabulous local activities, swing by Portland Cider House or Portland Cider Company Clackamas to grab some holiday exclusives - Santa Sauce Cider and Hot Mulled Cider Kits.
Both are only available for a limited time this holiday season, so make sure you swing by so you can take part in this holiday tradition of ours. We are currently open limited hours for to-go and curbside pickup in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations.
Portland Cider Company is committed to making the best cider in the Pacific Northwest - it’s in our roots! Portland Cider Co. was started in 2013 with the mission of bringing together cider rooted in the English tradition with a little Portland personality and culture. Combine those things, and you’ve got the Portland Cider Company.