Feel the community spirit this holiday season in Bend! Explore our guide for all the events and activities. For hometown residents and visiting guests, this guide is your ticket to Bend's holiday fun.
Don't miss the joyous Christmas Parade, where festive floats and cheerful music will light up the streets. The dazzling Holiday Magic Tree Lighting will illuminate the town, featuring twinkling lights and holiday cheer. And the Christmas Eve Service is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing warmth and reflection to all. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Bend
- Christmas Parade
- Holiday Magic Tree Lighting
- Christmas Eve Service
- Bend Christmas Bazaar
- Santa Express Train Ride
- Festival of Trees
- Christmas Lights Tour
- Santa's Workshop
- Holiday Craft Fair
- Polar Express Experience
Bend Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Magic Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Interactive light display synchronized to local musicians
Description:
The Holiday Magic Tree Lighting in Bend illuminates the night with a dazzling twist. A massive pine tree bursts to life with thousands of lights synchronized to live performances by local musicians. This innovative display blends technology and artistry, creating a unique audiovisual experience. Visitors can contribute to the show by singing along, their voices affecting the light patterns. The event pays homage to Bend's rich musical heritage, which dates back to the early 1900s when logging camps hosted lively jam sessions.
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Christmas Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Guided tour combining holiday lights and local craft breweries
Description:
Bend's Christmas Lights Tour illuminates the city's festive spirit and craft beer scene. This unique excursion takes you through neighborhoods adorned with elaborate light displays, interspersed with stops at local breweries. Marvel at the creativity of homeowners as you sample Bend's renowned craft beers. Learn about the history of holiday decorating in Bend, which gained popularity in the 1950s as the town grew. This tour offers a fresh take on two of Bend's beloved traditions: holiday cheer and artisanal brewing.
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Bend Holiday Markets and Shopping
Bend Christmas Bazaar
What to Expect:
Artisan market featuring exclusively Central Oregon creators
Description:
The Bend Christmas Bazaar spotlights Central Oregon's vibrant artisan community. Local craftspeople and artists showcase their unique creations, from hand-carved wooden ornaments to high-desert-inspired jewelry. The air hums with the energy of creative exchange as visitors explore booths filled with one-of-a-kind gifts. Try your hand at a DIY ornament workshop led by local artists. This bazaar carries on Bend's long-standing tradition of supporting local craftsmanship, which began in the early 20th century with the rise of small-scale industries.
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Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly crafts made from locally sourced, sustainable materials
Description:
The Holiday Craft Fair in Bend showcases the community's commitment to sustainability. Artisans present an array of eco-friendly crafts, all made from locally sourced, sustainable materials. The fair hums with creativity as visitors discover unique gifts that are both beautiful and environmentally conscious. Join a workshop on upcycling holiday decorations using natural materials found in Bend's forests. This event continues Bend's long-standing tradition of environmental stewardship, which began in the early 1970s with community-led conservation efforts.
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Bend Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Trees decorated to represent Bend's diverse outdoor activities
Description:
Bend's Festival of Trees reimagines the traditional display with a local twist. Each tree represents a different outdoor activity beloved in Bend, from skiing to rock climbing. Ornaments and decorations creatively incorporate gear and equipment, turning each tree into a work of art. Admire the ingenuity as you vote for your favorite themed tree. This event celebrates Bend's outdoor culture while raising funds for local charities, a practice that began in the 1980s as the community sought ways to give back during the holiday season.
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Bend Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Experience
What to Expect:
Immersive theater experience on a moving train
Description:
Bend's Polar Express Experience transports passengers into a beloved holiday story. This immersive theater production unfolds aboard a moving train, blending live performance with the romance of rail travel. Actors weave through the cars, bringing the tale to life as the landscape rolls by outside frosted windows. Don your pajamas and join in a lively rendition of "Hot Chocolate." This unique adaptation pays homage to Bend's railroad history, which played a crucial role in the town's development in the early 20th century.
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Bend Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Locally-themed floats celebrating Bend's outdoor culture
Description:
Bend's Christmas Parade transforms downtown into a winter spectacle. Unique floats showcase the city's outdoor spirit, with ski and snowboard-themed creations gliding down the streets. The parade honors Bend's logging heritage, featuring a towering decorated timber truck. You can warm up with locally-roasted coffee as you watch. This cherished tradition began in 1948 as a small community gathering and has grown into a beloved annual celebration that captures the essence of Bend's holiday spirit.
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Christmas Eve Service
What to Expect:
Outdoor candlelit service in a natural amphitheater
Description:
Bend's Christmas Eve Service unfolds in a natural rock amphitheater, offering a serene outdoor celebration. Attendees gather under the stars, their faces aglow with candlelight as they join in traditional carols. The unique setting allows for a connection between faith and nature, reflecting Bend's appreciation for the outdoors. Bundle up and participate in a centuries-old tradition of singing "Silent Night" by candlelight. This service continues a practice begun by early settlers who held Christmas gatherings in Bend's scenic locations.
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Santa Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Scenic ride through Deschutes National Forest with storytelling
Description:
The Santa Express Train Ride whisks passengers through the snow-dusted Deschutes National Forest. This journey combines the nostalgia of rail travel with the beauty of Oregon's wilderness. As the train winds through pine-covered hills, local storytellers share tales of Bend's holiday folklore. Sip on hot cocoa while keeping an eye out for wildlife along the route. The train follows a historic logging route, offering a glimpse into Bend's timber industry past while creating new holiday memories.
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Santa's Workshop
What to Expect:
Interactive STEM-focused toy-making stations
Description:
Santa's Workshop in Bend brings a modern twist to holiday toy-making. This hands-on experience features STEM-focused stations where children can build and program their own electronic toys. The workshop buzzes with the excitement of young inventors as they bring their creations to life. Participate in a robotics challenge, designing a toy that can navigate a miniature obstacle course. This innovative approach to holiday fun reflects Bend's growing reputation as a tech hub, blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.