See the essence of the festive season in Hillsboro. Our guide highlights all the key holiday events. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, this guide unlocks the holiday treasures of Hillsboro.
One of the city's favorites, ZooLights, transforms the local zoo into a dazzling, illuminated wonderland filled with festive displays and twinkling lights. Another hallmark of the season is the Festival of Trees, showcasing beautifully decorated trees that capture the spirit of giving. And don't forget the Cinnamon Bear Cruises, a delightful way to enjoy the scenic waterways with festive storytelling. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Hillsboro
- ZooLights (Portland)
- Festival of Trees (Portland)
- Portland Trail Blazers Games (Portland)
- Crafty Wonderland (Portland)
- Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony (Portland)
- Cinnamon Bear Cruises (Portland)
- Portland Winterhawks Games (Portland)
- ScanFair (Portland)
- My People’s Market (Portland)
- Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Performance (Portland)
See these and even more events listed below!
Hillsboro Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with interactive light displays.
Description:
Oregon ZooLights features dazzling new light displays, including a rolling river light show and life-size animal lanterns, along with interactive exhibits and tunnels of sparkling lights.
Where: Portland | More Info: ZooLights
Hillsboro Holiday Markets and Shopping
Crafty Wonderland
What to Expect:
Unique platform for local artisans to showcase handmade goods.
Description:
Crafty Wonderland is a premier arts and crafts market featuring over 250 booths of handmade goods from local artists. The event showcases a diverse array of unique items, including illustrated portraits, metalwork, and specialty foods. It provides a platform for emerging artists to sell their work and connect with the community.
Where: Portland | More Info: Crafty Wonderland
My People’s Market
What to Expect:
Portland's largest BIPOC market celebrating local entrepreneurs and makers.
Description:
My People’s Market is a vibrant marketplace showcasing over 160 local BIPOC makers, merchants, and artists at the Oregon Convention Center. This event offers a unique shopping opportunity featuring diverse products and crafts.
Where: Portland | More Info: My People’s Market
Oregon Buddhist Temple Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handmade goods from local artisans.
Description:
The Oregon Buddhist Temple Holiday Craft Fair features a wide variety of artisans and crafters showcasing their handmade goods at affordable prices. This event offers a fun day of shopping with a diverse selection of unique, handmade items.
Where: Portland | More Info: Oregon Buddhist Temple Holiday Craft Fair
ScanFair
What to Expect:
Traditional Nordic food and cultural heritage celebration.
Description:
ScanFair brings Scandinavia to Portland through traditional food and drink vendors, an entertainment program focused on cultural heritage, games, activities, and crafts, and welcoming local community organizations.
Where: Portland | More Info: ScanFair
Silverton Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Immersive light display with authentic German market and snowless tubing.
Description:
The Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Resort features over 1.5 million lights, an authentic German Christmas Market with artisan vendors and imported goods, snowless tubing, live music in the Biergarten, and visits with Santa.
Where: Silverton | More Info: Silverton Christmas Market
Hillsboro Holiday Artisan Market
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting ceremony with live music and artisan market.
Description:
The Hillsboro Holly Days Celebration is an annual event at the Hillsboro Civic Center, featuring a bustling artisan market, live music, and activities for all ages. Artisans showcase their handmade work, while carolers and local musicians perform. The event culminates in an awe-inspiring tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 PM, followed by a sing-along led by the Oregon Chorale.
Where: Hillsboro | More Info: Hillsboro Holiday Artisan Market
Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Largest and most popular Christmas craft fair in Southern Oregon.
Description:
The Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair is a premier holiday event featuring over 300 crafter booths showcasing a wide variety of handcrafted items, including clothing, home decor, baked goods, spices, lotions, soaps, wood crafts, metal sculptures, and art decor.
Where: Roseburg | More Info: Douglas County Christmas Craft Fair
Hazelnut Fest and German Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with local hazelnut products and artisan vendors.
Description:
The Hazelnut Fest is an annual indoor holiday market featuring local hazelnut products, craft brews, wines, and artisan vendors. It offers a one-stop holiday shopping experience with a variety of unique gifts, including wool items, handmade fudge, soy wax candles, and gourmet nuts. The event also includes visits with Buddy the Elf and supports local charities.
Where: Mount Angel | More Info: Hazelnut Fest and German Holiday Market
Town and Country Christmas Bazaar
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with diverse vendors.
Description:
The Town and Country Christmas Bazaar is a premier holiday shopping event featuring handcrafted gifts, decorations, jewelry, food items, woodwork, and metal art. It offers a variety of vendors selling unique items, creating a vibrant marketplace atmosphere.
Where: Albany | More Info: Town and Country Christmas Bazaar
La Grande Handmade Holidays Makers Market
What to Expect:
Unique, locally-made holiday gifts.
Description:
La Grande Handmade Holidays Makers Market is a two-day event featuring a wide range of handmade goods, including leather, woodworking, artisan foods, weaving, ceramics, glass, clothing, jewelry, and more. Art Center East curates a balanced selection of unique items from local artisans.
Where: La Grande | More Info: La Grande Handmade Holidays Makers Market
Hillsboro Holiday Gem Faire
What to Expect:
Unique jewelry and gift shopping experience with live demonstrations.
Description:
The Hillsboro Holiday Gem Faire features over 70 exhibitors showcasing unique gifts and jewelry, with displays and demos by the Portland Bead Society. Admission is $7, and the event takes place at Westside Commons, formerly the Washington County Fairgrounds.
Where: Hillsboro | More Info: Hillsboro Holiday Gem Faire
Brookings Community Christmas Bazaar
What to Expect:
Largest community bazaar on the South Coast of Oregon with over 100 vendors.
Description:
The Brookings Harbor Community Bazaar is a 54th annual event featuring over 100 vendors selling beautiful handcrafted items and food. It will be held at the Azalea Middle School Gym and Brookings Harbor High School Cafeteria, offering an incredible variety of holiday shopping options.
Where: Brookings | More Info: Brookings Community Christmas Bazaar
Country Mouse Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience in historic buildings.
Description:
The Country Mouse Holiday Market offers a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, edibles, art, jewelry, woodcrafts, and collectables. Peruse over 90 booths in two historic buildings, the Tabernacle built in 1891 and Pioneer Hall built in 1886. Local food trucks and other eating options are available onsite.
Where: Turner | More Info: Country Mouse Holiday Market
Hillsboro Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Cinnamon Bear Cruises
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday cruise with character entertainment and a plated breakfast.
Description:
The Cinnamon Bear Breakfast Cruise offers a 2-hour journey on the Willamette River with a plated breakfast, hot cocoa, orange juice, and coffee. The event features character storytelling, music, and magic, along with a souvenir photo with Cinnamon Bear for every child 12 and younger.
Where: Portland | More Info: Cinnamon Bear Cruises
Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony
What to Expect:
25-year tradition of gospel music with the Oregon Symphony.
Description:
The Oregon Symphony presents Gospel Christmas, a 25-year tradition featuring the region's premier gospel singers alongside the Oregon Symphony, led by conductor Charles Floyd. This concert celebrates the true meaning of Christmas with jubilant renditions of festive favorites.
Where: Portland | More Info: Gospel Christmas by the Oregon Symphony
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Performance
What to Expect:
Seasonal music and dance celebration with diverse holiday themes.
Description:
The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus presents a holiday concert featuring seasonal selections celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and the New Year. The event is packed with singing, dancing, lights, and costumes, making it an audience favorite worthy of becoming a family tradition.
Where: Portland | More Info: Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Performance
Hillsboro Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with sensory-friendly activities.
Description:
The Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring stunning Christmas trees and displays decorated by local businesses, designers, and florists. It includes a sensory-friendly public show and a gala dinner and auction to support Providence Children's Health.
Where: Portland | More Info: Festival of Trees
Breakfasts with Santa
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday breakfast event.
Description:
Join Portland Hook & Ladder Co. #1 for a delightful Breakfast with Santa, where families can enjoy a festive meal together.
Where: Portland | More Info: Breakfasts with Santa
Portland Trail Blazers Games
What to Expect:
Exciting matchups between top NBA teams.
Description:
The Portland Trail Blazers schedule features a series of high-energy basketball games against top NBA teams, showcasing the team's skills and strategies.
Where: Portland | More Info: Portland Trail Blazers Games
Portland Winterhawks Games
What to Expect:
High-energy ice hockey games featuring talented junior players.
Description:
The Portland Winterhawks are an American major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Their home games are held at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the Rose Quarter district of Portland, Oregon. The team has a rich history, including winning their first Memorial Cup in 1983. Each game offers high-energy action with talented players competing in a fast-paced and physically demanding sport.
Where: Portland | More Info: Portland Winterhawks Games
Rose City Rollers Games
What to Expect:
High-energy roller derby matches with inclusive community spirit.
Description:
Rose City Rollers presents thrilling roller derby bouts featuring talented teams, including the Break Neck Betties vs Black Diaspora on October 12 and the Junior Home Team Doubleheader on October 13. Witness high-energy action and community spirit as these athletes showcase their skills.
Where: Portland | More Info: Rose City Rollers Games
Astoria Autumn Art Walk
What to Expect:
Monthly curated visual art exhibitions in downtown Astoria.
Description:
Downtown Astoria hosts the Astoria Artwalk on the second Saturday of every month, featuring curated visual art exhibitions at local galleries and venues. Visitors can explore month-long exhibitions, view current artworks, and discover the vibrant art scene in Astoria.