It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Portland. Here’s our gift to you — the ultimate guide to local lights, from illuminated events to decorated homes you could almost see from space.
Like its namesake bird, Peacock Lane knows how to put on a show.
Photo by @mckpix
✨ Residential displays
Let’s get this glow on the road — here are a few houses to highlight on your map.
Portland
Peacock Lane, Southeast Peacock Lane between Southeast Stark and Belmont streets
See the decorated homes along “Portland’s Christmas Street” every night, 6-11 p.m., Dec. 15-31. Explore the charming destination car-free on pedestrian-only nights Dec. 15-17.
Tigard
Walnut Lane Lights, 13635 SW Walnut Ln., Tigard
This home puts on a dazzling light show every night starting at 6 p.m. and running through 9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Gresham
Destiny’s Wonderland, 28930 SE Powell Vallery Rd., Gresham
See over 200 hand-painted wooden cutout figures, from SpongeBob to Superman, on display with lights; drivers and pedestrians are both welcome.
Newberg
The North Pole at Eagle Crest, 31727 NE Wilsonville Rd., Newberg
Walk through the free, brightly lit displays featuring new and vintage decorations, write a letter to Santa, and sip hot chocolate on select dates through Dec. 22.
Vancouver
Holidays on Franklin, 4616 NW Franklin St., Vancouver
The Sherman family goes all out for the holidays, decorating a 30-ft-tall tree and stringing 200,000 lights across their property. Take in the lights and music every night, 5-10 p.m.; if you’re lucky, you might even meet Santa.
Meet the Christmas Ships Parade skippers (and their boats) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at Riverplace Marina.
Photo by Visitor7 via Wikimedia Commons
💡 Holiday light experiences
Portland’s Christmas tree | Through the holiday season | Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Ave. | Free | Rock around this 75-ft-tall Doug fir lighting up Portland’s “Living Room” with 9,500 colorful bulbs.
Lightopia — An Illuminated Journey | Through Dec. 30, closed Dec. 25 | Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, 4450 NE Century Blvd., Hillsboro | Free, reservations required | Drive this half-mile loop featuring glimmering light displays.
Zoo Lights | Select dates through Jan. 7 | Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd. | Get tickets | Meander the gardens and don’t forget to check out the model train display and dinner options.
Christmas Ships Parade | Select dates through Dec. 17 | Locations vary along the Columbia and Willamette rivers | Free | Watch vessels decorated in colorful lights go sailing by, reflecting their mesmerizing displays upon the water.
Christmas Festival of Lights | Through Dec. 30, closed Dec. 25 | The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St. | Get tickets | Bundle up for an evening stroll through the peaceful grounds as over 2 million bulbs light your way.
Winter Wonderland | Through Dec. 31 | Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd. | Get tickets | Drive through the “largest light show west of the Mississippi” and support the Sunshine Division‘s year-round hunger relief efforts.
