Embrace the holiday giving season with this guide that’s got something for everyone, including local finds. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shopping for a few special people this holiday season? Browse local items and trending gifts sure to delight everyone on your list.
Gifts for parents
Local pick:Cascada Thermal Springs & Spa gift card | $50+ | Grab a gift card (and book a sitter) so they can both enjoy a day of relaxation at this underground oasis, Portland’s first of its kind.
Ceneda large cooler bag | $24.99 | This insulated, leak-proof tote is perfect for family road trips, beach trips, and everything in between.
Car backseat organizers | $34.99 | These backseat car organizers are every parent’s best friend + come complete with a tablet holder.
Gifts for young people
Local pick:Patterned Amahi Ukulele | $60 | If your kid is musically inclined, this is a great beginner instrument, courtesy of MudPuddles Toys and Books.
Local pick: Macrum Chef Knife (Light) | $300 | Say goodbye to your cluttered knife block full of knives you never use, and say hello to the only knife you’ll ever really need.*
ScanFair | Saturday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 8 | Times vary | Oregon Convention Center | $5+ | Go on a gnome hunt, meet a Finnish Santa, oogle over a replica Viking ship, sip on mulled wine, and shop from 100+ vendors.
Portland Holiday Brew Fest | Saturday, Dec. 7-Sunday, Dec. 8 | Times vary | Pioneer Courthouse Square | $5+ | Sip a selection of 25+ holiday or winter beers under the light of Christmas tree.
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” | Saturday, Dec. 7-Tuesday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium | $32+ | The Oregon Ballet is sure to enchant you with this magical rendition of the holiday classic.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Yoga At The Farm | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Everwylde Equine | $15+ | Breathe and stretch it out in the middle of nature (and a bunch of sweet horses).
Monday, Dec. 9
Holiday Wreath Workshop | Monday, Dec. 9 | 4 p.m. + 6 p.m. | Origin Story | $60 | Grab a friend and make something green to make your home a little more festive.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Big Cheese Poetry Slam | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Hi Lo Hotel | $5+ | Don’t provolone, bring your friends to help decide which poets take home the cheddar.
The Moth Mainstage in Portland | 7:30 p.m. | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | $21+ | Experience true stories live as they’re recorded for future episodes of The Moth Podcast + Moth Radio Hour — this extraordinary performance sells out quickly, so reserve your seats early.*
Thursday, Dec. 12
Fungi Film Fest | Thursday, Dec. 12, Sunday, Dec. 15 | Times vary | Cinema 21 | $15 | Grab your favorite fun-gis for a film festival covering all things mycology — from “Mushrooms in Space” to “How to Film a Mushroom.”
📚 Shop at the newly opened Literary Arts bookstore
Presented by a PDXtoday Partner
The bookstore’s selection features 12,000+ books catering to all ages and tastes, including a wide range of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s titles. | Rendering provided by Literary Arts
Calling all bibliophiles: We’ve got some exciting literary news.
After four decades as a cultural beacon in Portland, local nonprofit Literary Arts has a new home in the Central Eastside Industrial District and officially opens to the public today.
Head to 716 SE Grand Ave. from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for an exciting opening day, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m., refreshments, and holiday shopping at the center’s independent bookstore.
Portland City Council has voted to sell the building that once housed the Portland Children’s Museum for $3 million. The building can’t be renovated because of its age, but the Portland Zoo has expressed interest in the site for potential zoo expansion. (Portland Business Journal)
Trending
Officials may have the identity of the infamous DB Cooper, the mystery man who hijacked a plane leaving Portland, leapt out of it with his stolen $200,000, and disappeared forever. Two siblings claim the man was their father after finding a parachute used in the hijacking in their mother’s shed. (The Guardian)
Real Estate
It’s electric — a new fully electric apartment complex is now open in the Tigard Triangle. The building, featuring five stories and 55 units, is now the first multi-family building in the state of Oregon to achieve a net-zero carbon emission status. (KGW)
Outdoors
If you’ve been dying to hit the slopes, there’s good news. Because of the early + significant amount of snowfall on Mt. Hood, several resorts have started their ski season early. Check out our list of local winter sport locales to see what’s up. (KOIN)
Theater
Darcelle XV Showplace isn’t going anywhere. After the theater’s owners said that it may have to shutter earlier this year, it’s new ownership has announced that they intend to keep the stage lights on. Not much is known about the new owners, but they have teased an oncoming announcement. (KGW)
Sports
The Trail Blazers have made it through 23 games of this season with plenty more to go. How have they fared so far? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Portland Trail Blazers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Holiday
Psst… Tomorrow is the last day to experience the light of Christmas with Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree (think: an immersive Nativity, visits from Santa, and seasonal tunes from the choir). Grab tickets.*
Wellness
Are you in need of a bilingual counselor for individual or couples counseling? Seth Reasor, MSW, LCSW recently joined the Couples Clinic of Portland and is fluent in both English + Spanish. He offers in-person and online sessions and free 15-minute phone consultations. Email couplesclinicpdx@gmail.com for more information.*
Shop
With MiaDonna’s bigger, better lab-grown diamonds, you can give the gift of stunning sparkle — without breaking the bank. Plus, every purchase supports diamond mining communities, so your gift truly gives back. Visit the Bridgeport location to make your holiday unforgettable with fine jewelry you can be proud to wear.*
Finance
If holiday shopping — on top of your outstanding debt — is weighing on you this season, find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Travel
The bad news: Car repair costs have surged 17% in the last year, with some repairs exceeding $6,000. The good news: An Endurance protection plan could save you thousands. Sign up and receive $300 off your new contract, plus a free year of Elite Benefits. Get your free quote.*
Shop
Looking for a last-minute gift? We found one that’s more than 60% off, can be delivered instantly + will last forever. That’s speaking our language. Shop the sale.*
Plan Ahead
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use promo code “2025" at checkout.
City Guide
City Guide
❄️ Weather trends you need to snow
Prepare for slightly lower than average temperatures this winter. | Screenshot via NOAA Climate Prediction Center
We know the question on your mind, Portlanders — when’s it going to snow again?
Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February.
While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring.
Reminder: The first day of winter is Thursday, Dec. 21.
Temperature
Think warm. This winter, Portland has a 33-40% chance of temperatures being lower than normal.
Precipitation
Keep your rain jacket close. Portland has slightly higher chances of seeing above-average snow and rainfall totals this winter.
Dive into December
Generally, December is the wettest month of the year in Portland, with an average of 5.77 inches of precipitation. However, climate scientists predict there is a 57% chance that La Niña conditions arrive this winter, which historically keeps things rainier in Oregon.
This top-rated safety razor with five premium stainless-steel blades. Its double-sided design provides a closer, cleaner shave compared to disposable razors, resulting in less skin irritation.
A Portland pooch can now call itself a “calendar dog” after being included in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s 2025 Canine Calendar. The publication, which highlights the administration’s best explosion detection boys + girls, picked Portland’s 4-year-old Dodo as its April feature. You can download the calendar for free online.
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