If you've yet to surrender to the holiday spirit with Christmas just a week and a half away, it's not too late. This week brings a new spate of festive happenings to the table (like Troupe Vertigo's Cirque Nutcracker Past Event Like List , a Snow Bar Chorale Past Event Like List concert, and Stumptown SantaCon Past Event Like List ), plus other fun stuff (like The Moth Mainstage Past Event Like List and Built To Spill Past Event Like List ) if you're maxed out on seasonal cheer.
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MONDAY
WINTER HOLIDAYS
It’s a Wonderful Life in Concert
Past Event
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See Jimmy Stewart encounter a guardian Christmas angel in a screening of Frank Capra's holiday classic, made even more wonderful by a live score from the Oregon Symphony.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Downtown)
TUESDAY
MUSIC
22 & good 4 u! - A Taylor Swift vs. Olivia Rodrigo DANCE Party
Past Event
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If the generational skinny jeans battle between Millennials and Zoomers were a dance party, it might look something like this night of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo bangers. Regardless of the possible denim divide, one thing all attendees will be able to agree on is that their exes are jerks.
Candy (Pearl District)
Caroline Polachek
Past Event
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Former frontwoman of Chairlift Caroline Polachek cycled through a couple of solo projects before embarking on a career under her own name. Her debut studio album Pang was released in 2019 to critical acclaim. Catch the artist’s ethereal art-pop on her Heart is Unbreaking Tour.
Wonder Ballroom (Eliot)
READINGS & TALKS
The Moth Mainstage in Portland
Past Event
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This critically acclaimed event series from New York nonprofit The Moth highlights the art of unscripted, first-person storytelling centered around a common theme. Each Mainstage show features five speakers, which may include renowned personalities, previous StorySLAM winners, and folks completely new to the Moth stage.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Downtown)
WEDNESDAY
FILM
OregonMade—Bandits in 35mm
Past Event
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On the tail of its 20th anniversary, the Oregon-shot heist comedy Bandits will show in 35mm, boasting scenes on the Broadway Bridge, Naito Parkway (where Cate Blanchett hits Billy Bob Thornton with her silver Mercedes), Silverton, Salem, and Lake Oswego before heading into California.
Hollywood Theatre (Hollywood District)
MUSIC
A Very Merry Christmas Concert with Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández
Past Event
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José Hernández will lead Mariachi Sol De México in a program spanning classical, pop, jazz, swing, and show tunes spun for Mexican Christmas traditions.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Downtown)
THURSDAY
PERFORMANCES
Live Wire presents: Paul F. Tompkins, Deep Sea Diver, and more!
Past Event
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Luke Burbank hosts this radio variety show which brings guests to the airwaves for organic heartfelt conversations, live music, and more. Comedian and podcast royalty Paul F. Tompkins and Seattle-based four-piece Deep Sea Diver will make an appearance in this edition.
Revolution Hall (Buckman)
FRIDAY
MUSIC
Built To Spill
Past Event
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Built to Spill's first IRL Portland tour stop in a long-hot minute will give new life to that PNW indie-rock nostalgia you ripped into early on in quarantine. Melanie Radford and Teresa Esguerra fill out the band's new lineup.
Revolution Hall (Buckman)
Milky Chance: North American Tour 2021
Past Event
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German duo Milky Chance is back on tour with an album rife with electronic beats and indie-folk melodies.
Crystal Ballroom (West End)
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Grammy Foxx’s Olde Timey Bump N’ Grindy Holiday Special
Past Event
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If the cheery wholesomeness of the holidays has you craving an evening of bumping and grinding on the dance floor, look no further than this sultry improvised talent show with Cassandra Lewis, Christopher Worth, Lo Steele, David Jacobs-Strain, Glitterfox, and other surprise guests.
Alberta Rose Theatre (Concordia)
SATURDAY
FOOD & DRINK
Stumptown SantaCon
Past Event
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Delivering presents to every child in the world is no mean feat, and Santa deserves to take a load off. Don your best fur-trimmed red duds and join a stampede of fellow Santas as they take over downtown Portland in a boozy crawl between fine drinking establishments.
Ankeny Alley (Old Town-Chinatown)
PERFORMANCES
Cirque Nutcracker
Past Event
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The classic holiday ballet gets twisty and bendy thanks to the acrobatic talents of Troupe Vertigo, with Tchaikovsky's classic score performed by the Oregon Symphony.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (Downtown)
A Nutcracker Tea
Past Event
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If the full version of the classic ballet has you stifling a yawn come the second act, prance towards the Northwest Dance Theatre's abridged, family-friendly adaptation instead.
Newmark Theatre (South Park Blocks)
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Unicornimas 2021
Past Event
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Keeva the Unicorn Queen has partnered with the activation space Gallery Go Go for a unique holiday experience full of rainbows, sparkles, and joy. Children and your inner child alike will delight in an immersive beauty installation—don some glamorous duds, because you'll also be able to meet and get a photo with the Unicorn Queen herself. While you're there, shop one-of-a-kind gifts from independent artists.
Gallery Go Go (Downtown)
SUNDAY
MUSIC
An Evening with Patterson Hood
Past Event
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The frontman of the Drive-By Truckers will play stripped-down, mostly-acoustic songs in this solo set.
Doug Fir Lounge (Buckman)
SHOPPING
My People's Market 8
Past Event
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Pull up on any given Sunday, and you’ll find a completely new cast of 30 vendors and a new “experience” at this mecca of diverse makers, including Indigenous Come Up, Koa Roots, Resistakat, Tostado Coffee Roasters, and more.
The Redd on Salmon (Buckman)
MULTI-DAY
FOOD & DRINK
Miracle at Deadshot
Past Event
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In 2014, New York bar owner Greg Boehm temporarily transformed his space into a kitschy Christmas wonderland replete with gewgaws and tchotchkes galore. The pop-up phenomenon has expanded to more than 100 locations all over the world, including Portland's stylish cocktail bar Deadshot. The specialty cocktails are no ordinary cups of cheer: Beverages are housed in tacky-tastic vessels and christened with names like the “Bad Santa,” the “Yippie Ki Yay Mother F**r,” and the “Jolly Koala.”
Deadshot, Hosford-Abernethy (Monday-Saturday)
MUSIC
Bruce Cockburn
Past Event
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Join illustrious Canadian recording artist and humanitarian Bruce Cockburn for a night on the town.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Thursday-Friday)
A Carol For Christmas
Past Event
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Stumptown Stages has reimagined Charles Dickens' classic ghost story, but kept on its core themes of greed and bigotry, "giving us a chance to shed the chains of our past and give hope for a better future." Featuring an original score of holiday songs written by Janet Mouser and James Campodonico, this adaptation is set in the Depression-era Midwest.
Winningstad Theatre, South Park Blocks (Thursday-Sunday)
Snow Bar Chorale
Past Event
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If you prefer your holiday music to come from the likes of The Pogues and Joni Mitchell as opposed to old-heads like Bing Crosby, don't miss Low Bar Chorale's sixth annual pop and indie-rock holiday sing-along, which will be sprinkled with stories, special guests, and music trivia.
Mississippi Studios, Boise (Thursday-Friday)
PERFORMANCES
Brian Pater Presents: Sea Wall
Past Event
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In this solo work written by Simon Stephens (who wrote the award-winning stage version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and directed by Tom Williamson, a man (Brian Pater) speaks directly to the audience about "love and scuba diving, the possibility of faith, and being the polar opposite of Daniel Craig." The performance will be followed by a Q&A.
Shoebox Theater, Hosford-Abernethy (Friday-Saturday)
Come On In
Past Event
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In her dance works, New York-based choreographer Faye Driscoll has always aimed to "activate the dynamic space between artist, performers, and audience." The artist's first solo exhibition bifurcates the subjectivity of the performing arts by depicting the experience of both a performer on stage and an audience member.
PICA, Eliot (Thursday-Saturday)
Elf - The Musical
Past Event
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Lakewood Theatre Company brings Buddy the Elf to the stage with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin on Broadway) in this tale of family and the true meaning of Christmas.
Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego (Thursday-Sunday)
George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker'
Past Event
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Follow Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey to the magical Land of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Mice, tin soldiers, and fairies will prance across the stage in Oregon Ballet Theatre's production of George Balanchine’s timeless classic The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky's famous score.
Keller Auditorium, Downtown (Friday-Sunday)
Small Town Murder
Past Event
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Comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman will swing through town with a live version of their podcast that examines chilling stories of murders in small towns.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Saturday-Sunday)
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Christmas Ships Parade 2021
Past Event
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Since 1954, heavily decorated and lit boats and ships have been trucking up and down the Willamette in a nightly Christmas Ship Parade during most of December (weather permitting). Bundle up, head to the river, and check ’em out—and to find their exact location, you can even follow them on Twitter (@ChristmasShips). WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Various locations (Friday-Sunday)
The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights 2021
Past Event
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Things are a bit scaled back at the outdoor sanctuary for public health reasons, but you can still expect over two million lights and nightly indoor concerts at the self-proclaimed "largest Christmas choral festival in the world."
The Grotto, Sumner (all week)
The Holiday Express
Past Event
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Hop aboard this holiday express with Santa and his elves—a cheery steam locomotive and vintage rail cars will whisk you from Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge through to the heart of the city and back.
The Oaks Station, Sellwood (Saturday-Sunday)
Oregon ZooLights
Past Event
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The Oregon Zoo's annual display of over half a million lights is a beloved activity for any and all who love exotic animals and holiday spirit, and this year they're continuing the tradition in COVID-safe fashion with a drive-through pathway.
Oregon Zoo, Washington Park (all week)
Peacock Lane
Past Event
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A beloved tradition since 1926, Portland’s “Christmas street” returns after last year’s hiatus. Take a leisurely car ride down the lane (there won't be any pedestrian-only nights this year) to marvel at Tudor houses bedecked with lights and lawns taken over by nativity scenes and life-sized replicas of Santa, Frosty, The Grinch, and more.
Peacock Lane, Sunnyside (Wednesday-Sunday)
Safeway Winter Wonderland
Past Event
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Boasting itself as the largest light show in the Northwest, this drive-through affair spans the track at Portland International Raceway. It's also open on Christmas Eve and Day and New Year's Eve and Day.
Portland International Raceway, North Portland (all week)
