It's a big week for big names here in Portland. From a night of stand-up with Jim Gaffigan Past Event Like List to Laura Marling Past Event Like List , and from the Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art and Craft Market Past Event Like List to Winter Wassail Past Event Like List , we've compiled our picks through Sunday below to help you sort out your schedule.
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TUESDAY
MUSIC
Handel's Messiah
Past Event
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The Oregon Symphony, the PSU Chamber Choir, and four soloists will revive Handel's holiday masterpiece Messiah.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Friday-Sunday)
TV Girl
Past Event
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The Los Angeles indie-pop outfit will bring their danceable blend of electro-washed dream pop and neo-psychedelia to town to celebrate the anniversary of their French Exit Tour.
Roseland Theater (Southwest)
READINGS & TALKS
Michael J. Fox in Conversation with Willie Geist
Past Event
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You may know him best for his role as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, but Michael J. Fox is also a longtime advocate for Parkinson's research. His new memoir, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, features the actor's personal stories and observations about illness and health, aging, and the strength of family and friends. He'll be joined in conversation by MSNBC's Willie Geist on Powell's virtual stage.
Online
National Geographic Live - The Secret Life of Bears
Past Event
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After studying East African lions in Kenya and observing threats to local conservation efforts, Dr. Wynn-Grant (who works with National Geographic Society’s Last Wild Places Initiative) has dedicated her career to finding similar patterns for North American black and grizzly bears. Join the carnivore ecologist for a look inside the secret lives of bears as part of the National Geographic Live Portland Speaker Series.
Newmark Theatre (South Park Blocks)
Portland StorySLAM: Wisdom
Past Event
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Storytellers will craft five-minute tales revolving around the theme "wisdom." Marvel at the different direction each speaker takes about lessons born of experience.
The Old Church (Downtown)
WEDNESDAY
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Safeway Providence Festival of Trees
Past Event
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This year, Safeway Providence's Festival of Trees' Christmas special will take you behind the scenes to see all the work that goes into creating the fabulous festive displays. The TV fundraiser will support Providence Children's Health and include glitzy performances by America's Got Talent finalist Jimmie Herrod, Train, NuShooz, and the Portland Cello Project.
Airing on KATU
THURSDAY
COMEDY
Jim Gaffigan: The Fun Tour
Past Event
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Comedian and everyman Jim Gaffigan returns with all-new material on his Fun Tour! His latest comedy album The Pale Tourist was nominated for a Grammy.
Moda Center (Lloyd District)
FOOD & DRINK
Trattoria Nights at Ava Gene's
Past Event
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A new bi-weekly dinner series brings a Roman-inspired three-course menu to the upscale Italian joint, highlighting locally sourced produce, meat, and seafood.
Ava Gene's (Richmond)
MUSIC
Laura Marling
Past Event
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Since the release of 2008's Alas I Cannot Swim, Hampshire-born singer-songwriter Laura Marling's pop-folk has become even more raw and astonishing. Don't miss the BRIT Award-, Mercury Prize-, and Grammy-winning artist as she swings through town on her latest solo tour.
Doug Fir Lounge (Buckman)
PERFORMANCE
Ginger Minj's Winter Wonderland
Past Event
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Drag Race star and self-described "glamour toad" Ginger Minj will enlist the help of her bestie Gidget Galore to sleigh slay this non-denominational holiday musical spectacular.
Aladdin Theater (Southeast)
Serious Cupcakes
Past Event
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Current and former members of Portland contemporary dance company BodyVox will showcase their original works.
BodyVox Dance Center (Northwest)
FRIDAY
COMEDY
Ronny Chieng: The Hope You Get Rich Tour
Past Event
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Malaysian-Singaporean-Australian-American comedian and actor Ronny Chieng, a senior correspondent on The Daily Show, will crack audiences up with his unique perspective on Asian culture. Fresh from a cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Chieng is set to co-write an action-comedy film with Daily Show collaborator Sebastian DiNatale.
Aladdin Theater (Southeast)
MUSIC
Joseph
Past Event
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The Oregon-based sisters and bandmates have avoided the sophomore slump with their second album, Good Luck, Kids, a collection of songs highlighting the band's signature storytelling and emotional complexity. Now they'll stop in Portland with a set exclusively curated by you, their biggest fans.
Doug Fir Lounge (Buckman)
Laura Veirs / Sera Cahoone
Past Event
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Portland singer-songwriter Laura Veirs sits most comfortably in the indie-folk camp, but her songs' breezy, forward movement suggests her appreciation for good old four-four pop. Maybe she'll play her song "Riptide," featured in Lynn Shelton's My Effortless Brilliance, on this tour stop with Seattle singer-songwriter Sera Cahoone.
Polaris Hall (Humboldt)
SHOPPING
Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market
Past Event
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One of Portland’s OG indie markets, Crafty Wonderland is back for a holiday shopping extravaganza including over 230 artists, designers, and crafters. Tickets for the event’s Friday preview night are pricier than weekend admission (which will have timed entry every hour), but you’ll get a first go at the goods and a drink from the bar.
Oregon Convention Center (Lloyd District)
SATURDAY
MUSIC
30th Annual Tuba Christmas Concert
Past Event
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Portland's living room will be filled with the big brass sounds of 150 tubas as they play Christmas tunes in unison during this free, annual holiday tradition.
Pioneer Courthouse Square (Downtown)
Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio
Past Event
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It didn't take long for Delvon Lamarr to take his killer Organ Trio worldwide. Really not a surprise, because while Lamarr tickles the traditional Hammond B-3 jazz grooves, he can drive it into some kind of soulfulness in a blink. MIKE NIPPER
Star Theater (Old Town-Chinatown)
Winter Wassail
Past Event
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Local indie record label Mama Bird Recording Co. presents their fourth annual Winter Wassail; a celebration filled with "the warmth and fellowship needed to get through the grey days and long nights ahead." The jam-packed lineup will include performances and collaborations from Haley Heynderickx, Vetiver, Skyway Man, Matt Dorrien, Barna Howard, Johanna Samuels, Nick Delffs, Faustina Masigat, and Ryan Oxford. Aside from the musical merriment, you can also look forward to a free raffle, DJs, hot drinks (the promised wassail), and more surprises.
Polaris Hall (Humboldt)
SHOPPING
Modern Macramé and KALEIDXCAPE Launch Party!
Past Event
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After seven years of sharing the art of macramé online and at pop-ups, Emily Katz and her team have opened the first Modern Macramé brick and mortar in North Portland. Help them celebrate the launch and check out KALEIDXCAPE’s new DIY Kaleidoscope kit.
Modern Macramé (Boise)
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
PERFORMANCE
It's A Tony Starlight Christmas
Past Event
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Longtime local showman Tony Starlight has delighted audiences with his variety Christmas show for the past decade and a half, with a throwback style reminiscent of the golden age of television. With the help of his trusty band, Tony will play everything from Scrooge holiday special songs to swingin' standards between comedy routines and impressions of Jimmy Durante and Neil Diamond.
Alberta Rose Theatre (Concordia)
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
Gospel Christmas with the Oregon Symphony
Past Event
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Hark! The heavenly voices of the Northwest Community Gospel Chorus will unite with the Oregon Symphony for their 22nd annual performance.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Friday-Sunday)
Mel Brown Christmas
Past Event
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Seasoned jazz musician Mel Brown will finesse the holidays with a night out with fellow players Dan Balmer, Renato Caranto, and Louis "King Louie" Paine.
Jack London Revue, Downtown (Thursday-Friday)
Portland Gay Men's Chorus Presents Gather
Past Event
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The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus makes their return to the live stage with a program of harmonious holiday favorites and other wintery tunes.
Newmark Theatre, South Park Blocks (Friday-Sunday)
White Album Xmas
Past Event
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Join the NowHere Band and Rose City Circus for a Beatles-centric holiday spectacular.
Alberta Rose Theatre, Concordia (Wednesday-Sunday)
PERFORMANCE
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)
Die Hard the Musical Parody
Past Event
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Andy Barrett and the musically-minded comedy crew at the Funhouse decide to set sights on a modern-day Christmas classic, with 15 original songs helping reinterpret the adventures of John McClane.
Funhouse Lounge, Hosford-Abernethy (Thursday–Sunday)
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 (Saturday-Sunday)
SHOPPING
Silverton Christmas Market
Past Event
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Head south to Silverton for the Oregon Garden's annual holiday celebration where you'll find a dazzling display of over a million lights, an authentic German Christmas market, roving carolers and live bands, Santa and his creepy counterpart Krampus, and snowless tubing.
Oregon Garden, Silverton (all week)
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 (Monday-Wednesday & 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)
