Partaking in holiday cheer ain't easy when a deadly virus continues to confine us to our little rooms, but the freeze isn't stopping local organizations from putting on festive events (as well as noteworthy non-holiday-related happenings) to provide some much-needed coziness, entertainment, and maybe even momentary delight this month. We've compiled the most major goings-on below, from Portland Playhouse's virtual arts festival Wonderland Past Event Like List to Portland5's Center for the Arts' Hip Hop Nutcracker Past Event Like List , and from a Solstice Party Past Event Like List streamed live from Pickathon's Portland headquarters to Experience Theatre Project's A Drunk Christmas Carol Past Event Like List . See more COVID-safe options on our complete streaming and winter holiday calendars. 

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Jump to: Theater & Performance | Lights & Spectacles | Readings & Talks | Music | Sex | Sports & Recreation | Visual Art

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Events are online unless otherwise noted.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE

American Christmas Carol: A Ballet Movie Past Event Like List
We think Charles Dickens is rolling in his grave (with delight) at this dance-theater interpretation of A Christmas Carol speckled with Frank Sinatra tunes. He'd be especially impressed by the fact that you can stream it on-demand throughout the holiday season, and more so by the sheer existence of the internet. 
(Through December 28)

Bag&Baggage Presents: Home for the Holidays Past Event Like List
Local theater company Bag&Baggage presents Phillip J. Berns's one-man version of A Christmas Carol every Wednesday through the eve of Christmas Eve, as well as a program of holiday music by a rotating cast of local musicians.
(December 2-23)

The Bells That Still Can Ring Past Event Like List
How do we find joy in the face of a global pandemic, socio-political upheaval, racist violence, and a growing climate crisis? Through music and dancing, this annual production helmed by performing artist Isaac Lamb will attempt to provide some answers.
(December 15-January 3)

Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' Past Event Like List
Portland Center Stage brings Charles Dickens's classic Christmas ghost story to the digital stage, featuring Tony Award-winning actor Jefferson Mays (I Am My Own Wife, Gentleman’s Guide...) in 50 (!) roles. Michael Arden, another Tony winner, directs.
(through January 3)

Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash Past Event Like List
Get in that classy, Rat Pack-y Christmas mood with a night of theatrical takes on Frank Sinatra hits and Christmas carols.
(December 4-24)

The Cinnamon Bear Holiday Show Past Event Like List
Instead of hosting a Portland Spirit cruise like previous years, the Cinnamon Bear, Portland's Santa alternative of more than 80 years, will entertain audiences from the safety of their cars with a drive-in concert and sing-along with the Cocklebur Cowboys. Joining the party will be Chipper the Squirrel and Santa Claus.
Oaks Park, Southeast (through December 31)

In Dialogue: Satire in the Work of Robert Colescott Past Event Like List
This evening of improvisational comedy and storytelling with Broke Gravy, courtesy of the Portland Art Museum, will consider the late American painter Robert Colescott's use of satire.
(Thursday, December 10)

Experience Theatre Project Presents: A Drunk Christmas Carol Past Event Like List
Two actors, randomly chosen on the night of this show conceived by artistic director Alisa Stewart, will each take five shots of an unholy spirit of the alcohol variety before taking on the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future. Meanwhile, three sober actors will attempt to keep the script on track. 
(Saturday, December 19)

The Hip Hop Nutcracker - Virtual Performance Past Event Like List
Portland'5 Centers for the Arts' holiday mashup that reimagines the holiday ballet with a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow, will be recorded live at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Jennifer Weber directs and choreographs.
(Saturday, December 12)

Hot ‘n’ Throbbing Past Event Like List
A single suburban mom writes feminist erotica to help pay the bills in Paula Vogel's latest production for Profile Theater.
(Ongoing)

Kitten N' Lou Present: Jingle All the Gay! Past Event Like List
Recorded in front of a live audience interwoven with phone calls, love letters, and other mid-pandemic quarantine modes of communication, this year's edition of Kitten N' Lou holiday special Jingle All the Gay! will bring you some queer-tastic comfort.
(December 4-January 2)

The Nutcracker Romp Past Event Like List
Performance companies have clearly grown bored of the standard retelling of The Nutcracker, and so we don't blame them for trading in the show's linear story for a montage of Nutcracker memories from the Land of Sweets. You also have the option of ordering a holiday-themed package of treats and gifts to enjoy during the show.
(Saturday, December 19)

A THOUSAND WAYS (Part One): A Phone Call Past Event Like List
Having premiered at Seattle's On the Boards a few months into quarantine, the first installment of Obie Award-winning theater-makers 600 Highwaymen's interactive virtual performance series offers a telling portrait of the performer on the other end of a mysterious phone call. The Stranger's Chase Burns and Jasmyne Keimig share their take on it here.
(December 11-13)

Wonderland Past Event Like List
Four interdisciplinary artists (Ashley Mellinger, Francisco Garcia, Fyndi Jermany, and Kailey Rhodes) have been selected by a panel of judges to show work responding to the current moment, which you can see all at once at the Portland Playhouse's two-weekend virtual arts festival. 
(Friday, December 11)

An Xmas Cuento Remix Past Event Like List
The Dickens classic gets a refreshing Latinx take in Maya Malan-Gonzalez and Andrés Alcalá's adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
(December 4-31)

HOLIDAY LIGHTS & SPECTACLES

Beaverton Winter Lights 2020 Past Event Like List
Five locations in the City of Beaverton will light up every night into the new year. If you want to share your seasonal selfies with the world, tag #BeavertonWinterLights on social media.
Various locations, Beaverton (December 4-January 3)

Candy Cane Lane Holiday Drive-Thru
Ooh and ahh at candy cane magic at West Linn's winter wonderland drive-through.
West Linn Adult Community Center (December 4-5)

Christmas Ships Past Event Like List
"Each December, the Christmas Ships once again toot-toot-toot across our waters, sometimes going in little circles as they banish the Willamette’s vile horrors and give Portlanders a super-cute lightshow. Their lights winking and glittering with wondrous whimsy, the Christmas Ships spread holiday cheer..." wrote Erik Henriksen in this glorious paean to this vastly underrated holiday spectacle that graces the Columbia and Willamette rivers each year. The meet-and-greets are canceled for 2020, but you can still watch the parade from the shore—just make sure to spread out and wear a mask!
Various locations (December 4-22)

Clackamas County Winter Fair Past Event Like List
Escape from reality and into a brief quarter-mile wonderland in the form of a sparkly light tunnel that you can drive through in your car. Christmas sounds and visits from socially distanced Santa will sweeten the deal.
Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby (December 4-31)

Drive-By Christmas on the Campground Past Event Like List
Enjoy thousands of lights, a life-sized nativity scene, and towering Christmas trees from the safety of your car.
Christmas on the Campground, Southeast (through December 31)

Keizer Miracle of Christmas Lights Display Past Event Like List
An '80s-bred friendly competition between neighbors has blossomed into a full-blown holiday lights tradition in Keizer, Oregon. Check out their socially distanced display every night through Christmas.
Lockhaven Dr and 14th Ave NE, Keizer (December 4-26)

Lights at the Oregon Garden Resort Past Event Like List
The magical candy cane tunnel, Whoville, Rainbow Land, and other tried-and-true displays, along with a bevy of new light art, will return to the area surrounding Oregon Garden's main lodge, which you can admire from a heated, socially distanced patio over sweets and a glass of mulled wine or German beer. Santa will take six-feet-apart photos with kiddos, too. Note that this attraction is only open to resort guests during the freeze.
Oregon Garden, Silverton (through January 2)

Santa's Enginehouse Past Event Like List
Santa and his elves will take it upon themselves to transform the Rail Heritage Center into a winter wonderland filled with vintage rail cars and locomotives lit with twinkle lights for all ages to enjoy.
Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Southeast (through January 3)

Safeway Providence Festival of Trees Past Event Like List
KATU will help you stay home for the holidays by hosting a holiday tree auction and holiday performances with acts like Amos Lee.
(December 3 & 5)

Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway Past Event Like List
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, Northeast (through January 2)

ZooLights Past Event Like List
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 COVID-safe style with a drive-through pathway.
Oregon Zoo, Southwest (through January 10)

FOOD & DRINK

The Winter Wedge - Portland Celebrates Cheese for the Holidays! Past Event Like List
Brush up on the finer points of fromage and support local cheesemakers with this cheese tasting. You'll receive a kit with over five pounds of Oregon cheeses, Mt. Hope Farms jam, Effie's Homemade Crackers, chocolate truffles from Whole Foods, and DriftWest Sparkling Water Kefir in a reusable insulated tote. Then, on December 26, follow along with a tasting on Facebook Live, with more information about the cheeses and cheesemakers, pairing suggestions, a comparison of aged Tillamook white cheddars (aged three, five, and 10 years), and a live raffle.
(Saturday, December 26)

READINGS & TALKS

Consider This with Masha Gessen Past Event Like List
Oregon Humanities' 2020/21 Consider This conversation series, which is all about the inner workings and failings of democracy, will continue with journalist and cultural critic Masha Gessen (Surviving Autocracy, The Man Without a Face, Words Will Break Cement).
(Wednesday, December 3)

The Moth x Literary Arts Virtual Portland Mainstage Past Event Like List
The Moth and Literary Arts will team up once again to present the Portland Mainstage, an evening of candid storytelling, live online.
(Saturday, December 5)

Ready Player Two Past Event Like List
"We all could use a nostalgia machine right now," writes Powell's staffer Matt in his review of  Earnest Cline’s Ready Player Two, which he assures us is "ready to whisk you back into the riddle-riddled world of Oasis for a story of wit, trivia, and one-on-one combat." Join Cline for an online reading. 
(Monday, December 7)

TechfestNW 2020 Past Event Like List
TechfestNW and PitchfestNW are teaming up for a virtual festival dedicated to the future of work, cities, health, privacy, and equity with experts like Tom Gruber, Roger McNamee, and Tami Newcombe. Proceeds will benefit youth-focused nonprofits Girls Build, Outside the Frame, and the Blueprint Foundation.
(December 2-4)

MUSIC

The Beat Goes On Past Event Like List
Throw some dollars toward the production of The Beat Goes On, a new documentary celebrating Pink Martini percussionist Derek Rieth, at this virtual concert with the Phil Baker Quintet, Tony Ozier & the DooDoo Funk Allstars, Miguel Bernal, and Pink Martini's Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes.
(Wednesday, December 3)

Pickathon Solstice Party Past Event Like List
Make the winter solstice a little less dreary by joining Pickathon online as they stream performances by funk outfit Outer Orbit with Sarah Clarke and Kassi Valazza live from their Portland headquarters.
(Saturday, December 19)

Pocket Messiah Past Event Like List
This YouTube premiere of Portland Baroque Orchestra's production of Handel's holiday classic Messiah comes in a "pandemic-friendly, pocket-sized edition" for your convenience. It features Northwest-based soloists Arwen Myers, Hannah Penn, Zach Finkelstein, and Daniel Mobbs alongside organist and a string quartet.
(Sunday, December 20)

Snowed In! Past Event Like List
This musical broadcast with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus asks listeners to imagine a storm hit in November and that Portland is snowed in (which certainly wouldn't be the weirdest thing to happen this year). They'll be serving up cheery choral tunes, bringing on special guests from Cascade and Locomotions, and asking you to sing along.
(December 12-13)

We Are Friends Music Festival Past Event Like List
The Portland branch of Friends of the Children, which describes itself as a "revolutionary mentoring program empowering youth to overcome generational cycles of poverty and systemic barriers to reach their full potential," will put on an online music extravaganza with live sets from hometown heroes like Portugal. The Man, Pink Martini, the Slants, Darrell Grant Trio, Mikel Phillips, and Low Bar Chorale.
(Thursday, December 17)

SEX

HUMP! Greatest Hits, Volume 2 Past Event Like List
The HUMP! team is bringing back some fan-favorite amateur porn shorts from years past in the second volume of streamable compilations. If you get inspired, find out how to make and submit your own HUMP! film here—submissions are due January 8!
(December 5 & 10)

Savage Love Livestream Past Event Like List
The Stranger's own sex advice columnist, podcaster, pundit, and public speaker Dan Savage will answer your most intimate quandaries in a live virtual edition of Savage Love.
(Saturday, December 12)

SPORTS & RECREATION

Virtual Jingle Bell Run Oregon 2020 Past Event Like List
Christmas cheer-ify your running outfit and get out to your nearest park or treadmill for the Arthritis Foundation Oregon's virtual Jingle Bell Run.
(December 11-13)

VISUAL ART

We Got Each Other's Back Past Event Like List
Together with artists Heldáy de la Cruz, Julio Salgado, and Edna Vázquez, interdisciplinary artist Carlos Motta's three-part video installation features portraits of openly undocumented queer artists and activities in the US whose work condemns this country's history of unjust immigration laws.o
PICA, Northeast (ongoing)