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Jump to: Comedy | Community | Film | Food & Drink | Live Music | Performance & Theater | Readings & Talks | Visual Art | Winter Holidays

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COMEDY

Marlon Wayans: Microphone Fiend Tour
Past Event Like List Longstanding actor, producer, comedian, writer, and director Marlon Wayans will drop by ilani Casino Resort for more laughs, hot on the heels of his starring role in Netflix's Halloween spook fest The Curse of Bridge Hollow. 
ilani Casino Resort, Ridgefield (Thurs Dec 1)

Dan Cummins
Past Event Like List Hit podcaster and comedian Dan Cummins will head to Helium for more irreverent jokes and cultural observations—no topic is off limits, so you might hear him chat about Jeffrey Dahmer, Scientology, or his very scary daughter.
Helium Comedy Club, Hosford-Abernethy (Dec 1-3)

(Winter) WONDERLAND Past Event Like List
Writer/director Jason Rouse's WONDERLAND sketch comedy show will return from a five-year hiatus for this holiday laugh fest. (Winter) WONDERLAND promises a sleighful of jolly comedy from local naughty-listers Shelley McLendon, Erin Jean O’Regan, Lori Ferraro, Jed Arkley, Ted Douglass, and others, plus "up to six live children."
Siren Theater, Old Town-Chinatown (Dec 1-10)

Kevin Hart: Reality Check Tour Past Event Like List
If, for whatever reason, you're into the corny comedy of known homophobe Kevin Hart, you're in luck! The stand-up will head to Portland with more dad jokes.
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Fri Dec 2)

Esther Povitsky Past Event Like List
Alone Together co-creator/star, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend actress, and fantasy nurse Esther Povitsky will bring her frank, trauma-informed comedy (with a side of millennial quirk) to the stage for this performance.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Sun Dec 4)

Miranda Sings
Past Event Like List Multipassionate comic Colleen Ballinger can't be pinned down—she's also a vocalist, actor, writer, and magician—but you might recognize her from the viral videos that have amassed the idiosyncratic jokester over 50 million followers on social media. She'll head to the stage as her wacky internet alter-ego, Miranda Sings, for this performance.
Newmark Theatre, South Park Blocks (Sun Dec 4)

Jonathan Van Ness: Imaginary Living Room Olympian Past Event Like List
Can you believe? Beloved hair stylist, noted Michelle Kwan stan, and Queer Eye's resident Aries Jonathan Van Ness will head to Portland, probably to make us laugh, spin some uplifting yarns, and show off their perfectly coiffed locks.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Mon Dec 12)

COMMUNITY

Do-It-Yourself / Do-It-Ourselves: PNCA's 2022 Graduate Symposium Past Event Like List
Exploring the fascinating history of DIY culture in counterpublics and Pacific Northwest communities, this three-day symposium will include an art exhibition, a zine fair, workshops, and keynote lectures with Mohawk multimedia artist Skawennati and Navajo transdisciplinary artist Demian DinéYazhi’. Themes will include Indigenous knowledge, queer and trans DIY, anti-capitalism, and more, with investigations of DIY aesthetics, politics, archives, and possible futures.
PNCA, Pearl District (Dec 1-3)

Wild Arts Festival Past Event Like List
Returning for its 42nd annual fundraiser this year, the Wild Arts Festival supports the education and conservation work of the Portland Audubon Society with a nature-themed art sale, book signings (drop by on Sunday to meet New York Times bestselling duo Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis!), and a silent auction.
Portland State University, South Park Blocks (Dec 10-11)

FILM

Suspiria with Claudio Simonetti's Goblin Past Event Like List
Italian prog-rock ghouls Goblin, led by keyboardist Claudio Simonetti, will provide a live score for Dario Argento's lurid, bloody masterpiece Suspiria at this screening. (The band is well-known for their utterly freaky soundtrack to the film.) Sick! Stick around after the giallo screening for a full-length concert of haunting tunes spanning Simonetti's whole career.
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District (Dec 2-3)

Fungi Film Fest Past Event Like List
Perfect for the mycologically inclined, the world's only mushroom-centered film festival will head to Portland with 16 fungusy flicks from 10 countries, including experimental cinema, documentaries, and fantasy narratives. (Opinel not included.)
Cinema 21, Nob Hill (Dec 8 & 11)

Violet Hex presents Batman Returns
Past Event Like List Hosted by "trans femme drag enigma" Violet Hex, this weirdly wonderful holiday screening of Tim Burton's gothic, high-body-count Batman installment will include broody pre-screening drag performances from Chatty Cathyter, Mona Chrome, and Phantom X, plus a costume contest. 
Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy (Fri Dec 16)

Elf™ in Concert Past Event Like List
The Oregon Symphony will spread Christmas cheer with a performance of John Debney’s whimsical score of the beloved holiday comedy Elf, bringing Buddy the Elf and the whole gang to life on the big screen. Candy-covered spaghetti not included!
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Dec 17-18)

FOOD & DRINK

The Portland Mercury's Holiday Drink Week
Past Event Like List Ready to get your nog on? 'Tis the season for wintry libations, and Jim Beam presents the Portland Mercury's Holiday Drink Week has you covered with $7 holiday-themed drink specials at participating bars and restaurants. One thing's for sure: these won't be your ordinary cups of cheer.
Various locations (Nov 28-Dec 4)

Fracture Brewing Taproom Grand Opening Weekend Past Event Like List
Be among the first to scope out this new brewery from married couple Darren and Ny Provenzano, located alongside the upcoming Lil' America Like List food cart pod.
Fracture Brewing, Buckman (Dec 1-3)

Sleigh Love 2022: A Holiday Takeover Past Event Like List
Sleigh the day with a menu of holiday-inspired drinks and other treats at the cocktail bar and restaurant Hey Love. Offerings range from "Noggy by Nature" (an eggnog slushie) to "Toboggan Time" (Hey Love's signature frozen spin on Irish coffee, made with a Rumplemintz float, whipped cream, and candy cane sprinkles).
Hey Love, Buckman (Dec 1-Jan 1)

The Oregon Bartenders Guild Presents Repeal Day PDX Past Event Like List
Don your best '20s-inspired raiment for the inaugural edition of this speakeasy-style soirée celebrating the anniversary of the passage of the 21st Amendment and the repeal of Prohibition. All proceeds go towards the nonprofit Oregon Bartenders Guild.
The Old Church at The Madeleine, Irvington (Mon Dec 5)

Portland's Winter Ale Fest Past Event Like List
Settle in with a range of cozy winter ales on tap at the Pine Street Taproom. You'll get to try a dozen samples and get your own festive keepsake glass.
Pine Street Market, Old Town-Chinatown (Dec 9-11)

A Festivus for the Rest of Us Past Event Like List
Celebrate the Seinfeldian holiday "for the rest of us" with Hey Love, which will include all the requisite traditions, including the airing of grievances, feats of strength, and a Festivus pole. The restaurant will serve cheeky themed Chinese-Jewish specials, such as the "Soup for You" (hot and sour duck broth soup with a matzo ball, shredded roast duck, and pickled purple cabbage) and the "I Was in the Pool! There Was Shrinkage" (Nathan's kosher hot dogs wrapped in an egg roll and fried until golden).
Hey Love, Buckman (Wed Dec 21)

LIVE MUSIC

The 1975: At Their Very Best Tour Past Event Like List
British synth-pop wizards quartet The 1975, whom Mercury writer Ned Lannamann described as "drippy, slightly peppy, radio-designed porridge," will stop by on their At Their Very Best tour, supporting their experimental 2020 album, Notes on a Conditional Form, which featured collaborations with notable names like Phoebe Bridgers, FKA Twigs, and activist Greta Thunberg.
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Thurs Dec 1)

Caifanes
Past Event Like List Caifanes, the long-running quartet out of Mexico City, will reunite for an evening of progressive rock and post-punk classics from their definitive albums Caifanes, El Diablito, El Silencio, and El Nervio Del Volcán.
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Wed Dec 7)

Comfort & Joy with the Oregon Symphony Past Event Like List
The Oregon Symphony, joined by the Oregon Chorale, will bring tidings of comfort and joy during this classy evening of Christmas classics performed in classical renditions.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Wed Dec 7)

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Past Event Like List Experimental composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith initially made waves with her 2017 album, The Kid, which received critical acclaim for its accessible new-age pop structure, compelling storytelling, and distinct use of the Buchla Music Easel. She will stop by with songs from her new album, Let's Turn It Into Sound, alongside French electronic artist Ouri.
Doug Fir Lounge, Buckman (Thurs Dec 8)

Soccer Mommy
Past Event Like List Nashville-raised singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sophia Allison—the stand-out indie rocker who performs as Soccer Mommy—is coming to Portland this month! The immensely talented Allison built Soccer Mommy's name on pop-inspired, guitar-based bedroom recordings, which she posted to her Bandcamp page. Then in 2018, she released her studio debut, Clean to critical acclaim. When it comes to Allison’s most recent LP, Sometimes Forever, she understood the assignment; it matches Clean’s excellent use of crisp melodies, ’90s-informed vibe, and satisfying melodrama, this time with cinematic production by Daniel Lopatin. Smooth pairing alert: Montreal indie crooners Tops will open the show. PORTLAND MERCURY CONTRIBUTOR JENNI MOORE
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Thurs Dec 8)

X Past Event Like List
They were contemporaries of SoCal punk bands like the Germs and Black Flag, but X’s relevance and influence can still be heard draped across the sounds of the rock underground. I reckon you could say, even as their music is deeply rooted in, well, roots rock, at this point they MIGHT be considered roots rock themselves. And don’t forget they were/are universally loved by the nerdy college kids, punks, AND the goths. I bet it’s safe to say 1970s Exene is prolly still an archetype. MIKE NIPPER
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Fri Dec 9)

Portland Gay Men's Chorus: Light The Way Home
Past Event Like List Celebrate the holiday season with the sweet sounds of The Portland Gay Men's Chorus, who will lift your spirits with choral renditions of classic carols and pop tunes that will "illuminate your heart and leave you wrapped in the spirit of the season."
Newmark Theatre, South Park Blocks (Dec 9-11)

Portland Cello Project: Winter Spectacular
Past Event Like List The Pacific Northwest's "premiere alt-classical ensemble" will be joined by vocalists Patti King (of The Shins), Maiah Wynne, and Adam Shearer for a unique twist on a traditional holiday concert, promising to be a "perfect celebration of the season, and also a refreshing break from it."
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Sun Dec 11)

December To Remember 2022 Past Event Like List
Portland's alt-rock station 94/7 is back with its December To Remember concert series for the first time in three years. Catch radio regulars, including '90s rock legends The Offspring Past Event Like List , indie-folk heavies Young The Giant Past Event Like List , alt-rock quartet Silversun Pickups Past Event Like List , dance-pop band Ripe Past Event Like List , indie pop duo Cafuné, and Fort Lauderdale-based trio Beach Weather, throughout the month of December. Think of it like one of those holiday advent calendars, but instead of cheap chocolate, you get to see iconic rock acts.
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Dec 11-18)

METZ: 10 Year Anniversary Tour
Past Event Like List Toronto noise-punks METZ play sludgy post-hardcore that’ll ooze out of your pores and stay under your fingernails long after they’re done. Live, the three-piece unflinchingly drenches you with sonic gasoline and then forces you to endure a pyrotechnics show. It’s both overwhelming and abrasive—but don’t worry, you’ll love every second of it. CIARA DOLAN
Doug Fir Lounge, Buckman (Mon Dec 12)

The Smile
Past Event Like List For their side project The Smile, Radiohead members Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood joined forces with drummer Tom Skinner (of jazz outfit Sons of Kemet) to stir up a unique potion of post-punk, progressive rock, Afrobeat, and electronic music. They will support their debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention, which Pitchfork called a "raw-boned rock number," reminiscent of Radiohead's sophomore album The Bends. British composer Robert Stillman will open. 
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Wed Dec 14)

Johnnyswim
Past Event Like List Nashville-hailing folk, soul, blues, and pop music duo, consisting of husband-and-wife singer-songwriters Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez, will support their self-titled latest album. The effort preserves the pop melodies of hyped acts like the Lumineers while never losing sight of the confessional songwriting of the Americana tradition. Plus, anticipate hearing some of their holiday-centric jams from their 2014 album, A Johnnyswim Christmas.
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Fri Dec 16)

Snow Bar Chorale: A Holiday Pop Songs Singalong Past Event Like List
If you prefer your holiday music to come from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joni Mitchell as opposed to old-heads like Bing Crosby, don't miss Low Bar Chorale's seventh annual pop and indie-rock holiday sing-along, which will be sprinkled with stories, special guests, and music trivia.
Mississippi Studios, Boise (Dec 16-17)

Rod Wave: Beautiful Mind Tour
Past Event Like List Atlanta-born soul-trap sensation Rod Wave, known for his viral hit "Heart On Ice," will return to Portland on his Beautiful Time tour, supporting his fourth album of the same name, which features appearances from hip-hop heavy Jack Harlow and R&B artist December Joy. Don't miss opening sets from New York-based rapper Toosii and singer-songwriter Mariah The Scientist.
Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Lloyd District (Tues Dec 20)

Holiday Brass with the Oregon Symphony Past Event Like List
Deanna Tham will conduct the Oregon Symphony's booming brass section for a joyous evening of classical tunes and festive holiday favorites.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South (Wed Dec 21)

Harry Connick Jr. - A Holiday Celebration
Past Event Like List Trad-pop crooner Harry Connick Jr.'s album, When My Heart Finds Christmas, has remained the twelfth best-selling holiday album in the US since its release in 1993, and your parents probably have the CD floating around the house somewhere. He will perform a mix of Christmas classics and originals with his signature jazzy Sinatra-style and suave star power. 
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Thurs Dec 22)

Portland Youth Philharmonic - Concert-At-Christmas: Up In The Air! Past Event Like List
The Portland Youth Philharmonic, America's oldest youth orchestra, will return for its 62nd annual post-Christmas concert with a program of Gioachino Rossini's La gazza ladra, John Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever, and the world premiere of Kenji Bunch's she flies with her own wings.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Mon Dec 26)

Ural Thomas & The Pain with Hillstomp Past Event Like List
Local legend Ural Thomas and his nine-piece band The Pain will have you movin' and groovin' into 2023 as they play two consecutive shows celebrating the new year. We bet they'll play songs from their latest album, Dancing Dimensions, which blends a range of genres from "sweet Chicago soul to airy West Coast psychedelia to Sly funk." Punk-blues duo Hillstomp will get the party started.
Doug Fir Lounge, Buckman (Dec 30-31)

Brandi Carlile’s New Year’s Eve Party
Past Event Like List PNW-born folk treasure Brandi Carlile will welcome in the new year with a one-of-a-kind holiday concert supporting her acclaimed 1970s rock-infused seventh album, In These Silent Days. As of late, she's been making appearances with icons like Elton John, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, and Tanya Tucker, so you never know who might show up!
Moda Center, Lloyd District (Sat Dec 31)

The Bridgetown Boogie with Polyrhythmics Past Event Like List
Back in 2019, Stranger writer Dave Segal wrote: "Polyrhythmics' music is both tight and loose, mellow and boisterous, as the players intricately interlock with one another on groove workouts that sway toward the equatorial, mood-wise." Say goodbye to 2022 with the funk-ified ensemble at this lively dance party of choice cuts, deep tracks, and rare grooves.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Sat Dec 31)

New Year's Eve with Digable Planets
Past Event Like List Stranger writer Jas Keimig wrote: "There’s a Libra in my life that listens to “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” to calm down, requesting it at kickbacks and hangouts. I guess it makes sense—there’s a sense of balance within Digable Planets’ mellow, jazz-rap catalog that could appeal to Libras and non-Libras alike. The hip-hop trio, along with groups like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, laid the foundation for alternative hip-hop, combing steady flows over funky, jazzy tracks. Even though the trio—Craig “Doodlebug” Irving, Mariana “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, and Seattle’s Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler—initially split in 1995, they’ve been intermittently reuniting ever since." The trio will ring in the new year alongside Portland-based rap queen Karma Rivera and DJ Spare Key.
Crystal Ballroom, West End (Sat Dec 31)

Pink Martini New Year’s Eve Celebration Past Event Like List
Portland's "little orchestra" Pink Martini features over a dozen musicians who perform a multilingual repertoire that's exotic yet familiar, seamlessly switching between jazz, classical, pop, and global music sounds. The band has a certain je ne sais quoi that puts everyone in a good mood—they don't just perform a show, they know how to throw a party. For this New Year's celebration, the ensemble will be joined by the Portland Youth Philharmonic, Latin pop artist Edna Vazquez, jazz vocalist Jimmie Herrod, and radio journalist Ari Shapiro.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Sat Dec 31)

PERFORMANCE

Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord
Past Event Like List Inspired by her early pandemic days of sewing masks from bedsheets and bra straps, Chinese American feminist comedian and performance artist Kristina Wong shares the story of "The Auntie Sewing Squad" in Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord. Offering an autobiographical look at the early days of COVID with a side of razor-sharp humor and insights into community building, Time Out deemed the play "endearingly boisterous."
Portland Center Stage, Pearl District (Nov 5-Dec 18)

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Past Event Like List
In this production, classic Christmas tale It's a Wonderful Life heads to the stage as a reimagined '40s-era radio broadcast, complete with period costumes and immersive music.
Portland Center Stage, Pearl District (Nov 19-Dec 24)

A Christmas Carol Past Event Like List
This Dickensian feast of holiday theatrics offers a contemporary interpretation of Ebenezer Scrooge's ghostly journey, adapted with original lyrics by award-winning playwright and director Rick Lombardo.
Portland Playhouse, King (Nov 25-Dec 30)

A John Waters Christmas Past Event Like List
John Waters, who shall henceforth be known as the "anti-Santa," will land his perverse sleigh in Portland for Christmas twistedness and holiday jeers. He might stomp on your perfectly wrapped presents, but this evening with the cult filmmaker seems promising for those on the holiday-averse end of the spectrum.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Thurs Dec 1)

PassinArt Presents Black Nativity by Langston Hughes Past Event Like List
Written by innovative playwright, poet, and social activist Langston Hughes, Black Nativity first premiered in 1961 and was one of the first off-Broadway plays composed by an African American person. This interpretation of the gospel play by PassinArt, an African American theater company, blends storytelling, dance, and Christmas carols with brand-new songs.
Brunish Hall, South Park Blocks (Dec 1-4)

The Way You Made Me
Past Event Like List Penned by Oregonian playwright Lindsay Partain, The Way You Made Me is a trauma-informed love story in search of comfort and catharsis. The production's creative team invites audiences to show up in their comfy-cozy best and curl up with slippers and blankets for the duration of the "warm and intimate" show.
CoHo Theater, Northwest Portland (Dec 1-18)

Liberace and Liza Holiday Show Past Event Like List
In this sequined holiday tribute, classically trained pianist David Saffert and singer/actor Jillian Snow Harris will charm the crowd as showstoppers Liberace and Liza Minnelli. Liberace's real-life music director Bo Ayars will conduct the musical performance; expect foot-tapping piano medleys and jazzy tribute songs.
Portland Center Stage, Pearl District (Dec 4 & 6)

ZooZoo Past Event Like List
Imago's holiday tradition returns this year with a colorful array of penguins, worms, polar bears, hippos, and other globetrotting critters who will come together on stage for an eye-popping family production.
Imago Theatre, Buckman (Dec 9-Jan 1)

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
Past Event Like List Tchaikovsky’s magical score springs to life in this Sugarplum-packed rendition of a longstanding holiday tradition, complete with mice, tin soldiers, and a timeless trip to the Land of Sweets. 
Keller Auditorium, Downtown (Dec 10-24)

New Rory & MAL Past Event Like List
Rory Farrell and Jamil ‘MAL’ Clay will bring their hit podcast to the stage for this performance, so prepare for all-new hot takes from the dudes and their secret special guests.
Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn (Sun Dec 11)

Live Wire with Luke Burbank: Season Finale with Sara Schaefer, Hari Kondabolu, Laura Chinn, and more
Past Event Like List Live Wire's latest season continues with this evening of honest, hilarious conversation between critically acclaimed stand-up comic and writer Sara Schaefer, who won two Emmy Awards for her work at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, alongside thoughtful writer and laugh master Laura Chinn and Hari Kondalobu, a sharp comic with a sociopolitical bent.
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Thurs Dec 15)

The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show Past Event Like List
RuPaul's Drag Race icons BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon will bring their unique blend of bubbly effervescence and quirky realness to the stage for this holiday dragstravaganza, where they'll show off their sleigh and share why they're the true queens of Christmas cheer.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Tues Dec 27)

The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays Past Event Like List
Because nothing says Christmas like a pack of well-dressed dudes with tricks up their sleeves, this "mind-blowing showcase" features five illusionists with sophisticated magical feats that'll inspire audience awe.
Keller Auditorium, Downtown (Dec 29-30)

READINGS & TALKS

Patti Smith: Songs & Stories
Past Event Like List Renaissance woman Patti Smith has lent an unparalleled punk rock edge to her writing, visual art, and performances for decades. Next up: selfies. In 2018, Smith posted her first Instagram photo, and the practice spiraled from there with years of personal photos that served as vignettes of a deeply creative life. Smith’s new book, A Book of Days, takes a similar approach, compiling vintage photographs and travel writings to archive her journey as a poet and artist.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Thurs Dec 1)

Eileen Myles in Conversation With Jess Arndt, Janice Lee & Camille Roy Past Event Like List
Generation-defining writer and poetry legend Eileen Myles will head to Portland in celebration of Pathetic Literature, a "global anthology of pieces from lesser-known classics" they edited that includes work by over 100 writers. Pathetic Literature contributors Jess Arndt, Janice Lee, and Camille Roy will join Myles for this talk.
Powell's City of Books, Pearl District (Wed Dec 7)

Elsa Sjunneson in Conversation With Curtis C. Chen Past Event Like List
Award-winning speculative fiction writer, deafblind disability rights activist, and Seattleite Elsa Sjunneson will celebrate her memoir, Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman's Fight to End Ableism, at this talk. Described as "a much-needed wake-up call for the nondisabled world” by Kirkus Reviews, the book digs into the misrepresentation of disability in contemporary media. Sjunneson will be joined in conversation by Curtis C. Chen, who penned the Kangaroo series.
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, Beaverton (Thurs Dec 8)

Al Franken: "Only Former U.S. Senator Currently On Tour" Tour Past Event Like List
Former US senator, ex-SNL performer and writer, and noted Betsy DeVos hater Al Franken will head to Portland to chat about progressive values, showbiz, and his political career. Since resigning from office in the wake of several allegations of sexual misconduct, Franken has hosted The Al Franken Podcast, a political podcast that has previously featured comics like Sarah Silverman and Chris Rock.
Revolution Hall, Buckman (Thurs Dec 8)

The Moth Mainstage
Past Event Like List The Moth's public story-sharing events have encouraged community, vulnerability, and connection across the world. This edition of the now-classic event, co-organized by Literary Arts, brings a fresh lineup of storytellers to the stage.
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, South Park Blocks (Tues Dec 13)

VISUAL ART

Rainen Knecht: Total Catastrophe Living Past Event Like List
Rainen Knecht's characteristically abstracted, witchy figures take on new heights in this exhibition of energetic large-scale paintings. Total Catastrophe Living continues to push the artist's themes, looking closely at motherhood in a dread-inducing, destructive, and occasionally delightful world. Knecht's dark humor peeks through in curious self-portraits and subtle pop and folk references.
Melanie Flood Projects, Downtown (Nov 19-Dec 17)

Rick Bartow: Frog Talk Seriously Past Event Like List
Rick Bartow, an enrolled member of the Mad River Band of Wiyot Indians, Vietnam War veteran, and leading voice in the contemporary Native American art movement, passed in 2016. Those unfamiliar with his work shouldn't miss this multimedia solo show—Bartow's expressive, gestural style comes to life in brilliant mark-making and naturalistic storytelling.
Froelick Gallery, Pearl District (Nov 29-Jan 28)

a useless task it seems Past Event Like List
Reflecting on the "cyclical nature of repression, resilience, and resignation," internationally exhibited design duo Midgray (Kris Blackmore and Simon Boas) will present new investigations in textiles, artificial intelligence, and interactive media for a useless task it seems. The duo will explore zeitgeist-driven topics of mass media, violence, and our post-Roe society.  
Carnation Contemporary, Kenton (Dec 3-Jan 1)

Mujer: cortney morentin
Past Event Like List Curated by arts writer Luiza Lukova, LA-based photographer cortney morentin's Mujer spotlights subtle moments of femininity that often go overlooked—softness, fluidity, and grace are elevated to center stage through empowering imagery of bodies swimming, holding each other, and at rest.
Well Well, Kenton (Dec 3-Jan 1)

Human | Nature: 150 Years of Japanese Landscape Prints
Past Event Like List Curated from the Portland Art Museum's permanent collection, Human | Nature: 150 Years of Japanese Landscape Prints looks closely at Japan's unique approach to naturalistic art from the 19th century through the contemporary era. At once joyful and reverential, the landscape prints compiled in the exhibition include contributions by prominent print artists Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Hiroshige.
Portland Art Museum, South Park Blocks (Dec 3-May 7)

WINTER HOLIDAYS

ZooLights Past Event Like List
What do wild animals, elephant ears, hot cocoa, and over half a million lights have in common? You can find 'em all at ZooLights, a Portland holiday requisite that includes a drive-through option on select dates again this year.
Oregon Zoo, Washington Park (Nov 23-Jan 5)

The Holiday Express 2022 Past Event Like List
Hop aboard a vintage rail car on the historic Polson #2 1912 steam locomotive for a cheery dream ride along the Willamette River with Santa Claus and his elves.
Oregon Rail Heritage Center, Hosford-Abernethy (Nov 25-Dec 18)

Christmas Festival of Lights 2022
Past Event Like List With countless twinkling Christmas lights and holiday concerts that transform the scenic sanctuary into a massive choral festival, there's a reason The Grotto's annual Festival of Lights is a long-held Portland tradition. Don't miss the outdoor caroling and puppet shows along the light trail, and enjoy the Chapel of Mary's "cathedral-like acoustics" with local choir performances each night.
The Grotto, Sumner (Nov 25-Dec 30)

Winter Wonderland 2022
Past Event Like List Portland International Raceway's annual light show, purportedly the largest in the Northwest, invites attendees to coast through a sparkly wonderland along the track again this year.
Portland International Raceway, North Portland (Nov 25-Dec 31)

Christmas Ships Parade
Past Event Like List Setting sail for its 68th year, the delightfully gaudy Christmas Ship fleet will once again truck up and down the Willamette for a nightly parade throughout December (weather permitting). Grab a thermos of hot cocoa and head to the riverfront, where crowds will gather to scope out the ships in all their sparkly glory. 
Various locations (Dec 2-21)

Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art and Craft Market Past Event Like List
One of Portland’s OG indie markets, Crafty Wonderland, is back for a holiday shopping extravaganza including over 250 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 free drink from the bar.
Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd District (Dec 9-11)

ScanFair
Past Event Like List Winter is prime hygge season—at this market, you’ll be able browse through vendors for Scandinavian baubles that will help achieve maximum holiday coziness at home. While you’re there, indulge in Nordic treats like Swedish cardamom buns and Norwegian rommegrøt, watch a meatball eating contest, meet Joulupukki (the Finnish Santa Claus), and more.
Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd District (Dec 10-11)

Portland Bazaar
Past Event Like List Now in its 12th year, this highly curated holiday market (by the same producers as the Portland Flea) features the cream of the crop of Portland’s maker scene. This year, expect over 160 vendors, custom gift wrapping from March Goods, and refreshments from Dear Sandy and Radiant Coffee x Oatly.
Premier Gear & Machine Works Building, Slabtown (Dec 10-18)

Peacock Lane
Past Event Like List Since 1926, Portland's very own "Christmas street" has gone all out with holiday decor. These days, visitors can expect to see dazzling twinkle lights and nostalgic characters (Rudolph, R2D2, and the Peanuts gang are known to make appearances). Stroll down Peacock Lane to admire the festive Tudor homes up close, or stay toasty in the car and drive down the lane on select dates. (Rumor has it that new residents will be bringing their A game this year, so expect a "holiday unicorn or two.")
Peacock Lane, Sunnyside (Dec 15-31)