Christmas Day in Portland is one of my all-time favorite days of the year. The streets are quiet. There’s no traffic. It is almost like the whole city is put on pause. Take advantage of this rare sleepy Saturday in Portland and check out one of these Christmas Day activities.
Whether you like to be indoors or outdoors during the holiday, you can find a Christmas activity that will get you out of the house and enjoying some of the best our beautiful city has to offer.
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Find your Christmas Day activities below and make some fun holiday memories with your loved ones.
What to Do in Portland on Christmas Day
Take a walk or drive down Peacock Lane
Nothing rings in the holiday spirit quite like visiting Portland’s Christmas street. Every December, a quiet street in southeast Portland transforms its charming homes into a holiday spectacular for all to enjoy. Each home on Peacock Lane takes on its own personality. Some stick to holiday tradition with nativity scenes and spiritual depictions, while others display incredible replicas of Santa, Frosty and all your favorite holiday characters.
Peacock Lane‘s lights will be on from 6-11 p.m. on Christmas Day. You can drive through or park nearby and walk through the street.
Get pastries at JinJu Patisserie
If you’d like to start your Christmas morning with a sweet treat, head to this Williams Ave. patisserie. Get a croissant, tart, scone, coffee cake and a warm beverage. You can also pick up dessert for your Christmas feast. JinJu Patisserie will be open December 25 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Looking for more dine out options on December 25? Here’s a full list or Portland restaurants open on Christmas Day.
Go on an urban hike
Get up early and start Christmas morning with a brisk adventure at one of Portland’s best urban hikes. It may be the best day of the year to visit. You won’t have to fight for parking or walk in a single file line along the trails.
I recommend the Lower Macleay Park hike, which passes by the Witch’s Castle and ends at the Pittock Mansion.
Go to PIR’s Winter Wonderland
Portland International Raceway transforms into the largest light show in the Northwest. At Winter Wonderland, view more than 250 colorful light displays and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle.
The light show will be open on Christmas Day. Get your tickets today.
Photo courtesy of Thirsty Sasquatch
Attend a white elephant party at Thirsty Sasquatch
I am sure you got something for Christmas that you can part with. Repackage it and take to this Christmas party. From 6 p.m. to midnight on Christmas Day, Thirsty Sasquatch in downtown Vancouver is hosting a white elephant and cooking decorating party. The gift swap takes place at 8 p.m.
As an added bonus, this bar has amazing cocktails, tasty pizza, arcade games and a projector screen that is sure to have one of your favorite Christmas movies playing.
Photo courtesy of Apostolic Faith Church
Drive by Christmas on the Campground
Take in the sights at Christmas on the Campground. The light display features life-size nativity, thousands of lights and the tallest decorated Christmas tree in Southeast Portland.
Lights will be on from dusk to dawn. Christmas music will play from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Take a tour of neighborhood holiday lights
The Nextdoor Cheer Map is your guide to home holiday light displays in your neighborhood and throughout the city. Crank the Christmas music, pack a thermos of cocoa and bundle up in the car for a drive around your neighborhood of choice.
Photo courtesy of the Benson Hotel
View The Benson’s gingerbread masterpiece
For the 50th year, the historic Portland hotel has made a special gingerbread creation the centerpiece of its lobby. This year’s gingerbread masterpiece theme is “Polar Express.”
The Benson’s gingerbread masterpiece will be available for free public viewing in the lobby through December 26.
Sing Karaoke at Chopsticks
Dubbing itself Portland’s most favorite karaoke bar, Chopsticks on NE Sandy location is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. The karaoke bar is open Christmas Eve and Day from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Get a rice or noodle plate, fill up on some liquid courage and sing your heart out at this Portland treasure. Karaoke starts at 7 p.m.
Go whale watching
I know this isn’t technically in Portland, but it is whale watching season on the Oregon Coast! Take a spontaneous trip to one of 25 viewing locations along the coastline.
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