Money can get a little tight around the holidays and if you find your wallet a bit bare, we’ve included some fun holiday events this week that are free or discounted. There are several art shows kicking off this weekend which can be a great place to support local creators and also score one-of-a-kind gifts. If you need even MORE holiday events, see these links for our full coverage:
“OMG, it’s the Donnie Show”
Surprise guests, lots of stories and lots of laughs when Triangle Production’s founder Don Horn gets out from behind the curtain to take the stage and interact with friends and special guests.
7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Dec. 4-14, Sandy Plaza, 1785 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; tickets $20; app.arts-people.com.
“The World According to Snoopy”
Bridgetown Conservatory’s winter musical takes a look at life behind the eyes of one of Charles Schultz’s most beloved characters. The show will be performed by two separate casts made up of performers ages 11 to 18.Music by Larry Grossman, lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, and continues 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5-7, Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre, 711 S.W. 14th Ave.; tickets $33; simpletix.com/e/world-according-to-snoopy.
“The Curio” artists reception at The Reser
The Art Gallery at The Reser offers a First Friday reception highlighting works by nearly 40 local and regional artists. Browse a collection of unique pieces both functional and decorative. You may even score a gift for that special someone.
6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, and remaining on view through Jan. 17, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; free; www.thereser.org/gallery
“Christmas Tree USA” Tree Lighting (Estacada)
It’s not just for the locals. Take a trip to Oregon’s leading Christmas tree region for a night of lights, music and seasonal cheer. Before the tree lighting, make sure you visit a local tree farm to score your perfect holiday tree.
5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, Harvest Market Square, on Broadway Street in Estacada; free.
“NOT-Cracker”
If you’re looking for a holiday dance tradition that doesn’t involve sugar plum fairies and baby mice, this Open Space production is set in Portland and features a colorful world full of wild characters.
7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7, Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway; $34-$91.25; portland5.com.
— Lizzy Acker The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
Wild Arts Festival
Bird Alliance of Oregon’s annual Wild Arts Festival is the perfect weekend entertainment for those who love the outdoors, animals and great art. It’s a shopping event too with hundreds of ideas for the nature-lover in your life. Shop art and books with the proceeds benefiting education and conservations efforts. This year’s show features more than 65 artists including painters, printmakers, jewelry designers, and sculptors, as well as glass, wood, fiber art, and ceramic artists. Take the MAX to The Wingspan Event Center in Hillsboro for a no-stress trip.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7, Wingspan Event Center, 801 N.E. 34th Ave., Hillsboro; admission $13, ages 18 and younger free; wildartsfestival.org.
Winterfest at Leach Garden
Enjoy holiday shopping while you take in the winter scenery and the aerial tree walk with free admission at Leach Botanical Garden’s WinterFest. A holiday market features locally-made fair trade items that reflect the nature of the venue. There’s complimentary tea and coffee too. Every purchase helps fund the Garden.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Leach Botanical Garden, 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave.; free admission; leachgarden.org.
Pancakes with the Grinch (Salem)
This family event, hosted by Bridges Oregon, features a warm and inclusive atmosphere with holiday activities that supports individuals with hearing and sight challenges. Last year’s event hosted more than 700 guests. Accommodations, including ASL and Spanish interpretation are coupled with fluffy pancakes and festive fun. And it’s free for everyone.
9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 6, Columbia Hall, Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St. N.E., Salem; bridgesoregon.org/grinch.
“A Celebration of Light”
The 80-voice Vancouver Master Chorale offers a concert of medieval melodies, country songs, and everything in between during this winter vocal celebration.
7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7, Vancouver First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver; tickets $10-$30; vancouvermasterchorale.org.
“The Adventures of Baksana” Album Release Party
This celebration of Portland’s dance and live music group Baksana Ensemble features the introduction of its new full-length album of original music. Baksana is inspired by Arabic, Turkish and Balkan music that will get your feet moving. There will also be a dance performance and some surprises. All ages welcome.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Nomadic Vintage, 516 S.E. Morrison St.; free.
Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors
Pacific Northwest authors gather at the Oregon Historical Society for the annual celebration of books. Featured guests include cartoonist Jack Ohman, fiction author Kristina McMorris, and Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Reed. Visit with more than 65 writers while you sip hot cocoa, enjoy treats and pick up something special for the booklover on your list.
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave.; free; ohs.org/holidaycheer.
Clark College Concert Band fall performance
The college’s fall concert features music by Jack Stamp, Eiji Suzuki, and American folk songs. Ensembles schedule to perform include the brass choir, woodwind choir, and percussion ensemble.
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Skyview High School, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver; free (donations benefit the Clark College Music Department).
Portland Wind Symphony “Sounds of the Season”
Portland Wind Symphony sets up at Gresham High School for a program of seasonal music including “Rocky Point Holiday” by Nelson, “Fantasia on the Dargason” from Holst’s Second Suite, and music from “The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. Members of the Gresham High School band will also play.
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Gresham High School, 1200 N. Main Ave., Gresham; free; portlandwindsymphony.org.
Oregon Coast Aquarium “Sea of Lights” (Newport)
If you find yourself at the coast this holiday season, make sure to stop by the Oregon Coast Aquarium for a cup of hot cocoa, photos with Santa (Dec. 12-13 and 19-20 only), and the Aquarium’s special holiday decorations in this annual after-hours event. Guests who buy general admission tickets that same day also get access to “Sea of Lights” with no exit and re-entry necessary. Stroll through the grounds to see larger-than-life neon outlines of rockfish, seahorses, jellies and other sea creatures.
Continues 5-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Dec. 20, Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Road, Newport; admission $10; canned food donations will get you $5 off Dec. 5-6 only; aquarium.org/visit/calendar/sea-of-lights.
– If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to [email protected] at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.