We’re in mid December folks and if you’re still searching for non-holiday events you’ll find slim pickings. If, however, you’re soaking in the Christmas spirit we’ve listed plenty of events some of which are free or low-cost. Go hear some holiday music featuring everything from carolers to cello-only concerts. If you need more holiday event ideas, check out these links to our seasonal events guide:
Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition
Groups of carolers will fill the streets of downtown Portland in the Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition, singing their hearts out to compete for a grand prize. Stroll the blocks around Pioneer Courthouse Square to find groups of carolers, then head back to the square for a “carol-off” pitting the top three groups against one another.
6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland; free.
— Jamie Hale, The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com
Portland Revels “Highland Hearth”
Portland Revels’ annual spirited and heartwarming celebration of light, community, and tradition offers music, story, and dance inspired by old Scottish traditions. If winter’s dark hold is getting you down, come celebrate the season at this uplifting event. ASL matinee Dec. 13, audio-described performance Dec. 14.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, continues 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 21, Scottish Rite Center, 709 S.W. 15th Ave.; tickets start at $44, discounts available for students/seniors; portlandrevels.org.
Festivale Cool Nutz
This annual hip-hop holiday takes over the Alberta Street Pub this weekend for nights of music, culture and community. The night is headlined by Cool Nutz, and also features Mikey Vegaz, Maniac Lok, King Wess, Bobby Barrz, and others. 21 and older.
9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 12-13, Alberta Street Pub, 1036 N.E. Alberta St.; $20.50; eventbrite.com/e/festivale-cool-nutz.
“Our Miss Brooks: Christmas Gift Mix-up” and “Radio City Playhouse: Twas the Night Before Christmas,”
Get two Christmas plays for the price of one. New Century Players offer two radio plays performed with limited staging. Each is directed by Sara McNaughton.
7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12-14, Samaritan Odd Fellows Lodge, 10282 S.E. Main St., Milwaukie; $10-$15; newcenturyplayers.org.
Crafty Wonderland Holiday Market
This is a Portland favorite. Shop from more than 275 artists and makers offering gifts for even the most hard-to-please recipient. Crafty Wonderland will again require timed-admission tickets to help with crowding. Visit the website for more details. Once you enter, you can stay as long as you want.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 13-14, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd; admission $4; oregoncc.org/attend/events.
DAWN Inc., a Portland-based nonprofit delivering humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, will host the third Ukrainian Winterfest – a joyful, immersive cultural festival that brings together music, art, and community. This year’s festival will be at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and will offer live performances, artisan crafts, holiday gifts, traditional food and drinks, children’s activities, and interactive cultural demonstrations that showcase the vibrancy and resilience of Ukrainian heritage.
1-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Holy Trinity, 3131 N.E. Glisan St.; admission is free, but donations benefit humanitarian aid in Ukraine; dawnus.org/event/ukrainian-winterfest-2025.
“The Nutcracker”
There are plenty of choices of holiday ballets this season. This one features the Oregon International Ballet Academy, student dancers and guest artists performing in Beaverton. Special guest Brian Simcoe (Principal Dancer, Oregon Ballet Theatre) and young guest artists from Casa de Arte (Kumamoto, Japan) are joined by the energy of talented young dancers from across the region. Bring the whole family.
2 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 13-14, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; $43.50; secure.thereser.org/overview.
Oregon Mandolin Orchestra Holiday Concert
There are two options this year to hear your favorite holiday music performed on mandolins. Head to Vancouver on Saturday or visit southwest Portland Sunday for these concerts featuring local musicians.
3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2201 S.W. Vermont St.; donations of $10-$15 suggested at door or online; oregonmandolinorchestra.org.
Holiday Pops with Liz Callaway
Liz Callaway is a vocal powerhouse on stage, but even if you’ve never seen her live, you may have heard her in such Disney classics as the singing voice of Anastasia in “Anastasia,” Odette in “The Swan Princess,” Jasmine in the Aladdin sequels, and adult Kiara in “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.” She joins the Vancouver Symphony in its annual Holiday Pops concerts this weekend.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec.13 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 N.W. 139th St., Vancouver; tickets start $50; vancouversymphony.org
Echoes of Fort Vancouver: How the Fur Trade Shaped Clark County
The museum’s latest exhibit celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s founding of Fort Vancouver. Trace the deep roots of regional trade networks, beginning long before European arrived and how this commerce shaped the cultural and economic landscape of what is now Clark County.
Opening reception 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main Street, Vancouver; free and open to the public; cchmuseum.org/exhibits.
Liedertafel Harmonie Christmas Concert
This 100-year-old German choir still offers annual Christmas concert sung in German every holiday season. Ages 12 and younger are free.
3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, German Heritage Hall, 5626 N.E. Alameda St.; admission $12 cash only; facebook.com/profile.
A Cello Christmas
Cellist from the Oregon Symphony, led by Trevor Fitzpatrick, offer classic music from “The Nutcracker” and French Christmas music, as well as plenty of holiday cheer, hosted by 45th Parallel.
7 p.m. Sunday-Monday, Dec. 14-15, Polaris Hall, 635 N. Killingsworth Court; tickets $38; 45thparallelpdx.org.
“Let it Go”: A Burlesque Tribute to “Frozen”
Take a break this holiday season and escape into a sexy, swirling, winter spectacle. Lacy Productions offers its take on belonging as portrayed by characters from the Disney film. It’s burlesque with a wintry twist. 21 and older only. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 17-18, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 N. Alberta St.; tickets $37; etix.com/ticket.
– 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.