Five Fun Things To Do This Weekend- Dec. 19-21
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Friday, December 19, 2014
Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor
Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular
Don’t let laziness keep you from attending the fun events happening this weekend. Get your homebody friend out of the bed and into the seats of a musical circus performance or crafty gathering. GoLocalPDX brings you five entertaining, artsy, and exciting events to attend this weekend.
Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular
You’ll want to become a circus performer after seeing Cirque Musica, a concert and circus performance that blends mesmerizing grace and artistry with holiday music performed by the Oregon Symphony.
Friday December 19 at 7:30 pm and Saturday December 20 at 2 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 Southwest Broadway, $25- $95. Click HERE for ticket information.
Make it Home
The Echo Theater Company’s production of “Make it Home”, is a compilation of dance pieces about family,community, generosity, and that there is no place like home. The non-traditional holiday show will involve elements of aerial arts, aromatics, physical theater, and dance. Each performance will be accompanied by live original music.
Friday, December 19 to Sunday December 28, at 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm, Echo Theater at 1515 SE 37th Ave, $18 and up. Click HERE for ticket information.
The Miracle of a Million Lights
You’ll be blown away by the million plus twinkling lights that will decorate the entire 2.5 acres of the historic Victorian Belle. 10 Christmas trees will be decorated differently in the rooms, along with period and vintage pieces and heirlooms. Also enjoy some warm apple cider, yummy holiday cookies, and live holiday music from local choirs, groups and individual artists.
Through Tuesday December 23 at 6 pm, Victorian Belle, 1441 N McClellan Street, $6 for adults, $3 for students. Click HERE for more information.
Red Circle Crafts' Holiday Market
Looking for a last minute holiday gift for your office party or a special gift for yourself? If so come on out to the Red Circle Crafts’ Holiday Market to get locally made handcrafted items, roasted coffee samples and gift wrapping. You can also win a sweet swag bag filled with homemade treats, only going to the first 50 people both days.
Saturday December 20 and Sunday December 21 at 10 am, Seattle Coffee Gear, 26 NW 23rd Place, FREE. Click HERE for more information.
CHAP Holiday Bazaar & Open Art Studio
Children’s Healing Art Project is having a family friendly Holiday Bazaar to support children and their families in crisis. Everyone is invited to enjoy unlimited art supplies to make a work of art. Other items like kid designed holiday cards, glittery ornaments, candles, and stockings can be purchased at the “CHAPpy Wonderland” onsite gallery.
Friday December 19 and Saturday December 20 at 10 am, 1910 SE 11th Avenue, $5 per person/per hour. Click HERE for more information.
Related Slideshow: 2014 GoLocalPDX Guide to Holiday Events
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”Twist Your Dickens”
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” revamped as a highly entertaining sketch and improv comedy show performed at Portland Center Stage by the Chicago comedy troupe Second City. Recommended for ages 14+.
Nov. 22 - Dec. 24; evenings - 7:30 p.m., matinees - 2 p.m.; Portland Center Stage, 128 NW Eleventh Ave.; $36-52. Click HERE to view schedule and purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: Portland Center Stage
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Turkey Trots
On Thanksgiving morning, participate in either 4 mile run or walk sponsored by the Oregon Road Runners Club, then leave feeling exhilarated and with room to eat even more Thanksgiving dinner than originally planned.
Nov. 27 at 8 a.m.; Oregon Zoo; $30 per runner. Click HERE to register.
Photo Credit: ORRC (cropped)
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Winter Wonderland
Hop in your car and come experience the stunningly elaborate drive-through light show of over 250 set pieces, a visual spectacle hailed as the “largest holiday light show west of the Mississippi.”
Nov. 27 - Dec. 28; Sundays - Thursdays 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Portland International Raceway, Victory Blvd., Exit 306B off I-5; $18 per car, cash or check only. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: Winter Wonderland (cropped)
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Portland Macy's Parade
Taking place the day after Thanksgiving, the Portland Macy’s Holiday Parade will feature 26 floats, marching bands, 600 costumed characters, and the chance to take a picture with the one and only Santa Claus.
Friday Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.; downtown Portland; free. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: Byron Beck
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Annual Tree Lighting
Also taking place the day after Thanksgiving will be the 30th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Courthouse Square, featuring a holiday sing-along with prominent Portland musicians, including Thomas Lauder
Friday Nov. 28; 5:30-6:30 pm; Pioneer Courthouse Square; free. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: dog97209 via Compfight cc
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Festival of Lights
Northeast Portland’s internationally-renowned Catholic shrine and botanical garden The Grotto presents the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The event will feature over 500,000 lights, 150 choral performances, and food and entertainment for the whole family.
Nov. 28 - Dec. 30; 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St.; $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 kids ages 3-12. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, The Grotto (cropped)
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ZooLights
The Oregon Zoo presents its annual winter festival featuring animal-themed displays made up of more than one million LED lights, all of which can seen by taking the ZooLights train ride.
Nov. 28 - Jan. 4; Sundays - Thursdays 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.; Oregon Zoo; free for members, $10 adults, $9 seniors, $7 children agree 3-7. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: The Oregon Zoo (cropped)
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"Rudolph on Stage"
For the second year in a row, Bad Reputation Productions presents a loving, hilarious adaptation of the classic 1964 stop-motion film “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Perfect for attendees of all ages.
Nov. 28 - Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.; kid matinees Saturdays Dec. 6, 13, 20 at 2 p.m.; CoHo Productions, 2257 NW Raleigh St.; $21-24. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: Bad Reputation Productions (cropped)
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Ugly Sweater Run
Here’s an excuse to wear your favorite ugly sweater - run a 5k alongside thousands of others of ugly sweater-wearing individuals.
Nov. 30 at 9 a.m.; Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; $35 per person early registration, $40 per person day of the event. Click HERE to register.
Image Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Holiday Ale Festival
Need to stay warm this December? The 19th annual Holiday Ale festival will have over 50 winter ales from over forty breweries to taste and sample.
Wednesday Dec. 3 - Sunday Dec. 7; 11 a.m - 10 p.m.; Pioneer Courthouse Square; $35 for advance admission, includes festival mug, 14 beer tickets, and expedited entry all five days with wristband and mug. Click HERE to register.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Festival of Trees
For the 32nd annual Providence Festival of Trees, come see over 25 unique, themed Christmas trees, all created by local designers.
Dec. 5 - Dec. 6; Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 9.a.m. - 5 p.m.; Oregon Convention Center, Hall A 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.; $6 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, $4 for children ages 3-12. Click HERE for more information.
Image Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Gay Men's Chorus Concert
Portland’s Gay Men’s Chorus once again presents its annual concert “A Holiday Celebration,” a mix of melodies celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Solstice with the same warmth and cheer we’ve come to know and love.
Dec. 5 - 7; Friday & Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.; Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway; $15-48. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: Portland Gay Men's Chorus (cropped)
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Christmas Ships Parade
One of Portland's most enduring Christmas traditions, a flee of over fifty bedecked and illuminated ships will parade nightly down the Columbia and Willamette rivers for the 60th year in a row.
Dec. 5 - 21; Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Click HERE for schedule.
Photo Credit: Christmas Ships, Inc. (cropped)
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Jingle Bell Run/Walk
Wearing a costume automatically makes any activity more enjoyable. Come run a 5K wearing your favorite holiday costume to raise money for those with arthritis.
Sunday Dec. 7 at 8 a.m.; World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St.; $35-$40 for adults, $20-$25 for children. Click HERE to register.
Image Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Caroling Competition
The Great Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition is back. All caroling groups with 3 or more members should come prepared to carol their hearts out and compete for a grand prize of $1,000!
Friday December 12; 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Pioneer Courthouse Square; free. Click HERE to register.
Image Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Tuba Christmas
At the 24th Annual Tuba Christmas Concert, over 250 tubas will be playing songs fit for the Christmas season in Pioneer Square. Perfect for big brass fans, or anyone really.
Saturday Dec. 13; 1:30 p.m. 3 p.m.; Pioneer Courthouse Square. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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"The Nutcracker"
The Oregon Ballet Theatre presents George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” a perennial holiday classic and the quintessential Christmas ballet.
Dec. 13 - 27; 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.; Oregon Ballet Theatre, 818 SE Sixth Ave.; $30-$115. Click HERE to view schedule and purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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The Holiday Half
Portland’s own running store Foot Traffic is holding a half marathon through the headquarters of Adidas.
Sunday Dec. 14 at 8 a.m; Adidas America, 5055 N. Greeley Ave.; $39 per person (5K) or $79 per person (half marathon). Click HERE to register.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Peacock Lane
Since the 1920s, the southeast street Peacock Lane has been decorating its Tudor-style houses in beautifully arranged nativity scenes, light displays, and Christmas trees, and for just as long, crowds have ben gathering to get a glimpse of the wonderfully designed displays.
Dec. 15 - 30 from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., Dec. 24 and 31 from 6 p.m. - midnight; between SE Stark St. and SE Belmont St. and one block east of SE 39th Ave.; free. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: Jason Lander via Compfight cc
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Menorah Lighting
Chabad of Oregon will be lighting the Menorah located in Southwest Portland for all eight nights of Hanukkah beginning on the evening of Tuesday December 16.
Dec. 16 - Dec. 23; 5:30 p.m.; Director Park, Southwest Park Ave.; free. Click HERE for more information.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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Celtic Yuletide Concert
Three generations of the family music ensemble Magical Strings will be bringing to Portland the 36th annual Celtic Yuletide, a medley of music, dance, storytelling, and much more.
Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St.; 764-4131; $20 for adults and $12 for children in advance, $22 for adults and $14 for children at the door. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: Magical Strings (cropped)
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The Christmas Revels
“A tower, a Wizard Earl, a prankster and some Revels magic…” Come experience the magic and wonder of 16th century England through period choral music and dancing in this year’s Christmas Revels show.
Dec. 18 - Dec 23 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 at 1 p.m.; St. Mary’s Academy 1615 SW Fifth Ave.; $39. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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"A Circus Carol"
Come one and come all! Come see the circus adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” put on by Portland’s very own Wanderlust Circus and featuring music by 3 Leg Torso. Minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Dec. 19 - 21; 8 p.m.; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St.; $15-40. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: Wanderlust Circus (cropped)
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The Oregon Symphony
The Oregon Symphony presents the holiday concert “Comfort and Joy” featuring classical Christmas and holiday favorites, not to mention family-friendly pricing. Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening!
Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.; Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Click HERE to buy tickets.
Photo Credit: iStock (cropped)
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The von Trapps
Four siblings, great-grandchildren of the universally beloved Maria and Captain von Trapp, have taken up the family trade, singing and performing in tours all over the world. As Christmas draws to a close, they’ll be at the Mississippi Studios holding two shows to celebrate the end of the holidays.
Friday Dec. 26; 6:30 and 9 p.m.; Mississippi Studios, 2929 N. Mississippi Ave.; $13-15. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Photo Credit: The von Trapps (cropped)
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