Making Merry with Portland Holiday Fun
Bundle up and get ready to celebrate Christmas in Portland! City streets are festively lit, downtown Portland shop windows are trimmed to dazzle, and there’s magic in the air. Our boutique hotel is near the city’s best restaurants, shopping and entertainment — spend your holiday with us and enjoy all that PDX has to offer in December! We shared a few of our favorite light displays last month; here are a few more signature Portland, Oregon attractions within a few short miles (or steps!) of the hotel to make the most of the season:
Cinnamon Bear Cruise – Families with young children will love this generations-long Portland tradition. Head to the riverfront’s Salmon Street Springs Fountain and board the Portland Spirit to take part in a whimsical quest with an oversized, candy-scented bear and his merry troupe. The two-hour excursion offers holiday treats (snack buffet!), fanciful characters, and photos with the Cinnamon Bear atop his magical throne. Offered each weekend through December with extra excursions during the week of Dec. 22 – 27. Details here.
Ice Skating at Lloyd Center –Just steps from Hotel Eastlund awaits an experience that boasts winter fun for all ages: ice skating! Lloyd Center offers terrific holiday shopping with top retailers, and directly across from Macy’s on the first floor is Lloyd Ice, an ice-skating rink with public skating daily. Beautifully decorated for the holidays, bring the whole family or treat yourself to skate rentals and perhaps a lesson! Special holiday hours and information here.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by Oregon Ballet Theatre – This 17th annual production held at Keller Auditorium is a holiday must-see for all ages, filled with swirling snowflakes, glorious scenery, and lavish costumes. Precision choreography is executed with strength and grace by the Oregon Ballet Theatre set to the famous Tchaikovsky’s score. With just 12 performances from Dec. 7 – 26, you’ll want to secure your tickets early!
Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway – Recognized as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi,” this unique, drive-through display features 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes. Tip: Early December dates and weeknights are the best times to beat a crowd; displays run nightly from Nov. 29, 2019 – Jan. 4, 2020. Find more information here.
The 2019 Holiday Ale Festival – “Hoppy” holidays! Raise a glass to some of the best small batch brews on the West Coast, ready to fill you up with holiday cheer! This 21-and-over event features 50 area breweries from Dec. 4 – 8 at Pioneer Courthouse Square under a grand heated tent beneath the city’s lighted tree. A special kickoff day on Dec. 3 (Sunday) features a decadent beer brunch. Several ticket options are available at this annual event.
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, a stay at our downtown Portland hotel means you’ll be close to the best destinations, restaurants, and holiday activities in Portland, Ore. The team at Hotel Eastlund looks forward to helping you enjoy your holiday stay in our beautiful city.