Every holiday season, the Willamette Valley comes alive with sparkling light displays, seasonal markets, and other fun events across the region.
For years, the Pastega Christmas Light Display was a hallmark of the holiday season in Corvallis—until organizers stepped back from the long-running community tradition in 2023.
But in its place, a number of experiences offer plenty of holiday cheer. So grab a scarf and jacket, get cozy with a mug of hot chocolate or apple cider, and see how to make the most of the holiday season in the Willamette Valley.
There’s something magical about strolling through Willamette Valley’s communities during the holiday season. Mom-and-pop shops fill their windows with holiday decor, historic homes open up for rare tours, ice skating rinks offer a touch of old-school charm, and twinkling lights dangle from trees and lamp posts.
To help you make the most of the season, we've put together a guide to finding holiday cheer across the Willamette Valley—complete with light displays, markets, and other fun events.
Perhaps the largest lights display anywhere in the Willamette Valley is the Silverton Christmas Market—where more than 1.5 million lights twinkle between late November and December 31 every year at the Oregon Garden Resort.
You'll see displays of characters from classic holiday movies, dozens of festive light displays, a traditional German Christmas Market (where artisans sell handcrafted goods alongside imported nutrackers and ornaments), several open-air fire pits, and a boisterous beer garden serving local brews.
Family enjoying Silverton Christmas Market / Photo by Mariah Johnston
Every year, we hide 200 locally crafted ornaments across specific trails in the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest—all for eager hikers to find and keep. Those who register their find are eligible to win a grand prize that includes dining gift cards and an overnight stay in the Willamette Valley.
Get the skinny on this year's Ornament Hunt, and make plans to hit the trail while enjoying the region's natural beauty and frequenting local businesses.
Savor the magic of the season at the Holiday Village at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center in Salem. Running on select nights through December 22, 2024, the fun includes festive food and drinks (such as apple pie funnel cakes and fried gingerbread), carnival rides, an artisan market, and (on weekends) photos with Santa Claus.
The on-site Magic of Lights experience, meanwhile, is a drive-thru holiday lights display starring classic scenes and seasonal characters—all crafted with digital animation and LED lights, and soundtracked by your favorite holiday tunes. The display continues through January 4, 2025.
