‘Tis the season, in which ’tis is an old contraction for “it is,” is a phrase heard during the winter drawing attention to what’s known as the “Holiday Season.”
Its association with the winter holidays, rather than any other season, comes from its use in the popular carol “Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly” in the line “‘Tis the season to be jolly.” Though the song is a centuries-old Welsh tune, the phrase didn’t start appearing in newspapers and magazines until the 1970s.
The Christmas market originated in what is now Germany. Open-air street markets have a long history dating back long before anyone celebrated Christmas. In Europe in the Late Middle Ages special winter markets, often open only for a day or two in early winter offered townspeople a chance to stock up on food and supplies to tide them over in the cold months.
With time, craftspeople began setting up stands at winter markets to sell baskets, toys and woodcarvings. There were also booths for almonds, nuts, roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and other baked goods. These items were often purchased as gifts to be given out for Christmas or on New Year’s Day. These winter markets were the precursor of contemporary Christmas markets.
Here’s a list of Holiday Events, Bazaars, and Markets across Oregon compiled by date:
NOVEMBER 1 – 7
Nov 2 – 16 Young Chefs- Holiday Treats and Leftovers … Bob Keefer Center, 250 S 32nd St Springfield, OR
Thu, Nov 4, 20218:00 AM Fri, Dec 17, 20213:00 PM – LETTER TO SANTA AT MEDFORD PARKS & RECREATION Santo Community Center, Medford
Nov 4 – 20 Third Annual Holiday Market Shady Oaks, 77380 OR-99 Cottage Grove, OR
Fri, Nov 5 – Sat, Nov 6 A Country Christmas Bazaar 69427 Crooked Horseshoe Rd in Sisters
Fri, Nov 5 – Sun, Nov 7 Eugene Holiday Food & Gift Festival Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave Eugene
11/6 Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM Fall Craft Fair Douglas County Fairgrounds RV Park, 2236-2152 Frear St Roseburg
Sat, Nov 6 – Sun, Nov 7 Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair 1400 NW 9th St Corvallis
11/6 Sat, 4 PM Holiday Card Letterpress Workshop Whiteaker Printmakers, 1328 W 2nd Ave Eugene
Sat, Nov 6 – Sun, Nov 7 Holiday Boutique at The Elks Lodge 2470 W 11th Ave Eugene
11/6 Sat, 2:00 – 9:30 AM River Center Holiday Craft and Gift Fair River Center, 3000 S Santiam Hwy Lebanon
11/7 Sat, 4 – 8 PM “Downtown Holiday First Look” Shopping Preview Klamath Falls Downtown Association, 205 Riverside Dr Suite F Klamath Falls
Sun, Nov 7 – Sat, Nov 13 Country Christmas Clackamas County Fairgrounds, 694 NE 4th Ave Canby
NOVEMBER 8 – 14
11/12 Fri, 10 AM – 6 PM Holiday Food and Gift Festival Westside Commons, 801 NE 34th Ave Hillsboro
Nov. 13 – Dec. 3 Rogue Gallery & Art Center in Medford for their 6 X 6 Art Show/Fundraiser. All donated pieces by local artists will be sold for $45 with the proceeds benefiting exhibitions and youth education programs. The kick off date – both virtual and at the gallery will be November 13th! https://roguegallery.org/
Fri, Nov 12 – Sun, Nov 14 16th Annual Holiday Market Jackson County Expo, 1 Peninger Rd Central Point
11/13 Sat, 6 – 9 PM Kid’s Breakfast Club: Pumpkin Waffles & Holiday Quiche 405 S 4th St Central Point
11/13 Community Christmas Bazaar Azalea Middle School, 505 Pacific Ave Brookings
11/13 Sat, 9 AM – 5 PM Old Fashion Christmas Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SE Airport Way Redmond
11/13 Sat, 10 AM – 5 PM Fill Your Sleigh Holiday Bazaar Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum, 676 SW 5th Ave Ontario
11/14 Sun, 12 PM $300 Holiday Shopping Spree Giveaway(Bingo) Josephine County Fairgrounds, 1451 Fairgrounds Rd Grants Pass
NOVEMBER 15 – 21
11/18 Thu, 2:00 – 2:50 PM Thanks But No Thanks-giving: University of Oregon – Erb Memorial Union (EMU), 1395 University St Eugene
Thu, Nov 18, 20218:00 PM Fri, Dec 31, 20219:00 PM CHRISTMAS CONTIGO AT OREGON CABARET Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland
Thu, Nov 18 – Sun, Nov 21 Portland Holiday Market – New event! Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Dr Portland
11/19 Fri, 11 AM – 12 PM Waste Prevention Ideas for the Holidays Campbell Community Center, 155 High St Eugene
Fri, Nov 19 – Sat, Nov 20 The Emporium Veneta at the Fern Ridge Holiday Bazaar The Emporium Veneta, 87980 Territorial Hwy Veneta
Fri, Nov 19, 202110:00 AM Sun, Nov 28, 20218:00 PM GINGERBREAD JUBILEE Craterian Theater – Medford
Fri, Nov 19 – Sun, Nov 21 Redmond Holiday Food & Gift Festival Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SE Airport Way Redmond
11/20 Sat, 8 AM – 5 PM CDA Holiday Bazaar and Country Store in Corvallis at St Mary Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th St Corvallis
11/20 Sat, 9 AM – 5 PM Astoria Elks Lodge Holiday Fair Astoria Elks Lodge #180, 453 11th St Astoria
11/20 Sat, 2 – 8 AM Holiday Bazaar American Legion, 424 W Olive St Newport
Nov 21 – 28 Pre-sale Holiday Wreaths from Newberg Animal Shelter – Newberg Animal Shelter, 1591 S Sandoz Rd Newberg
Nov 21 – Dec 10 Vivi’s Vintage Holiday Market Early Bird Passes The Water Oasis, 15055 NE Dopp Rd Newberg
11/21 Christmas Fayre Hi-Tide Oceanfront Inn, 30 Avenue G Seaside
Sun, Nov 21, 20215:30 PM Sat, Jan 1, 2022 10:00 PM UMPQUA VALLEY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS River Forks Park Roseburg
NOVEMBER 22-28
Nov. 22 to Jan.4 PITTOCK MANSION CHRISTMAS 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas); 3229 N.W. Pittock Drive, Portland; tickets $13 per person at pittockmansion.org
Tue, Nov 23, 20212:00 PM thru Sun, Jan 2, 2022 3:00 PM IT’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL – OREGON SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL Angus Bowmer Theater Ashland
Thu, Nov 25, 20218:00 PM Fri, Dec 31, 20218:00 PM ELF THE MUSICAL Camelot Theatre in Ashland
Fri, Nov 26 – Sun, Nov 28 Hometown Vintage Christmas Market 158 E Main St Carlton, OR
Fri, Nov 26, 202110:00 AM Mon, Nov 29, 20215:00 PM ELKTON ART & WINE Elkton, Oregon
Fri, Nov 26 – Sun, Nov 28 Festival of Trees Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way Eugene
Fri, Nov 26 – Sun, Nov 28 Natures Coastal Holiday Festival of Lights Azalea Park, 640 Old County Rd Brookings
Nov. 26 PORTLAND TREE LIGHTING The lighting of Portland’s downtown Christmas tree will take place in Pioneer Courthouse Square, but the in-person gathering has once again been canceled in favor of a virtual event, broadcast live on KGW the day after Thanksgiving. The event will include a performance and singalong by Portland musician Thomas Lauderdale. 6-6:30 p.m.; broadcast live on KGW
11/26 Fri, 2 – 5 PM Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Rd Portland
Fri, Nov 26 – Sat, Nov 27 Seaside Artisan Fair 2021 Seaside Civic and Convention Center, 415 1st Ave Seaside
Nov. 26 SEASIDE PARADE OF LIGHTS The Seaside Parade of Lights takes place alongside the coastal community’s tree lighting ceremony, kicking off the holiday season on the north Oregon coast. The parade Begins at 7 PM. Tree Lighting at 8 PM. More details will be announced at seasideor.com.
Nov. 26-27 JINGLE THRU JOSEPH The Joseph Main Street Businesses will compete in a lighting contest on Fri Nov 26th, 2021 in preparation for the Christmas Light Parade Sat Nov 27th, 2021. Shop Throughout Town, Enjoy Holiday Music, Lights, Santa and Open House opportunities.
Nov 27 – Dec 12 Bootah’s Claus Festival 1607 NW Gerke Rd Prineville
11/27 Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM POINSETTIA FESTIVAL Ashland Greenhouses, 650 E Ashland Ln Ashland, OR
11/27 Sat, 3:00 – 7:30 PM O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene
Nov. 27 to Dec. 19JACKSONVILLE VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS On weekends between Nov. 27 and Dec. 19, people can head downtown to take pictures with Father Christmas. Tree lighting is 5 p.m. Nov. 27, and Christmas Parade is 10 a.m. Dec. 4; downtown Jacksonville; free
11/28 Sun, 7:30 – 11:30 PM Trans-Siberian Orchestra-Christmas Eve & Other Stories Moda Center, 1 N Center Ct St Portland
11/28 Sun, 3 PM Coaster Theatre Playhouse: A Christmas Carol Coaster Theatre Playhouse, 108 N Hemlock St Cannon Beach
Nov. 28 to Dec. 5 PORTLAND MENORAH LIGHTING Chabad of Portland will light Portland’s large public menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square on the first night of Hannukah, Nov. 28. The first night will feature live music, food and other festivities. The public menorah will be lit every night through Dec. 5. 5 p.m.; 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland; free
NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 5
Thu, Dec 2, 20217:30 PM Sun, Dec 5, 2021 8:30 PM ROGUE WINTERFEST —– HOLIDAY WINDOWS IN GRANTS PASS VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE Fri, Dec 3, 202110:00 AM Wed, Dec 22, 2021 11:00 PM Downtown Grants Pass
Fri, Dec 3, 20217:30 PM Sun, Dec 19, 20212:00 PM THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL Barnstormers Theatre in Grants Pass
Dec. 3 WEST LINN TREE LIGHTING 5 to 8 p.m., West Linn City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, West Linn; free
Dec. 3 BEND’S COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING The annual tree lighting event in downtown Bend will coincide with a holiday art walk and other festivities. More details at downtownbend.org.
Dec. 4 GREAT FIGGY PUDDING CAROLING COMPETITION Portland’s downtown caroling competition is back, stationing teams of carolers on street corners around Pioneer Courthouse Square, culminating in a “carol-off” to determine the winner. 5:30-7:30 p.m.; 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland; free
Sat, Dec 4, 20214:00 PM Sun, Dec 5, 2021 8:00 PM FREE MEDFORD WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL Pear Blossom Park in Medford + CANDY CANE HUNT AT PEAR BLOSSOM PARK Sat, Dec 4, 2021 4:30 PM Sun, Dec 5, 2021 5:30 PM
Sat, Dec 4, 2021 5:00 PM Sat, Dec 11, 2021 7:00 PM COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE Central Point Chamber of Commerce
Saturday, December 4, 2021 5:00 PM 8:00 PM BONANZA HOMETOWN HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Bonanza OR
Sunday, December 5, 2021 2:00 PM 4:00 PM THE KLAMATH CHORALE PRESENTS: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Ross Ragland Theater in Klamath Falls
Dec. 4 FOREST GROVE LIGHT PARADE The Holiday Light Parade in Forest Grove will run along Main Street between Bonnie Lane and 19th Avenue. More details at forestgrove-or.gov.
DECEMBER 6 – 12
December 9, 2021 4:00 PM 5:00 PM ELF THE MUSICAL at Umpqua Actors Community Theatre Roseburg
Thursday, December 9, 2021 7pm KLAMATH SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL PARADE Klamath Falls
Fri, Dec 10, 2021 7:00 PM Sun, Dec 19, 202 1:00 PM STUDIO ROXANDER NUTCRACKER Crater Performing Arts Center in Central Point
12/11 5:00 PM 9:00 PM MYRTLE CREEK WINTER FESTIVAL AND TIMBER TRUCKERS LIGHT PARADE Myrtle Creek
Dec. 11 TUBA CHRISTMAS CONCERT The 30th iteration of Portland’s beloved Tuba Christmas Concert will fill Pioneer Courthouse Square with big brass renditions of Christmas carols. The event this year will be limited to 150 tubas — which is still a lot of tubas. 1:30-3 p.m.; 701 S.W. Sixth Ave., Portland; free
DECEMBER 12 – 24
Friday, December 17, 2021 6:30 PM 8:00 PM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND COCOA IN MEDFORD Santo Community Center in Medford
12/18 7:00 PM 10:00 PM SUTHERLIN TIMBER TOWN TOY LAND ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE Sutherlin
12/19 3:00 PM 7:30 PM A CELTIC CHRISTMAS at Craterian Theatre in Medford
Tue, Dec 21, 2021 5:30 PM to Fri, Dec 24, 2021 9:30 PM GREYSTONE COURT HOLIDAY OF LIGHTS FOOD DRIVE Greystone Court in Medford
If you have a Special Event and would like us to add it to the list or give you a special promo, feel free to email us at: info@basinlifemagazine.com