The holidays are descending, and there’s no more festive way to get in the mood than with a visit to a holiday market! Portland is chock full of local artists and makers creating unique gifts that are sure to charm. And with markets offering hot drinks, live music, a visit to Santa, ice-skating, fire pits, and more, it’s a perfect way for you to cross gifts off your list while the kids have a great time. Read on for more!
photo: The Oregon Garden
Christmas in the Garden
The Oregon Garden is the place for holiday cheer this year! Located in the charming town of Silverton, Christmas in the Garden is a traditional European-style outdoor market with 25 artisans offering goods from wooden huts, food and German gluhwein to warm your belly, and cozy fire pits. This year boasts a show-stopping holiday event with 600,000 lights, ice skating, snowless tubing, and photos with Santa! The garden itself is an 80-acre botanical garden and is worth visiting anytime, but don’t miss out on this holiday extravaganza! Overnights stays are available at the nearby Oregon Garden Resort.
$12/adults, $6/children 5-11, free for children 4 and under
5pm – 9pm
Wednesday through Sunday: November 24 – December 17
Daily: December 18 – December 23, closed December 24 & 25
Daily: December 26 – December 31
879 W. Main St.
Silverton, OR
Online: oregongarden.org
Portland Bazaar
Started in 2011, this holiday bazaar brings out all the best skills of Portland’s finest makers and artisans. Shop for Woodblock Chocolate, local artist prints, kids’ tees and toys, vintage goods, and more! Food carts will be on hand for treats. Friday night is a quieter affair that costs $15 to attend, and both Saturday and Sunday are free. Take advantage of your kid’s early wake-up time to arrive first thing– you’ll beat the crowds and have first pick of the goodies!
Located at The North Warehouse, at Interstate & Tillamook Sts.
Fri., Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m., $15
Sat.-Sun., Dec. 8-9, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Free to attend
Online: portlandbazaar.com
photo: The Oregon Garden
Christmas at the Village Green
The “covered bridge capital of the west” is never short on charm, but nothing beats a visit to the Village Green at Christmastime. Spend a day there, or make it a weekend getaway with a stay at the Resort–either way, you’ll be able to enjoy the 14-acre garden dripping with 300,000 Christmas lights, and the German outdoor market full of artisan vendors, traditional food like brats and hot mulled wine, singing and dancing, and more! Warm up at the firepits or inside the cozy family lounge, then head back out to enjoy that Winter Wonderland! An overnight stay creates the perfect time to finish up your holiday shopping during a festive winter getaway.
$5-10/adults (price varies by night, check the online calendar for details), free for children 4 and under
5-9pm, select dates Nov. 24-Dec. 31
(closed November 27-29, December 4-6, 11-13, 24 & 25)
Village Green Resort
725 Row River Rd.
Cottage Grove, OR
Online: villagegreenchristmas.com
Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market
This giant craft market is truly a wonderland! Over 250 vendors descend upon the Convention Center every year to showcase their unique wares, and there’s even a whole aisle of kid vendors selling their own crafts. Jewelry from recycled bike tires, candles with natural scents, art made from old records, and goofy pillows in mushroom shapes. The affordable prices mean that even kids can decide how to spend their allowance wisely, and could even pick out a special surprise for mom and dad.
Sat. and Sun., Dec. 9-10, 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Online: craftywonderland.com
photo: The Oregon Garden
Portland Saturday Market and the Festival of the Last Minute
Saturday Market runs every week under the Burnside Bridge, but the best time to go is for their yearly Festival of the Last Minute, going on all the way up to Christmas Eve! There’s always those sneaky people on your list who you can’t find presents for–here’s your chance. One-of-a-kind handmade goods, exotic foods, local artists, and goofy gag gifts can all be found here. And the festival also offers holiday activities guaranteed to add to the fun. Santa will be visiting at his booth, and while you walk around you can enjoy the seasonal decorations and roving carolers! And if it’s just too chilly, stop by the warming stations for hot drinks and holiday treats.
Sat. Dec 16: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 17: 11 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 18- Fri. Dec 22: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Sat. Dec 23: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Christmas Eve (Sun. Dec. 24): 10 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
2 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97204
Online: portlandsaturdaymarket.com
Wild Holiday by Wildcraft
This special event is put on by Wildcraft Studios, who teach a variety of hands-on workshops like foraging for herbal medicine, spoon carving, mushroom hunting, and weaving. The market is a showcase of local makers and a celebration of artisan crafts. Find fine goods like apothecary items, stationary, lapidary jewelry, wild edibles, native beaded jewelry and more. Wine for the parents, free snacks, and live music will also be on hand!
Fri., Nov, 17, 5-9 p.m.
601 SE Hawthorne St.
Portland, OR
Online: eventbrite.com/e/wild-holiday-marketplace
What’s your favorite holiday market? Tell us in the comments below!
—Katrina Emery
