13 local events that will get you in the holiday spirit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. More strictly speaking, it’s the time of year for cozy gatherings, craft markets, holiday bazaars, Christmas tree hunting and everything else that brings comfort and joy.
Here are events in the Eugene-Springfield area that might get you in the holiday spirit.
Night of a Thousand Stars at 5th Street Public Market
The day after Thanksgiving, 5th Street Public Market will host a 'Night of a Thousand Stars.' A tree lighting, live music, snow show and Santa sighting will take place and the light show and live music will happen in the Market Alley. The event begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
Dates: Nov. 25
Address: 296 E 5th Ave., Eugene
Website: 5stmarket.com/
Cost: Free
Santa Paws Photos in Florence
Santa Paws has dusted off his boots and is ready to take pictures with pets to kick off the holiday season. On Saturday, people are invited to bring their furry family members to Mini Pet Mart at 2630 U.S. Highway 101 in Florence between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. for pictures with Santa.
Donations for pictures with Santa Paws support shelter and community animals in Florence. December dates may be added, too. Any local groups who are able to host an event are encouraged to call the shelter for more information.
Dates: Nov. 26
Address: Mini Pet Mart, 2630 U.S. Highway 101, Florence
Website: oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/
Cost: Suggested donations start at $15, but no one will be turned away.
Lane Arts Council's First Friday ArtWalk
On Dec. 2, the First Friday ArtWalk will feature large scale works available for purchase, as well as smaller items such as books, cards, mini works of original art and more. Galleries and art venues will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. ArtWalk guides will be available at One Vision Nutrition at 946 Willamette St.
Participating galleries and venues include Allies LLC, Art with Alejandro, ArtCity Studios on Broadway, The Barn Light, Books with Pictures Eugene, ECO Sleep Solutions and Gallery, Epic Seconds, One Wall Gallery, Evans, Elder Brown & Seubert, Karin Clarke Gallery, MECCA, Mosaic Fair Trade Collection, The New Zone Gallery, One Vision Nutrition, Oregon Contemporary Theatre offices, OSLP Arts & Culture Center, Out of Step Tattoo & Gallery, Starlight Lounge, and Windowfront Exhibitions.
Dates: Dec. 2
Address: Downtown Eugene
Website: lanearts.org/first-friday-artwalk/
Cost: Admission is free and art pieces vary in price.
Eugene Concert Choir: Christmas Classics & Carols
Eugene Concert Choir & Orchestra and Eugene Vocal Arts will perform Christmas carols and classics in the Silva Concert Hall at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 4.
The show will include the opening chorus from the Bach Christmas Oratorio and selections from Handel’s beloved Messiah performed by Eugene Concert Choir and festive orchestra with piccolo trumpets and timpani as well as favorite traditional carols, such as "Joy to the World" and "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Dates: Dec. 4
Address: The Hult Center, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene
Website: hultcenter.org/events/ecc-christmas-classics/
Cost: $10- $52
Holiday Candlelight Tours at the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House
The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, an historic home owned by the city of Eugene and operated by a nonprofit, will offer special tours in December. The house's main lights will be turned off so guests can enjoy the electric candles and tree lights. Guests will have a guided tour of the history of the house and the families that enjoyed the Victorian mansion.
Dates: Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Address: 303 Willamette St., Eugene
Website: smjhouse.org/
Cost: Adults are $6; Seniors, AAA and students are $5; children 12 and under are $3; and members are free.
Eugene Holiday Market
When fall turns to winter, the beloved Eugene Saturday Market hibernates and the Eugene Holiday Market emerges to provide the public with a market of trinkets, stocking stuffers and crafts. The holiday market is located at the Lane Events Center. The market continues every weekend until Dec. 24. Market hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Dec. 24 when the market will close at 4 p.m.
Dates: Nov. 19-20, Nov. 25-27, Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-11, Dec. 17-18, Dec. 23-24.
Address: 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene.
Website: holidaymarket.org
Cost: Admission is free and goods vary in price.
Victorian Christmas Open House at Heceta Lighthouse
Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast will host its 26th annual Victorian Christmas Open House. Attendees can see holiday decorations in the Keeper's House. The lighthouse will have visits from Santa and local musicians performing holiday music.
Lighthouse goers are encouraged to bring a flashlight and rainproof attire to take a nighttime walk to the lighthouse or to walk from their car up to the Keeper's House. Parking at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint will be available for $5 per vehicle. Visitors can take the free shuttle to the Keeper's House.
Dates: 4-7 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17, 18.
Address: 92072 US. Highway 101 S, Yachats.
Website: hecetalighthouse.com/events#christmas
Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.
'Adventures in Narnia' holiday ballet
The Hosanna Performing Arts Foundation will present the 20th annual "Adventures in Narnia," a holiday ballet inspired by C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." More than 70 youth performers will do three public performances of original choreography that combine ballet, modern dance, tumbling and theater to both classical and locally-composed music.
Dates: 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Dec. 11.
Address: Lane Community College, 4000 E. 30th Ave., Eugene.
Website: hosannaperformingartsfoundation.com
Cost: $20
Veneta-Fern Ridge Tree Lighting
This annual tree lighting at Veneta Elementary School is organized by the Veneta-Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce. The event includes music by local school kids. Santa will also stop by.
Dates: 6 p.m. Dec. 1.
Address: 88131 Territorial Highway, Veneta.
Website: venetafernridgechamber.com/events
Cost: Free.
Veneta Light Parade
The Veneta-Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents to the 19th annual light parade. The parade will feature decorated fire trucks, cars, floats and about 40 other brightly adorned vehicles winding through downtown Veneta.
Dates: 7 p.m. Dec. 8.
Address: The parade route is staging at Eighth Street and Jack Kelly Drive Westbound, right on Territorial Highway, right on Hunter Avenue, right on Third Street, right on McCutcheon Avenue, left on Second Street, left on West Broadway and ends on Eighth Street and Jack Kelley Drive.
Website: venetafernridgechamber.com/events
Cost: Free
Jingle Bells Run
For those who like to celebrate the holidays in an active way, Eclectic Edge Racing is hosting a 15K, 5K and Kids Rudolph Run at Maurie Jacobs Park.
Santa will stop by the kids race. The aid stations will only have self-serve bottled water, there will be no awards ceremony and post-race refreshments will be single-serve packaged items. Race results will be updated online as participants finish.
Organizers ask participants to stay to the far right of the path when possible, as the path will still be open to regular park users. The Rudolph Race will start at 11:45 a.m., the 15K will start at noon and the 5K will start at 12:15 p.m.
Dates: Dec. 18.
Address: Fir Lane, Eugene.
Website: eclecticedgeracing.com/jingle-bells-run.html
Cost: The 15K and 5K are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the race. The kids race is free.
'The Nutcracker'
Eugene Ballet’s 'The Nutcracker' will return to the Silva Concert Hall with live music by Orchestra Next where the audience can follow Clara to the Winter Land and the Kingdom of Sweets and cheer on the Nutcracker Prince as he battles the Mouse King and Pirate Mice.
Dates: Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. Dec. 17, 18 and 24. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 21, 22 and 23.
Address: 1 Eugene Center, Eugene.
Website: eugeneballet.org/nutcracker
Cost: Tickets range from $15 to $60.
Holiday Lights at Shore Acres
Shore Acres State Park shines with more than 325,000 LED lights, whimsical animated displays, 7 acres of botanical gardens and a Japanese lily pond. This year, Holiday Lights visitation will be through a timed reservation system in hopes of decreasing long wait times and backed-up traffic.
The display debuts on Thanksgiving and continues from 4 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 31, excluding Dec. 24 and 25.
Dates: Nov. 24 – Dec. 31 (excluding Dec. 24 and 25).
Address: 50 Central Ave., Coos Bay.
Website: oregonsadventurecoast.com/event/annual-holiday-lights-at-shore-acres
Cost: Free, but attendees must pay a $5 parking fee per vehicle to park at Shore Acres for the event in advance.
Do you have a festive event you’d like to see on this list? Email Tatiana and Tatiana@RegisterGuard.com with the subject line 'Festive Event'
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Most wonderful time of the year: Festive events in the area
