The holidays are here and we’ve got your go-to guide on where and how to celebrate the season.
Through Dec 2
Magic at The Mill is a winter celebration featuring five nights of family-friendly festivities including thousands of twinkling lights, children’s activities, heritage tours, live music, demonstrations, vendors and more, 5:30 to 8 p.m. through Dec 2 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE. willametteheritage.org/magic-at-the-mill/ $
Through December 21
Pentacle Theatre presents Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, continuing the story of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” with bookish sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly love. Through Dec 21 at Pentacle Theatre. $ pentacletheatre.com
Through December 22
Experience the joy of the season at the Holiday Village with live music, festive food, drinks, classic carnival rides and more. 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, at Oregon State Fairgrounds. Admission is free. $5 parking. oregonstateexpo.org/magic/
Through January 4
Corral everyone into the car for Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through experience featuring more than a mile of spectacular light displays bringing life to your favorite holiday scenes and characters, Through Jan 4 at Oregon State Fairgrounds, 2330 17th St NE. magicoflights.com/locations/salem-or/ $
December 3
Enjoy music, cocoa, and s’mores at the annual Star Trees Lighting ceremony, 7 p.m. Dec 3 at Willamette University.
Spend your holiday with The Coats, the Pacific Northwest’s premiere a cappella band, 7:30 p.m. Dec 3 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 5
Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with multifaceted Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated vocalist, songwriter, actor, and New York Times bestselling author Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour, 7:30 p.m. Dec 5 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 5 & 6
Holidays in Hudson is a long-running tradition that encourages one to slow down and enjoy a moment of peace and beauty amidst the fast pace of the holiday season. The program features timeless choral works and songs for the season performed by Willamette's Voce and Chamber choirs, along with traditional carols sung together with the audience, 7:30 p.m. Dec 5 & 6 in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. willamette.edu $
December 6
Confluence Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus presents “Home!” From pop to spiritual, Broadway to Disney, & folk to original compositions, this concert reminds us all that Home is where the heart is! 7:30 p.m. Dec 6 at First Congregational UCC Church, 700 Marion St NE. confluencelgbtchorus.org $
Bundle up and bring your family to the City of Salem’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony where there will be visits with Santa, horse carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, letter-writing to Santa, holiday music, cookies and cocoa. The tree lights up at 6 p.m. December 6 at Riverfront Park, 200 Water St SE. (The display continues until Dec 31)
Low Bar Chorale presents Snow Bar Chorale: Winter Warmup! a holiday-adjacent winter show featuring singing, stories, special guests, and the occasional music trivia nerdout, 7:30 p.m. Dec 6, at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
Don your festive wear and take in an evening of holiday cheer at the Gala of Trees, an annual fundraiser for Family Building Blocks featuring exquisitely decorated trees plus a silent auction, live auction, dinner, wine and dancing. 5:30 p.m. Dec 6 at Salem Convention Center. familybuildingblocks.org/galaoftrees $
December 6-14
Back by popular demand, Theatre 33 presents A Christmas Carol: A 1940’s Radio Show, where hope and redemption are not only found in the Dickens story but in the radio actors themselves. On a snowy Christmas eve in 1941, the weather has made traveling to the radio station difficult for the actors of Salem's own KSL. They are to perform A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, a well-loved radio tradition in the sleepy town of Salem, Oregon. Trouble ensues when the new Foley sound effects gal arrives late, setting off a series of comic mishaps. Adapted from the Dickens short story by Thomas Nabhan. Directed by Susan Coromel. 7 p.m. Dec 6-7, 11-13 and 2 p.m. Dec 8 and 14 in Putnam Studio at the M. Lee Pelton Theatre, Willamette University. Click here for tickets.
December 7
Visit Deepwood during their Holiday Open House and admire hand-made ornaments hanging from trees throughout the home while you reminisce about Victorian life. Say hello to Santa Claus in the Front Parlor, be greeted by hosts and hostesses dressed in Victorian attire and shop tea, teacups and more in the Solarium, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec 7 at Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Missions St SE. deepwoodmuseum.org
Enjoy a magical tea time with a special guest, Snow White, who will entertain guests as they enjoy a variety of tea sandwiches and desserts, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec 7 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org $
Salem Art Association hosts the Winter Holiday Happenings Open House where you can shop, enjoy music and support the arts, 1 to 4 p.m. Dec 7, at the Bush Barn Art Center & Annex, 600 Mission St SE and Bush House Museum, 600 Mission St SE. salemart.org
Jenner Fox Band: A John Prine Christmas will weave together Prine’s classic hits, his holiday-themed songs, and stories, and include a chance to sing along, too, 8 p.m. Dec 7 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
Celebrate the magic of the holidays with the Premiere Academy of Performing Arts “Nutcracker Ballet,” 5 p.m. Dec 7 & 8 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 7 & 8
Celebrate the magic of the holidays with the Premiere Academy of Performing Arts annual Nutcracker, 5 p.m. Dec 7 & 8 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 9
Iconic Los Angeles band X is bringing their annual X-Mas run to Salem. Catch Putting The X Back in Xmas, 8 p.m. Dec 9 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 11
Tippy Toe Dance Studio presents FROST, an original production featuring performances of ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and more, 6:30 p.m. Dec 11 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 12
Learn to needle felt a Snowman Ornament made 100% out of wool with Audrey Comerford of Wee Woollies Fiber Arts, 6 to 8 p.m. Dec 12 at CreativiTee, 110 Commercial St NE. creativiteespace.com $
Three siblings; one harmony. Hear original holiday songs with a whole lot of heart and timeless holiday staples at Girl Named Tom: The Joy of Christmas Tour, 7:30 p.m. Dec 12 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Take in A Night At Nakatomi Plaza: A Dramatic Reading Of Die Hard as presented by local comedy and improv legends and you play a role, 7 p.m. Dec 12 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
December 12-15
GI Holiday Jukebox is a salute to the Stage Door Canteen during WWII. This holiday revue features four fictitious Hollywood stars who have put together a string of 1940s hits and holiday music to entertain "the boys" at the front, Dec 12 to 15 at The Verona Studio Theatre. bridgetownconservatory.org $
December 13
Get festive at the Jingle Bell Relay, 5:30 p.m. Dec 13 at Riverfront Park. $10 to participate. egov.cityofsalem.net/ParksRec/Activity
December 14
Celebrate in an enchanting blend of nostalgia, music, and holiday cheer on a cozy, festively decorated set, with soft twinkling lights resembling a classic winter wonderland during Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas To Remember with Jacob Westfall and Sarah Vitort (of Fox & Bones) performing a live tribute to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s Christmas album, Once Upon a Christmas, 7 p.m. Dec 14 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
Take in the action of Cherry City Roller Derby’s annual Wreck the Halls event, a family-friendly, holiday-themed double-header featuring a festively dressed collection of players, 4:30 p.m. Dec 14 at The Mad House. cherrycityrollerderby.com $
Experience the Piano Queen Holiday Spectacular featuring drag artists Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi bringing you a show of live vocals and piano, mixed with comedy and storytelling. Early show is all ages; late show is 21 and older, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec 14 at Infinity Room. infinityroom.com $
December 14-15
American Ballet Academy presents A Children’s Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary music, dancers will awe and entertain audience members with their beautiful movement and contagious energy. All profits are donated to Marion Polk Food Share. 7 p.m. Dec 14 and 2:30 p.m. Dec 15 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 17
Be a part of the magic as the World Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker live on stage featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers bringing the most beloved holiday tradition to life, 7 p.m. Dec 17 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 18
Get ready for a festive night of country music at Country Christmas with The Olson Bros Band, 7 p.m. Dec 18 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
December 19
Oregon Symphony: Holiday Brass is a heartwarming, joyful, and intimate concert featuring a mix of classical and popular holiday favorites, 7:30 p.m. Dec 19 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 20
Salem Orchestra presents Classical Guitar & The Snowman. The concert’s centerpiece is an immersive showing of the beloved animated film The Snowman, accompanied by Howard Blake's enchanting score performed live by the orchestra — a magical experience that will delight audiences of all ages, 7:30 p.m. Dec 20 at Salem First Church of the Nazarene, 1550 Market St NE. salemorchestra.org $
Chemeketa Community College’s Night of a Thousands Lights Concert series presents The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring the Nate Olson Trio surrounded by a thousand or more lights. A special presentation perfect for every age group, 7:30 p.m. Dec 20 in the Chemeketa Community College Auditorium. Chemeketaconcerts.weebly.com $
December 21
Have Breakfast with Santa at this breakfast buffet that also includes craft activities and a keepsake photo, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Dec 21 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org $
Take in a not-so-silent night during Yule Make Music, the half-yearly counterpart to Make Music Day, on Dec 21. Watch for live music and festivities on the streets of Salem. Find more info at makemusicsalem.org
Elsinore Holiday Films presents a big-screen viewing of the seasonal classic “Elf.” Plus, pop into Santa’s workshop for a selfie with Santa AND Buddy the Elf! Both will be in attendance the hour before the show and visits are included with your ticket, 2 p.m. Dec 21 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. elsinoretheatre.com $
Join Festival Chorale Oregon for an afternoon of traditional carols during Sing We Now of Christmas. This kid-friendly event includes an audience sing-along and a special story for children, with familiar Christmas songs you remember from bygone years, 2:30 p.m. Dec 21 in Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library. festivalchorale.org $
Cherry Poppin' Daddies: WWII X-MAS Canteen is a holiday production that evokes the atmosphere of a 1940s radio broadcast, 8 p.m. Dec 21 at Salem's Historic Grand Theatre. salemshg.com $
December 21-22
Willamette Master Chorus presents a Holiday Concert with The Trail Sextet featuring special holiday music arrangements, 3 p.m. Dec 21 & 22 in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. willamettemasterchorus.org $
December 22
Elsinore Holiday Films presents White Christmas — A successful song-and-dance team becomes romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general. Plus, pop into Santa’s workshop for a selfie with Santa himself! He will be in attendance the hour before the show, 2 p.m. Dec 22 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Take in a big-screen viewing of the John Hughes holiday classic “Home Alone.” Plus, pop into Santa’s workshop for a selfie with Santa himself! He will be in attendance the hour before the show, 7 p.m. Dec 22 at the Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 23
Jammie up for the Holiday Pajama Party with Santa & Friends, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec 23 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE. salemcarousel.org $
December 24
Hear an arrangement of popular Christmas carols and holiday songs performed by musicians from all over the northwest during Salem Tuba Holiday, an annual tradition of musical merriment featuring players of conical bore instruments, 12 p.m. Dec 24 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE. elsinoretheatre.com $
December 24 & 31
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is offering free rides, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 24 (and Dec 31) There is a suggested donation of non-perishable food items to support Marion Polk Food Share. Salemcarousel.org
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 22 (Winter 2024/25)