The InstigatorLooking for festive fun to get the family in the mood? Here’s a round-up of things to do in Salem leading up to Christmas.
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. Take it all in from 5:30 to 8 p.m. December 19 through 23 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE. Info: willametteheritage.org/magic-at-the-mill/
The Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St SE, hosts three nights of holiday classics on the big screen. Plus, Santa will be in attendance each night an hour prior to the show and visits are included with your ticket.
Monday, December 19 — Catch White Christmas, the 1954 classic about a successful song-and-dance team who become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.
Tuesday, December 20 — Laugh out loud with Home Alone, the John Hughes classic about an eight-year-old troublemaker who must protect his house from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. Starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern and more.
Wednesday, December 21 — Catch It’s A Wonderful Life, the 1946 classic directed by Frank Capra about an angel sent to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
Movies begin at 7 p.m. each night. Cost is $10 adult; $5 age 12 and younger. Purchase online at www.elsinoretheatre.com
Celebrate the season at Cheerful Yoga, a one-hour yoga class at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 20 at Rofe Designs & CreativiTee, 110 Commercial St. NEClass includes a yoga Christmas tank — created by Roanna specifically for our class — and a private shopping experience after class with wine and a special attendee discount. Cost: $42 (includes class plus cheerful tank and wine & treats). Click here for purchase.
It’s gonna be a Not-So-Silent Night with Yule Make Music on Wednesday, December 21. Join us for a bell parade, live music and holiday karaoke to celebrate Make Music Winter. It’s free for all and all are welcome.
Take part in the 🔔 Jingle Bell-Jingle Bell-Jingle Bell Walk 4 to 5 p.m. starting at Ritter’s, 102 Liberty St. NE. Stroll through downtown playing holiday songs with bells.
There will be🎅🏻 Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Cheers Music happening 5 to p.m.-ish that is free and all ages until 9 p.m.
At Willamette Eagles, 4090 Cherry Ave NE
5pm – Jordan Anderson
6:15pm – Succulent Dish
8pm – Gravel Drive
At The BAD Space at Santiam Brewing, 2572 19th St SE
6pm- RiverCity Royals @rivercity_rock_star_academy
7pm – R.E.D. @red.nw
8pm – Kickstar
At Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 356 State St
6pm – Daylight Bedtime @daylightbedtime
7pm – Hannah Wood @hannahmariawood
8pm – Dylan Santiago @dylansantiagomusic
At Venti’s Cafe + Beer Vault, 325 Court St NE
6-9pm – Holiday Karaoke
Salem Tuba Holiday is an annual tradition of musical merriment featuring players of conical bore instruments: baritone horns, euphoniums, tubas, and sousaphones. The show includes arrangements of popular Christmas carols and holiday songs performed by musicians from all over the northwest. Sit and listen 12 p.m. Saturday, December 24 at Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE. Cost: $10. Click here for tickets.
And on Christmas Day, Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE, is offering free unlimited rides 12 to 4 p.m. with a suggested donation of non-perishable food items to support Marion-Polk Food Share.
Carlee Wright
