Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in Salem

It’s time to play! Not sure where to start? Use our scatterplot (it was a noble attempt) graph to discover what to do. From free things with the kids to fun stuff for adults only…and everything in between. The numbers coordinate with entries that provide the low down on each event. Have fun! (PS: Don’t miss the printable checklist here)

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, Nov 17 to Dec 31 at Oregon State Fairgrounds. magicoflights.com $-$$
Santa arrives aboard the Carousel Express Train (and there will be free hot cocoa while supplies last) 12 p.m. Nov 24, outside Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is accepting letters to Santa starting Nov 24. Complete an online form at their website, or pop by in person by Dec 15 to receive a personalized letter from Santa in return! salemcarousel.org
Slow down and enjoy a moment of peace and beauty during Holidays in Hudson. The program features timeless choral works and songs for the season performed by Willamette’s Voce and Chamber choirs, along with traditional carols sung together with the audience, 7:30 p.m. Nov 30 and Dec 1 in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. willamette.edu $
Visit Deepwood during their Holiday Open House to admire decor and reminisce about Victorian life. Say hello to Santa Claus, be greeted by hosts dressed in Victorian attire and shop tea, teacups and more, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec 2 at Deepwood Museum & Gardens, 1116 Missions St SE. deepwoodmuseum.org
The Downtown Salem Holiday Parade returns bigger and better with a longer route, motorized vehicles and floats, too, 6:30 p.m. Dec 1. See route at: salemmainstreetassociation.org
Confluence Willamette Valley LGBT Chorus presents The Most Wonderful Time, 7:30 p.m. Dec 1 at UCC Salem, 700 Marion St. NE. confluencelgbtchorus.org $
Don your festive wear and take in an evening of holiday cheer at the Gala of Trees, an annual fundraiser for Family Building Blocks featuring exquisitely decorated trees plus a silent auction, live auction, dinner, wine and dancing, 5:30 p.m. Dec 1 at Salem Convention Center $$$
The Salem Etsy Team Handmade Market features more than 150 vendors selling a variety of locally handcrafted and vintage holiday gifts, from jewelry to bath products, decor to original art, and much more, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec 2 at Oregon State Fairgrounds. facebook.com/SalemEtsyTeam
Magic awaits at the Holiday Princess Tea Party, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec 2 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org $$
Take in a big-screen viewing of the John Hughes holiday classic Home Alone. Plus, see Santa, who will be in attendance the hour before each show, 2 or 7 p.m. Dec 2 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Create Etegami (hand-painted Japanese cards) for Christmas and New Year’s, Dec 2 at the World Beat Gallery, 390 Liberty St SE. Two sessions: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. salemmulticultural.org $
Enjoy music, cocoa and s’mores at the Star Tree Lighting (6:30 p.m.) followed by a Family Holiday Concert featuring the University Chamber Orchestra, 7 p.m. in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. Dec 2.
Take in a Holiday Concert featuring music by SamaZama, the Koto/Cello duo of Masumi Timson and Jospeh Harchanko, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec 2 at the World Beat Gallery. salemmulticultural.org $
There’ll be free Holiday Craft Day (while supplies last), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec 3 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org
Krampus Night is a holiday market celebrating the strange and unusual side of the season, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec 3, at Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St SE. marketforthestrange.com
Oregon Symphony: Holiday Brass — Feel the power, precision and prowess of the Oregon Symphony brass section when they play a festive mix of classical and popular holiday favorites, 7:30 p.m. Dec 3 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $$
Take in an evening of fun enjoying snacks, conversation and crafting at the Winter Wreath Workshop, 6 to 8 p.m. Dec 5 at Common People Yoga, Pringle Park Plaza, 360 Liberty St SE. commonpeopleyoga.com/special-events $$
Rich in wordplay, comic physicality and cleverly crafted interactive elements, O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy is uproarious fun. The boundless imagination and endearing chemistry of theatrical duo James and Jamesy provide magic and heart in this jolly holiday escapade, 7:30 p.m. Dec 6 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $$
Groove to the tunes of Tower of Power’s Holidays & Hits Tour, 7:30 p.m. Dec 7 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $$
Get festive at the Jingle Bell Relay, 4:30 p.m. Dec 8 at Riverfront Park. egov.cityofsalem.net/ParksRec/Activity $
Enjoy a social evening with friends, family and community members while supporting Liberty House at Holiday Soirée 2023, 6 to 10 p.m. Dec 8 at Illahe Hills Country Club. libertyhousecenter.org $
Bundle up and bring your family to the City of Salem’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting where there will be a special visit from Santa, plus cookies, cocoa, carriage rides, lights, music and more, Dec 8 at Salem’s Riverfront Park, 200 Water St SE.
Shop from more than 250 vendors offering handmade, handcrafted or homegrown products at the Salem Holiday Market, where there will also be Santa’s village and kids activities, a gingerbread house contest, tree decorating contest, pet adoptions and interactive display area, Dec 8-10 at Oregon State Fairgrounds. salemcommunitymarkets.com
Theatre 33 presents Holiday Shorts, five new short holiday plays written by theater alum, on stage, Dec 8-10 and 13-15 in the M. Lee Pelton Theatre at Willamette University, 900 State St. theatre33.org $
Take in the action at Cherry City Roller Derby’s Wreck the Halls double header, a family-friendly, holiday-themed event featuring a festively dressed collection of players, 4:30 p.m. Dec 9 at The Mad House. Cherrycityrollerderby.com $
American Ballet Academy presents A Children’s Nutcracker, a full version of the holiday tradition performed by almost 250 local students. Profits donated to the Marion Polk Food Share. 7 p.m. Dec 9 and 2:30 p.m. Dec 10, at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Kids have two opportunities for Breakfast with Santa, Dec 9 and 16 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. salemcarousel.org $$
Lace-up your sneakers for the TR Melton Memorial Race for the Rest of Us, a grueling (not really) 0.05-mile foot race raising funds to benefit families through St. Francis Shelter, Family Building Blocks and Salem Angels, 3 p.m. Dec 10 at f/Stop Fitzgerald’s Public House, 335 Grove St NE. facebook.com/tipsfortotssalem $$
Roll into some seasonal fun with the Holiday Skate hosted by Traveling Wheelz and Cherry City Roller Derby on Dec 16. There are two sessions: 4 to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 10 p.m. at The Madhouse, 1335 Madison St NE. travelingwheelz.com $
Suit up in your “best holiday attire” for the Santa Crawl and experience Salem’s downtown nightlife, 6 to 10:30 p.m. Dec 16, starting at Travel Salem Visitor Center, 630 Center St NE. travelsalem.com $
Willamette Master Chorus presents Holiday Concert: Carols for the Season featuring the McKay High School Choir; Peter Sepulveda and Hannah Abercrombie, Directors, plus The Trail Sextet returns with special holiday music arrangements, 3 p.m. Dec 16 and Dec 17 in Hudson Hall at Willamette University. willamettemasterchorus.org $
Premiere Academy of Performing Arts presents the two-act ballet, The Nutcracker, a holiday tradition featuring PAPA students, plus a few special guest performers bringing the performance to life on stage, 3 p.m. Dec 16 and 17 at the Elsinore Theatre. 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, 4 p.m. Dec 17 in Loucks Auditorium at Salem Public Library. festivalchorale.org $
Take in a big-screen viewing of two stop-motion holiday classics from the creative vision of the directors Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass with The Year Without a Santa Claus and Jack Frost. Plus, Santa will be in attendance for the hour before each show, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec 18 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Elsinore Holiday Films presents a big-screen viewing of the seasonal classic Elf. Bomus: For the hour prior to the show, both Santa AND Buddy the Elf (read more about him on page 28) will be in attendance so prepare your list and be sure to bring extra maple syrup (but don’t really), 7 p.m. Dec 19 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
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, museum tours, living history, vendors and more, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-23 at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE. willametteheritage.org $
Jammie up for the Holiday Pajama Party with Santa & Friends, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec 20 at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE. salemcarousel.org $$
Rocky Mountain High Experience, A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler, features your favorite Denver hits, heartwarming inspirational carols and holiday classics, too, 7:30 p.m. Dec 20 at the Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $$
Take in a not-so-silent night during Yule Make Music, the half-yearly counterpart to Make Music Day, on Dec 21. Watch for live music and festivities on the streets of Salem. makemusicsalem.org
Chemeketa Community College’s Night of a Thousands Lights Concert series presents The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas featuring a family-friendly concert with Nate Olson Trio surrounded by a thousand or more lights, 7:30 p.m. Dec 22 in the auditorium at Chemeketa Community College. Chemeketaconcerts.weebly.com $-$$
Willamette Valley Horn Academy presents A Holiday Horn Recital of seasonal arrangements, 3 p.m. Dec 23 in Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library. Click here for tickets. $
Salem Tuba Holiday is an annual tradition of musical merriment featuring players of conical bore instruments, 12 p.m. Dec 24 at Elsinore Theatre. elsinoretheatre.com $
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is open for free rides 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec 31). There is a suggested donation of non-perishable food items to support Marion Polk Food Share. salemcarousel.org