‘Tis the season when small towns along the Oregon Coast are busy getting into the holiday spirit. Trees are standing in the town centers, decorations are up and lights are set to twinkle.
Here’s where to find fun, festive, family-friendly holiday events on the Oregon Coast to make your season bright.
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2023 Holiday Events on the Oregon Coast
North Coast
Astoria
Nov 25 – Downtown Holiday Lighting Celebration
Gather in downtown Astoria from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the
Liberty Theater for holiday lights, a children’s chorus, free cocoa and cookies and Santa’s arrival on a big, red fire truck. More holiday events are listed at Astoria Downtown.
Find places to stay and eat in our guide to Astoria, Oregon.
Seaside
Nov 24 – Seaside Parade of Lights
Kick off the holiday season with a parade and lighting of
the community tree in downtown Seaside starting at 7:00 p.m. See more Seaside Events.
Find places to stay and more things to do in our guide to Seaside, Oregon.
Cannon Beach
Dec 2 – Lamp Lighting Ceremony
Join the festivities in Cannon Beach featuring holiday carols and the lighting of the lamp at Sandpiper Square at 4 p.m. More events at Haystack Holidays.
Find hotels and restaurants in our guide to Cannon Beach, Oregon.Â
Rockaway Beach
Nov 24 – Wayside Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Enjoy music, hot cocoa and festive lights at the Wayside in
Rockaway Beach. There’s also a special tree-lighting train ride on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad that leaves from Garibaldi at 5:30 p.m. and arrives in Rockaway Beach for the tree-lighting ceremony at 6:00 p.m.
Find places to stay and eat in our guide to Rockaway Beach, Oregon.
Garibaldi
Nov 24-Dec 17 – Candy Cane Express Train Rides
Take in views of the Oregon Coast on a festive, steam-powered train ride to celebrate the season. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad will offer round-trips from Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach on a train bedecked in holiday lights including hot chocolate, cookies and visits with Santa.
Tillamook
Dec 2 – Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade
Get into the holiday spirit at Tillamook’s 21st annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and light parade at City Hall from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., featuring food and drinks, pictures with Santa, entertainment, a coloring contest, ornament painting, prizes and more.
Find lodging and food options in our guide to Tillamook, Oregon.
Central Coast
Lincoln City
Nov 24 – Tree Lighting Party
The annual tree lighting will be held at the Lincoln City Cultural Center from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. featuring a make-and-take workshop, free cookies, caroling, lighting countdown and a visit from Santa Claus.
Dec 1 – Deck the Dock will take place on Lincoln City’s Taft Dock at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy cookies and watch as Santa lights up the dock. See more Lincoln City events.
Find hotels, restaurants and more things to do in our guide to Lincoln City, Oregon.
Depoe Bay
Nov 29 – Depoe Bay Lights
The holiday light show will run Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Drive by on Coast Ave. and tune your car radio to 92.1 FM.
For places to stay and eat, see our guide to Depoe Bay, Oregon.
Newport
Dec 1-30 – Sea of Lights
The Oregon Coast Aquarium will be lit up in over 100,000 lights during Friday and Saturday evenings in December from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Stay for photos with Santa, hot cocoa and more.
Find hotels, restaurants and more things to do in our guide to Newport, Oregon.
Toledo
Nov 25 – Toledo Tree Lighting
Join the community festivities in Toledo starting at 5:00 pm. with the umbrella parade at the top of Main Street, a tree lighting ceremony, free cookies, cider and hot chocolate, plus Santa visits.
Yachats
Dec 2 – Village Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual village Christmas tree lighting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Yachats Village Center.
Find places to stay and eat in our guide to Yachats, Oregon.
Florence
Dec 2 – Florence Holiday Tree Lighting
Kick off the season in Florence from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a tree lighting at the Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Site. Santa and his elves will be merry making throughout Old Town.
Find more things to do in our guide to Florence, Oregon.
South Coast
Gardiner
Dec 1-2 Holiday Arts Festival
Join the Oregon Coast School of Art for a Holiday festival filled with local artists and vendors, ornament and card making, live music, food and more.
Coos Bay
Nov 23-Dec 31 – Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park
Stroll through a seven-acre botanical garden decked out in more than 325,000 dazzling holiday lights, 26 Christmas trees and illuminated sculptures every night from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. See Holiday Happenings on Oregon’s Adventure Coast for more events.
Fing hotels and restaurants in our guide to Coos Bay, Oregon.
Bandon
Nov 25 – Night of 10,000 Lights
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos, take a wine and nog walk, and see the tree lighting in Old Town Bandon from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Find places to stay and eat, plus more things to do in our guide to Bandon, Oregon.
Brookings
Nov 24-Dec 27 – Nature’s Coastal Holiday Festival of Lights
A dazzling light show with more than 2 million lights, this festival features over 100 lighted sculptures including sea creatures and holiday themes. Enjoy hot beverages, cookies and holiday music from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Azalea Park, weather permitting.
Find places to stay and eat in our guide to Brookings, Oregon.
For large families and groups, a rental home with a full kitchen may be a better option. Check Vrbo for available Oregon Coast vacation rental homes for a group holiday getaway, or to find a small cottage for couples.
Winter also brings king tides to the Oregon Coast and is a prime spot for storm watching. You might also be interested in these cozy Oregon cabin rentals for a fall or winter getaway.
Have a warm and happy holiday season!
