What to Do In Portland (Dec. 18-24, 2024)

SantaCon is coming to town.

Santacon 2021 (Chris Nesseth)

(LET IT) GO: A Burlesque Tribute to Frozen

Ever imagined what a burlesque parody of Frozen would be like? No? Well…us neither. But the folks over at Lacy Productions sure have. Inspired by themes and characters from Frozen, Let It Go: A Burlesque Tribute to Frozen features performances by Lavish the Jewel, Sherwood Ryder, Whisper de Corvo, The Infamous Nina Nightshade, and more. The sultry, 21-plus show turns up the heat on a Disney classic…we just hope Olaf will be OK. Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., lacyproductions.org. 8 pm Wednesday–Thursday, Dec. 18–19. $30+. 21+.

GO: A Pittock Mansion Christmas

There’s no place like home for the holidays…or an enormous, beautifully decorated historic mansion…either or. A beloved Portland tradition, A Pittock Mansion Christmas is back and bigger than ever before; they’ve even decorated the Gate Lodge. This year’s theme, Home for the Holidays, features—in addition to the usual ornate Christmas trimmings and gorgeously wrapped presents you wish you could open—live music, screenings of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and even a surfin’ Santa statue. Although, if you visit on the 22nd or 24th, you might even catch the real one. Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Drive, pittockmansion.org. Various times through Jan. 9. $13-$17.

GO: Peacock Lane

Three hundred forty-nine days out of the year, Peacock Lane is just your average street…a perfectly manicurated little lane with an affinity for Tudor-style homes—but, nonetheless, just a street. From Dec. 15 to 31, however, Peacock Lane transforms into an iconic Portland Christmas destination. Lane dwellers have been going all out with the decorations and Christmas festivities since 1932. Last year, we saw merry Minions, an ice-skatin’ Peanuts gang, a movie-accurate Home Alone vignette, Yoda masquerading as Santa Claus, an entire lawn of illuminated unicorns, a deflated (but still slaying) Peppa Pig, and a hot chocolate stand or two. Southeast Peacock Lane, peacocklane.org. 6–11 pm nightly, through Dec. 31. Free.

SEE: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Perhaps you prefer your holiday classics non-burlesquefied…if you’re boring, just say that. Just kidding, just kidding. No, but in all seriousness, this is the show to take the little ones to. Back by popular demand, the live musical adaptation of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has returned to The Judy in downtown Portland. Most enjoyed by ages 3 and up, the Northwest Children’s Theater and School creates a kid-friendly theater experience—complete with bench seating, boosters, intermissions, concessions and “Rudolph nose” stickers. The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts, 1000 SW Broadway, T-100, nwcts.org. 11 am and 2:30 pm Saturday–Tuesday, Dec. 21–24, and Friday–Sunday, Dec. 27–29. $30–$40.

GET TATTED: Holiday Flash Event

A visit to Peacock Lane this Friday or Saturday evening might just land you a new tattoo. Crimson Arrow Tattoo studio hosts a special Peacock Lane holiday flash event, complete with games, free hot chocolate and cookies, temporary tattoos for the kiddos, and a raffle. The flash tattoos—some witchy sun designs, some American traditional, some little bow-tie-wearing critters—range from $80 to $160, depending on size. Plus, if you bring along a non-perishable food item for Crimson Arrow’s Sunshine Division food drive, you’ll receive a 10% off coupon for your next tattoo appointment. Crimson Arrow Tattoo, 4520 SE Belmont St., Suite 103, crimsonarrowtattoo.com. 6–10 pm Friday–Saturday, Dec. 20–21. $80-$160.

DRINK: Portland SantaCon

If you’re planning to partake in Portland SantaCon, please, for the love of God make sure it’s this one. We’ve heard rumors of someone who once attended a “sexy” SantaCon (on account of it being cheaper), and let’s just say it was a complete and total scam. OK, fine, yes, it was me! And it was horrible. Anyways, this is the legit SantaCon: free entry into 20-plus different bar venues, a costume contest with a $1,000 cash prize, a pre-party at Dixie Tavern, a create-your-own Santa’s Sleigh Ride Bar Crawl, and about 3,000 or more other Santa-costumed patrons. Various locations across Portland, portlandsantacon.com. 4–10 pm Saturday, Dec. 21. $28.81+.

WATCH: A Charlie Brown Christmas

This has been a big year for Snoopy lovers. It all began with the resurgence of Puffer Snoopy towards the end of 2023, and now the little freak is everywhere. He’s so Julia…but before we were blessed with Puffer Snoopy, whose first appearance was actually in 1984, there was A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). And this weekend, the holiday classic comes to life—with live actors portraying the Peanuts gang, an animated backdrop, and Vince Guaraldi’s timeless score performed live by the Oregon Symphony. So, yeah…the year of Snoopy continues. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, portland5.com. 2 and 7:30 pm Saturday, 2 pm Sunday, Dec. 21–22. $59+.


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