The Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park) is offering free admission on Friday, December 23, 2011 from 5pm until 8pm.
The museum offers free admission ever fourth Friday (5pm-8pm) of the month, so if you can’t make it this week, mark January 27, 2012 on your calendar!
Regular adult admission is $12 ($9 for seniors 55 and up and college students, 18 and up, with ID; free admission for children up to 17).
Spending time with the family around the holidays can be nice, but sometimes you just have to get out of the house. Let me suggest some Holiday activities . . .
Christmas Day
Things To Do in Portland on Christmas Day: My annual post listing the bars, restaurants, stores, and other businesses open on Christmas Day.
All Weekend Including Christmas Day!
Peacock Lane officially lights up for the 2011 holiday season on December 15 at 6pm.
Peacock Lane is a narrow residential street one block east of Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard (née 39th Ave) between SE Stark and Belmont. Since the 1920s the residents of this stretch of mostly Tudor style houses have gone a little crazy with the Christmas lights [more]
Winter Wonderland Light Show at PIR 2011
The 19th annual Jubitz Winter Wonderland, the Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi, takes place through December 25 at the Portland International Raceway (1940 N. Victory Blvd).
“Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a Holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season.” [more]
Friday Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The 2011 ZooLights ignite for the first time on Friday, November 25. The sparkling lights and brilliant hues will be cast each evening (except Christmas Eve and Day) through January 1, 2012.
“More than a million lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes.” [more]
Pittock Mansion Holiday Season 2011
Friday-Saturday Closed Christmas Day
Once again Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion is going all out for the holiday season. This year, from November 21 through January 2, the theme is Christmas Around The World.
“Every year, starting more than 40 years ago, dozens of volunteer decorators, designers, and local organizations donate their time and talents to transform Pittock Mansion into a Christmas wonderland for approximately 17,000 delighted visitors during the holiday season.” [more]
And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.
Work begun by Professor F.G. Young of the University of Oregon was the inspiration for the establishment of the Oregon Historical Society, which was incorporated on Saturday, December 17, 1898 in the lecture room of the Portland library (The Sunday Oregonian, 18 December 1898).
Professor Young was asked to give an outline of his plan. This he did briefly, referring to similar societies in other states, but especially to that of Wisconsin, as affording the best model. He then called upon L. B. Cox to give the legal aspect of the matter. He responded by suggesting the mode of organization under existing state laws. A board of 10 directors was then elected . . .
Harvey W. Scott, former editor and part owner of The Oregonian, was elected president of the nascent society, and Portland was selected as the permanent place of business.
The Oregon Historical Quarterly has been published continuously since 1900, and since 1929 the society has published over 150 books on Oregon history, politics and culture, as well as biographies, field guides and exhibit catalogs.
The final OMSI Science Pub of 2011 takes place this Monday, December 5 at 7pm – the topic: Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter.
The ocean is full of many things…strange things…including octopuses that can shimmer into invisibility against the sea floor; the hagfish that ties itself into a knot to keep from suffocating in its own slime; the sea slug whose sexual encounters can truly turn into a dangerous liaison due to untimely cannibalism; and the strangely well-endowed male conch.
Presenter Ellen Prager, PhD is a marine scientist, formerly the chief scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Florida. She’s also the author of the new book Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter, which will be available for sale (and signing by the author) at the Science Pub.
This science pub takes place at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $5.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.
The holiday season just won’t quit. Booze, beer, films, books, holiday light displays, and combinations thereof – it’s all here!
Ongoing
Pittock Mansion Holiday Season 2011
Once again Portland’s historic Pittock Mansion is going all out for the holiday season. This year, from November 21 through January 2, the theme is Christmas Around The World.
“Every year, starting more than 40 years ago, dozens of volunteer decorators, designers, and local organizations donate their time and talents to transform Pittock Mansion into a Christmas wonderland for approximately 17,000 delighted visitors during the holiday season.” [more]
Alberta Main Street‘s Tannenbaum Madness is a walking window tour of whimsical, wacky and artistic trees.
“Tannenbaum Madness is an event, inviting families and art lovers to bundle up and take a stroll up Alberta Street this holiday season. Businesses up and down NE Alberta Street create a walking tour of whimsical, artistic, and unique holiday trees on display it in their front windows.” [more]
The 2011 ZooLights ignite for the first time on Friday, November 25. The sparkling lights and brilliant hues will be cast each evening (except Christmas Eve and Day) through January 1, 2012.
“More than a million lights transform the Oregon Zoo into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes.” [more]
All Weekend
Climb aboard the 2011 Holiday Express, beginning Friday, December 2.
“Join Santa Claus and his elves for a magical ride behind Portland’s famous steam locomotives. Vintage rail cars transport you through wilderness in the heart of the city.” [more]
The 16th annual Holiday Ale Festival kicks off on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and festively occupies Pioneer Courthouse Square through Sunday, December 4.
Sure, the weather will likely be crappy, but fest goers stay warm and dry (and claustrophobic) under a sprawling tent covering most of the square. And the beer list? It’s amazing! [more]
Friday
Cort and Fatboy Holiday Event: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Join Cort and Fatboy this Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) for a very special holiday event: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? . . .
This second annual holiday event’s lineup also includes a 35mm presentation of Die Hard, a live taping of the Cort and Fatboy podcast, and more! [more]
DinoBike! First Friday at BIKEASAURUS – Art by Carye Bye
Please join us for next month’s First Friday art opening: DinoBike!
Dinosaur & Bike inspired art installation by printmaker & illustrator Carye Bye of Red Bat Press and Hidden Portland. New original woodblock & letterpress prints, illustrations, multi-media and publication! [more]
Saturday-Sunday
The 27th annual Portland ScanFair, presented by the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, takes place this Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011.
“Scandinavians love to celebrate Christmas. It brings joy to the short and dark days of a Scandinavian winter. Those traditions run deep in the hearts and lives of the people of Scandinavian heritage and come alive every year in Portland at ScanFair.” [more]
The 8th Annual Kenton Firehouse Holiday Sale takes place Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, 2011 at the firehouse (8105 N Brandon).
“Just a few blocks from Kenton’s Paul Bunyan, this annual neighborhood holiday sale featuring local artists has been organized since 2004 by the artists themselves, each taking on roles to make the sale happen.” [more]
Saturday
Garden Home Community Library Book Sale
The Garden Home Community Library Book Sale takes place Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 9am until 3pm at the Garden Home Recreation Center (7475 SW Garden Home Road).
You’ll find hundreds of hardback and paper bound books, CDs and DVDs . . . Prices are $.50 and $1.00, and your purchases support the Garden Home Library. [more]
The 6th annual Holiday Booze Bazaar takes place Saturday, December 3 at House Spirits Distillery (2025 SE 7th).
“It’s that time again for our big holiday blowout here at the distillery. And as we’ve done just about every year we having a wonderful new spirit to release into the world.” [more]
Sunday
Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors
The 44th Annual Holiday Cheer: A Celebration of Oregon Authors, takes place Sunday, December 4, 2011 from noon until 5pm at the Oregon Historical Society (1200 SW Park).
This celebration of Oregon writers is a popular holiday tradition. Dozens of authors will be on hand displaying, autographing, and of course selling their latest works. [more]
For even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.
