December may bring the end of the year, but it's full of excitement and joy in and around Salem, Oregon! Holiday events for all ages fill the calendar and beckon to us to come together, despite the cold days and dark nights. When we seek community, we find light and beauty, music and laughter, and connections that can only be found when we join together. So bundle up, grab your friends and family, and make the most of what this month has to offer! If you need some ideas of what to do, here's a few to get you started! Event #1 -Holiday Open House at Deepwood Estates If you're not from around here, you might not know about the beautiful Deepwood Estates property, which is a major part of Salem's history and community. Over 100 years old, it's now a public park and a historic house museum. Their website shares its history, and all of the events that are open to the public. On Saturday, December 2nd, from 10am-1pm, you can enjoy the beauty of a Victorian Christmas at the Holiday Open House. Hand-made ornaments hang from trees scattered throughout the home and hosts and hostesses dressed in Victorian attire create an atmosphere of yesteryear. Be sure to say hello to Santa Claus in the Front Parlor while you're there! They'll also have a mini Holiday Sale in the Solarium! Shop for tins of tea, teacups, and more! Step back in time and enjoy the beautiful elegance of a Victorian Christmas. This event is free to the public. Event #2 - Holiday Events at the Salem Riverfront Carousel This is a favorite event venue for many in the Salem area. Here's a few things happening during the Holiday Season in December at the Riverfront Carousel! Holiday Princess Tea Party What's the best way to treat a Princess at Holiday time? Have a Princess Party, of course! Imagine a tea party filled with treats and visits from famous fairytale princesses. Dressing up is encouraged. This event includes tea and juice, scones, tea sandwiches, desserts, a keepsake photo, and carousel rides. The party commences on December 2nd, and you can choose the time that's best for you, either 11 am or 2 pm. All guests (including adults/parents) must have a paid reservation and children may not attend without a parent or adult. Be sure to get your tickets so you won't miss out on any of the fun! Price: $35 per person (children 2yrs & under are free) SUPERHERO MEET & GREET If you just happen to be looking for Superheroes on December 3rd, you need look no further than the Salem Riverfront Carousel! Between 1 pm-3 pm, you can find them chatting with kids and adults alike! Just don't tell the bad guys where they'll be. Even Superheroes get to enjoy a holiday! This is a free event and no reservation is needed. Stop by and visit with some SUPER amazing heroes! Also, “10 for $15” Ride Passes will be on sale all day. FREE Holiday Craft Day Another opportunity for holiday fun is the Craft Day on December 3rd from 11 am-3 pm. Stop by the Carousel to make a free holiday craft. This is a great way to gather some gifts for loved ones. Offer is available only while supplies last. Breakfast with Santa What better way to start your day than to celebrate with Santa! On two dates in December, the 9th and 16th, at 8 am, you can do just that. Happy participants can enjoy a breakfast buffet, carousel rides, a small gift, and a carousel keepsake photo, all while visiting with Santa in a festive holiday setting. Children must be accompanied by an adult or parent and all guests must have a ticket to attend. You can purchase tickets for $35 per person (children 2yrs & under are free) Holiday Pajama Party with Santa and Friends Come join the party, dressed in your favorite jammies, for a fun event that includes unlimited carousel rides, holiday crafts, snacks, and a photo with Santa! This jolly ‘ol time will be held on December 20th from 5 pm-7 pm. Children need to have a parent or adult present and all guests will need to have a paid reservation. Price: $35 per person (children 2yr & under are free) Do Good! Gift & Food Drive If the holiday season brings out a feeling of goodwill and generosity for you, you might want to consider sharing some of that kindness with your favorite charity. If you need some suggestions, here's a couple of organizations that would appreciate your donations: Marion Polk Food Share: Donate non-perishable food items in the barrels at the Carousel to help feed families in need right here in our own community! They'll be accepting donations from November 24th thru January 2nd. Center for Hope & Safety: Holidays can be a difficult time for some members of our community. This Center supports victims of abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Pick up a gift tag from our Hope Tree and purchase the corresponding item. Return the gift to the Carousel unwrapped by December 23rd and the item will be donated directly to this incredible organization. Event #3 - Holiday Markets Holiday Markets are always a fun way to experience the beauty and decorations of the season, plus you get to shop for some pretty nice gifts. Here's just a couple of markets that you might want to visit in the Salem area this winter: Wavra Farms has an indoor market that is open every Saturday through March, from 10 am-3 pm. They have a variety of gifts, veggies, jewelry, crafts, pottery, meats, plants, coffee, baked goods, and more! Check their website for a list of vendors and directions to the farm. The Oregon Garden Holiday Bazaar will be held on December 16th-17th, from 10 am-3 pm. Here you'll find local artisans, food and beverages, holiday crafts, festive live entertainment, and more! Entertainment includes Gigglebritches the Clown, a harpist, Festive Carolers, and Santa, of course. Check their website for the daily schedule of performers, vendors and directions to the event. Event #4 - Holiday Lights 2023 Keizer Holiday Lights Parade On December 9th, from 7 pm-10 pm, you can experience all the fun of the Keizer Holiday Lights Parade! This year's theme is 'Joy to the World.' Spectators young and old can enjoy the parade of marching bands and floats covered in lights, representing the holidays as they ring in the Holiday Season! Bundle up and find your best viewing spot along the two-mile stretch of River Road, between Lockhaven and Glynbrook. Check the Keizer Chamber of Commerce website for a map of food trucks, free cookies, and hot chocolate! Oregon Garden Resort Light Display and Market Stroll along paths draped in over one million lights, and enjoy live music, cozy fire pits, and a biergarten. For an extra fee, try out some snowless tubing! In addition, you can enjoy browsing through their unique Holiday Market. It gathers inspiration from its German Heritage with collectable mugs, gingerbread hearts and imported nutcrackers, smokers, and ornaments. The market has a variety of artisan vendors with goods that make great gifts. This impressive light display is open most days between November 17th and December 31st. Check their website for details and purchase tickets online in advance. Event #5 - Holidays at the Elsinore Theater The Elsinore Theater has shows throughout the month to celebrate the season. Salem Tuba Holiday On Sunday, December 24th at 12 pm, don't miss the Salem Tuba Holiday event! Popular Christmas carols and holiday songs are performed by musicians of all ages from all over the Northwest and lyrics are projected to encourage the audience to participate in a sing-a-long. How fun is that!? Admission is only $10. Other events at the Elsinore include, “A Children's Nutcracker”, some favorite holiday films like “Elf” and “Home Alone”, and more! Check their website for all the shows on their December calendar and buy tickets online to secure your seat. The Willamette Heritage Center will host “Magic at the Mill” on December 19th-23rd between 5:30 pm and 8 pm. This is their largest community event with thousands of lights and includes music, vendors, children's activities, living history, model trains, and Santa, of course! So check their website for details! And Chemeketa Community College will have the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and a Winter Dance Recital of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You can find more information on these events on their website! With so many opportunities for fun with friends and family, or even finding new friends along the way, there's no time like the present to take advantage of all that Salem, Oregon has to offer! There's so many great things to do, it's hard to mention them all! But whatever you choose to do to wrap up the end of 2023, we wish you all the joy and happiness of the holidays, and best wishes for 2024!
