Brightness and joy are coming to Downtown Portland this Holiday Season! Get your holiday shopping lists ready and kick off the season by supporting local businesses and restaurants during Downtown for the Holidays: Not Available Online, held in the heart of Portland’s downtown area through the end of the year.
These activities are made available through the Downtown Marketing Program, a collaborative public-private partnership between the City of Portland, the Portland Business Alliance, and the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe district. The program is dedicated to promoting the long-term vitality of consumer businesses in Downtown Portland. Throughout November and December, retail events and promotions will be updated regularly online, and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
“We want this holiday season to be a rewarding one for the entire Portland community,” said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. “We are bringing a full array of resources to promote and support local retailers, restaurants and suppliers with the goal of empowering and encouraging residents to be Here for Portland. Local markets and events will feature small business owners – especially those who are members of our black, brown, and indigenous communities; and downtown shoppers will be able to safely enjoy Portland’s most beloved holiday events, including the holiday tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square and Tuba Christmas.” The Mayor added that the FastStop parking program will facilitate curbside pickups, and the Healthy Business permit program will help restaurants maintain outdoor seating through the winter.
This year’s campaign is focused on all that makes Downtown Portland special for the Holidays and throughout winter season. Downtown for the Holidays, Not Available Online focuses on all of the things quirky and unique that make Downtown a memorable holiday destination. Be on the lookout for special Postcards that highlight downtown cultural events, holiday happenings, and retailers that visitors will want to explore this season. Postcards are available at local stores and with Downtown Portland Clean & Safe’s Sidewalk Ambassadors.
“People love the tradition of coming together into the heart of Portland,” said Downtown Retail Council (DRC) chair Courtney Posey, store manager of Nordstrom Downtown Portland. “It’s a tradition that starts for many with viewing the Holiday Tree in the Square and continues with unique holiday experiences and places to meet with family and friends.”
In addition to holiday shopping opportunities, there are many entertaining experiences planned throughout the holiday season:
Portland Tree Lighting
Join us for a live broadcast on KGW for a virtual gathering on November 26 for the lighting of Portland’s downtown Christmas tree! This event will include a performance and sing-along by Portland musician Thomas Lauderdale.
Holiday Caroling
Portland’s carolers are back, filling the streets with joy! For more information on routes and details, please watch for posting at DowntownPortland.org.
- Dec. 2: Low Bar Chorale Caroling, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at Paddy’s and continue to Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen, Nike Portland and end at Huber’s Cafe. - Dec. 5: Dickens Carolers Downtown, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at Pioneer Place and continue to Nordstrom, Amity Artisan Goods and end at Jake’s Grill. - Dec. 12: Dickens Carolers Downtown, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at The Benson Portland and continue to Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland, Dossier Hotel and end at The Paramount Hotel. - Dec. 19: Dickens Carolers Downtown, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at Pioneer Place and continue to Nordstrom, Amity Artisan Goods and end at Jake’s Grill. - Dec. 22: Low Bar Chorale Caroling, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at Fortune and continue to Swine Restaurant, Southpark Seafood and end at Hilton Portland Downtown. - Dec. 23: Dickens Carolers Downtown, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at The Hoxton and continue to Embassy Suites Downtown, AFURI ramen + dumpling, Makers Outlet and end at R&ARIE. - Dec. 24: Dickens Carolers Downtown, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (view map)
Start at Pioneer Place and continue to Nordstrom, Amity Artisan Goods and end at Jake’s Grill.
Holiday Lights
For the first time, Holiday Lights expands into Portland’s beloved Old Town district! Starting on December 10 look for a special installation of a pilot project on 4th Avenue, between Burnside and Davis. These Holiday Lights come to Portland courtesy of Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, which lights more than 750 trees and 150 winter wonderland snowflakes in the retail core to provide a festive winter atmosphere.
PDX Pop-Up Shops
The tradition continues for PDX Pop-Up Shops to turn Portland’s vacant retail space into temporary destinations for local designers and artists to “set up shop” for the season. The program has served as a launch pad for establishing small businesses, including Crafty Wonderland, Amity Artisan Goods, and Bridge and Burn. This year, a record-setting seven Pop-Up Shops have opened their doors in the Downtown retail scene. For a complete list of PDX Pop-Up Shops.
Pop-Up shops are open now until December 31, 2021. Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Free Parking Sundays
This year, downtown shoppers will once again receive a special gift: Free parking in SmartPark garages all day on Sundays between now and the Christmas Holiday! On November 28, December 5, 12, and 19 between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m., show a receipt of purchase to the Sidewalk Ambassadors located at Directors Park and receive a free $5 parking validation sticker. Good at any SmartPark Parking garage.
Visit Santa
This year, Santa is making several stops in Downtown Portland. Santa arrives at Pioneer Place on Friday, November 26 and will be stationed on the lower level of the Rotunda building through Christmas Eve. Special events with Santa include Pet Nights, Santa Cares – a reduced sensory experience – as well as Hipster Santa. This year, catch Hipster Santa Thursday, December 9 through Sunday, December 12.
Reservations are highly encouraged, and complete details can be found at www.PioneerPlace.com.
Menorah Lighting
The Chanukah Menorah Lighting is coming to Pioneer Courthouse Square starting on Sunday, November 28 through Sunday, December 5. Join the celebration on the first night of Chanukah with music, traditional foods, and a Menorah Lighting starting at 5:00 p.m. Menorah Lightings occur each night through December 5 at 5:30 p.m.
New & Reopened Retail Shops
Many retailers have reopened their Downtown storefronts, and the downtown area has even gained some great new retailers and restaurants this year!
- Visit Pioneer Place for Oregon’s only Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and ZARA. While you are there, stop by recently re-opened Raising Cane’s for their famous southern-inspired chicken fingers, Texas toast and sweet tea. Also new to the space is Gallery Go-Go at Pioneer Place, featuring local and international artists. Stop in at Nashelle for handmade jewelry, Pet Wants Pearl District for Natural Pet Products, and TAH Bags for handcrafted full-grain leather handbags.
- When you are in the Old Town area, make sure to check out the Holiday Tree Lot at 4th & Burnside sponsored by The Hoxton as well as Hoxton’s epic patio dining Tope that boasts a little bit of everything for the Holiday Season. Mimi’s Fresh Tees offers a chance to wear your social justice beliefs in Tee-Shirt form. Produce Organics offers an impressive inventory of local and international high-end streetwear brands. Laundry PDX is the city’s go-to for authentic vintage Blazers gear and paraphernalia.
- Be sure to stop in the region’s only location of MUJI Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI in the historic Meier & Frank building. MUJI offers product lines that include apparel, kitchenware, tableware, furniture, interior and storage accessories, stationery, skincare, bags and suitcases.
Portland Saturday Market: Shop early! The Portland Saturday Market is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. until December 18, 2021. The market provides the perfect opportunity to shop the work of talented area artists and support the local economy, with some 40 categories of arts and crafts. Just because you did not make the gifts yourself, doesn’t make them any less handmade or thoughtful!
Museum Store Sunday invites shoppers to check out the unique offerings at local museums and around the country beginning Nov. 28.
- Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave.
- Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave.
Kwanzaa Bridge Lighting
In celebration of Kwanzaa, the Portland Business Alliance is sponsoring the Morrison Bridge lighting from 12/26 – 01/01!
For more information on these campaigns and other downtown happenings, visit DowntownPortland.org or follow us on Facebook at Visit Downtown Portland, Instagram at @downtownpdx and Twitter at @inDowntownPDX.
To participate in the conversation and follow the campaign, use #downtownpdx and #PDXPopUpShops.
