If you’re not in a turkey coma this weekend, Salem offers live shows and an early start on Christmas events. Here’s a guide to what’s happening in town from Friday, Nov. 24, to Sunday, Nov. 26.
Catch a show
“The Nutcracker” comes to the Elsinore Theatre, with a cast of 50 professional ballet dancers. Catch shows Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $42 online. The theater is at 170 High St. S.E.
Infinity Room hosts two comedy shows this weekend. On Friday, catch Tyler Boeh, known for his “award winning ‘beat-boxing’ talent and ability to shift seamlessly from well-crafted material to improvised exchanges,” according to a description. On Saturday, “Slay ‘Em” features a lineup of local talent. Both shows start at 8 p.m. and are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Shows are open to all ages, but material may not be suitable for kids. Buy tickets here.
The Pentacle Theatre’s production of “The Play that Goes Wrong,” a popular British comedy, continued this weekend. It’s a play-within-a-play where the cast forgets the lines and dodges failing stage equipment.
The play “is a fun challenge for our talented acting ensemble – and an absolute blast for audiences,” Pentacle director Susan Schoaps said in a press release.
The play runs through Saturday, Dec. 9, with 7:30 p.m. shows Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. There is no show Thanksgiving Day.
Ticket prices range from $17 to $37 and are available online, at the box office or by calling 503-485-4300. The Pentacle Theatre is located at 324 52nd Ave N.W.
Get into the holiday spirit
Santa arrives at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel on Friday, Nov. 24, at noon. Hot cocoa will be served for free while supplies last, and Santa will be available for walk-in photos from 12:30-5 p.m. The carousel is located in Riverfront Park, 101 Front St. N.E.
Drive through over a mile of holiday light displays at the Magic of Lights experience at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, opening Friday. This year, scenes include a Holiday Barbie display, Bigfoot Monster Truck and life-sized dinosaurs, according to Travel Salem’s event page.
The light displays are open Monday to Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday to Sunday from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Starting Dec. 8, it will be until 10 p.m. daily.
Tickets are priced per car, so carpooling is recommended. From Nov. 17 to Dec. 7, tickets at the gate are $30 on weekdays and $35 Friday-Sunday, with a $5 increase from Dec. 8 to Dec. 31. Tickets are available to purchase online for a discount.
The Silverton Christmas Market is open daily through Dec. 31, along with over a million lights and its popular German Christmas Market offering even more gifts from vendors and imported nutcrackers and ornaments.
Activities include a snowless tubing hill, which is steeper than last year. There is no ice skating this year. Tickets range from $5 to $8 for children and $15 to $20 for adults depending on the day, and are available to purchase online. The market is held at the Oregon Garden Resort, 895 W. Main St., Silverton.
Coming up
- South Salem High School’s production of “The Sound of Music” opens Thursday, Nov. 30. Get tickets online here.
- Salem Multicultural Institute hosts the SamaZama Duo for a koto and cello concert on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., 390 Liberty St. S.E. Reservations required, $15 per person. Email [email protected] or call 503-581-2004.
- Salem Philharmonia Orchestra presents all ages family concerts on Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. at the East Salem Community Center, 1850 45th Ave. N.E. Admission is $20, $18 for students and free for teens and children 17 and under. Tickets online here.
Contact reporter Rachel Alexander: [email protected] or 503-575-1241.
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Rachel Alexander is Salem Reporter’s managing editor. She joined Salem Reporter when it was founded in 2018 and covers city news, education, nonprofits and a little bit of everything else. She’s been a journalist in Oregon and Washington for a decade. Outside of work, she’s a skater and board member with Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby and can often be found with her nose buried in a book.
