There are chances to make new friends this weekend in Salem in a tour of downtown bars, craft a handmade gift for a local senior or enjoy holiday performances.
Here’s a roundup for events this weekend, Friday, Dec. 15, through Sunday, Dec. 17, plus a look ahead at other upcoming holiday festivities.
Bar crawl
The second annual holiday bar crawl through downtown Salem includes chances to win prizes and raffle items. The bar crawl will guide a group of people through several bars in the same evening, including Ritter’s, Venti’s, Best Goose, Taproot and Pacific Standard.
The crawl starts at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16, with registration and raffle entry at the Travel Salem Visitor Center, 630 Center St. N.E. It will end at 10:30 p.m. at the Holman Hotel, 195 Commercial St. S.E.
Roller skating
Bring a pair of skates or rent some for $5 to join a holiday-themed open skate by Traveling Wheelz and Cherry City Roller Derby on Saturday, Dec. 16. Admission is $10, and there are two sessions: One from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and another from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The skate will be at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E.
Gifts for seniors
Center 50+ and the Highland Neighborhood Association are hosting a Decorate & Donate Gift Drive for seniors on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road N.E.
Decorate cookies, craft holiday cards and wrap gifts to go to Salem seniors. The event page also has a list of suggested gifts to donate to brighten a senior’s holiday season, such as puzzles and blankets.
Holiday lights
The 19th annual Illuminata Regatta has no official organizers this year, but look for lit kayaks off of Riverfront Park between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, for a “pop-up” event.
Anyone is welcome to join the float. For more information, see Facebook. Riverfront Park is located at 200 Water St. N.E.
Drive through over a mile of holiday light displays at the Magic of Lights at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center. 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 daily from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., through Dec. 31.
Tickets are priced per car, so carpooling is recommended.Tickets at the gate are $35 on weekdays and $40 Friday-Sunday. Tickets are available to purchase online for a discount.
Powerland Heritage Park’s free drive-through light show offers lights, hot cocoa, Santa and the Grinch.
The event is free, but donations are accepted. It runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and 22-23. The park is located at 3995 Brooklake Rd. N.E.
The Willamette Heritage Center’s Magic at the Mill event will soon return for its 23rd year. Festivities this year include living history and craft demonstrations, museum tours, visits with Santa, children’s activities, model trains, vendors and live performances.
Magic at the Mill is Dec. 19-23, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1313 Mill St. S.E.
Tickets are available online, and are limited to 1,000 guests a night. It’s $10 for kids ages 4-12, $12 for seniors and $15 for adults. Children 3 and under, and heritage center members get in free.
The heritage center is seeking past visitors to share their experience at Magic at the Mill. Email [email protected] with a story to potentially be featured on its social media page.
Plays and performances
Friday, Dec. 15, the last day to see “Holiday Shorts” at Willamette University’s Theatre 33, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at $18 for general admission and $15 for seniors and students.
Students at Salem’s Premiere Academy of Performing Arts will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Elsinore with 3 p.m. shows on Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17. Tickets start at $18 and are available online.
A musical performance of “James and the Giant Peach” based on the book by Roald Dahl will be at Salem’s Historic Grand Theater withs shows through Dec. 17. The play features a young boy’s magical journey with life-sized insect friends. Tickets are available online for $22.50, or $10 for people under age 14.
Local comedians are welcome to join Tony Meyer and Emma Jonas to share their jokes and routines and exchange feedback at a free monthly “Joke Lab,” meeting 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, at the Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E.
Movies
The Elsinore is playing a double feature of stop-motion holiday classics – “The Year Without a Santa Claus” and “Jack Frost” by directors Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass.There are 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. showtimes on Monday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $10, and include a meeting with Santa, who will be there for the hour before the show.
See the Will Ferrell holiday classic “Elf” on the big screen at the Elsinore on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The show starts at 7 p.m., and includes a visit with Santa and Buddy the Elf, who will be there for the hour before the show. Tickets are $10, and are available online.
Concerts
The McKay High School Choir will join Willamette Master Chorus for a holiday carols concert with special arrangements from The Trail Sextet band. There will be shows at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17. TIckets are $27, and are available online.
On Sunday, Dec. 17, Festival Chorale Oregon will don Victorian costumes and perform traditional carols in a kid-friendly sing-along and storytime. The show starts at 4 p.m. in the Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. S.E. Admission is $10, and free for children under 12.
A John Denver Christmas tribute featuring hits like “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” will take to the Elsinore stage on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Tickets start at $55 and are available online.
The annual Salem Tuba Holiday returns to the Elsinore on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, featuring baritones, euphoniums and, of course, tubas led by conductor John Skelton. The players are all ages and will be accompanied by vocalist Jeff Witt.
The annual concert began in Salem in the late 1990s and puts professionals and newcomers side by side. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show, and are available online.
At the carousel
The Hazel Patton Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St. S.E., will have free visits with Santa through Dec. 23, with photos starting at $5, plus events throughout the month.
Breakfast with Santa will be on Saturday, Dec. 16, starting at 8 a.m. Tickets are $35 per person, and free for children under 2. Reserve a spot online.
There will be a holiday pajama party with Santa and friends on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 8 a.m. Tickets are $35 a person, and include unlimited carousel rides, holiday crafts, snacks and a photo.
Rides on the carousel will be free Christmas Eve, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community toy drives and donations
Here’s a guide for ways to donate to neighbors this season.
Art shows
See what local galleries are showing in a roundup at art exhibitions and events.
Contact reporter Abbey McDonald: [email protected] or 503-575-1251.
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Abbey McDonald joined the Salem Reporter in 2022. She previously worked as the business reporter at The Astorian, where she covered labor issues, health care and social services. A University of Oregon grad, she has also reported for the Malheur Enterprise, The News-Review and Willamette Week.
