Join carolers, see a free movie or enjoy a tuba-filled holiday concert this weekend in Salem.
Here’s a roundup for events this weekend, Wednesday, Dec. 20, through Christmas Day on Monday.
Music downtown
Yule Make Music will fill downtown on Thursday, Dec. 21, with family caroling and a pub tour in a celebration of the Winter Solstice. The event is by the same organizers of Make Music Day.
Anyone is welcome to join in on caroling which will meet at Ritters, 102 Liberty St. N.E., at 4 p.m. to walk around and serenade local businesses for an hour. It’s free to participate, and tacky sweaters and Christmas gear are encouraged.
After caroling, the group will tour downtown pubs for karaoke, holiday sing-alongs and adult beverages. It will start with music at the Alleycat Bar at 6 p.m., then onward to Kraftworks Taphouse and Venti’s Downtown before making its last stop at 9 p.m. at Taproot Lounge.
Performances and movies
On Dec. 22, comedian Michael Palascak will perform stand up at Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High St. N.E. The comedian is known for his optimism and likability according to the event description, and he’s appeared on shows such as The Late Late Show with James Corden and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $20 and available online.
A group of local comedians raised in Florida will do stand-up about their hometowns, the move to Oregon and their “Florida Man Dads” at Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E., on Friday, Dec. 22, at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
The Elsinore Theatre will play the 1954 film “White Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 23, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Santa will be there for an hour before each show for visits, which are included in the $10 ticket. The Elsinore Theatre is located downtown at 170 High St. S.E.
Northern Lights Theatre Pub is showing free Christmas movies this week, with an optional food donation to Marion Polk Food Share in exchange for tickets. Movies include “Elf,” “Christmas Vacation,” “The Polar Express” and “Gremlins.” There will be a sensory showing of “The Polar Express” on Friday, Dec. 22, with lower sound, no trailers and warmer temperatures. See showtimes and reserve spots online.
Lessons on gingerbread
Learn about the history of gingerbread, swap recipes and decorate a gingerbread man at a Center 50+ gathering on Friday, Dec. 22, from 1-3 p.m. The center is located at 2615 Portland Rd. N.E. Space is limited, and registration is online or in-person at the center. There is a $5 participation fee.
Concerts
A John Denver Christmas tribute featuring hits like “Rocky Mountain High” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” will take to the Elsinore Theatre stage on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Tickets start at $55 and are available online.
On Saturday, Dec. 23, the Willamette Valley Horn Academy will perform a holiday recital at the Salem Public Library’s Loucks Auditorium from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $24 for adults or $14 for students, and are available online or for cash only at the door for $1 more.
On Dec. 22, the Nate Olson Trio will perform music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Chemeketa Community College surrounded by over 1000 lights. It’s an all-ages event, with tickets ranging from $15 to $30. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be in building 6 on the Salem campus, 4000 Lancaster Drive N.E. Tickets are available online.
The annual Salem Tuba Holiday returns to the Elsinore at noon on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, featuring baritones, euphoniums and, of course, tubas in a beloved community concert 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.
Read our preview here:
Holiday lights
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. 22 and 23. The park is located at 3995 Brooklake Rd. N.E.
The Willamette Heritage Center’s Magic at the Mill event is back for its 23rd year. Festivities 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 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. nightly through Dec. 23, 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.
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.
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.
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.
