This week in Salem, attend a ballet performance of “The Nutcracker,” celebrate a local hip-hop group’s new album or meet Santa Claus at the Riverfront Park tree lighting.
Here’s the lineup of Salem events for the week from Thursday, Dec. 5, to Wednesday, Dec. 11. Browse all of Salem Reporter’s events coverage here.
*Starred events are free to attend, although they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation.
Holiday events
*Friday, Dec. 6: Join the city of Salem for its Holiday Tree Lighting in Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. N.E. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with Santa visits, horse carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, letter-writing to Santa and holiday music. Cookies and cocoa will be available at 5:45 p.m. while supplies last. The tree lights up at 6 p.m. The event concludes at 8 p.m. Lights will remain on in the park nightly through Dec. 31.
*Saturday, Dec. 7: Deepwood Museum and Gardens is opening its doors for a holiday open house. The house will be decorated for the holidays and people can tour the building while enjoying free cider. During the open house, Santa Claus will be available for photos in the Front Parlor. There will also be a small holiday sale, with wreaths, teacups, jams and more available to shop from. The open house is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1116 Mission St. S.E. Information is available on Facebook.
*Friday, Dec. 6-7, 13-14: Learn about some of Polk County’s local history at Brunk Farmstead’s two weekends of Christmas open houses. The Brunk house’s upstairs has been prepared for the public to view and enjoy on tours of the farmstead. There will be Wassail, gingersnap cookies and other snacks for visitors. The open houses will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each day. Brunk Farmstead is located at 5705 Hwy 22 W.
*Saturday, Dec. 7-8, 13-15, 20-22: Celebrate the holiday season at Powerland Heritage Park for the fifth year of Holiday Sparkles, a drive through experience honoring each of the park’s museums. Each year, the park transforms into a winter wonderland, with characters like Santa Claus and the Grinch for children to meet. The park is located at 3995 Brooklake Rd. N.E. in Brooks. Admission is free.
*Through Dec. 22: Start enjoying the holiday season with a festive snack and drink or fun carnival ride. The Holiday Village is open at the Oregon State Fairgrounds livestock pavilion, 2330 17th St. N.E. Holiday Village has a market full of locally-made crafts and on weekends, people can take photos with Santa. The event runs on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free but parking is $5 per vehicle. More information can be found online.
Through Jan. 4: The Magic of Lights is at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center, 2330 17th St. N.E. A mile-long stretch of the fairgrounds is transformed into a bright holiday wonderland until Jan. 4. The drive-thru holiday light experience will go from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. weekends. A standard vehicle pass starts at $19 in advance. More information can be found online.
Live music, comedy, improv and other entertainment
Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St. S.E. #150
Saturday, Dec. 7: Join Salem hip-hop group Friendship is Rad for a release party celebrating their new album. Friendship is Rad will perform, along with local folk artist Jon Fro, Mike Beez, Vivvoiid and DJ Swone. Salem beatboxer Robotic Torres will host the event, which starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door.
Grand Theatre, 187 High St. N.E.
Friday, Dec. 6: Low Bar Chorale presents its holiday singalong show, Snow Bar Chorale, for the first time in Salem. There will be singing, stories, special guests and the occasional music trivia nerdout. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on show day.
Saturday, Dec. 7: Jenner Fox Band will perform Christmas songs by John Prine such as “Silent Night All Day Long” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” A John Prine Christmas will weave together Prine’s classic hits, his holiday themed songs, stories and will include a chance to sing along. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 online and $25 on show day.
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
Thursday, Dec. 5: Leslie Odom Jr. is bringing The Christmas Tour to Salem. He is a multifaceted Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated vocalist, songwriter, actor and New York Times bestselling author. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50.
Friday, Dec. 6: Comedian Joe Gatto will perform as part of his “Let’s Get Into It” tour with opener Mark Jigarjian. Gatto is best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” He has toured with the Jokers live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $39.75. Age 16+ suggested.
Monday, Dec. 9: Punk band X will perform as part of its holiday tour dubbed “Putting the X Back in Xmas.” Formed in 1977, X quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in the first wave of LA’s flourishing punk scene, becoming legendary leaders of a punk generation. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $34.50 and will be $5 more on the day of the show.
Other venues
*Thursday, Dec. 5: Willamette Vital Health is hosting a winter remembrance concert for people to come together and find support for grief during the holiday season. The annual remembrance concert will be held at IKE Box Cafe, 299 Cottage St. N.E., from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The concert will have certified music therapists and a spiritual counselor present. Information is available on Facebook.
Thursday, Dec. 5 & Friday, Dec. 6: Willamette University Chamber Choir, Voce and Vox will perform holiday classics and audience sing-alongs at the “Holidays in Hudson” concert. They will be accompanied by guest organist Dr. Paul Klemme and alumni pianist Honey Wilson. The concerts will take place at Hudson Hall on Willamette University’s campus, 900 State St. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, or free for students and people under 17.
Friday, Dec. 6: Confluence Willamette Valley LGBT chorus performs its “Home” concert at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Marion St. N.E., at 7:30 p.m. General admission $20, children 12 and under free. Buy tickets here.
Friday, Dec. 6: A cozy evening of live acoustic music performances and singing is in store. The Salem Folklore Community Holiday Coffeehouse Concert is at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center St. N.E. Tickets are $16 in advance.
Live theater and cinema
Salem Cinema, 1127 Broadway St. N.E.
Thursday, Dec. 5: The documentary “Maria by Callas” will play, exploring the opera singer’s life. Monday’s show is at 6 p.m. and Thursday’s is at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $9.
Sunday, Dec. 8: A screening of the National Theatre Live production of “Vanya,” starring Andrew Scott, will play at noon. The play shares a “radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.” Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 day of the event.
Tuesday, Dec. 10: The 1979 comedy “Being There” will play at 6 p.m. The film follows a gardener’s rise into high society. Tickets are $9.
Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
Saturday, Dec. 7 & Sunday, Dec. 8: The Premiere Academy of Performing Arts will put on its annual Nutcracker ballet show. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $18.
Wednesday, Dec. 11: Tippy Toe Dance Studio presents its original production of “FROST,” with performances in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the showtime is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.
Other venues
Thursday, Dec. 5-21: “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” will play at the Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave N.W. The holiday play focuses on the middle sister of “Pride and Prejudice,” as she seeks independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with shows at 2 p.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $25.
Friday, Dec. 6-14: Theatre 33 presents a 1940s radio show version of “A Christmas Carol” with live Foley sound effects. Shows Dec. 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 and 14 at 2 p.m. Shows in the Putnam Studio at the M. Lee Pelton Theatre on Willamette University’s campus, 900 State St. Tickets $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors.
Classes, workshops and lectures
Friday, Dec. 6: Chemeketa Community College’s Planetarium hosts “The Sun, Our Living Star” Fridays at 7:30 p.m. All shows include a brief introduction that explores the night time sky over Salem during this season of the year. Tickets $5 for adults, $4 for children. Cash only, no ATM in the building. Chemeketa’s planetarium is located in Building 2, Room 171 on the Salem campus, 4000 Lancaster Dr. N.E. Tickets sold starting 15 minutes before showtime, no late admissions. More information here.
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 18: It’s time to bring some tropical island sound this holiday season. Center 50+ hosts holiday music ukulele lessons Wednesdays through Dec. 18. The first class session costs $48 for residents and $57 for non-Salem residents, and the second session cost $72 for residents and $84.40 for non-Salem residents. Intermediate note reader classes run from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and intermediate strummer classes run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration for the class can be done at the Connection Center at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Rd. N.E.
Markets and shopping
*Saturday, Dec. 7: Over 150 vendors are slated to be set up at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St. N.E., on Saturday for the Salem Etsy Team Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jackman Long Building. Come by for the free event and browse handmade gifts, and try your luck at winning a raffle basket. There is also a scavenger hunt for kids and Santa will make a jolly appearance. Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Every Saturday from Oct. 12-March 15 is the Indoor Winter Market at Wavra Farms. The farm’s greenhouses host the weekly marketplace, which has over 40 rotating vendors. Wavra Farms is located at 7882 Jordan St. S.E. Salem Reporter reported on the market’s opening last year.
Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. is the Salem Public Market at 1240 Rural Avenue S.E.
Art and museum exhibitions
Check out what Salem art galleries and museums are showing in December here.
Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].
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Madeleine Moore is working as a reporter at Salem Reporter through the University of Oregon’s Charles Snowden internship program. She came to Salem after graduating from the University of Oregon in June 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
