Holiday Sparkles drive-thru (Courtesy/Antique Powerland Museum Association)
There’s no shortage of spots in the Salem area to find holiday lights on display throughout December.
Events listed below are free unless otherwise noted.
The Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden Resort, 895 W. Main St., will have snowless tubing, an artisan vendor market, pictures with Santa, fire pits and live music, with no ice skating this year. Formerly called Christmas in the Garden, the event will be open 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 9, 2022 but will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25. Admission Monday through Wednesday is $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids aged six-12, free for kids five and under, and $12 for Silverton residents aged 13 and older with proof of residence. Thursday through Sunday, it’s $18 for ages 13 and older, $5 for kids ages six to 12, free for kids five and under, and $15 for Silverton residents 13 and older with proof of residence. Tickets are available online.
Keizer’s Gubser neighborhood will be decked out with lights for the Keizer Miracle of Christmas Lights Display. It begins at Lockhaven Drive and 14th Avenue Northeast and will have lights up from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 26. Visitors can donate non-perishable food and money to the Marion Polk Food Share. Read about its history on Facebook.
For a second year, the Powerland Heritage Park starting Friday will host the Holiday Sparkles drive-thru at 3995 Brooklake Rd., off Interstate-5, exit 263. Visitors can drive through the park grounds covered in colorful lights and get a wave from Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and Dec. 17-19. More info on Facebook.
Holiday Sparkles drive-thru (Courtesy/Antique Powerland Museum Association)
Morning Star Church at 4775 27th Ave. S.E. in Salem will bring the The Lights At Morning Star, presented by Johnson Family Orthodontics. The drive-thru event is open 6-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and Dec. 17-23. All donations will go to Salem Angels, a nonprofit that serves children and families involved in foster care. Visitors will get free hot cocoa and candy canes, and can listen to a story with music about a Christmas elf’s “journey for self-worth.” Find more on the event’s website.
City staff will decorate the Riverfront Park Rotary Pavilion at 200 Water Street N.E. and drape a tree with 4,000 lights for Salem’s 26th annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event will have music, and Mayor Chuck Bennett and a “special guest” will turn on the lights, which will be up through December. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and, for those who can’t attend in person, The event will air live on CC: Media channel 23 and be streamed on YouTube. Find more info on the city’s website.
This year’s Magic at the Mill at the Willamette Heritage Center at 1313 Mill St. S.E. will feature thousands of lights, Santa, vendors, take-home activities for kids, demonstrations from blacksmiths and, on Dec. 19 and 20 only, live performances from vocal duo Constant Billy with holiday classics. Visitors can get food and drinks at Taproot Old Mill Cafe. The event will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-23. Tickets are $8 for ages 16 to 64, $7 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for kids ages 2 to 15, and can be purchased online. Those who attend must wear masks at all times.
Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.
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