Portland and Area Newsletter and Planner - December 8, 2023

CHRISMAS SHIPS PARADE
Every year, Portland and Vancouver residents line the Columbia and Willamette Rivers to watch a fleet of 55 to 60 festively decorated sailboats and yachts parade down the waterfront. These privately owned boats range from 14 to 65 feet (4 to 20 m) long and gather at different locations along the river featuring light displays and inflatable décor. 

What started as a lone ribbon-clad sailboat from the Portland Yacht Club, in the 1950s became a decades-long nautical Christmas tradition. Each boat owner individually funds and designs their own display for the parade, and the event is run entirely on volunteer effort. Some boats and their skippers have been appearing at the parade for over 30 years, with most of them completing a voyage in the last 20 years. 

All or most of the fleet will gather every night of the parade with a different planned route. Visitors can enjoy a meet and greet with the entire fleet of boats and their skippers up close on Dec. 16 and 17 at the public dock near Riverplace Marina.

Or, see the Christmas Ships on the Willamette River from the comfort of a trolley. This is a unique experience with a front-row view of the ships, as well as seeing homes decorated for the holidays along the route.

All trips depart from Lake Oswego and will last about 60~90 minutes depending on the boats. Please allow extra time to get to Lake Oswego due to holiday traffic as the trolley must depart on time. Park at the city lot just north of the depot off Foothills Drive. 

A PITTOCK MANSION CHRISTMAS: WINTER WONDERLAND
Pittock Mansion transforms into a Winter Wonderland for this year’s Christmas display. Experience this beloved Portland tradition and celebrate the season with the festive and fantastical displays created by volunteer decorators. A Pittock Mansion Christmas: Winter Wonderland will be on view November 19, 2023, through January 4, 2024, at Pittock Mansion (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).  The holiday weekend festivities include live music, food and wine pairings, and the opportunity to visit with winemakers at some of Oregon’s top wineries — including many not usually open to the public.

MENORAH LIGHTING
Chabad of Oregon will light Portland’s Public Hanukkah menorah at Pioneer Courthouse Square each night of Chanukah. Aiming to have 1,800 people join the Menorah lighting in Portland's Pioneer Square, the vision is to generate 1,800 points of light, ignite 1,800 Chanukah candles, and join together with over 1,00 voices singing "Maoz Tzur Yeshuati" — "O mighty stronghold of my salvation".

BENSON HOTEL ANNUAL GINGERBEAD DISPLAY
The Benson Portland Curio Collection by Hilton invites the public back once again for a live unveiling of the 2023 Gingerbread Masterpiece, a 52-year beloved holiday tradition. The architectural feat promises only one hint to this year’s theme: “A famous example of romanticism, this beautiful sight inspired one dreamer and creator to capture the imaginations of millions around the world.” These majestic creations are made entirely of confectionary delights, with over 150 pounds of house made gingerbread, 50 pounds of marzipan, 20 pounds of chocolate, ten pounds of Rice Krispies treats, and buckets of royal icing. For a gallery of Chef Diffendorfer’s past creations, visit www.gingerbreadcities.com. The annual unveiling will occur in The Benson’s grand lobby on Wednesday evening, November 29. The event starts at 6:00 pm and includes live holiday music, children’s crafts, cookies, beverages, and a special appearance by Santa. The event is free and open to the public. The gingerbread masterpiece will remain on display through December 30.

WINTER WONDERLAND
Recognized throughout the Pacific Northwest as the “Largest Holiday Light Show West of the Mississippi”, Winter Wonderland will grab your attention with glimmers and glows around every corner. Since 1993, a journey through Winter Wonderland has become a holiday tradition for many families, friends, and social organizations to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season. Spectators can enjoy the region’s most spectacular drive-through light show, viewing over 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes from the comfort of their own vehicle.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Sunshine Division‘s year-round hunger relief efforts that provide thousands of free, nutritious meals to Portland families in need.

PORTLAND HOLIDAY MARKET
Shop outside the big box. The Portland Holiday Market will return to the Portland Expo Center. It’s an entirely new holiday shopping experience and the one place to get all your holiday shopping done.

More than 100,000 square feet of display space are filled with hundreds of exhibitors. Food items, gifts, artwork, jewelry, home décor, clothing, spirits, craft items, books, ornaments, leather goods, bath and body, and much more. This show has handcrafted, artisan and unique items you’ll never find in big box stores. 

Bring the kids and capture a memory with Santa and Mrs. Claus at SantaLand at the Portland Holiday Market. Choose the portrait package you want, get your picture with Santa, shop the Portland Holiday Market and then return to choose the photos you want to purchase.

SILVERTON CHRISTMAS MARKET
Join an awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort. This annual event offers a joyous and magical holiday experience for all ages.

Stroll along immersive paths draped in more than one million lights. Explore the authentic German Christmas Market for gifts from artisan vendors and imported German nutcrackers, smokers and ornaments. Visit Santa to share your wish list or enjoy music and a brew in the Biergarten, presented by AB One. Cozy up to a fire pit or take a ride down the snowless tubing hill presented by Power Kia. There will be no ice skating this year.

The event is designed for friends and family to enjoy time together and experience the traditions that make this time of year so special. Join and create magical holiday memories at this unique event in the Willamette Valley.

GEORGE BALANCHINE'S NUTCRACKER
A treasured holiday tradition continues as Oregon Ballet Theatre returns George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® to the Keller Auditorium. Brave toy soldiers battle mischievous mice, snowflakes dance, and we are carried away to a magical Land of Sweets, all to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score! This year, make Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of Balanchine’s Nutcracker a part of your holiday tradition. Create memories to last a lifetime as you experience this exquisitely danced confection with family and friends.

THE MAKERS FAIR HOLIDAY MARKET AT REJUVENATION
Support Portland's local makers with one-of-a-kind and easy-to-find holiday gifts with purpose all season long. It features 140 of Portland’s best local makers, artists and craftspeople under one roof, seven days a week from October 10 through December 23. The market includes a curated selection of specialty hand-crafted candles, gifts, fine and fashion jewelry, ceramics, art, cards, sustainable home goods, woodturning, custom furniture, children’s clothes and toys. Plus tasty holiday treats, home and floral decor, fragrances, personal wellness and beauty products to give to a friend or to keep for yourself.

The Market is FREE to attend and open now.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
It’s A Wonderful Life is an award-winning musical adaptation of Frank Capra's classic film, with book and lyrics by Janet Mouser, and music and lyrics by Michael Allen Harrison, Alan Berg and Julianne R. Johnson-Weiss.

It’s A Wonderful Life is a holiday favorite for all ages. An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed.

It’s A Wonderful Life is directed by Tony Award Winner Corey Brunish.

PORTLAND BAZAAR
The PORTLAND BAZAAR is the city’s finest holiday gift showcase and sale. Started in 2011, their mission is to create an exciting event highlighting the skilled artists, makers and small businesses of Portland, Oregon.

When you shop small, you are putting your dollars directly back into the community by supporting someone’s small business and their family and helping fuel the local economy while doing so. With every purchase made at the Portland Bazaar, a very happy business owner gets to sustain their passion after an extremely tough year.

HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKETS
Year-round on Saturdays, the Hollywood Farmers Markets hosts 50+ vendors, bringing you the best of the region’s agricultural bounty. In addition to amazingly fresh, local food,  you’ll find live music, children’s activities, and fun events throughout the season.

• April through September, every Saturday 8 AM to 1 PM,
• October and November, every Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM,, and
• December through March: 9 AM to 1PM on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month

FEATURED LISTINGS
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Curious about what your home may be worth in our current real estate market? Click here for a no obligation comparative market analysis. Thank you for including us in your real estate journey!

More Information More Information Here is the current market report for November 2023 for the Greater Portland area.   In November 2023 compared to October 2023, the residential real estate market saw a decrease in new listings by 17.2% and closed sales by 19.5%. However, the average sale price increased by 0.6%, reaching $596,100. The active inventory also decreased by 4.3%, with a total of 4,639 properties available. The market time also extended, taking an additional 10 days, resulting in a total market time of 55 days in November. Despite some minor fluctuations, the real estate market showed resilience and stability.   November 2023 Real Estate Market Update New Listings New listings (1,828) increased 9.7% from the 1,666 listed in November 2022, and decreased 17.2% from the 2,207 listed in October 2023.. Pending Sales Pending sales (1,441) decreased 3.8% from the 1,498 offers accepted in November 2022, and decreased 11.3% from the 1,625 offers accepted in October 2023. Closed Sales Closed sales (1,344) decreased 17.1% from the 1,621 closings in November 2022, and decreased 19.5% from the 1,670 closings in October 2023. Inventory and Time on Market Inventory increased to 3.5 months in November. Total market time increased to 55 days. Curious about what your home may be worth in our current real estate market? Click here for a no obligation comparative market analysis. Thank you for including us in your real estate journey! Detailed Analysis