It’s almost Christmas — time for some serious celebrating! Luckily, there are plenty of festivities in Central Oregon between now and year’s end. Here are some highlights:
Through Dec. 21
Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire: Featuring handmade crafts/gifts made by local vendors. 10 am-6 pm. Former DonTerra building (corner of Hood & Elm), Sisters. Proceeds go toward helping in the Sisters community for sight & hearing. 541-595-6967.
Through Jan. 1
Traditions at Sunriver Resort: The resort’s expansive annual holiday celebration features more than 150 family-friendly events, including a holiday marketplace, Santa’s workshop, Gingerbread Junction, sleigh rides, Christmas concert, snowshoe tours. 800-801-8765.
Starfest Holiday Light Celebration: Walk, drive or schedule a horse-drawn wagon ride (on weekends) through the popular mile-long animated holiday light exhibit. 5-10 pm, Falcon Crest Drive, Eagle Crest Resort. Free; canned-food donations for Redmond’s food banks are welcome (drop off your donation at the red sleigh). 541-923-2453.
Friday, Dec. 19
High Desert Chamber Music Gala: Fund-raiser featuring the Spotlight Chamber Players, dinner & silent auction with items from over 90 local businesses. 6 pm, Oxford Hotel, downtown Bend. $85; proceeds benefit the High Desert Chamber Music educational outreach programs. Reservations required; seating requests taken. 541-382-8436 or 541-306-3988.
A Christmas Memory: NewsChannel 21 chief meteorologist Bob Shaw retells Truman Capote’s classic holiday short story & The Men’s Chorus of Central Oregon performs special arrangements of classic holiday songs.7 pm, Tower Theatre. $18. Proceeds benefit Assistance League. 541-317-0700.
Traditions Holiday Concert: A special holiday musical performance featuring Patrick Lamb Band & Holiday Gospel Choir. 7 pm, Great Hall, Sunriver Resort. Presented by Sunriver Resort & the Sunriver Music Festival. 541-593-1000.
Dec. 20-23:
Santa at the Ranch Horse Camp: Horseback riding (indoor arena) Christmas crafts, hay rides, camp games & a visit from Santa. 10 am-2 pm, Rhinestone Ranch, 24375 Dodds Rd, Bend. $50 per day or $90 for days (for kids 4 and up). 530-588-4780.
Dec. 20-21:
Breakfast With Santa: Featuring a special holiday buffet (don’t forget the camera).The Lodge, Black Butte Ranch. 9 am-1 pm (seatings at 9 and 11 am). $15 Adults, $10 Kids, under 4 are free. 541-595-1260.
Country Christmas: Hay rides, a petting zoo, kids’ corral, local handmade crafts & visits with Santa. 11 am-3 pm, DD Ranch, Terrebonne. 541-548-1432.
A Tower Christmas: Showcase of beloved Christmas stories, dances & songs performed by Central Oregon’s top actors, singers, musicians & media personalities. 7 pm, Tower Theater. $12 adults, $8 kids 12 & under. 541-317-0700.
Dec. 20
Hollinshead Homestead Holiday Open House: Relive the holidays of yesteryear at a festive open house, take a free tour & sample homemade holiday treats. 10 am-4 pm. Hollinshead Park, Bend. 541-389-7275.
Dec. 23
Starlight Campfire & Snowshoe Adventure: Complimentary starlight ski, snowshoe or hike to a secret spot in the woods for a toasty campfire, hot chocolate & s’mores. 6-9 pm, Lower Glaze Meadow Golf parking lot, Black Butte Ranch. Equipment may be rented from the Glaze Meadow Rental Shop (supplies are limited). 541-595-5877.
Dec. 24
Pronghorn Christmas Eve Dinner: Prix Fixe 4-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Linde. 4-7 pm; stay for the Christmas Eve celebration that FOLLOWS from 6-8 PM. $60. 541-693-5399.
Christmas Eve at Crossings: Limited dining menu with many Crossings favorites including steaks & seafood. 5-8 pm. Crossings Restaurant, the Riverhouse. 541-389-8810.
Dec. 25
Christmas Day Plated Brunch at BBR: Four-course meal, featuring lobster bisque, herb-crusted salmon, venison sausage, creme brûlée french toast & more. The Lodge, Black Butte Ranch. 11 am-3 pm. Adults $42, $21 for ages 6-12 (two course); special children’s menu for 5 & under. 541-595-1260.
Christmas at Crossings: $23.95 with all the holiday trimmings & dessert. Noon-8 pm. Crossings, the Riverhouse.541-389-8810.
Christmas at Sunriver Resort: Four different options (brunch buffet or an elegant dinner at the lodge, buffet at the Great Hall or a prix-fixe menu at the Grille at Crosswater). 541-593-1000.
Dec. 30
Starlight Campfire & Snowshoe Adventure: Complimentary starlight ski, snowshoe or hike to a secret spot in the woods for a toasty campfire, hot chocolate & s’mores. 6-9 pm, Lower Glaze Meadow Golf parking lot. Equipment may be rented from the Glaze Meadow Rental Shop (supplies are limited). 541-595-5877.
Dec. 31
New Years’ Eve at Old St. Francis School: Enjoy the rockin’ beats of Tony Smiley in Father Luke’s Room or the raucous reggae, funk & bluegrass blend of World’s Finest in the Theater. 9 pm. McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School, Bend. $5. 541-382-5174.
New Year’s Eve Events at Sunriver Resort: Three-course dinner, followed by dance & party with live entertainment at the lodge (5 pm-1 am); or four-course dinner with live music by Bill Keale at the Grille at Crosswater (6-8:30 pm). Also, Family Night event, with Interactive board, arcade & Wii games, prizes & ice cream sundaes, plus toasts for young and old alike (7:30-10 pm). Sunriver Resort. 541-593-1000.
Jan. 1
New Year’s Brunch: Interactive board, arcade & Wii games, prizes & ice cream sundaes, plus toasts for young and old alike. 7:30-10 pm,8 am-1 pm, Sunriver Resort. $48 adults, $24 children 6-12, free under 12. 541-593-1000.
Polar Bear Bike Ride: No steep climbs, but small rollers coming back into town. 10 am, Hutch’s Bicycles Eastside location. Free. 541-382-6248.
Christmas Cheer: Holiday Events in Central Oregon
