Are you feeling festive, now that winter weather is here and the Christmas season is in full swing? If so, you’re in luck -– there’s a wide variety of celebratory holiday activities in Central Oregon between now and year’s end.
Through Dec. 22
Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire: Local vendors & artists offering handmade items for sale. Outlaw Station, next to Ray’s Food Place, Sisters. 541-595-6967.
Dec. 14-15, 21-23, 26-30
Carriage Rides at the Old Mill: Free horse-drawn carriage rides from Cowboy Carriage. Pick up/drop off is near Regal Cinemas, between Ben & Jerry’s and Francesca’s. Tips and donations benefit Kid’s Center. 2-5 pm. (541) 815-3951.
Through Dec. 21
Redmond’s Gingerbread House Contest: Houses will be displayed in various
businesses in downtown Redmond. 541-526-1626 or 541-923-5191.
Through Jan. 1
Traditions at Sunriver Resort: A massive holiday celebration that harks back to a time when generations embraced the season. More than 150 family events, including Christmas Brunch & Christmas Dinner, holiday market, Santa’s workshop, Gingerbread Junction, sleigh rides and snowshoe tours. 800-801-8765.
Starfest Holiday Light Celebration: Mile-long animated holiday-light exhibit adjacent to Eagle Crest Resort Lodge. Walk, drive or schedule a horse-drawn wagon ride on Fridays and Saturdays (Nov. 29-Dec.23). Canned-food donations for Redmond’s food banks are welcome (drop off your donation at the red sleigh by the reader board on the corner of Falcon Crest Dr & Mountain Quail).
Dec. 13
Annual Christmas Kayak: Bend’s most dedicated paddling enthusiasts dress up their canoes & kayaks in holiday garb & paddle around the Deschutes River for a few hours. Meet at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe at 3:15 p.m. with your decorated kayak or canoe. Participants depart at 4 pm behind the shop & paddle upstream up to the Columbia Bridge; on the way back, they’ll assemble in formation under the Old Mill’s Flag Bridge to give family & friends the opportunity to take photographs of the decorated boats. Spectators, plan on seeing the decorated boats from about 4:15-6 pm. 541-317-9407.
Bach n’ Brew 2013 Christmas Concert: Featuring rock violinist Aaron Meyer & his 4-piece band. 6:30 pm, High Desert Museum, Bend. Museum doors open for special viewing of the indoor exhibits for concert attendees at 5 pm. $30 per person for members; $35 per person for non-members; $10 for kids under 18. Hosted by Sunriver Music Festival. 541-593-9310.
Dec. 14
Teddy Bear Tea: Enjoy tea, mini sandwiches & a variety of holiday goodies. Santa will be there with Mrs. Claus & the Cinnamon Bear. Each child takes home a special stuffed Teddy Bear as a gift. 10:30 am-noon, North Redmond Conference & Event Center. Children $12.50, adults $8.50; tickets must be purchased in advance. Proceeds benefit Hospice’s grief camp for children. 541-548-7483.
Redmond’s Annual Holiday Village Market: Reminiscent of Old-World European Christmas markets, with specialty arts & crafts, gift items & food vendors in six small holiday-themed buildings in Centennial Park. Noon-5 pm. Downtown Redmond Plaza, Corner of 7th & Evergreen. 541-923-5191.
Holiday Open House: Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & music, plus carriage rides & caroling, visits with Santa & warm mulled Sangria, wine & local craft beer. Local artists Debbie Miller, Michelle Deaderick, & Mary Jo Weiss display beauty their handcrafted artworks, available for purchase. Noon-6 pm, Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards, Terrebonne. 541-526-5075.
Community Holiday Party: Free photos with Santa, live music & performances, local food& beverage vendors & more. 3-6 pm, C.E. Lovejoy’s Brookswood Market, Bend. Goodwill will be accepting donations. 541-388-1188.
The Twelve Bands of Christmas: 11 am-11 pm. Free Christmas party with Santa, an elf, raffle w/prizes, free hot cocoa & cider for kids, local live music & more. St Clair’s Place building, downtown Bend. Proceeds benefit Operation Elf Box.
Holiday Concert: Holiday songs by local Hawaiian musician Bill Keale. 7-9 pm, The Old Stone Church, Bend. $20 for adults, free for children 6 and younger, registration requested. 541-322-7273.
Holiday Traditions at High Desert Museum: Discover the multicultural holiday traditions celebrated throughout the West. 10 am-1 pm, High Desert Museum, Bend. Included in the price of admission ($12 adults, $10 ages 65 and older, $7 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger). 541-382-4754.
N.E.W. Sixth Annual Winter Wonderland Gala: An evening with music, dancing, food & silent & live auctions. 6-10 pm, Seventh Mountain Resort, Bend. $30; registration required; proceeds benefit Oregon Adaptive Sports. 541-848-8598.
Dec. 14-15
Christmas in the Country: Christmas tree sales (10 am-5 pm), Santa visits (11 am-4 pm) and live animal nativity (10 am-4 pm), plus rides on the Polar Express train. Smith Rock Ranch, 1250 NE Wilcox, Terrebonne. 541-504-1414.
Christmas Tree Lane: Visit Santa & shop for a Christmas tree, with complimentary face painting, hay rides, pony rides, kids’ corral, barn store, petting zoo, cafe & more. 11 am-3 pm, DD Ranch, Terrebonne. Free. 541-548-1432.
Craft-O Holiday Bazaar: Featuring arts & crafts from local artists. Sat 10 am-6 pm; Sun 11 am-5 pm, Old Ironworks Arts District, Bend. Free.
A Baroque Christmas: Central Oregon Mastersingers perform a holiday concert. 7:30 pm, Tower Theatre, Bend. $18 plus fees. 541-317-0700.
Dec. 15
Holiday Ranch Christmas: Toy drive, Christmas bazaar, children’s activities, Rim Rock drill-team performance, concessions & more; proceeds benefit Toys for Tots. 10 am-4 pm, Rafter J Ranch, Bend. $5 per family or toy donation. 541-777-9615.
Light Up a Life: An evening of remembrance with ceremonial candle lighting and reading of names, honoring loved ones who have died, live music by Katie Cavanaugh. 4:30-6 pm, Hospice of Redmond. 541-548-7483.
Dec 17-20
A Christmas Carol: Community cast of youth & adults brings to life the classic story of redemption and the true holiday spirit, produced by Bend Experimental Art Theatre. 7:30 pm, Tower Theatre, Bend. Reserved Seating: $19, $25, $15 12&under. 541-317-0700.
Dec. 20
The Mostest Winter Solstice Celebration: Celebrate the shortest day of the year with live music. 8-11 pm, The Belfry, Sisters. 541-815-9122.
Dec. 21
Christmas Tree Lane: Visit Santa & shop for a Christmas tree, with complimentary face painting, hay rides, pony rides, kids’ corral, barn store, petting zoo, cafe & more. 11 am-3 pm, DD Ranch, Terrebonne. Free. 541-548-1432.
Holiday Brewgrass Jamboree: An evening with The Bluegrass All-Stars. 7-11:30 pm, The Belfry, Sisters. Donation of canned or nonperishable food items accepted; proceeds benefit the local Kiwanis Food Bank.
Dec. 21-22
A Tower Christmas “Home for the Holidays”: The best of Christmas traditions & winter memories comes to downtown Bend showcasing popular & beloved stories, dances & songs, performed by many of Central Oregon’s top actors & media personalities. $12-$8. 541-317-0700.
Breakfast with Santa: Bring the little ones to Breakfast with Santa at Black Butte Ranch. Special Holiday Buffet for the young guests visiting Santa. Don’t forget the camera! Two seatings: 9 & 11 am, the Lodge Restaurant. Adults $12, Kids $7, kids under 4 free. Reservations: 541-595-1260.
Dec. 21-24, 26-Jan. 1
Carriage Rides at Black Butte Ranch: Rides are rain or shine — dress warm! 11 am-2:30 pm; check-in required 10 min before departure, or reservation may be filled. $9 per person includes a hot cocoa, tall coffee or spiced cider at the Lodge. Kids under 5 are free if they sit on parent’s lap. Reservations: 541-595-1252.
Dec 24:
Community Christmas Eve Service: Hosted by Bob Shaw, with carols, family fun, a choir performance, Avenue H & more. 3 pm, 5 pm & 7 pm, Tower Theatre, Bend. $6 plus fees. 541-317-0700.
Pronghorn Christmas Eve Dinner: Exceptional Prix Fixe 4-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Kevin Linde. 4-7 pm; stay for the Christmas Eve celebration afterwards from 6-8 pm. $60.
Dec. 25
Christmas Celebration Buffet at Black Butte Ranch: Roast turkey, pork loin, prime rib, cold station & assorted desserts. 12:30-5 pm, the Lodge. Adults $38.95; Children 6-12 $18.50; Children 5 & under free. Reservations: 541-595-1260.
Dec. 28
Starlight Snowshoe & Campfire outing: Bring your cross-country skis or snowshoes! You’ll be guided into the woods, where a campfire & goodies await. 6-9 pm, Black Butte Ranch; meet at the Lower Glaze Meadow Golf parking lot. $20 per person, $10 kids 12 & under. Wear warm clothing & bring a headlamp. Snowshoes or skis not provided, but available for rental at the Glaze Meadow Rental Shop, 541-595-5877.
Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve at Black Butte Ranch: Ring in the New Year at the Lodge with menu & drink specials. 5 pm-2 am. 541-595-1260.
New Year’s Prime Rib Dinner & Dance: Dancing with Studio Seven DJ’s. VFW Hall, Redmond. $25 for dinner & dance, $10 for dance only; reservations for dinner suggested. 541-548-4108.
New Year’s Dance Party: Eugene’s The Sugar Beets perform. 8 pm, The Belfry, Sisters. $18 plus fees in advance, $23 at the door. 541-815-9122.
Pronghorn New Year’s Eve Celebration: Dinner & dancing with live music from Out of the Blue. Dinner only: $69; dinner & party: $109; party only: $39. Dinner from 6-9 pm; dance 9 pm-1 am. Champagne toast at midnight. Party favors; party includes late-night appetizers. Reservations: 866-320-5024.
Jan. 1, 2014
Resolution Run: Non-competitive run/walk (5 mile & 5k run or walk) through the neighborhoods of Sisters. 10 am; begins & ends at Sisters Athletic Club. Benefits the Kiwanis Club of Sisters.
About the Author
Lisa Broadwater, GRI, CDPE, is a Central Oregon-based real estate professional who specializes in listing and selling homes, especially in Sisters, Tumalo, Bend and Redmond.