With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner, it’s time to count our blessings (which are plentiful, here in Central Oregon). We have a wide range of opportunities to celebrate; see a list of the holiday festivities below.
Nov. 24
Vegan Thanksgiving: 4 plated courses, plus your choice of a glass of wine or beer. Communal seating (space is limited. 6-9 pm, Broken Top Bottle Shop, Bend. $35 per person. (541) 728 0703.
Nov. 28-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.
Thanksgiving Day
Bend Thanksgiving Classic: Timed 5K/10K run/walk in Bend. Start/finish: 9 am at 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. (541) 617-2877, x 13. Benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs On the Run of Central Oregon.
I Like Pie Thanksgiving Day Walk/Run: 2K, 5K or 10mile (all untimed). Bring along a pie to help feed the masses (You can choose to enter it in the pie-baking contest or not; prizes for top 3 pies in both the “traditional” and “open” pie categories. 9 am, Brooks Street Plaza, Bend. Recommended $5 donation and 5 lbs. of food for NeighborImpact. Sponsored by Footzone.
Thanksgiving Buffet at Old St. Francis: Turkey, roasted pork loin with Edgefield cider jus, poached salmon, tortellini salad, brandied pumpkin pie & more. Noon-6 pm; reservations required. $29 adults; $17 kids 5-12; free for kids 4 & under. McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School, Bend. (541) 382-5174.
Thanksgiving Feast at Crossings: Roasted turkey ($24.95), hone-glazed ham ($22.95) or combo plate ($26.95), with all the trimmings. Kids specials starting at $11.95. noon-8 pm, Crossings at the Riverhouse, Bend. 541-389-8810.
Thanksgiving Dinner at The Phoenix: Special prix-fixe menu, including pumpkin bisque, roasted turkey, prime rib or herb-crusted pork loin, apple sage stuffing, baked sweet-potato gratin & more. $27-$31. 1-6 pm, The Phoenix, Bend. 541-317-0727.
Thanksgiving at Tetherow: Family-style dinner including turkey, port glazed ham, truffled mashed potatoes, orange-cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mixed green salad, sweet rolls, assorted pies and desserts … and of course, leftovers! $50 adults, $25 youth. The Grill at Tetherow, Bend. Reservations begin at 1 pm. 541-388-2582.
Traditional Feast at Awbrey Glen: Gourmet baby greens, Waldorf salad, wild rice pilaf, oven-roasted turkey, inside-round au jus, boneless pit ham with cherry glaze, assorted desserts & more. 11:30 am-4:30 pm, Awbrey Glen Golf Club, Bend. $29 adults, $13 kids 6-12, free kids under 5. Reservations: 541-317-2885.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Black Butte Ranch: Turkey, prime rib, pork loin, cold station & assorted desserts. 11 am-4 pm, The Lodge. Adults: $41.95; kids 6-12 $20.50; kids 5 & under free. Reservations: 541-595-1260.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Aspen Lakes: Slow-roasted turkey, artisanal cheese, poached salmon, hickory-smoked barron of beef & more. 11 am-4 pm, Brand 33 Restaurant. Adults $35; Kids 5-12 $15; kids under 5 free. Reservations: 541-549-3663.
Redmond’s Free Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner: Served from noon-2 pm. Redmond Senior Center. For event info or to learn how you can help, call City Center Church at (541) 548-7218.
Pronghorn Thanksgiving Day Buffet: Featuring duck confit, prime rib, turkey, smoked salmon, pumpkin cheesecake & more. Seatings at 1 & 3 pm. Adults $49; kids 6 to 14 $22; kids 5 and under free. Reservations required: (877) 481-2039.
Thanksgiving at Sunriver Resort: Three different options (elaborate plated dinner at the lodge, buffet at the Great Hall or a prix-fixe menu at the Grille at Crosswater). 541-593-1000.
Friday, Nov. 28
Turket Trot & 5k Fun Run/Walk: Work off all that turkey at this annual non-timed event, which benefits NeighborImpact. $25. 10 am, Sunriver Resort. 541-593-1000.
Sisters Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Annual lighting of the Sisters Christmas tree, with carols, cocoa & more. 5:30 pm, Fir Street Park. 541-549-0251.
Grand Illumination: Kid-oriented crafts, entertainment by Mr. Magic, food, pony rides & a petting zoo, followed by live holiday music, a parade & Christmas-tree lighting. 1:30-7 pm, Sunriver Resort’s “North Pole” (adjacent to the main lodge). 541-593-1000.
Nov. 28-Nov. 29
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, Redmond. Fri-Sat 11 am-5 pm. Downtown Redmond Plaza, Corner of 7th & Evergreen. 541-923-5191.
Holiday Marketplace: 13th annual arts & crafts show, featuring unique gifts created by regional artists (fine art, pottery, jewelry, textiles, metalwork, woodworking, stained glass & more). Fri: 10 am-4 pm, Sat: 10 am-4 pm. Sunriver Resort. 541-593-1000.
Nov. 29:
Turkey Trot Fun Run & Walk: Kids 12 & under run about 1.2 miles (from the Rec Barn to the Big Meadow Clubhouse and back); adults run from the Rec Barn to the Clubhouse, across the meadow, back on the bike path toward the General Store, staying on the bike path & back to the Rec Barn (about 3.5 miles). 11 am, meet at the lodge. $10 per person; proceeds benefit SHS Nordic Ski team. 541-595-1282.
Bend Christmas Tree Lighting: The city’s going green with this year’s Christmas of Change lights display (thanks to Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program). Festivities get under way at 6 pm. Santa will light the tree at 6:30, with carols & performances by local choirs. Visit with Santa at the Plaza at Franklin & Wall next to Starbuck’s. Drake Park at the top by Brooks St & Franklin Ave. 541-788-3628.
Redmond Starlight Parade: The mythical village of Dr. Seuss fame comes to life for “A Whoville Christmas.” Parade route: Sixth Street from Dogwood to Forest avenues. 5 pm. Downtown Redmond. 541-923-5191.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: The festivities begin after the parade, Centennial Park, downtown Redmond. 541-923-5191.
Sisters Christmas Parade: Annual parade starts at 2 pm on Hood Avenue, from Pine to Spruce. After the parade, visit with Santa & enjoy holiday refreshments at the Chamber Building (291 E. Main Ave.). 541-549-0251.
Dec.1-Jan. 1
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.
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.