Let’s talk turkey: There are plenty of places in Central Oregon hosting Thanksgiving Day feasts, plus lots of festive activities for folks who’d like to work off all that Thanksgiving cheer.
Here’s a round-up of upcoming holiday events.
Nov. 27-Dec. 21
Redmond’s Gingerbread House Contest: Houses will be displayed in various businesses in downtown Redmond. Judging takes place during the Downtown Holiday Open House (Dec. 7 at 10 am), by celebrity judges. 541-526-1626 or 541-923-5191.
Thanksgiving Day
Central Oregon Thanksgiving Classic: Timed 5K & 10K course in Bend, plus a family-friendly Gobbler Walk. Start/finish: 9 am at 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. The 5K-loop course follows flat, paved pathways & trails through the Old Mill District along the Deschutes River; 10K course completes the loop twice. (541) 617-2877, x 10.
Bend Turkey Trot: Fun Run 5K/10K run or walk and a 1-mile family-friendly Trotters Walk. 9 am in NorthWest Crossing. 541-388-1i860.
I Like Pie Run/Walk: Gather, run, eat pie and rally some money & food for NeighborImpact. 2K, 5K or 10 mile (all untimed). Brooks St., Riverfront Plaza, Bend. Suggested donation of $5 and 5 cans of food for NeighborImpact. Run/walk starts at 9 am; bring a pie to help feed the masses (you can also enter it in the pie-baking contest; prizes awarded for the top 3 pies in both the “traditional” and “open” pie category). Sponsored by Footzone.
Stephen Connolly Thanksgiving Football Game: Friends & family host a flag football game in memory of Stephen Connolly. Afterwards, donations accepted for the Stephen Connolly Helping Hand Scholarship, awarded each spring. 10-11 am, Sisters Middle School Practice Fields. 541-719-8281.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Black Butte Ranch: Turkey, prime rib, cold station & assorted desserts. 12:30-5 pm, The Lodge. Adults: $38.95; kids 6-12 $18.50; kids 5 & under free. Reservations: 541-595-1260.
Thanksgiving at the Boathouse: Seatings at noon, 2 pm & 4 pm. Adults $35, Seniors $30, Kids 14-5 $14, kids 4 & under free. The Lodge at Suttle Lake. Reservations: 541-595-2628.
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.
Thanksgiving at Lake Creek Lodge: Seatings at 1, 2:15 & 3:30 pm. Bridges Restaurant. Reservations: 800-797-6331.
Thanksgiving at the Riverhouse: Roasted Traditional Turkey Dinner ($23.95); Brown Sugar Maple Baked Ham Dinner ($21.95); Thanksgiving Combination Plate (Turkey & Ham; $25.95); Slow Roasted Bone-in Prime Rib Platter ($46): Roasted pumpkin risotto with caramelized pearl onion ($27.95); kids’ specials starting at $11.95. Noon-8 pm, Crossings Restaurant. Reservations: 541-389-8810.
Pronghorn Thanksgiving Day Buffet: Featuring prime rib, turkey, seafood, pumpkin cheesecake & more. Seatings at 11:30 am & 2 pm. Adults $46; kids 6 to 14 $22; kids 5 and under free. Reservations: 866-320-5024.
Friday, Nov. 29
Christmas Cookie Crawl: Some 30 participating businesses will provide holiday cookies or treats & beverages, along with special incentives and/or live demonstrations before & after the Christmas lighting ceremony. The hub of the Crawl will be at Barclay Park, with booths from the Sisters Chamber, ODOT & other local non-profits. 4-7 pm, throughout Sisters. 541-549-0251.
Sisters Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Annual lighting of the Sisters Christmas tree, with carols & more. 5:30 pm, Barclay Park. 541-549-0251.
“It’s A Wonderful Friday” Open House: Annual tradition featuring refreshments & “Red Bow” specials. 5-8 pm, Clearwater Gallery Sisters. 541-549-4994.
Civil War Party & Game Day Buffet: Watch the Ducks battle the Beavers. 3-9 pm, The Brooks Room at the Lodge, Black Butte Ranch. Game starts at 4 pm. $15 for all-you-can eat-buffet (hamburgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese, chili & fixin’s).
Nov. 29-30
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. Fri-Sat noon-5 pm. Downtown Redmond Plaza, Corner of 7th & Evergreen. 541-923-5191.
Nov. 29-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 Turkey Trot Fun Run (Nov. 29), Thanksgiving Day buffets, Christmas Brunch and 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).
Nov. 29-30; Dec. 7-8, 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
Saturday, Nov. 30
Turkey Trot Fun Run & Walk: Fund-raiser for the SHS Nordic ski team. 11 am, Black Butte Ranch (10:30 registration at the Recreation Barn). $10; a raffle follows the event. 541-595-1282.
Thanksgiving Open House: Live music, wine-tasting & amateur wine competition with local judges; food available for purchase from HopNBean. $10 cover includes a Riedel Pinot noir glass, wine-tasting & music by Back from the Dead- Noon-5 pm, Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards, Terrebonne. 541-526-5075
Sisters Christmas Parade & Celebration: Parade proceeds down Hood Avenue to the Chamber of Commerce, beginning at 2 pm. Afterwards, visit Santa & Mrs. Claus & enjoy refreshments & holiday cheer at the Chamber grounds. 541-549-0251.
Bend Christmas Tree Lighting: More than 100 entries make their way through downtown Bend. The festivities get under way at 6 pm. Santa will light the tree at 6:50, with carols & performances by local choirs. Visit with Santa at the Plaza at Franklin & Wall next to Starbuck’s. New location at Drake Park: at the top by Brooks St & Franklin Ave.
Redmond Starlight Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting: Parade route proceeds down Sixth St from Dogwood Ave to Forest Ave. Parade Begins at 5 pm. After the parade, Santa Claus joins the fun at the Annual Tree Lighting in the Plaza on Seventh Street. 541-923-5191.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1
Central Oregon Metal Arts Guild Annual Show + Holiday Sale: A collective of some 60 local artists, which combines open studios with a gallery space. ‘Last Saturday’ (Nov 30) features music and guest artists. 10 am-5 pm, The Workhouse, 50 SE Scott St., Bend. (541) 241-8681.
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.
Dec. 3
A Charlie Brown Christmas with David Benoit: Acclaimed pianist David Benoit & his quartet play the beloved holiday music made famous by Vince Guaraldi; also performing a Peanuts Piano Concerto tribute to Charles Schulz, songs from “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” & Benoit’s own compositions. Special guests the Youth Choir of Central Oregon accompany Benoit. $35, $40. 7:30 pm, Tower Theater. 541-317-0700.
Dec 4-22
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 6-7
“Swap Till You Drop” Holiday Fund-raiser: 2nd annual fund-raiser for Sisters’ Christmas food & toy drive offers gently used clothing, furniture and household items. (Donations accepted at the fire hall Tuesday, Dec. 3-5.) Sisters Fire Hall. 541-549-1340.
Dec. 7
Bend’s Jingle Bell Run/ Walk: 5K fun run and walk, plus 1-mile fun walk and a Kids Fun Run with the Elves. Wear a holiday-themed costume. Brandis Square, Wall & Newport, downtown Bend. 888-391-9823.
Bend Christmas Parade: Downtown Bend, beginning at noon. Parade route: From Newport at Harrimon to Galveston at Harmon, via Wall St & Riverside Blvd. 541-388-3879.
Santa’s Village Open House & Crafts Fair: Juried show featuring local artists offering hand-crafted items (jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber art, glasswork, fresh wreaths & more). Outside from 11 am-2 pm, have your pet’s photo taken with Santa ($10; proceeds benefit the Furry Friends Foundation). Hot cocoa & sweet treats around the outdoor fire pit & listen to music from local vocalists. Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank also benefits from the event through the ‘Plates and Platters’ fund-raiser (selling for $100 each). 9 am-5 pm, Sisters Art Works. 541-480-9931.
Redmond’s Festival of Trees: During the day, see 33 creatively decorated holiday trees, plus live local entertainment, raffles & visits with Santa. 10 am-2 pm; free. The evening Gala Event & Auction (5 pm; $40) features a live auction of the trees as well as a Silent Auction, raffles, live entertainment by CinderBlue & a special Pearl Harbor commemoration. 10 am-10 pm, Deschutes County Fairgrounds & Expo Center. Benefiting Hospice of Redmond. 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.
Dec. 7-8
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.
Dec. 8
Toys for Tots Sleigh Ball: Central Oregon’s Biggest Toy Drive Party features live music with the big-band sounds of the High Street Band, plus festive food, casino games, raffle prizes, free pictures at Bend Photo Lounge & more. 6 pm, Riverhouse Hotel & Convention Center. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 866-453-4480.
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. We’ll depart at 4 pm behind the shop & paddle upstream up to the Columbia Bridge. On our way back, assemble in formation under the Old Mill’s Flag Bridge to give family and 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.
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.
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.
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 a& songs, performed by many of Central Oregon’s top actors & media personalities. 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-2:30pm; check-in required 10 minutes 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:
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 that follows 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 -ountry 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 and 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 and drink specials. 5 pm-2 am.
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. Begins & ends at Sisters Athletic Club. 10 am. 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.