Happy Thanksgiving! This holiday week kicks off with two Thanksgiving Day runs: the Turkey Trot around the Ruth Bascom Trail network and the Turkey Stuffer neighborhood course. Holiday shoppers can experience the magical Night of a Thousand Stars at Fifth Street Public Market. And of course, the post-Thanksgiving excitement revolves around the Ducks vs Huskies football game at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, preceded by the Rally in the Alley at Fifth Street Public Market on Friday. What will you do?
November 28
Turkey Trot | This Thanksgiving Day 5K and 10K event consists of a beautiful tour around the Ruth Bascom Trail network in the greater Alton Baker Park area. Many sections of the course are situated next to the Willamette River with great views. Runners will finish with a loop around the duck pond in the park, en route to the fast, flat finish line area. Minimal elevation gain for this course. Open to runners and walkers of all fitness levels. Alton Baker Park, level32racing.com
November 28
Turkey Stuffer 5K | Spice up your Thanksgiving morning, and join this beloved community tradition! Run, walk, roll, or waddle through a scenic neighborhood course. Kids aged 12 and under participate for free, thanks to PacificSource. Children in strollers do not need to be registered. No dogs, please. Registration closes Nov. 27 at noon. There is no day-of registration or packet pickup. Sign up at willamalane.org/turkey
November 28, 29, & 30 and December 1, 6, 7, & 8
Walking in a Winter Wonderland | ‘Tis the season to walk through Christmas lights with friends and family drinking hot cocoa! The Cottage Grove Speedway will again be illuminated with lights and holiday cheer, and the fire pits, cocoa and cocktails will be at the ready to warm you up. Capture the memories with a photo with Santa! Cash only. Cottage Grove Speedway, cottagegrovespeedway.com
November 29
Black Beer Friday at beergarden | Celebrate with the darkest, inkiest pours of barrel-aged, limited release, cellared and imperial, stouts and porters. Live on the Patio with the Elena Leona Project at 7:30pm. Beergarden, beergardenme.com
November 29
Night of a Thousand Stars at 5th Street Public Market | Kick off the holiday season with the annual 5th Street Public Market Christmas tree lighting and first snow show! Come celebrate with Christmas carols, live music, the Christmas light show in the alley, a visit from Santa and more! Fifth Street Public Market, 5stmarket.com
November 29
Rally in the Alley | Calling all Duck fans! The evening before the Saturday University of Oregon football home games, flock with other fans at the 5th Street Public Market Alley. The university’s cheerleaders and pep band will help energize the crowd. Fifth Street Public Market, 5stmarket.com/rally
November 29
Cottage Grove Last Friday Art Walk | Relish the sights throughout Cottage Grove’s historic downtown at the Cottage Grove Art Walk. Downtown Historic Cottage Grove is home to friendly, unique shops who support local art and provide light refreshments to Art Walk guests as they travel along quaint Main Street. Enjoy a beautiful evening filled with arts, crafts, music and fun. Some of the businesses you can expect to find are The Crafty Mercantile, Opal Center, Kalapuya Books, Bookmine, Covered Bridge Brewing, and many more. Cottage Grove, cottagegroveartwalk.com
November 29
Ducks vs Huskies | The University of Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies. Autzen Stadium, goducks.com
November 30
Ballet Fantastique’s “An American Christmas Carol” | After captivating audiences with their Emmy-nominated 2020 cinematic adaptation, Ballet Fantastique proudly brings its “An American Christmas Carol” to the Hult for the first time, in collaboration with international award-winning jazz vocalist Halie Loren. Hult Center, balletfantastique.org
November 29 & 30
Themed Wine Tastings at Sundance Wine Cellars | Sundance Wine Cellars’ free themed wine tastings highlight various wine regions on Fridays, and on Saturdays, they host local and regional wineries. Apart from the weekends, their tasting bar is always open and has free samples of their featured wines. Sundance Wine Cellars has Oregon’s largest selection of wine and is one of the oldest wine retailers in the Willamette Valley. Since 1983, Sundance Wine Cellars has provided an unparalleled selection of wine from Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Sundance Wine Cellars, orwines.com
November 30 & December 1
Fermata Ballet Collective’s Fall Works | This fall, Fermata Ballet Collective presents an evening of innovative works by local choreographers, dancers, composers, and musicians. This unique showcase features a blend of finished pieces and works in progress, offering an intimate glimpse into the artistic process of dance creation. Set within the cozy space of the VLT, the performance explores the relationship between movement, music, sound, space, time, and observation. Very Little Theatre, thevlt.com
Through November 30
GRRLZ ROCK | GRRLZ ROCK is a month-long celebration of women in the arts. There will be concerts, an art gallery showcase, prizes, and an online auction. Highlights include the kick off concert with fun activities at Whirled Pies on November 2 at 3 p., a double show featuring tons of talented musicians at Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove on November 16 at 4 pm., and a main stage performance at the MEPAA Music and Art Center on November 26 at 6 pm. Various locations, events.com
Through November 30
Helene Zemer’s Nature’s Spectrum in Glass | Helene Zemer’s collection of fused glass art, enhanced with acrylic paint, beautifully showcases the dramatic interplay of light and color found in nature, turning each piece into a vivid reflection of the natural world. New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
Through November 30
Margaret Coe: Light, Woods, and River Flow | Karin Clarke Gallery presents Light, Woods, and River Flow, new works by Eugene painter Margaret Coe. Created over the past two years, this series of oils on canvas reflects Coe’s experience of nature near her home, blending light, texture, and personal symbolism. Coe’s exploration of dynamic contrasts and textures captures both nature’s essence and her own reflections. Karin Clarke Gallery, karinclarkegallery.com
Month of December
Member Show at New Zone | A special New Zone members show features work limited to 48 inches total circumference. While this sounds small, the creativity and artistry behind it definitely is not! As an added bonus to feasting your eyes on these small gems, they are all priced at less than $100. An opening reception will be held on First Friday, December 6, 5:30-7:30 pm, New Zone Gallery, newzonegallery.org
December 3
Trips Showcase | Attend the Trips Showcase to enjoy food and drinks while you learn about all the fun trips ahead this season. You’ll also have a chance to register at the event before registration opens to the public! One lucky attendee will win a free trip, thanks to 5 Star Concierge. This is a free event, and no registration is required. Arrive starting at 2:30 p.m. Willamalane Adult Activity Center, willamalane.org/trips
December 4
Date Night at Elizabeth’s | Wednesday nights are now date night at Elizabeth’s! Enjoy 50% off Elizabeth Chambers Cellar wine by the bottle and 50% off select cocktails with the purchase of two entrees from their dinner menu. Reservations are strongly encouraged! Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge, heartoforegonwine.com
December 3 through December 8
“Back to the Future” | Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical “Back to the Future” on Broadway electrifies audiences with its dynamic blend of time-traveling adventure, vibrant 1980s nostalgia, and inventive musical numbers, bringing the classic film’s story to life on stage. Hult Center, hultcenter.org
Through December 21
“Cats” | Get ready to experience “Cats” like never before! As the groundbreaking musical that revolutionized theater and ignited the megamusical trend, “Cats” continues to captivate audiences around the world. While staging such an iconic show can be a challenge for many theaters, Actors Cabaret is bringing the magic to life in an intimate, unforgettable way. Don’t miss your chance to see “Cats” at Actors Cabaret—where big dreams come to life on a smaller stage. The Jellicle Cats are waiting for YOU! Actors Cabaret, actorscabaret.org
Through December 21
Landscape Expressions | The body of work exhibited in Ron Bunch’s Paper and Paint – Collage Landscape Expressions is a captivating collection of landscapes. It is interpreted through painted rice paper and archival tissue collaged onto board. Ron showcases his artistic process, which unfolds like magic through the conceptualization of forms, painting, tearing, and reassembling materials. Ron’s art will be on view from November 9 to December 21. Join the artist for an opening reception on November 9, 1-4 pm, with light bites and refreshments served. Don Dexter Gallery, dondextergallery.com
Through December 23
Photos with Santa at Valley River Center | The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland. Santa is located at Center Court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase. Valley River Center, valleyrivercenter.com
Through December 24
Holiday Market | Browsing through the festive booths of Holiday Market with friends and family is only part of the magic. Enjoy two stages with live music all day long (10:30 am-6 pm), plus delicious meals and beverages in the International Food Court (located in Evergreen Hall). Gift wrapping is offered by Hope and Safety Alliance for donations in Evergreen Hall, from Nov. 16th until Dec. 15th. Lane Events Center, eugenesaturdaymarket.org
Through February 2
Calvin and Hobbes | Selections of original art and strips of Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes, 1985-1995. All original art is from the Bill Watterson Deposit Collection, The Ohio State University Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, jsma.uoregon.edu
