It’s the week of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. We wish happiness to everyone who celebrates! The holiday season in Eugene is bursting with festive activities, from a Kwanzaa celebration to the beloved tradition of seeing “The Nutcracker” ballet. This weekend is the last Snow Show for the season at Fifth Street Public Market. Snow Shows take place every Friday and Saturday in the Market Core. Get free photos with Santa on the second floor. What will you do?
December 19
The Gathering: Kwanzaa Celebration | Kwanzaa, an African-American cultural celebration that takes place between December 26 and January 1, is a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor your heritage. Bring the whole family for an evening of cultural connection and creativity, diving into the principles of Kwanzaa through engaging stories. Make meaningful decorations to celebrate Kwanzaa at home. Share a meal and connect with the community. St. Mark CME Church, blaqyouth.org
December 19 – 24
Eugene Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | Celebrate the magic of the season with “The Nutcracker.” Experience Toni Pimble’s exquisite choreography and the world-class dancers of Eugene Ballet paired with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, performed live by Orchestra Next. Hult Center, eugeneballet.org
December 19 & 21
Christmas Presence | Christmas Presence weaves stories and songs into a tapestry of the joys, struggles, humor, and wonder of Christmas. Great for friends, families and groups to experience connection through festive, enchanting and reflective perspectives of the season. Wildish Community Theater, wildishtheater.com
December 20
Jesse Mead | Friday nights at Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge means great live music and a perfect dinner night out with friends, family, or a special date! Explore the complete lineup of gifted musicians on the Lounge’s online calendar. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Elizabeth’s Wine Lounge, heartoforegonwine.com
December 20 & 21
Snow Show at 5th Street Public Market | Visit the Market Core for a magical Snow Show! Watch as the Market is transformed into a wintery wonderland, from 6-6:30 pm. This is the last Snow Show for the season. Snow Shows take place every Friday and Saturday in December, through December 21. Get free photos with Santa on the second floor. 5th Street Public Market, 5stmarket.com/play
December 20 & 21
Candlelight Concert | Oregon Mozart Players’ annual candlelit holiday concert, aptly titled Glow, featuring Interim Artistic Director Daniel Cho on the podium and OMP cellist Eric Alterman as soloist for Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s Cello Concerto in A major. OMP also celebrates the talents of local artists with a piece by Oregon-based composer Damien Geter. Central Presbyterian Church, tix.com
December 20 & 21
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
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
December 21 & 22
The Side Hustle Band’s Christmas Show | Join The Side Hustle Band for their 2nd annual Christmas show and celebrate the season with festive music and holiday cheer! Enjoy a perfect blend of classic Christmas carols and contemporary holiday hits that will fill you with joy and holiday spirit. Expect an evening with magical melodies, plenty of laughter, and fun for the whole family, making it a perfect celebration of the most wonderful time of the year. Wildish Community Theater, wildishtheater.com
December 21 & 22
28th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House | Heceta Head Lightstation is celebrating 28 years of the Annual Victorian Christmas Open Houses from 4 to 7 pm. The Queen Anne style Keeper’s House will be decorated inside and out with festive Victorian holiday decorations through January 5. Each evening of the open houses local performers will share holiday favorites in the historic Keeper’s House. Santa will be visiting to welcome children of all ages. Cookies and warm drinks will be available. Guests are encouraged to take a nighttime walk to the lighthouse, so bring a flashlight! This is a great opportunity to watch the lighthouse beams rotate overhead, truly a magical experience. Heceta Lighthouse B&B , hecetalighthouse.com
December 20 & 22
Jingle All the Way at The Shedd | Join a festive evening filled with joyful melodies and holiday cheer with a mix of traditional carols and heart-warming classics that will have you tapping your feet and humming along. Shirley Andress and the Shedd’s talented Christmas Crew will transport you to a winter wonderland as they deliver enchanting renditions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” “Joy to the World,” “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” and many more. Bring the entire family and celebrate together! The Shedd, theshedd.org
Through December 22
Cottage Theatre’s “The 39 Steps” | Cottage Theatre concludes its 2024 season with a three-weekend run of “The 39 Steps,” an action-packed spoof. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python, and you have “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of live theatre! Cottage Theatre, cottagetheatre.org
Through December 22
Oregon Contemporary Theatre’s “Snow Fever: A Karaoke Christmas” | A festive, comedic play that blends holiday cheer with karaoke mayhem, as a group of friends navigate awkward encounters and unexpected revelations at a Christmas party. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, octheatre.org
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 December 29
Glow Eugene | This indoor family-friendly walk-around festival is an exploration through luminous exhibits. Journey through six different countries, featuring light up landmarks like London’s Tower Bridge, Taj Mahal, and Eiffel Tower. There will be festive live performances, free visits and photo opportunities with Santa, a Merry Maker’s Holiday Market, holiday treats and gourmet foods, and holiday-inspired drinks from a non-alcoholic bar. Additionally there will be a free scavenger hunt passport, indoor playground and crafters corner for the kids. Make some magical holiday memories. Lane Events Center, eugene.glowgardens.com
Through December 31
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
Through December 31
Veneta and Fern Ridge Tour of Lights | Follow a map of decked out residences and businesses throughout Veneta on a self-guided twinkle light tour. The holiday lights will be stunning as community members come together for Christmas cheer. Pick up light maps at the Veneta – Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Touring can be done easily in your own car. Vote on your favorite light display! Winners will be announced the first week of January. Veneta, venetafernridgetouroflights.com
Through December 31
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
Through January 25
Adam Grosowsky: New Work – Faces, Landscapes, and Nudes | Karin Clarke Gallery presents Eugene figurative painter Adam Grosowsky’s new work, an outstanding series of oil paintings on canvas. Most are on a grand scale, with some smaller formats also included. Karin Clarke Gallery, karinclarkegallery.com
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
