Around the Sun: A Blog About Saving Money in Portland, Oregon, and beyond

Free Events in Portland: December 9–11

December 8th, 2011

Another weekend filled with holiday cheer: tubas, reindeer, and much more!

Note: The following events offer free admission, but might charge for activities or food and drink.

Events are sorted by start time. If I missed anything, please leave a comment.

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All weekend (Friday through Sunday)

Christmas Ship Parade: This parade of boats, each one decorated with holiday lights, sets sail every evening through December 20 on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Check the Christmas Ship Parade website for details.

Frankenstein, the Little Monster (reserve tickets): Jane Theater Company presents free performances of this family-friendly play filled with songs, music, and dancing. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 18 through December 18. See the website for times and ticket information. Theater! Theatre! (3430 SE Belmont St).

Mississippi Pizza Pub features free music each day. Check the website for performers and times.

Friday, December 9

Reindeer Magic: See live reindeer and enjoy holiday music, refreshments, games, and more. Seven Dees Lake Oswego (1090 McVey Ave, Lake Oswego), 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Fremont Festival of Lights: Santa will cruise down NE Fremont from 50th to 40th at 5:00 pm, arriving at Foot Traffic Court Yard. Shops will be open late with goodies for all. Live music and more. 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Soul’d Out: This a cappella group were contestants on NBC’s hit show, The Sing Off. Hear them live at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

Saturday, December 10

West Linn Holiday Parade: The parade begins at 10:00 am on Willamette Falls Drive. Join Santa after the parade at Willamette Fire Station for hot cocoa, cider, and cookies.

Family Day at the Washington County Museum: Admission is free today from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This month’s theme is old-fashioned ornaments and Native American myths and legend. 17677 NW Springville Road on the Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus.

Oops! Art: Great pictures are often made out of mistakes. Artist Addie Boswell will share books to inspire your messy art. Great for children ages 4-10 and their families. Sellwood-Moreland Library (7860 SE 13th Ave), 10:30 am to 12:00 pm.

Second Saturday at the Vancouver Water Center: Kids and their families are invited to create holiday art from natural and recycled materials. 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Tuba Christmas Concert: More than 200 tuba players are expected to play in this 21-year Portland holiday tradition. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 1:30 pm.

Santa at Second Edition: Children will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap and receive a small gift, while supplies last. Second Edition at the Cedar Mill Community Library (12505 NW Cornell Road, Portland), 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Basics of Going Solar (registration required): This workshop covers the basics of adopting solar power in Oregon. Available solar technologies, how to choose a contractor, financial incentives, and more. 2:00 pm. Registration required.

Rockwood Family Winter Festival: Live music, crafts for the kids, a visit from Santa, and a tree lighting ceremony. Plaza Del Sol (18709 SE Stark St, Gresham), 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Sunday, December 11

Fernhill Wetlands Bird Walk (registration required): This guided bird walk through Fernhill Wetlands is an ideal opportunity to view wintering waterfowl, raptors, and other birds. 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Registration required.

Posada Milagro: This Latin American celebration reflects upon the journey of Mary and Joseph with live music, dance presentations, and more from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The event also includes two Spanish-language performances with an original pastorela for all ages (2:00 pm and 4:00 pm). Free tickets for the performances will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the theater beginning at 1:00 pm. Guests are encouraged to bring donations of canned food for the Oregon Food Bank. El Centro Milagro (537 SE Stark St).

Baseball, America’s Pastime: Join this discussion about the changing roles baseball has played in American culture and history. Panelists include retired baseball player Darcy Fast, former team owner Jack Cain, and sports writer Kerry Eggers. Central Library (801 SW 10th Ave), 2:00 pm.

Tualatin Valley Community Band will perform seasonal music including a medley of traditional Hanukkah songs, Christmas favorites, and many more. Deb Fennell Auditorium, Tigard High School (9000 SW Durham, Tigard), 3:00 pm.

The Economics of Happiness: This film explores the benefits of localizing consumption, not just on the environment, but also on our communities and on the stability of local economies. McMenamins’ Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd), 6:00 pm.

More free events

For more free and low-cost events, check Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Dave Knows Portland.

For kids events, check UrbanMamas and PDX Kids Calendar.

For free concerts, see Concert Co-op.

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Entry Filed under: Free