Four Christmas light displays in and around Portland have 2026 dates: all walk-throughs. Two are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 4:30 p.m. at ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo. All four are in Portland. Each card has stroller notes where the venue gives them, the 2026 price and a link to tickets.
Last checked · How we choose
Tap a filter to narrow it down. Every card has hours, price and what it’s like with a little one.
Little-kid take: Opens at 4:30 p.m., so an early visit gets you home in time for bedtime.
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
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The Grotto · 8840 NE Skidmore St., Portland, OR 97220
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
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Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
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Pioneer Courthouse Square · 701 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97204
Little-kid take: Free, so it’s an easy one to try for a short visit.
Checked Oct 28 on the official page
Report a problemNothing is lit yet. ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo opens first, on Nov 20. ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo runs into the new year.
In early December the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. in Portland (the dashed line). Here’s when each display opens, on a scale from 4 to 9 p.m.
4:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
Nightly from 4:30pm; closed Nov 17–19, Nov 24–26 and Dec 25
6:45 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5:30–6:45pm
9:30 p.m. start · plan about an hour
5–9:30pm
10 p.m. start · plan about an hour
6–10pm
No drive-thru with 2026 dates in town yet.
Picks: ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo, Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto, Peacock Lane, Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square
Mittens on a stringLittle hands get cold fast after dark.
Warm drink in a thermosA treat to look forward to at the halfway point.
Hat and a blanketFor the stroller, or the car once the heat is off.PJs before you goSo a car-seat nap can turn straight into bedtime.From each venue’s own page. Check whether a price is per car or per person before you book.
| Display | Price | Little kids | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo | Adults $13–$35, youth $13–$30 by date | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto | Online $17.95 ages 12+, $8.95 ages 3–11; 2 and under free | 2 and under free | Walk-through |
| Peacock Lane | Free | See the venue | Walk-through |
| Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square | Free | See the venue | Walk-through |
See all 6 Santa outings in and around Portland: breakfasts, photo spots and evening visits, with 2026 prices.
Santa in Portland →
Yes. Peacock Lane and Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square are free in 2026.
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto (Online $17.95 ages 12+, $8.95 ages 3–11; 2 and under free); ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo (Adults $13–$35, youth $13–$30 by date). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.
We didn’t find a drive-thru with 2026 dates yet. Walk-throughs (four here) are better for kids who want to run around.
The earliest evening starts: ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo at 4:30 p.m., Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 6:45 p.m. and Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto at 9:30 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.
Little ones get in free at Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto (2 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.
Keep planning: This week in Portland · Portland city guide · Visiting Portland
One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Portland that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.
Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Portland
By month
Things to do with kids in Portland in November · Things to do with kids in Portland in December
Christmas trains
Christmas train rides near Portland: Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more. 5 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.
More holiday outings
The Nutcracker with kids in Portland: 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. Christmas markets in Portland: 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo