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Holiday Guide 2026
The tree lighting, the parade, Santa's helicopter, the best light streets, and where to cut your own tree. Everything we look forward to every December, in one place. We update this page as 2026 dates are announced.
Community Christmas Tree Lighting | Sat, Dec 5 | Downtown Bend. Santa, local choirs, and hot cocoa, then the tree lights up around dusk. It's the official start of the season downtown.
Bend Christmas Parade | Usually the first Saturday in December at noon, 2026 date coming soon. Floats, marching bands, and half the town lining the route from Harmon Boulevard down Newport and Wall to Drake Park. Bring cocoa and claim your curb early.
Santa Arrives at the Old Mill District | Usually the day after Thanksgiving. Santa skips the sleigh and flies in by AirLink helicopter. After that, SantaLand opens for photos on weekends through December.
Holiday Lights Paddle Parade | Usually a Friday in mid-December, around 4 pm. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards covered in lights paddle from Tumalo Creek up to the Old Mill Flag Bridge. The most Bend way to celebrate. Watch from the river trail.
Bend Holiday Market | Sun, Dec 6, 10 am to 3 pm | Open Space Event Studios. A brand new market this year with local makers, artists, and small businesses. Good for checking a few names off the list.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | Wed, Nov 18
A John Prine Christmas with Jenner Fox Band | Thu, Dec 10
Swingin' Tower Christmas | Fri, Dec 18
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on the big screen | Tue, Dec 22
See tickets and the full holiday lineup at the Tower Theatre
Every year, locals quietly compete to turn their street into the North Pole without ever admitting they're competing. Here's where Bend really shows off.
Sarah Drive (SE Bend) | The main event. Nearly every house goes all in. Park nearby and walk it.
Bonny Bridge (SE Bend) | A tucked-away neighborhood that lights up with real enthusiasm.
Awbrey Butte | Starview, Nightfall, and Horizon. Lights with a view over town. Windows down, heater blasting.
Northwest Crossing | Soft lights through the parks and paths. Cozy, not chaotic. Great for an early evening stroll.
Stevens Road | Where creepy Santa lives. You'll know when you see it.
NE Yellowstone Lane | Especially the back side near Butler Market. Easy to miss, worth finding.
Dakota Drive | A sleeper hit that surprises people every year.
Permits for the Deschutes National Forest are $5 a tree, up to five per household, for trees under 12 feet. They usually go on sale in mid-November on Recreation.gov and at local shops around town. Fourth graders can get a free permit through the Every Kid Outdoors program.
Bring a saw, a tarp, and gloves, stick to designated roads, and check whether you need a Sno-Park permit where you park. Attach your tag to the tree before you drive home.
Get permit details and maps from the Deschutes National Forest
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