It’s December! There are plenty of great things free and cheap to do this festive month, so peruse our listings and then head over to our additional resources at the end of this post.
Multiple Day Offers:
– Submission from Mercer: Here’s something on the cheap to do every Saturday between now and the end of the year: Traveling Lantern’s “Ruckus in the Lobby,” 10:30am in the Alder Lobby at Artists Rep downtown (1516 SW Alder Street). $5 per person, this show is especially for families with young children.
– Oregon ZooLights – Portland Metro Toyota Dealers offer 2 for 1 admission discount coupon valid Monday – Thursday nights, Dececember 2nd – 5th and December 9th – 12th. Pick up a 2 for 1 coupon at your local Toyota dealer.
– 32nd Annual Christmas Bazaar runs Friday December 6th – Sunday December 8th at the Portland Expo Center. Admission is $7.
– Free. 2013 Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia River and the Willamette River, please see web site for schedule and viewing locations. Runs December 6th – 21st.
– AM radio 1360 KUIK holiday auction sale runs December 9th – 11th, score some great online deals.
– Portland Peacock Lane, December 15th – 31st. Pedestrian-only nights are on Sunday 12/15 and Monday 12/16.
– Portland Saturday Market Festival of the Last Minute runs December 18th – 24th. Bonus incentive: receive a Tri-Met ticket or two hours of free parking at any Smart Park with a minimum $25 purchase with any market member. The Smart Park garage is located at NW Naito Boulevard & Davis Street.
Sunday 12/1:
– OMSI $2 first Sunday general admission.
Monday 12/2:
– It’s Cyber Monday. But you knew that already. Check out CNET for their best deal picks.
– Gentech Dentist Walk Night event at PIR’s Winter Wonderland, $6.
– Submission from DVK: First Monday Authors in Pubs series, 7:30pm – 9:30pm, free (donations accepted).
Tuesday 12/3:
– Hillsboro First Tuesday opening exhibits, 6:00pm – 8:00pm in downtown Hillsboro, free. Check it out at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center and the Sequoia Gallery + Studios.
– First Tuesday Music series: John Kaiser performs, 7:00pm at the Lake Oswego Public Library, free.
Wednesday 12/4:
– Wondrous Wednesday Discount Day at the World Forestry Center — admission is just $3 for all.
– Free workshop “Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning,†6:30pm at the Midland Library.
Thursday 12/5:
– Portland First Thursday.
Friday 12/6:
– Target First Friday free admission at the Portland Children’s Museum, 4:00pm – 8:00pm.
– Portland First Friday art galleries and openings.
Saturday 12/7:
– Portland REI Used Gear “Garage Sale,” 9:00am – 4:00pm.
– Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers free admission to the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Children’s Museum. To qualify for Museums on Us, customers must present their Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission.
– Sherwood Winter Festival, starts at 4:00pm with parade and features music, free goodies, tree lighting, Santa and more.
Sunday 12/8:
– Portland REI Used Gear Garage Sale Clearance – items not sold at Saturday’s December 7 Garage Sale will be offered at up to 50% off. REI Portland ONLY, 10:00am – 4:00pm.
– Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers free admission to the Portland Art Museum and the Portland Children’s Museum. To qualify for Museums on Us, customers must present their Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission.
– 5th Annual Holiday Market at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, 12:00pm – 5:00pm. Free admission, all ages welcome.
– Submission from Richard:
The Portland Wind Symphony presents its annual concert of traditional holiday music at Portland State University’s Lincoln Hall, 3:00pm. Conductor Dr. Edward Higgins has chosen a program ranging from a Sleigh Ride to a Cowboy Christmas to a Suite of Greek Love Songs. This family-friendly concert is free. Donations are gratefully accepted. Treats are available at intermission, including some gluten-free specialties.
Monday 12/9:
– Free: PCPA Noontime Showcase presents musicians Sally Harmon & Frank Gruner, 12:00pm at Antoinette Hatfield Hall.
– 5th Annual Bike Gallery Bike the Lights Night at PIR’s Winter Wonderland, $6.
– Back Fence PDX Special 5.5 Anniversary Show for only $5, 8:00pm (6:00pm doors/drinks) at Gerding Theater at the Armory in the Pearl. Buy tickets early.
Tuesday 12/10:
– The Oregon Zoo second Tuesday offers $4 admission for all. Ride public transit, show proof of fare and receive an additional $1.50 off.
– The Oregon Zoolights second Tuesday offers Buy 1-Get 1-Free admissions.
Saturday 12/14:
– Free Family Saturday at the Washington County Museum, 10:00am – 1:00pm.
– Portland’s Annual Ladies Day Out Holiday Edition, 10:00am – 7:00pm at the Portland Doubletree. $5 general admission.
– Free. Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale, 11:00am – 6:00pm at the Oregon Convention Center, features more than 250 artists and crafters. Free goodie bags to the first 150 shoppers each day AND free Chinook Books to the first 100 shoppers each day.
– Free: Winter Community Day at the Oregon Historical Society offers free admission to all from 11:00am – 3:00pm.
Sunday 12/15:
– Portland REI — Nordic Day at Mt. Hood Meadows Nordic Center, 10:00am – 2:00pm with free lessons and half-priced gear rental. See website to register for a lesson.
– Free. Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale, 11:00am – 6:00pm at the Oregon Convention Center, features more than 250 artists and crafters. Free goodie bags to the first 150 shoppers each day AND free Chinook Books to the first 100 shoppers each day.
– Submission from Nina:
MOMS Club of West Linn warmly invites you to attend the 11th annual Santa Brunch fundraiser at the Oregon Golf Club from 10:30am – 2:00pm. Join the fun and bring your children for photos with Santa, police and fire truck tours, keepsake crafts including gingerbread houses, face painting, ornament making and much more! The brunch will include a continental breakfast, coffee and peppermint milkshakes. Fundraising includes a silent auction with a wide variety of items as well as raffle tickets for great items. Tickets are $10 (children 2 and younger are free) in advance and includes the all crafts and activities, food and drink. Admission is $12 at the door (credit cards accepted with small additional service fee).
Monday 12/16:
– Free workshop “Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning,†6:30pm at the Capitol Hill Library.
Wednesday 12/18:
– Free Shipping Day – More than 450 merchants will offer free shipping and other discounts with delivery by Christmas Eve.
– Beaverton Wind Ensemble Christmas Special concert, 7:00pm at the Beaverton City Library Auditorium, free.
Saturday 12/21:
– Stumptown Santacon 2013, 12:00pm – 12:00am, free to attend this annual barcrawl.
– Free Holiday Concert by Heartstrings, 2:30pm at the Beaverton City Library Auditorium.
Thursday 12/26:
– Submission from Olivia: Portland Youth Philharmonic Concert-at-Christmas, 7:30pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets start at $16 and are available online, by phone (503-223-5939) or at the door
Friday 12/27:
– Portland Art Museum Free Fourth Friday, admission is free for everyone from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.
Saturday 12/28:
– REI Used Gear Garage Sale at their stores in Portland, Hillsboro, Tualatin and Clackamas (see web site for specific hours).
For more ideas on what to do this December, be sure to check out the following resources:
Downtown Portland Holiday Events, including the Holiday Ale Festival and the Tuba Christmas Concert
OregonLive.com Event Listings
Portland Tribune Holiday Event Guide 2013
PDX Pipeline’s Portland Holiday Events: Bazaars, Shopping, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Local Markets
The Portland Mercury and Willamette Week haven’t come out with their holiday guide just yet, so keep a lookout in the next week for their issues.
Happy Holidays from Portland on the Cheap!
