Every winter, Central Oregon transforms into a winter wonderland with twinkling light displays, snow-covered mountains and forests, holiday festivities seemingly every night, and—of course—occasional visits from Santa Claus himself.
In the spirit of sharing the festive vibes of the season, we’ve put together a guide to inspire your next magical holiday getaway:
Table of Contents
Keep reading for some of the top holiday events in Central Oregon
What makes the Holidays in Central Oregon Special?
A Central Oregon holiday getaway promises a special experience. It’s a time when snow blankets trees around town and the summits of nearby Cascade peaks, when fire pits roar to life outside brewpubs and food cart pods, and when festivities light up the night all over the region.
Holiday Events You Can’t Miss
Holiday celebrations take place all winter long in Central Oregon. Here’s a rundown of some of the region’s top tree lightings, parades, light displays, and joyful festivals.
Tree Lighting (Downtown Bend)
Ring in the holidays with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Bend. The fun will take place on December 7, 2025, in Brandis Square—which will host the community’s tree for the first time. In addition to the tree lighting, which will take place around 6 p.m., visitors can have their photos taken with Santa Claus, listen to performances from local choirs, and more.
Regional Holiday Markets and Artisan Fairs
Central Oregon is a region of makers and artists, so it’s no wonder that a number of holiday markets and artisan fairs spotlight locally made gifts all season long. Check out Bend Magazine’s guide to the best holiday markets in Central Oregon for the skinny on where to find works of art, handcrafted soap, keepsakes, and other fascinating finds. (This holiday market in Bend, co-hosted by Austin Mercantile and Cosa Cura, takes place on December 6, 2025, and invites shoppers to sip local craft beer and wine while searching for the perfect gifts.) Best of all: These markets typically feature fun attractions like live music, cozy fire pits, and even flash tattoos.
Winter Parade and Light Show (Sisters/Redmond)
Kick off the season in Sisters with Holiday Palooza—which includes a holiday parade down Main Street, free hot cocoa, seasonal tunes, and a tree lighting ceremony at Fir Street Park. In Redmond, the annual Starlight Parade will draw inspiration from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with fun floats and other hilarious festivities.
Holiday Lights and Outdoor Displays
You don’t have to go far to find colorful light displays in the likes of Bend, Sunriver, Prineville, and beyond. See where the dazzling displays are this year with our look at holiday lights in Central Oregon.
Family-Friendly Holiday Experiences
Kids and kids at heart find plenty to love about the family-friendly holiday fun in Central Oregon. Keep reading for the scoop on visits with Santa, ice skating, sleigh rides, and other activities.
Santa Visits and Storytelling Nights
Is your little one itching to convince Santa that they should be on the “nice” list this year? Good news: They can chat with Old St. Nick himself as part of the lineup of holiday events at the Old Mill District in Bend. In addition to photos and visits, kids can send letters to Santa’s workshop—which he’ll answer (assuming the letter gets dropped off by Dec. 14, 2025). On Dec. 14, 2025, the whole family can have breakfast with Santa at Black Butte Ranch near Sisters—which encompasses a buffet breakfast, photo ops, and cookie decorating. For other kid-friendly fun, check out the Deschutes Public Library events calendar for storytelling events, concerts, arts and crafts, and more.
Ice Skating & Snow Play Events
Outdoor activities are part of what makes the holiday season so special in Central Oregon. For instance, the Autobahn Tubing Park at Hoodoo Ski Area welcomes kids of all ages for fast-paced fun near Sisters. Elsewhere, ice skaters of all skill levels can get on the ice at The Village at Sunriver’s ice arena in Sunriver—and at The Pavilion in Bend.
Traditions at Sunriver Resort
One of Central Oregon’s largest holiday celebrations is Traditions at Sunriver Resort. Generations of families have made Sunriver Resort their holiday vacation home—and have embraced the resort’s dazzling displays, sleigh rides, light shows, holiday dinners and buffets, and other treasured events. Learn more about why Sunriver is a magical holiday destination.
Festive Dining, Shopping & Après‑Holiday Fun
All over Central Oregon, your favorite restaurants, craft breweries, and boutiques get into the spirit of the season. Here’s a look at how the region gets gussied up for the holidays.
Warm‑Up at Bend Breweries & Cideries
Nearly three dozen breweries and cider makers sprawl out across Central Oregon, and almost all of them produce special releases for the holidays. Deschutes Brewery, for instance, releases its Jubelale winter warmer every autumn—and chooses a new artist to design the beer’s seasonally inspired packaging each year. That fun atmosphere extends to pubs and taprooms throughout the region, where spots like Worthy Brewing in Bend keep patrons warm with crackling fire pits. Learn more about breweries and cideries in Central Oregon.
Holiday Shopping in Sisters and Redmond
Stroll the Old West-inspired community of Sisters and the bustling core in Redmond—where storefront windows will be decorated, lights will be strung up, and holiday cheer will waft onto the street from cozy shops. While searching for the perfect souvenir or gift, keep an eye out on pop-up holiday shops with our Central Oregon events calendar.
Plan Your Visit to Central Oregon
If you’re ready to deck the halls with boughs of holly, here’s everything you need to know about festive events in Central Oregon.
The Best Time to Attend Holiday Events
Figuring out dates and debating when to arrive? Keep in mind that most holiday events in Central Oregon take place earlier in the month—and that families will start arriving at regional resorts when school lets out for winter break closer to Christmas. And whether you’re hitting the slopes at Mt. Bachelor, hanging out around the fire pit at your favorite brewpub, or doing a little last-minute shopping, you’ll have more room to roam when taking a midweek trip.
Where to Stay
You’ll find the highest concentration of overnight stays in Bend, Sunriver, Sisters, and Redmond—all of which are conveniently located to the region’s outdoor attractions, celebrations, and other holiday events in Central Oregon.
Getting Around and Seasonal Considerations
The holidays are a fun time of year to be in Central Oregon, but you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind to make the most of your stay.
First: If you’re driving, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool offers road conditions, closures, live webcams, and other useful tools for safe drive. Second, try to make reservations for your preferred restaurants, especially on weekends, to secure a seat. Finally: If you’re heading to tree lightings, ice skating, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, dress for the weather with hats, gloves or mittens, and comfortable layers.
Stay Updated: Your Holiday Event Calendar
No matter what brings you to the likes of Bend and Sunriver this season, keep an eye out on our Central Oregon events calendar for the latest fairs, fests, pop-up holiday shops, and more. There you’ll find times and dates, important details, registration links, and other helpful resources for holiday events in Central Oregon.
