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Christmas in Bend, Oregon: Your 2025 Holiday Happenings Guide
When the snow starts to fall over the Cascades and twinkling lights line downtown, Christmas in Bend, Oregon, feels nothing short of magical. Whether you’re visiting for a winter getaway or celebrating close to home, Bend comes alive with festive markets, family traditions, and cozy holiday dining.
This year, celebrate the season mountain-style with outdoor adventures by day and fireside gatherings by night. At Tetherow, the holidays are marked by festive brunches, sparkling performances, snow-filled adventures, visits from Santa and special seasonal packages that make winter in Bend even more inviting.
Bend, Oregon Christmas Events & Things to Do
From sparkling lights to mountain adventures, Bend offers a full calendar of holiday events, Christmas activities, and winter fun for all ages. Here’s your guide to the best happenings in and around Bend this December.
1. Bend Christmas Parade
A local favorite for nearly three decades, the Bend Christmas Parade brings downtown to life with floats, marching bands, carolers, and festive community spirit. Grab a hot cocoa, bundle up, and watch Santa Claus make his grand entrance through the streets of downtown Bend.
This family-friendly event takes place on Saturday the 6th of December. This year’s theme, “A Storybook Christmas,” invites participants to bring classic holiday tales to life, from The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Expect imaginative floats, festive costumes, and the kind of small-town holiday cheer that makes Bend shine brightest this time of year.
Whether you’re a spectator bundled up with cocoa or part of a float team bringing a story to life, the Bend Christmas Parade captures the true spirit of the holidays in Bend.
Parade Details:
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Location: Downtown Bend, Oregon
Theme: A Storybook Christmas
2. Downtown Bend Christmas Tree Lighting
Kick off the season at the Downtown Bend Christmas Tree Lighting, a tradition that draws locals and visitors alike. Held in Drake Park, this event features live music, holiday treats, and a countdown to light up Bend’s towering community tree, with Santa often making an appearance for photos and festive cheer.
Tree Lighting Details:
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
Location: Downtown Bend, Oregon
3. Ice Skating in Bend
Lace up your skates and glide under the open sky at The Pavilion, Bend’s seasonal ice skating rink. With public skating sessions, themed events, and rentals available on-site, it’s one of the most classic winter activities in Bend.
Prefer a mountain backdrop? Head to Seventh Mountain Resort Ice Rink, just outside town, for an alpine-style experience surrounded by pines and snow.
4. Sledding & Snow Tubing at Mt. Bachelor
For families and thrill-seekers alike, sledding and snow tubing at Mt. Bachelor’s Snowblast Tubing Park is a must-do. With groomed runs, music, and a lift to carry you back up the hill, it’s one of the easiest and most exciting ways to spend a snowy afternoon.
Nearby Wanoga Sno-Park also offers free sledding hills and scenic snowshoe trails, perfect for a spontaneous winter adventure.
5. Jingle All the Way to Santaland in the Old Mill District
No holiday season in Bend is complete without a visit to Santaland at the Old Mill District, where the magic of Christmas truly comes alive. Opening the day after Thanksgiving, Santaland welcomes families to meet Santa Claus himself, take festive photos, and drop off holiday letters straight to the North Pole.
Santaland runs select weekends from November 29 through December 23, giving families multiple chances to make cherished holiday memories. Santa greets guests from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., spreading joy and collecting wish lists from visitors young and old.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, the Tree of Joy, a heartwarming project from the Rotary Club of Greater Bend, also returns to Santaland. Visitors can select a tag and help fulfill holiday wishes for local children and families in need, making it a season of giving in every sense.
With twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts from local makers, and a bustling festive atmosphere along the riverfront, the Old Mill District becomes Bend’s holiday hub, perfect for shopping, dining, and soaking in the spirit of Christmas.
Location: Old Mill District, Second Level above Lush Cosmetics and BUDD + FINN
Dates:
- November 29 – December 1
- December 6–8
- December 13–15
- December 20–23
Hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
6. Holiday Lights & Winter Walks
Take a nighttime stroll through downtown Bend, the Old Mill District, or Drake Park to admire the city’s dazzling Christmas lights. The Bend Park & Recreation District also decorates its trails and bridges, making even a simple evening walk feel festive.
7. Winter Adventures in Bend
If you’re spending December in Bend, there’s no shortage of outdoor fun:
- Snowshoe or cross-country ski at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park.
- Hit the slopes at Mt. Bachelor.
- Sip local craft beer on the Bend Ale Trail’s winter passport.
- Cozy up by the fire at your Tetherow vacation home after a day in the snow.
And for something truly unforgettable, join Wanderlust Tours for their Geminids Meteor Shower Starlight Snowshoe Tour.
From December 12–14, this guided nighttime adventure takes you deep into the Deschutes National Forest, where the Geminids’ shooting stars illuminate the snow-covered landscape. As you snowshoe under the vast Central Oregon sky, you’ll sip hot cocoa and take in one of winter’s most dazzling natural shows, a quintessential Bend experience.
Tour Details:
Includes: Snowshoe equipment, guide, hot cocoa
Dates: December 12–14, 2025
Location: Deschutes National Forest (Guided by Wanderlust Tours)
Plan Your Christmas Getaway at Tetherow
This season, make Bend your mountain home for the holidays. From snow-dusted views to festive events and elegant dining, it’s the perfect place to reconnect, recharge, and celebrate, and with Tetherow’s endless lodging options, you can experience cozy, christmas comfort in the heart of it all.