For just a few days, unwrap a little old fashioned holiday cheer and immerse yourself in the twinkly lights and joyful spirit of the holidays in Eugene - Springfield. Drive here from Portland or Roseburg for a bountiful, uncrowded shopping experience or fly-in for a festive holiday getaway. Local residents will be crisscrossing the region from historic charm of Old Town Florence for gift shopping to the wintery Cascade Mountains for holiday tree rambles.

Sluggo at Springfield Holiday Parade by Marilee Woodrow

Sluggo at the Springfield Christmas Parade

Festivities On Stage

The sparkle of lights, the swelling music of a choir, the cheer of comedy and the awe of pageantry inspire even the crankiest Grinch to remember the magic of holidays past. Eugene's downtown is a hub of performing arts venues beloved by generations for hosting holiday events from "The Nutcracker" ballet at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts to nostalgic holiday programs at The Shedd. Explore further with fantastic holiday shows on community theater stages throughout the region.

Holiday Shopping

Package enchanting entertainment with an exquisite shopping experience for all the holiday feels. Eugene - Springfield's rewarding shopping districts feature both popular national chains and one-of-a-kind boutiques. With diverse storefronts, ample parking lots and uncrowded malls, your holiday to-dos are actually fun again!

All the malls dress up for the holidays, but the 5th Street Public Market creates a fantastic winter setting where it "snows" at dusk every Friday and Saturday evening from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Float through this magical indoor/outdoor shopping complex with a warm drink in hand and a smile in your heart.

Snow at the 5th Street Public Market

"Snow" at the 5th Street Public Market

Power shoppers will revel in the Saturday Market's Holiday Market at Lane Events Center. Hundreds of colorful artisan crafts and gifts are displayed under one roof for a one-stop-shopping experience. Have you been to the Saturday Market? It's all that plus more! Along with checking off your list, enjoy entertainment and a delicious food court. And next door is the Rink Exchange with daily public ice skating sessions. Since you are here, and skate rentals are available, why not enjoy a wintertime spin around the ice?

Ice Skating

Holiday ice skating

Seasonal Craft Beer & Wine

Undoubtedly you discovered must-have gourmet farm-to-table products at both 5th Street Public Market and the Holiday Market, so it is time to start planning your holiday table. Pair a locally-inspired menu with really good beer and wine. Eugene's thriving craft beer community is brewing batches of seasonal beers, so grab a growler and stop by the Bier Stein to fill up.

In wine country its Cellar Season, and the perfect time to choose a special wine for your holiday dinner and as gifts for family and friends. Eugene's urban wineries make it easy to shop by bringing winery-exclusive wines to town, but even a drive out to a nearby estate is only about 30 minutes.

Lights & Attractions

The perfect finish to your Eugene visit is a holiday light tour. A new light show for 2024 is Glow at the Lane Events Center. Or if you'd rather stand in one spot and have the lights roll by you — head north to Coburg for their light parade. Just ten minutes outside of Eugene, this historic town is a quintessential destination for nostalgia. The light parade also rolls through Veneta and Junction City on different evenings.

But perhaps the easiest avenue for enjoying holiday lights is cruising Eugene. Sunshine Limo Service offers a Eugene Light Tour which whisks you away to the most spectacularly lighted neighborhoods. And since getting into the holiday spirit is what this is all about — while someone else is driving — why not bring a little flask of local spirits with you? 

And what kicks off the season? Springfield's Christmas Parade is a daytime thrill that draws thousands to line the parade route. Gather along Springfield's Main Street for the fanfare, then retire to the local family-friendly pubs and restaurants for lunch.

If you're ready to make magical holiday memories, Eugene - Springfield has the right mix of holiday entertainment and activities!

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