The Community Corner: Events happening from Yamhill County to Portland
- The McCreith Team
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
December fills up fast! If you haven't been out to experience some of Yamhill County's wonderful communities and all they has to offer this season, consider this your go-to guide for great suggestions!
December is one of our favorite months to live, and work, in the Pacific Northwest. The days may be shorter, but the calendar fills up fast with holiday lights, community traditions, and those small moments that make this area feel like home.
At The McCreith Team, we love sharing what’s happening around the neighborhoods we serve. Whether you’re new to the area, hosting visitors, or just looking for something festive to do close to home, here’s our curated guide to December 2025 events across the Portland metro and Yamhill County.
Portland Metro Holiday Highlights
ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo
Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Times: Typically 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Why we love it: This is a classic for a reason. ZooLights is easy to pair with dinner, great for all ages, and feels like a true kickoff to the holiday season.
Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway
Dates: November 28 – December 31, 2025
Times: Evenings; earlier start times on weekends and holidays
Good to know: Drive-through on most nights, with select walk-through and bike nights. Proceeds support local hunger-relief organizations.
Peacock Lane Holiday Lights
Dates: December 15 – December 31, 2025
Times: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Pedestrian-only nights: December 19 & 20
McCreith Team tip: Park nearby and walk in, it’s one of the most charming neighborhood traditions in Portland.
Christmas Ships Parade
Dates: December 4 – December 21, 2025
Times: Most nights around 7:00 PM
Where to watch: Riverplace Marina, waterfront parks, and restaurants along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers
Yamhill County Holiday Traditions
McMinnville Downtown Holiday Season
Festive storefronts, lights, and seasonal events throughout December make McMinnville an easy day or evening trip, especially if you pair it with dining or wine tasting.
Glide & Gather Skating Experience – McMinnville
Dates & Times: Through Dec. 28, 2025• Fridays: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM• Saturdays: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM• Sundays: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Under the Spruce Goose, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville
Details: Ice skating (with rentals included) right downtown under twinkling lights, a festive way to spend an afternoon or early evening. (Final skating sessions often land Dec. 26–28, so you can plan a weekend outing or family visit.)
Community Christmas Cantata Choir – “Christmas Changes Everything”
Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 • 4:00 PM
Where: St. John Catholic Church, 445 N. Maple St., Yamhill
Details: A community choir performance blending contemporary and traditional holiday music, interpreted with American Sign Language. Free to attend; free-will offering benefits local causes.
McMinnville Grange Farmers Market – Special Winter Edition
Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: McMinnville Grange, 1700 SW Old S heridan Rd, McMinnville
Details: A community farmers market with local producers and makers; a seasonal way to wrap up the year and support local vendors.
A Few Team Tips for December
Plan ahead: Many ticketed events sell out, especially on weekends.
Layer up: Cold nights are part of the charm, bring gloves, an umbrella, and hot cocoa, if allowed!
Support local: December is a great time to shop small and explore nearby downtowns. There are so many great opportunities for this around the holiday. Find local makers and gift-away!
Check before you go: Weather and schedules can shift, always confirm on the event website.
From Our Team to You
As we head into the final stretch of the year, we’re especially grateful for the wonderful experiences and people our work has introduced us to this year. From Portland to wine country, we’re reminded that real estate is ultimately about people, relationships, and showing up consistently in our communities.
Many of you already know this, but it’s worth celebrating again and again: Bella Casa continues to be the #1 real estate brokerage in Yamhill County. That consistency doesn’t come from shortcuts or hype, it comes from decades of being a strong, trusted real estate partner for our clients, year after year. 2026 will be no different. Cheers to that!
We hope December brings you time to slow down, enjoy your people, and gather happily in your homes, near and far.
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