Best Holiday Events in Southern Oregon for 2024
Southern Oregon loves the holidays. Each little town hosts tree lightings and gatherings to get in the spirit from candy cane hunts to light parades the season is full of fun for everyone.
You can see a full schedule of events on my website but here are some of the top events happening throughout southern Oregon for the holiday season.
Gingerbread Jubilee
Novemeber 23rd-25th
One of our favorite family traditions is to attend the Gingerbread Jubilee at the Craterian Theater in Medford. It’s an inexpensive event where you can walk around and look at local baker's beautiful creations made out of gingerbread. It smells so yummy and you will be amazed at people's creativity. See photos from years past on our blog.
November 23rd & 24th, 10am - 6pm
November 25th, 10am - 4pm
Admission: $4
Medford Winter Lights Festival
Saturday, December 7th, 430-630pm
Pear Blossom Park, Medford
At the Medford Winter Lights Festival the day is full of fun. Starting at 430 kids of all ages dash for candy canes gathering as many as they can. After that you can visit the vendors and food trucks, watch performances on stage, and get photos with Buddy the Elf and The Grinch who are wandering around making mischief. Santa arrives around 530 brought in by a local marching band and it is then followed by the tree lighting and grand finale fireworks. This event is free to attend. Get all of the details here.
Ashland Festival of Light
Friday, November 29th through New Years Eve
Downtown Ashland
Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving Ashland welcomes Santa’s Sleigh after their light parade filled with community performances, music and dancing. Watch downtown get lit up with thousands of twinkling lights. Afterwards we like to walk around and look at all of the shops window displays and sometimes grab dinner at a local restaurant.
During the month of December you can also enjoy the kid’s scavenger hunt, skate at the outdoor ice rink, listen to the Rogue World Music wassailing, shop Lithia Artisans Market and more. See all of Ashland’s holiday events here.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights
Sunday, November 24th through Monday, January 1st
River Forks Park, Roseburg
Take yourself on a magical drive-thru tour of light displays at River Forks Park in Roseburg and see the world’s tallest nutcracker. See more images and the story about our visit here.
Holiday Lights Tour of Greystone Court and Cherry Lane in Medford
Friday after Thanksgiving through New Years Eve
Drive through or walk these beautiful neighborhoods in Medford where every house is decorated. If you go during the Access - Greystone Court Holiday Food & Fund Drive you can donate to help or community and you might even catch a glimpse of The Grinch.
You can see our full holiday light trail story here.
Victorian Christmas in Jacksonville
November 30 - December 22
The holidays in Jacksonville are something special. The month of December the historic town of Jacksonville is dressed for the holidays in ribbons and swag with something around every corner. The Saturday after Thanksgiving attend the tree lighting where the community gathers to enjoy caroling and hot cocoa, and Father Christmas leading the lighting. Starting December 1st you can get free photos with Father Christmas at the US Hotel 11am - 4pm. Bring your own cameras to capture the moment. We have taken their kids every year and continue to make it a tradition.
The second Saturday of December joins the whole town in celebrating with the annual Holiday Parade that includes music from our South and North Medford High School marching bands, lots of festivity and of course Father Christmas and his elves. Other events you can participate in include Jacksonville Holiday Light Trolley Tours and Beekman House Victorian Christmas Tours. See photos from past years and the full schedule on our blog here.
Klamath Snowflake Festival
November 26th - December 22nd
The Klamath Snowflake Festival is weeks of fun that everyone partakes in from Thanksgiving week. The Gingerbread House competition viewing starts November 26th and goes through December 6th at the Ross Ragland Theater. Run the Snowflake Mile, watch the Snowflake Festival Parade and get photos with Santa all season long at various locations. You can find out all of the different events here.
Grants Pass Christmas
November 29th - December 22nd
Grants Pass has a lot of fun in the holidays decking all of downtown out. Businesses decorate their windows for the season, giant nutcrackers are placed throughout all of downtown and then their musical murals light up depicting the 12 days of Christmas. You can go check them out anytime of the season in the month of December. This year their tree lighting is on December 6th where you can sip hot cocoa while taking carriage rides and listen to carolers and you can get your photos with Santa. Then on Saturday, December 7th, you can attend the Grants Pass Christmas Parade. See all of Grants Pass’ other holiday events here.
These are just a few things happening during the season. See more activities throughout the season on our Holiday Festivities and Events, Where to Find Santa and Holiday Bazaars and Shopping Local pages.