Get Festive in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR – Nov 21–23 Weekend Events

Looking for the best things to do this weekend in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon? From festive holiday light displays to interactive scavenger hunts and historic mansion tours, this weekend is packed with family-friendly and community-focused events. Explore Uptown Vancouver, celebrate the season with Santacon, wander through ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo, tour Pittock Mansion’s holiday displays, or enjoy free admission at the Portland Art Museum. There’s something for everyone ready to kick off the holiday season!

Sasquatch Scavenger Hunt

📅 Date: November 19 – December 7, 2025
⏰ Time: Ongoing, pick up a stamp card starting Monday, November 17
📍 Location: Kindred, 2213 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98660
💲 Price: Free
🔗 Website: Visit Website

About the Event

Explore Uptown and Downtown Vancouver in a three-week scavenger hunt! Track down the elusive Sasquatch hiding in 20 participating local businesses. Collect a stamp, sticker, or signature at each stop, and drop off your completed card at Kindred by Sunday, December 7, for your chance to win one of three prize baskets filled with local goodies, gift cards, and surprises from our generous Uptown and Downtown businesses.

What to Expect

🦶 Visit 20 participating shops and cafes to spot Sasquatch
🦶 Collect a stamp, sticker, or signature at each location
🦶 Fun for all ages — bring friends and family
🦶 Celebrate and support local small businesses

Pro Tips

✔️ Pick up your stamp card at any participating business starting Monday, November 17
✔️ Take your time to explore and enjoy the stories behind each local shop
✔️ Turn in your completed stamp card by December 7 to enter the prize drawing
✔️ Dress comfortably for walking around Uptown and Downtown

Vancouver Santacon & Charity Pub Crawl 2025

📅 Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Penalties Sports Pub, 115 E 7th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
💲 Price: Free (donation items encouraged)
🔗 Website: Visit Website

About the Event

Join Vancouver Santacon for a festive evening that combines holiday fun with giving back! All donations go directly to Bridge the Gap, supporting local foster children with essential items they need.

What to Expect

🎅 Bring new socks and underwear (original packaging preferred) for ages Infant–18
🎄 Drop off donations and get a photo with Krampus at Penalties Sports Pub between 5 PM and 6 PM
🍻 After 6 PM, the charity crawl begins — show off your Santa, Elf, Reindeer, or Grinch costume
🎉 Special deals and fun at participating partner venues

Pro Tips

✔️ Arrive early to drop off your donation and meet Krampus
✔️ Dress in your favorite festive costume for the crawl
✔️ Check participating partner venues for specials and deals
✔️ Have fun responsibly and enjoy the holiday spirit while giving back

ZooLights

📅 Date: November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
⏰ Time: Days vary, check schedule for details
📍 Location: Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221
💲 Price: Tickets required
🔗 Website: Visit Website

About the Event

Experience the Oregon Zoo like never before with ZooLights! Visitors of all ages can enjoy vibrant light installations, festive displays, and interactive experiences. It’s perfect for family outings, capturing holiday photos, or even a magical date night.

What to Expect

🎇 Magical meadow light show and life-size animal lanterns
🚂 Hop on the zoo train to see dozens of glowing animal displays
🌈 Walk through vibrant tunnels of glittering lights
🍩 Enjoy seasonal treats like Elephant ears, hot chocolate, popcorn, and s’mores
🍷 Toast with beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages
📸 Perfect for memorable holiday photos

Pro Tips

✔️ Purchase Any Night tickets in advance to visit any night and time throughout the season
✔️ Most animals are not on view during ZooLights, so focus on the light displays
✔️ Bring friends and family for a festive outing or plan a special holiday date
✔️ Dress warmly — some areas are outdoors

Pittock Mansion: Home for the Holidays

📅 Date: November 18, 2025 – January 9, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, days vary
📍 Location: Pittock Mansion, 3229 NW Pittock Dr, Portland, OR 97210
💲 Price: Tickets required
🔗 Website: Visit Website

About the Event

Step into the magic of the season at Pittock Mansion with the expanded “Decades Tour.” Explore festive displays across nineteen rooms in the Mansion and four in the Gate Lodge, each decorated to reflect five iconic decades from the 1910s through the 1950s. Enjoy the grand foyer, holiday classics, and creative decorations that bring timeless seasonal stories to life.

What to Expect

🎄 Holiday displays across the Mansion and Gate Lodge
🎅 Santa appearances on select weekends
🎶 Live music and choir performances throughout the season
🛍️ Museum store with a variety of holiday merchandise
✨ Themes include A Christmas Tea Party, A White Christmas, Tropical Christmas, Royal Versailles Tribute, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Hawaiian Christmas, Classic French Christmas Eve, and more

Pro Tips

✔️ Check the event calendar for Santa appearances and live music schedules
✔️ Dress comfortably for walking through the Mansion and Gate Lodge
✔️ Arrive early for the best experience in popular rooms
✔️ Bring a camera to capture festive decorations and displays

Grand Opening Free Days

📅 Date: November 20–23, 2025
⏰ Time: Times vary (see below)
📍 Location: Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
💲 Price: Free (tickets required)
🔗 Website: Visit Website

Daily Times

• Thursday, Nov. 20: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

• Friday, Nov. 21: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Saturday, Nov. 22: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Sunday, Nov. 23: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

About the Event

Celebrate the Portland Art Museum’s transformation with four days of free admission, activities, and special events! Experience the museum’s newly updated spaces, enjoy interactive activities, and take part in community celebrations throughout downtown Portland.

What to Expect

🎀 Ribbon cutting ceremony
🎶 Live DJs and entertainment
🖼️ Gallery talks with curators (“Look with Me”)
🎨 Artmaking activities and Riso printmaking with Sharita Towne
🍹 Happy Hour at the new café
🎵 Music in the Pavilion
🚚 Food trucks
🌙 Museum open late for special after-hours celebrations

Pro Tips

✔️ Reserve your free tickets starting November 1 at the museum website
✔️ Check the full schedule for times of gallery talks, music, and art activities
✔️ Dress comfortably and plan extra time to explore the museum’s new spaces
✔️ Arrive early for popular events and activities

This weekend, make the most of all that Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR have to offer. Support local businesses, get into the holiday spirit, and create lasting memories with friends and family. Whether you’re spotting Sasquatch downtown, enjoying festive lights, or exploring art and history, your weekend adventures in Southwest Washington and Portland are waiting!

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Cassandra Marks (Realtor Cas)
REALTOR® · REAL Broker · Licensed in WA & OR
⭐ 5.0 Rating | 44 Google Reviews | 105 Homes Sold | $55.7M in Sales

Written by Cassandra Marks, known as Realtor Cas, is a top-rated real estate agent helping families and retirees relocate to Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR. With over a decade of industry experience and a reputation for tough-but-kind negotiation, she makes moving organized, confident, and even fun.

📞 Contact Cassandra