Light It Up.

There’s nothing more magical than colorful twinkling lights to make it feel like the holidays.  There are many places to see lights around town, and we’ve got a list of festive must-see places to get your glow on this holiday season. Grab your puffy coat and a hot drink and head outside to view some of Central Oregon’s favorite seasonal illuminations.

 

Where to see Central Oregon Holiday Lights:

• Drake Park & Downtown Bend
• Menorah Lighting – Old Mill District
• Starfest Holiday Light Celebration – Eagle Crest Resort
• Christmas Light Parade – La Pine
• Lighted Christmas Parade – Prineville
• Holiday Lights & Celebrations – Downtown Redmond
• Sunriver Resort

There’s even a whole Facebook Group dedicated to community-driven input on where to see the best neighborhood holiday lights in Bend | link

Want something a little less traditional?

Around here, you can fly, paddle, bike, and toast your way to seasonal fun.

Fly with Big Mountain Heli Tours

Hitch a ride on a helicopter tour and see the lights from up high | more info

Enjoy a 30-minute city holiday light flight!  Celebrate the season by taking guests for a winter tour of Bend, The Old Mill, and the myriad of holiday lights that make up our little mountain town. The Holiday Lights Tours cruise at altitudes of about 2000 to 2,500 feet, high enough to see the snow-capped Cascade Range in the distance but low enough to see individual pedestrians and details on the buildings in downtown Bend.

 

Paddle with Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe

Cruise downriver for the Holiday Lights Paddle on December 13th | more info

Every year Bend’s most ded­i­cated paddling enthusiasts dress up their canoes and kayaks in bright lights and hol­i­day garb and pad­dle around the Deschutes River for a few hours for Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe’s Holiday Lights Winter Paddle Parade in the Old Mill Dis­trict. This is one of those events that gets the whole town in the spirit and feels very authen­tic to Bend.

 

Tip: Grab a seat, a drink, and some great food at The Monkless Riverfront Brasserie for an evening of authentic Bend holiday spirit and Winter Paddle viewing | more info

 

 

Bike with Bend Bikes

Grab your bike and enjoy the Holiday Lights Ride on December 14th  | more info

The evening starts at the Bend Senior Center and heads off on our tour of the Larkspur Trail. Decorate your bicycle to get into the holiday spirit while you cruise along this off-street path on Bend’s eastside. There are two ride options available: a 1.3 mile family-friendly ride, and a longer 3.9 mile ride. After the ride, meet back at the Senior Center for snacks, and warm drinks.

 

Toast with Silver Moon Brewing

It wouldn’t be Bend (BeerTown USA) if we didn’t throw in craft beer along with our lights viewing | more info

Silver Moon Brewing is going big this year with over a mile of lights to enjoy along with your cold beverage of choice. They’re decking out their patio in over 1 mile of Holiday Lights (5590 feet to be exact). With fire pits, patio heaters, barrel-aged beer, warm cocktails and more, there is no better place to be for the whole holiday season. Enjoy a whole bag of events planned to take this light project to the next level, including a Winter Warmer Beverage Festival, Toys for Tots Gift Drive, Carolers, and much much more!

 

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However or wherever you light it up this holiday season, we’re sure you’ll enjoy making this season bright in true Central Oregon style.