Head downtown for the holidays
The city, the private sector, and non-profit partners have been hard at work planning events for the upcoming holiday season and the new year. Longtime favorites and brand new activities – including a very special addition, the Portland Winter Ice Rink and Woodsy Winter Village, opening December 16, offer Portlanders a variety of event options in the coming weeks.
From My People’s Market featuring Black Santa to the PDX Holiday Brew Fest and an array of weekend shopping markets, the joy continues all season and into the new year.
Check out these specialty markets and shopping events:
November is Native American Heritage Month, and the Portland Indigenous Marketplace takes place this month on Black Friday Weekend, Nov 24, 25 and 26. Another opportunity to celebrate Native-owned businesses and their rich traditions and cultures is the NAYA Native-Made Winter Marketplace on December 9 and 10.
Starting Friday, November 24, the Japanese American Museum of Oregon's gift store transforms into the Omiyage Holiday Shop, with even more treasures than usual. Come by Thursday-Sunday starting Black Friday to shop all the unique handcrafted, local, and Japanese-inspired goodies in stock only for the holiday season. Omiyage runs through December 23 at 411 NW Flanders Street.
Win big by shopping local during the upcoming holiday season! Small Shops Big Hearts returns this year to support local makers. The Shop Small Win Big Holiday Event through December 10 makes shopping fun, inspiring and gives you the chance to win awesome prizes! Be in community, shop with intention, be inspired and share the love!
IATSE Local 488, representing Studio Mechanics (Motion Picture workers) in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Montana will host The Labor Market, a holiday event for the public from 10 am until 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, December 9 -10 in the Goldsmith Blocks Building on 412 NW Couch Street in Old Town Portland. The event comes after more than six months of an historical industry-wide work shut-down due to the twin Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. Film crew and other entertainment-related union members and support businesses face unprecedented hardship during this holiday season.
The Labor Market will feature original works of art, handcrafts and other creative products made by film workers, and a flea market where treasures you’ve seen on the screen in locally filmed tv shows and movies could be waiting to be discovered. All sales of goods go directly to the vendor. The market will have live music, entertainment, raffles, and special guest Santa Claus.
Mark your calendar to explore downtown, support local businesses, and enjoy all that our amazing city has to offer!