# The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights

> Event for families in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area (OR / WA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Nov 27 – Dec 30 · 5:00 PM
- Where: The Grotto (National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother), 8840 NE Skidmore St, Portland, OR 97220
- Ages: All ages (Children under 3 free)
- Price: $14 general admission / $6 children ages 3-11; Free for under 3
- Organizer: The Grotto Sanctuary
- Official page: https://thegrotto.org/
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/the-grotto-s-christmas-festival-of-lights--listing-1b210530d97e6bebd99cb3ac

## About

Known as the largest Christmas choral festival in the world, The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights in Northeast Portland features more than two million dazzling lights illuminating 66 acres of serene cliffside fir forest. Families can experience over 170 continuous indoor choral performances in the cathedral-like Chapel of Mary, visit a life-sized outdoor petting zoo with sheep and camels, marvel at a living nativity scene, and listen to holiday storytellers around warm open fire pits.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Paved, level walking paths throughout the lower plaza, chapel, and choral venues accommodate strollers and wagons.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated visitor center and gift pavilion offer family restrooms with baby changing counters.
• Age Suitability: All ages.
• Sensory Tips: Inspiring choral harmonies; outdoor forest grounds provide peaceful, spacious areas to retreat from crowd centers.

## Similar picks in Portland

- [Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/christmas-festival-of-lights-at-the-grotto--listing-c90468d603797c3c5cf2ede1) — Nov 27 – Dec 30 · 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM · The Grotto (National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother) · All ages · From $8.95 · checked Oct 16. The Grotto (National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother) turns its NE Portland grounds into a walk-through holiday light display each evening from Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, closed…
- [Scandinavian Christmas Goat Market](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/scandinavian-christmas-goat-market--listing-8d46e8355e799497da023cc2) — Sat, Nov 28 · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Norse Hall · From $8 · checked Nov 9. New Sweden's Nordic holiday market at the historic Norse Hall brings together more than 30 vendors of Nordic goods, Nordic foods and live entertainment. Kids can explore a large…
- [Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/winter-wonderland-at-portland-international-raceway--listing-65b977126b0e6b4a0f97df99) — Nov 27 – Dec 31 · 5:30 PM · Portland International Raceway · All ages · From $37 · checked Nov 5. Recognized as the largest drive-through holiday light show in the Pacific Northwest, Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway (PIR) lets families enjoy holiday…
- [Vancouver Community Tree Lighting & Rotary Festival of Trees](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/vancouver-community-tree-lighting-and-rotary-festival-of-trees--listing-c9fa63bbb319dfc45efdc9cc) — Nov 27 – Nov 29 · 6:00 PM · Esther Short Park, Vancouver · All ages · Free · checked Nov 7. Across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington, the holiday season kicks off at historic Esther Short Park. Families gather around the community Christmas tree for the…
- [Beaverton Winter Light Displays at City Park](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/beaverton-winter-light-displays-at-city-park--listing-6cc506ad9524d2636f9d6b79) — Dec 1 – Jan 3 · 4:00 PM – 8:00 AM · Beaverton City Park · checked Oct 16. Winter light displays are switched on at Beaverton City Park from December 1, 2026 to January 3, 2027, lit each day from 4 pm to 8 am. All displays are wheelchair accessible and…
- [ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/zoolights-at-the-oregon-zoo--listing-eb0115664ccfaf593bc708e6) — Nov 22 – Jan 5 · 4:30 PM · Oregon Zoo · All ages · From $19 · checked Nov 7. A beloved Pacific Northwest holiday tradition for over 35 years, ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo transforms Washington Park into a luminous wonderland with more than 1.5 million…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Multnomah County, OR](https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/multnomah-county-or) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/counties/multnomah-county-or.md)
- [Christmas lights and holiday events for kids in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/christmas.md)
- [Thanksgiving break with kids in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland/thanksgiving) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/thanksgiving.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Portland — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/portland/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Portland](https://grassyknees.com/portland) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/portland.md)