# Thanksgiving break with kids in Portland

> 34 Thanksgiving parades, turkey trots, break camps and things to do with kids in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area over Thanksgiving break 2026, each linked to the organizer’s own page with the date we last checked it.

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 2, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), 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/thanksgiving

Towns with listings: Portland (19), McMinnville (2), Stevenson (2), Vancouver (2), Beaverton (1), Forest Grove (1), Hillsboro (1), Lake Oswego (1), Ridgefield (1), Scappoose (1), Sherwood (1), West Linn (1), Yacolt (1).

## Quick answers

### Where is there a turkey trot for kids near Portland?

5 listings, the soonest 4: [Annual All Abilities Turkey Trot — Scappoose](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/annual-all-abilities-turkey-trot-scappoose--listing-8f0c914e3a124b9039e93999) (Sat, Nov 14, Free); [HTC Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/htc-turkey-trot-5k-and-kids-fun-run--listing-6c8d7e14957604b7ec3a6869) (Wed, Nov 25, With admission); [Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot and Drumstick Dash](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/ridgefield-public-schools-foundation-turkey-trot-and-drumstick-dash--listing-53d1d4e780a1e26b5d311519) (Thu, Nov 26, Paid); [Turkey Trot at the Zoo (Tot Trot and Gobble Gallop)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/turkey-trot-at-the-zoo-tot-trot-and-gobble-gallop--listing-0c40307b6df372851c0f086f) (Thu, Nov 26, From $30).

### What free Thanksgiving break events are there for kids in Portland?

5 listings, the soonest 4: [Annual All Abilities Turkey Trot — Scappoose](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/annual-all-abilities-turkey-trot-scappoose--listing-8f0c914e3a124b9039e93999) (Sat, Nov 14, Free); [Dickens Carolers at McMenamins Hotel Oregon — McMinnville](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/dickens-carolers-at-mcmenamins-hotel-oregon-mcminnville--listing-556e6afe8fd5c761ca3467fb) (Fri, Nov 27, Free); [Rotary Community Tree Lighting — Vancouver](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/rotary-community-tree-lighting-vancouver--listing-377981c5adff9a7eb99bc86e) (Fri, Nov 27, Free); [Skamania Lodge Holiday Light Walk](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/skamania-lodge-holiday-light-walk--listing-56f06f690de9fa0c5ec81e24) (Fri, Nov 27, Free).

## Ongoing programs

### Portland (6)

- [Portland Rock Gym Northeast fall and winter break climbing camps](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/portland-rock-gym-northeast-fall-and-winter-break-climbing-camps--listing-aadc20f7c97c94a837397428) — Fall break Nov 23–25 and winter break Dec 21–23 & 28–30, 2026, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Portland Rock Gym Northeast · Ages 9–13 · From $129 · checked Oct 14. School-break rock climbing day camps at Portland Rock Gym Northeast for kids ages 9–13: climb, learn and play group challenge games. Fall Break camp days are November 23, 24 &…
- [Portland Rock Gym Beaverton fall and winter break climbing camps](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/portland-rock-gym-beaverton-fall-and-winter-break-climbing-camps--listing-a05d85fde3d8362f00993247) — Fall break Nov 23–25 and winter break Dec 21–23 & 28–30, 2026, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Portland Rock Gym Beaverton · Ages 9–13 · From $129 · checked Oct 14. School-break rock climbing day camps at Portland Rock Gym Beaverton for kids ages 9–13: climb, learn and play group challenge games. Fall Break camp days are November 23, 24 &…
- [Trackers Earth Thanksgiving Break Camps (November Break)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/trackers-earth-thanksgiving-break-camps-november-break--listing-e918b9a905d3103111dcb121) — Ongoing · Trackers Earth Portland (SE Brooklyn HQ) · Paid · checked Oct 30. Trackers' November break camps for grades PK–12 fill the Thanksgiving-week school days with archery, wilderness survival, crafts, blacksmithing, role-playing games and seasonal…
- [Fall Break Camp at Sellwood Community House (Thanksgiving week)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-at-sellwood-community-house-thanksgiving-week--listing-caa8a69c5c4472a128b428bc) — Ongoing · Sellwood Community House · Ages 5–11 · From $95 · checked Oct 30. No-school-day camp for kids in grades K–5 on the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, with hands-on crafts, interactive games and creative activities. Register per day.
- [Fall Break Camp at Garden Home Recreation Center (THPRD)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-at-garden-home-recreation-center-thprd--listing-20298e09b99739999304cf01) — Ongoing · Garden Home Recreation Center · Ages 6–10 · From $65 · checked Oct 30. All-day camp for ages 6–10 during Beaverton's Thanksgiving-week fall break, with games, sports, arts and crafts. Daily themes: Forests in Fall (Nov 23), Campfire Stories &…
- [Fall Break Camp: Seasons Greetings art camp at Garden Home (THPRD)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/fall-break-camp-seasons-greetings-art-camp-at-garden-home-thprd--listing-bcf984466f58808dfbf89a45) — Ongoing · Garden Home Recreation Center · Ages 6–9 · From $35 · checked Oct 30. Half-day art and craft camp for ages 6–9 over Thanksgiving-week fall break: Holiday Card Studio (Nov 23), Fall Colors painting, collage and dye (Nov 24) and Forest Fantasy…

## Dated events

### Portland (13)

- [NWCT Wizard School (Thanksgiving-week camp)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/nwct-wizard-school-thanksgiving-week-camp--listing-9990207fccd85c2028e010bc) — Mon, Nov 23 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · The Judy (Northwest Children's Theater) · Ages 6–12 · Paid · checked Oct 14. Three-day full-day theater camp from Northwest Children's Theater and School: 'NWCT's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry', where campers discover fantastic beasts, learn to cast…
- [All Ages Family Day! Catching Snowflakes](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/all-ages-family-day-catching-snowflakes--listing-f156a0bdea74d8b111b8e4e0) — Wed, Nov 25 · 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Bottle & Bottega - Portland, OR · All ages · From $40 · checked Oct 16. Paint All Ages Family Day! Catching Snowflakes in a guided class at Bottle & Bottega - Portland, OR. Choose from the painting surfaces offered for this session. Follow the…
- [HTC Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/htc-turkey-trot-5k-and-kids-fun-run--listing-6c8d7e14957604b7ec3a6869) — Wed, Nov 25 · 5:00 PM · Portland International Raceway · With admission · checked Oct 20. Hood to Coast's HTC Turkey Trot kicks off Thanksgiving weekend on the evening of Wednesday, November 25, with a holiday-themed 5K through the lights of the Sunshine Division…
- [Turkey Trot at the Zoo (Tot Trot and Gobble Gallop)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/turkey-trot-at-the-zoo-tot-trot-and-gobble-gallop--listing-0c40307b6df372851c0f086f) — Thu, Nov 26 · 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM · Oregon Zoo · Ages 0–10 · From $30 · checked Oct 21. The Oregon Road Runners Club's Thanksgiving-morning fun run starts beside the Oregon Zoo, heads out toward the International Rose Garden and finishes inside the zoo at Elephant…
- [42nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/42nd-annual-tree-lighting-ceremony--listing-a25a363b7d57e2d3b9ed0260) — Fri, Nov 27 · 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM · Pioneer Courthouse Square · checked Oct 14. Portland's official holiday tree lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square: a community sing-along led by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini with Portland musical artists and chorale…
- [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…
- [Holiday Express steam train](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/holiday-express-steam-train--listing-6d6cabdcd475f3e60903801d) — Fri, Nov 27 (+16 more dates) · Oregon Rail Heritage Center · All ages · From $25 · checked Oct 14. Holiday train ride with Santa Claus and his elves behind a historic steam locomotive; heated vintage rail cars run along the Willamette River from the Oregon Rail Heritage…
- [Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Portland International Raceway](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/winter-wonderland-holiday-lights-at-portland-international-raceway--listing-ac705a1371f29592c1edaa38) — Nov 27 – Dec 31 · Portland International Raceway · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 14. Drive-through holiday light show at Portland International Raceway, a Portland tradition for more than 30 years; one ticket per carload. It is the largest fundraiser for Sunshine…
- [Breakfast with Santa at McMenamins Kennedy School](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/breakfast-with-santa-at-mcmenamins-kennedy-school--listing-59cf5267519c28c042fd2243) — Sat, Nov 28 (+3 more dates) · 9:00 AM · McMenamins Kennedy School · All ages · From $36 · checked Oct 20. McMenamins sets up Breakfast with Santa in the gymnasium of Kennedy School, its hotel and pub complex in Northeast Portland, on the two weekends after Thanksgiving. Instead of…
- [Cinderella (Northwest Children's Theater holiday musical)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/cinderella-northwest-children-s-theater-holiday-musical--listing-e369599588309a50dfeb483c) — Nov 28 – Jan 3 · The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts (Northwest Children's Theater) · Paid · checked Oct 14. NWCT's original holiday tap musical by Ezra Weiss: young Cinderella knows she's destined for the stage, but jealous relatives stand between her and the spotlight. Estimated run…
- [Holiday Fused Glass Ornament CRAFTernoon at Portland Saturday Market](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/holiday-fused-glass-ornament-crafternoon-at-portland-saturday-market--listing-1744b3bf293e2428f2f54958) — Sat, Nov 28 · 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM · Portland Saturday Market · Ages 8+ · Free · checked Oct 30. Pacific Northwest Glass Guild artists guide participants step by step in making a fused glass ornament; all materials supplied. Pieces are kiln-fired and ready for pickup at the…
- [Portland's Singing Christmas Tree](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/portland-s-singing-christmas-tree--listing-77e4d9d4c5082313ee5412f4) — Sat, Nov 28 (+4 more dates) · 2:00 PM · Sunset Church · All ages · From $33.50 · checked Oct 21. A 90-minute Christmas stage spectacular that Pacific Northwest families have attended for more than six decades. Adult and youth choirs sing from a towering 'tree', joined by…
- [Bike the Lights at Winter Wonderland — Portland International Raceway](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/bike-the-lights-at-winter-wonderland-portland-international-raceway--listing-db54c4bc0ade938e07ec21fa) — Sun, Nov 29 · 4:15 PM – 9:30 PM · Portland International Raceway · All ages · From $5 · checked Oct 27. For one evening of the Winter Wonderland season the Portland International Raceway track is closed to cars and opened to bicycles, so families can pedal past more than 250…

### Other towns in the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro area (15)

- [Annual All Abilities Turkey Trot — Scappoose](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/annual-all-abilities-turkey-trot-scappoose--listing-8f0c914e3a124b9039e93999) — Sat, Nov 14 · 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Scappoose High School Track · All ages · Free · adaptive · checked Oct 30. An inclusive one-hour lap event on the Scappoose High School track for people of all ages and abilities: see how many laps you can complete in an hour. Hosted by Columbia County…
- [Cooler Camp: Dinosaur Days! (Thanksgiving break ice camp)](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/cooler-camp-dinosaur-days-thanksgiving-break-ice-camp--listing-97f371533c78289be474c1e1) — Mon, Nov 23 (+2 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Winterhawks ICE Center Sherwood · All ages · From $80 · checked Oct 14. Thanksgiving-break Cooler Camp at Winterhawks ICE Center Sherwood, November 23–25, 2026. Campers play paleontologist, uncover fossils, hunt for dinosaur eggs and play dinosaur…
- [Skamania Lodge Christmas Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/skamania-lodge-christmas-tree-lighting--listing-baa4f2492a98a7ee2c0aa4bd) — Wed, Nov 25 · 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM · Skamania Lodge (Gorge Room), Stevenson · All ages · checked Oct 27. Skamania Lodge in Stevenson opens the Christmas in the Gorge season, which the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce runs from November 25 to December 13, with a short Christmas…
- [Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot and Drumstick Dash](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/ridgefield-public-schools-foundation-turkey-trot-and-drumstick-dash--listing-53d1d4e780a1e26b5d311519) — Thu, Nov 26 · 8:45 AM · Union Ridge Elementary School, Ridgefield · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 30. Ridgefield's 10th annual Thanksgiving-morning 5K family fun run/walk loops from Union Ridge Elementary through Abrams Park and along Lake River. The Drumstick Dash for children 5…
- [West Linn Turkey Trot Trail Race and Kids' Trot](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/west-linn-turkey-trot-trail-race-and-kids-trot--listing-1cc86523a318131abef2326d) — Thu, Nov 26 · 8:45 AM · Mary S. Young Park, West Linn · Up to 6 · From $10 · checked Oct 21. A Thanksgiving-morning trail race inside Mary S. Young Park in West Linn, produced by Runwithpaula Events to benefit the West Linn Food Pantry. Young children get their own…
- [Dickens Carolers at McMenamins Hotel Oregon — McMinnville](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/dickens-carolers-at-mcmenamins-hotel-oregon-mcminnville--listing-556e6afe8fd5c761ca3467fb) — Fri, Nov 27 (+1 more date) · 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · McMenamins Hotel Oregon, McMinnville · All ages · Free · checked Oct 27. Costumed Victorian carolers wander through McMenamins Hotel Oregon on Third Street in McMinnville on two Friday evenings this season, singing familiar holiday songs as they move…
- [Forest Grove Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/forest-grove-tree-lighting--listing-f6b1a9338437ac6918230b9c) — Fri, Nov 27 · 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Pacific University campus — tree at College Way and 21st Avenue, then Washburne Hall, Forest Grove · checked Oct 21. Forest Grove's community tree lighting on the Pacific University campus on the evening after Thanksgiving. The program starts at 6 pm at the tree where College Way meets 21st…
- [Helvetia Christmas Tree Farm Opening Weekend with Santa](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/helvetia-christmas-tree-farm-opening-weekend-with-santa--listing-7047dd8ff993bb4b68efe732) — Fri, Nov 27 (+4 more dates) · 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Helvetia Christmas Tree Farm, Hillsboro · All ages · checked Oct 30. This Helvetia family farm opens its 2026 season the day after Thanksgiving with u-cut and pre-cut Noble, Grand and Turkish firs, a train ride out to the field, photos with Santa…
- [Lake Oswego 62nd Annual Tree Lighting Festival](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/lake-oswego-62nd-annual-tree-lighting-festival--listing-e6df181eaacf54abac64c2a6) — Fri, Nov 27 · 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Millennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego · checked Oct 14. Lake Oswego's holiday tree lighting festival at Millennium Plaza Park with a holiday marketplace, photos with Santa, Timberview Farm reindeer, letters to Santa with LO Police…
- [Rotary Community Tree Lighting — Vancouver](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/rotary-community-tree-lighting-vancouver--listing-377981c5adff9a7eb99bc86e) — Fri, Nov 27 · 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Esther Short Park, Vancouver · Free · checked Oct 21. Vancouver's official start to the holiday season, presented by the Vancouver Rotary Club on the day after Thanksgiving. The evening begins on the Columbia River: at 4 pm youth…
- [Santa's Parade and Tree Lighting — McMinnville](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/santa-s-parade-and-tree-lighting-mcminnville--listing-e021802a5f6c34c8bd6fc94a) — Fri, Nov 27 · 4:30 PM · Historic Third Street, downtown McMinnville · checked Oct 20. The McMinnville Downtown Association welcomes Santa to town with its Santa's Parade and Tree Lighting on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. The parade starts at…
- [Skamania Lodge Holiday Light Walk](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/skamania-lodge-holiday-light-walk--listing-56f06f690de9fa0c5ec81e24) — Nov 27 – Jan 3 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Skamania Lodge, Stevenson · Free · checked Oct 27. Every evening through the holidays, Skamania Lodge in Stevenson lights up a walking path that winds through tall Douglas firs, out into an open meadow and through the lodge's…
- [Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in México at The Reser](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/campana-sobre-campana-christmas-in-mexico-at-the-reser--listing-9b2723cf59a08cf307bcbd1d) — Sat, Nov 28 · 3:00 PM · Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton · From $39.50 · checked Oct 24. Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklórico del Río Grande present a bilingual holiday show built around Mexican Christmas traditions and named for the beloved…
- [Christmas Santa Train — Chelatchie Prairie Railroad](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/christmas-santa-train-chelatchie-prairie-railroad--listing-9619922dfb82b4ec83dad4ca) — Sat, Nov 28 (+7 more dates) · 9:00 AM · Chelatchie Prairie Railroad — Yacolt station · From $18 · checked Oct 21. A weekend holiday excursion on the historic Chelatchie Prairie Railroad out of Yacolt in north Clark County. The diesel-hauled train runs four trips each Saturday and Sunday from…
- [Santa Experience at Chicky Play Museum](https://grassyknees.com/portland/activities/santa-experience-at-chicky-play-museum--listing-42d854458a0b49ed6ee5159f) — Sat, Nov 28 (+1 more date) · 2:15 PM – 7:15 PM · Chicky Play Museum, Vancouver · All ages · From $49 · checked Oct 30. Book a 90-minute play session at this Vancouver children's play museum that includes a one-on-one moment with Santa for each child, plus free hot cocoa and cookies. Bring your…

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