Holiday lights near Portland for families (2026)
Checked · Covers Oct 31 – Jan 15 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 3 holiday light events around Portland for Oct 31 – Jan 15: 1 display running for weeks and 2 one-night events. Displays that run for weeks come first, then one-night parades and tree lightings around Portland. Popular nights can sell out, so check the official page before you go.
Light displays open for weeks
L.L.Bean Northern Lights
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Mon, Jan 18
- Schedule
- Light displays every day; Winter Village activities Fri–Sun
- Hours
- Winter Village open Fri until 8pm and Sat–Sun until 7pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed; family photo sessions and fly-tying lessons need Eventbrite reservations
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Tens of thousands of lights across L.L.Bean's new flagship campus, with fire pits, a Winter Village, a complimentary s'more at the S'mores Shed (Fri–Sun), Saturday holiday movies in Discovery Park and Tuesday-evening kids' storytime in pajamas.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
One-night light parades and tree lightings
L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Fri, Nov 20
- Hours
- Music 4–8pm; tree lighting 5:45pm; Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive 6pm
- Cost
- No tickets listed; complimentary hot cocoa; food trucks extra
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
L.L.Bean's annual tree lighting in the newly expanded Discovery Park, with local a cappella groups and a DJ, fire pits and light displays; Santa and Mrs. Claus then settle into the Kids' Department for photos.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights
- When
- Fri, Dec 4
- Hours
- 6–7pm, rain or shine
- Cost
- No tickets listed (street parade)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Lighted floats and marching groups on Main Street to open Visit Freeport's Sparkle Celebration; the parade ends with Santa bringing the Talking Christmas Tree to life.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
When do holiday lights open around Portland in 2026?
1 light display on our list runs for weeks: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Freeport, Nov 6 – Jan 18).
How much do ticketed light displays near Portland cost?
Prices from the official pages: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (No tickets listed), L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting (No tickets listed) and Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights (No tickets listed, street parade). Prices can change by night.
Can kids see Santa at a light display near Portland?
Yes. 2 light events on our list have Santa: L.L.Bean Holiday Tree Lighting (Freeport, Nov 20) and Freeport Sparkle Celebration Parade of Lights (Freeport, Dec 4). Some charge extra for Santa photos.
Which holiday lights events near Portland need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: L.L.Bean Northern Lights (Freeport). Book through each official page.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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