Christmas really is on the way! Starting in mid-November, Salem and all around Marion County have some outstanding areas and events featuring Christmas lights. From free Christmas light displays in local parks to the one million advertised lights at the Oregon Garden, families can find something to appeal to anyone. Check out some of these grand displays in 2023 to get into the spirit during these dark winter nights!
Riverfront Park Tree Lighting
200 Water Street NE, Salem
Right along the Willamette, Riverfront Park has a light show through the Christmas season. The tree lighting will occur on Friday, December 8, at 7 p.m. Following that, the lights will be on nightly for all to enjoy through December 31. The best way to experience the display is to park in one of the lots and walk through the lights. This event is free and very popular and includes a lot of great photo opportunities in front of the different lighted areas.
Powerland Heritage Park Holiday Sparkles
3995 Brooklake Road. NE, Salem
A free holiday drive-through spectacular, Holiday Sparkles at Powerland is open the first three weekends in December, from 5 to 8 p.m. Held at the Powerland Heritage Park, it’s a huge complex featuring working vehicles of all kinds, from trains to farming equipment. Christmas lights cover the buildings and cars, and it’s especially popular with kids.
Gubser Neighborhood Miracle of Lights Display
The Corner of Lockhaven and 14th Avenue, Keizer
For the last 30 years, neighbors in Keizer’s Gubser neighborhood have created a Christmas light display and encouraged their friends and families to come and enjoy the show. It has become the very popular Miracle of Lights Display, a benefit for the Marion-Polk Food Share, with all visitors asked to bring food to donate. The drive through the lighted neighborhood begins at the corner of Lockhaven and 14th Avenue and proceeds along a well-marked meander through the neighborhood. This year, the Miracle of Lights is open from December 2-26, nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.
Willamette Heritage Center Magic at the Mill
1313 Mill Street SE, Salem
One outstanding holiday event is the Magic at the Mill at the Willamette Heritage Center. It includes tens of thousands of lights around the old Mill buildings at the site. But the event is much more than that! Every night includes live music, visits with Santa, crafts for kids, artisan vendors, and tours of the historic complex. The event occurs the five nights before Christmas Eve from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and tickets are required. They range from $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for kids under 12. Members are free. It’s a fantastic event with something for everyone.
Silverton Christmas Market at the Oregon Garden
895 W. Main Street, Silverton
The Oregon Garden is a highlight in Marion County, and its Christmas event is not to be missed. The Oregon Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland known as the Silverton Christmas Market. The event includes more than one million lights for visitors to enjoy and walk through. It’s a truly magical light display.
In addition to the lights, the event includes a German-style Christmas market and beer garden, visits with Santa, a snowless sledding hill, live music and carolers. For those coming from far away, there is even a Christmas Market package deal at the Oregon Garden Resort, the hotel inside the grounds.
The Silverton Christmas Market is open from November 17 to December 31, from 5–9 p.m. Admission tickets must be purchased in advance — there are no ticket sales at the venue. There are timed tickets for 5, 5:30, 6, and 7 p.m., and visitors can stay as long as they like after they enter. Monday through Thursday, tickets for adults are $15 and $5 for children, and $20 (adults) and $8 (kids) on weekends. Kids under 5 are free. Please be aware that the event does not accept cash. As the largest Christmas event in Marion County, tickets often sell out beforehand, so plan ahead for some holiday fun!
Magic of Lights at the Oregon State Fairgrounds
2330 17th Street NE, Salem
A new addition to Christmas light displays in the Salem area, the Magic of Lights is a drive-through display at the fairgrounds. Part of a network of light shows around the country, it features tens of thousands of lights designed to look their best from your car. Visitors can check it out from November 17 through New Year’s Eve. Monday through Thursday, it’s open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The event is priced by car, and tickets are $30 for weekdays and $35 on the weekends or $22 if you buy early online.
These are just a few of the many brilliant Christmas light displays in the Salem and Marion County area. With so many options, you’re sure to find a display that will get you into the holiday spirit for 2023!
