Photo Story: It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
December 14, 2022
Portland and the surrounding suburbs have many Christmas and holiday lights for people to visit and enjoy, whether they be organized displays or just individually decorated houses throughout neighborhoods.
Here are a few I visited and my favorite aspects of each.
Portland International Raceway
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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The Portland International Raceway’s light show consists of impressively large scenes, many of which tower over cars.
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Open through Jan. 1, the Portland International Raceway (PIR) houses the largest drive-through light show in the Northwest.
The light show has occurred annually since 1993, and its proceeds are donated to the Sunshine Division, an organization based in Portland that provides food and clothes to those in need.
Depending on the size of vehicle and day of the week, tickets cost anywhere from $37-$155 per vehicle. Safeway also carries a limited number of discounted tickets available for $32.
There are a few nights throughout the holiday season which are designated as car-free nights. On these nights, visitors are encouraged either to bike the track or to bring their dogs and walk the track. A ticket to bike or walk the track is $15 per adult and $5 per kid (6-12).
It took my family about 30 minutes to complete the track by car, and along the way we were all impressed by the complex and elaborate designs depicted out of lights.
Some of the elements we saw included poinsettias, igloos, skiers, dinosaurs, snowmen, and a number of moving characters.
My favorite section of the light display was the 12 Days of Christmas constructed out of lights and the eight maids-a-milking scene was especially notable with its humorous take on the song.
My mom’s favorite sections of the display were the light tunnels. She loved the variety of colors in the tunnels and the pattern in which the lights flashed and sparkled.
I enjoyed being able to stay in the warmth of my car while viewing the lights, but I think walking the track could have been an equally fun experience that would feel more immersive.
I definitely recommend visiting the PIR, whether you choose to drive through it or walk the track.
Oregon Zoo
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Identifying the many animals of lights all around the Oregon Zoo is part of the fun in walking through this light display.
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Welcoming nighttime visitors through Jan. 5, the Oregon Zoo is embellished with lights for the holiday season.
While most of the nights are dedicated to those who wish to walk the light covered path, there are a few nights set aside for visitors to be able to drive through the zoo to see the lights.
Walking tickets range from $21 to $29 depending on the date and time of the visit. Driving tickets cost $65 per car.
I went on a Sunday night at 7 p.m., which was not too crowded; it did not take long to find parking, and the lines to get in and buy food were not obscenely long.
It took me and my friends a little under an hour to completely walk through the zoo.
Throughout the zoo there are many opportunities to buy kettle corn, hot cocoa, elephant ears, and cotton candy. Halfway through the walk, there is also a tent set up where you can stop inside to warm up and get free cookies.
During my time at the zoo, I was continually amazed by the lights that took the form of various animals, light tunnels, and trees, and also the lights decorating the train.
Some of my favorite lights I saw took the form of axolotls, blue footed boobies, and kiwis. This being said, I especially appreciated the 3D animals!
The elephant enclosure is open during the ZooLights too. You can visit the elephants there for as long as you’d like.
Overall, my experience at the ZooLights was absolutely amazing – I may even visit a second time before Jan. 5.
If you are looking for a light display to visit and are debating which one to choose, the Oregon ZooLights should be at the top of your list.
Around the Neighborhood
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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A wonderful display of lights and decorations can be found just around the neighborhood.
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Many households decorate their houses with lights for the holiday season. Every year I make sure to spend some time driving or walking around my neighborhood and surrounding areas to see the way different families choose to decorate their homes.
Whether a family pays a company to put lights on their house, hangs their lights themselves, or goes all out with blow-up characters and other decorations, looking around at a neighborhood’s lights is always worth it.
