Grotto brightens up Christmas Eve with annual light show

Published 8:20 am Tuesday, December 24, 2024

The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights officially opens from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, for Christmas Eve.

The Grotto, also known as the National Sanctuary of our Sorrowful Mother, is a Catholic outdoor altar and sanctuary at 8840 N.E. Skidmore St. in Portland. It was constructed in 1924, covers 62 acres, and is set both at the foot of, and atop, a 110-foot cliff.

The Festival of Lights has been a Portland tradition since 1988. The event includes an estimated 2 million lights, plus caroling, puppet shows, food and drink, and a giant, walk-through Christmas tree.

This year, more than 150 choirs will have performed over the course of 31 nights in the chapel.

Online tickets are available on The Grotto’s website: $16.50 general; $7.75 for youths ages 3 to 11, and children 2 and younger enter for free.

Tickets at the gate are $18 general; $8 youths and free for kids 2 and younger.

Parking is free in the main parking lot and on the adjacent streets. Parking attendants will assist guests in finding spots. An overflow lot is at the Parkrose/Sumner Park&Ride on Sandy Boulevard; a free shuttle bus runs every night.