Short List: It’s a busy post-Christmas week of entertainment in Portland

Published 12:15 am Sunday, December 22, 2024

Ongoing attractions

It’s not too late to see some holiday displays:

ZooLights, Oregon Zoo, featuring lights and lighted animal figures, through Jan. 5 (oregonzoo.org/lights).

Peacock Lane, located off Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard between Stark and Belmont streets, featuring decorated houses 6 p.m.-11 p.m. through Dec. 31 (peacocklane.org).

Pittock Mansion, 3229 N.W. Pittock Dr., shows off its decorated with Christmas trees, music and cheer with the theme of “Holiday Classics,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Jan. 9 (pittockmansion.org).

Winter Wonderland, Portland International Raceway, offering more than 250 colorful light set pieces and many fully animated scenes, 4:30 p.m.-11 p.m. each day through Dec. 31 (winterwonderlandportland.com).

The Grotto, Christmas Festival of Lights, 8840 N.E. Skidmore St., through Dec. 30 (thegrotto.org).

Ongoing events

Consider for the post-Christmas days:

“A Christmas Carol,” Portland Playhouse, 602 N.E. Prescott St., through Dec. 29 (portlandplayhouse.org).

Holiday Express train rides, Oregon Rail Heritage Center, 2250 S.E. Water Ave., 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (45-minute rides) through Jan. 4 (orhf.org).

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Northwest Children’s Theater, The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts in downtown Portland, through Dec. 29 (nwcts.org).

Monet, Van Gogh

Reminder: The “Beyond Monet and Van Gogh: The Immersive Experiences,” in which people around (and within) large-scale projections of Monet and Van Gogh works, will be in Portland through Feb. 2, 2025 at Oregon Convention Center (beyondexhibitions.com).

Skating rinks

Reminder: The Portland Winter Ice Rink is located adjacent to Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Morrison Bridgehead, 499 S.W. Naito Pkwy, and operates through Sunday, Jan. 5 with 90-minute skate sessions from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day (wintericerinkpdx.com).

Also, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1945 S.E. Water Ave., is offering skating on a synthetic surface inside its auditorium, through Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays (omsi.edu/exhibits/ice-rink).

‘ZooZoo’

Reminder: Imago Theatre returns with its popular show “ZooZoo,” through Jan. 1 at Imago Theatre, 17 S.E. Eighth Ave. The established stage show introduces a new character in 2024 – the Baby Birds. It’s a magical revue featuring persnickety penguins, hippos, polar bears, an acrobatic grub and more (imagotheatre.com).

Comedy

Currently a writer on “The Daily Show,” Josh Johnson is also a notable standup comedian and he’ll be doing his act at Helium Comedy Club, Dec. 26-30 — but tickets are selling, and they remained for shows on Friday, Dec. 27 (4 p.m. and 7 p.m., heliumcomedy.com/portland).

Two-time Emmy-winning comedian, actress, writer and producer Sarah Silverman does her standup at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27. She has a new Max special, “Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love” (portland5.com).

The “Undisputed Geniuses of Comedy” Broke Gravy brings a night of improv comedy, storytelling and live music (with Esperanza Spalding) to Alberta Rose Theatre, 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 (albertarosetheatre.com).

Youth concert

Conductor David Hattner and the Portland Youth Philharmonic present the 63rd “Concert-at-Christmas: Out of this World,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This post-holiday celebration includes performances by the PYP String Ensemble, PYP Wind Ensemble, an alumni orchestra, and the PYP Conservatory Orchestra (portlandyouthphil.org).

Music mixology

Indulge in a sensory fusion at Portland Chamber Orchestra’s “New Year’s Music Mixology Party!” 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29 at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton. This innovative concert pairs classical masterpieces with custom cocktails, featuring flutist-vocalist Zach Galatis and post-show libations at Siam Lotus. Tickets from $14.50 (thereser.org/event/new-years-music-mixology-party).

Jinkx and Dela

The “Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show,” featuring queer drag performers BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon, returned for a North American tour and culminates 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29 at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (JinkxandDeLa.com).

‘A Magical Cirque Christmas’

It’s a variety show of nostalgia, charm and performance, as “A Magical Cirque Christmas” features world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30 at Keller Auditorium.

More: portland5.com.

Oregon Symphony

There are two upcoming shows:

“New Year’s Concert in Portland — Beethoven’s Ninth,” 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, with crowning jewel “Ode to Joy” chorus followed by a balloon drop.

“Michael Feinstein in Because of You: My Tribute to Tony Bennett Featuring The Carnegie Hall Ensemble,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31; supported by the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, Michael Feinstein and a big band pay a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett, bringing his iconic songs to life in a symphony of sound. The performance will feature hits such as “Because of You,” “Rags to Riches,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “The Best is Yet to Come,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “Stranger in Paradise,” and many more. (Oregon Symphony does not perform.)

More: orsymphony.org.

Live Music

The Tribune runs a list of notable concerts each month under title “Live Music” on its website, portlandtribune.com/lifestyle. Check it out — each and every month.

The Garcia Birthday Band plays Mission Theater at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 27-28 and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 (albertarosetheatre.com).

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons perform at Star Theater, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 27-28 and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 (startheaterportland.com).

Karl Denson’s Kosmic Konvergence takes the stage at Revolution Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 (revolutionhall.com).

Leftover Salmon puts on a New Year’s Eve concert at Revolution Hall, 9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 30-31 (revolutionhall.com).

New Year’s Eve

There will be events and parties galore around the Portland area as we welcome 2025 with New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31.

There’ll be a large-scale dance party (8 p.m.) and two live drone shows (9 p.m.) at Pioneer Courthouse Square on New Year’s Eve, and a countdown to the New Year at midnight (thesquarepdx.com).

The Annual Sobriety Powwow, put on by Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, takes place at Oregon Convention Center, Tuesday-Wednesday, 6 p.m.-midnight Tuesday, Dec. 31. It’s free and open to the public, and includes drums, songs and dance (naranorthwest.org).

At Alberta Rose Theatre, it’s “All in the Family New Year’s Eve” burlesque with live music by Pink Lady & The Tramps and The Nowhere Band playing a set of 1970s music, 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 (albertarosetheatre.com).

Bring the whole family to Oaks Amusement Park’s roller rink for an all-ages skate party, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.). There’ll be a live DJ, skate specials, party favors, and a countdown to midnight (oakspark.com).