How To Spend Thanksgiving 2022 in Portland
This fall, as the holidays approach, there’s no reason to get stuck at home when Thanksgiving 2022 in Oregon is teeming with thanksgiving activities and events that are sure to entertain the entire family. Make Thanksgiving 2022 one to remember and do something else other than thanksgiving dinner and watching football.
Make fun memories with the fam and don’t miss out on all the exciting Thanksgiving 2022 events in Portland. The city offers an abundance of celebrations, from the traditional to the unexpected. Here are our top picks of the most fun things to do on Thanksgiving in Oregon this year:
Turkey Trot
Before you bring out the pies and cranberry sauce for your thanksgiving dinner, burn a few calories with a turkey trot. There are several 5K runs around the Portland metro area. Here are a few of them:
HTC Turkey Trot Portland
Looking for an annual Thanksgiving tradition to do with your family and friends? Register for the HTC Turkey Trot and join thousands of others who made this fun Thanksgiving running event their Thanksgiving family bonding activity. This 5k race takes you on a holiday-themed journey through the Sunshine Division Winter Wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights on November 23 at 6pm. There is also a kids fun run for free which starts at 5:30pm. Register early to get discounted registration fees. Keep updated by liking their Facebook Page or following them on Instagram. You can also get more details on their website.
The Turkey Trot At The Zoo
The Turkey Trot at the Zoo is a long-standing tradition for many families in Oregon. Enjoy a 4-mile, untimed route between the Oregon Zoo and the International Rose Gardens. This turkey trot is perfect for beginners and advanced runners, making it one of the most rewarding thanksgiving events in Portland. There are also kids’ fun runs afterward and pumpkin pie for lucky participants. Approximately $25,000 of registration fees go to the Oregon Zoo.
Follow this link to sign up.
Christmas Lights Displays: Zoolights, Brewlights and more
A trip to Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights is an absolute must if you find yourself in Portland during the holiday season. Running from Nov. 23, 2022, to Jan. 5, 2023 except on Christmas Day, visitors can enjoy a dazzling display of 1.5 million lights, while on cars or by foot. Complete the magical experience with a cup of hot cocoa and elephant ears for the kiddos and kiddos at heart and Oregon beer and wine for the adults. There will be local food carts offering delicious treats too.
For those who are kids at heart and who want to enjoy the lights with booze and without pumped-up kids, the BrewLights is for you. BrewLights is an adults-only event at the zoo that features beer, cider, and seltzer tastings. This year’s BrewLights event will take place on November 17. Guests can enjoy a stroll through the zoo while sipping on beverages from 45 Northwest breweries and cideries. Tickets include a souvenir cup and 10 beverage tastings (3-oz beer/cider) throughout the zoo.
Aside from the dazzling display of sparkling cheer at Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights, other beloved holiday light displays include Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway, The Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto, and Southeast Portland’s Peacock Lane.
Black Friday Shopping
Thanksgiving weekend won’t be complete without holiday shopping. Take advantage of tax-free shopping while you check off everyone on your gift list at these festive craft fairs, bazaars, and artisan markets. The Portland Saturday Market is a favorite among the locals and tourists, where you can score great finds for yourself and your loved ones. Feeling luxe? Snag some signature items from major brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves-Saint Laurent, Tory Burch, J. Crew, H&M, Apple, and more, at Pioneer Place. If you love vintage stuff, then you’re in luck. Portland is a vintage lover’s dream, with nearly 50 shops offering well-curated collections of personalized jewelry, traditionally-tailored suits, and endless clothes. Fashion-savvy visitors stuff their suitcases full of secondhand treasures. This guide will help you score a rare find.
Pay it Forward
Show your gratitude this thanksgiving 2022 by paying it forward. The long weekend offers you the time to volunteer in our local community. Volunteer opportunities abound and can fit into your schedule — whether you want to pack food, distribute hearty meals in your community, donate food and clothing items or make phone calls from the comfort of your home. Another great idea is to pack a zip-lock bag with socks, granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, and water bottles or gum.
You can also deliver meals to homebound seniors as a Meals on Wheels People volunteer. Deliver a week’s worth of meals to each senior from Monday to Thursday, with a pick-up time between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Check out Oregon Food Bank and Portland Rescue Mission for other volunteering opportunities.
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Oregon is an incredible place to spend Thanksgiving 2022. Whatever way you plan to celebrate the long weekend, Ponderosa Inn welcomes you home. We are 15 miles from downtown Portland, where local restaurants, museums, and food shops are nearby. Book your stay with us before our immaculate rooms run out. Our modern amenities and friendly staff will make sure your Thanksgiving weekend is memorable.
