Holiday Happenings in the Columbia River Gorge

🎄 Seasonal & Holiday Events in the Gorge

Takes place Friday, December 5 (5:00 pm–7:00 pm). (Gorge Youth)
Expect festive lights, music, street-festival atmosphere, local shopping, and holiday cheer. (Gorge Youth)
Santa (and Mrs. Claus) are expected — with a chance for photos with kids. (Gorge Youth)

Great for a family outing or fun evening drive + shopping, especially if you enjoy small-town holiday vibes.

Happening over the first weekend of December. (Explore White Salmon)
Features a variety of events: holiday lights, carolers, winter-wonderland market, alpaca petting-zoo (for kids), holiday shopping pop-ups, tree lighting, Santa photos, and even wine tasting for adults in “Sip the Gorge.” (Explore White Salmon)
A fun mix of family-friendly activities and seasonal cheer — good if you want a more artistic, lively, community-oriented celebration.

Event is Saturday, December 6, from 12:00–3:00 pm. (Gorge Youth)
Great for families or anyone who enjoys festive crafts, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, and a cozy afternoon out. (Gorge Youth)
There are also theater & art-market events at Columbia Center for the Arts throughout December. (Columbia Community Connection)

The The Dalles Art Center often hosts a Holiday Artisan Market throughout the season — nice if you want to shop local, find gifts, and support regional artists. (Columbia Community Connection)
Elsewhere in Gorge towns you can sometimes find bazaars, craft fairs, small-town holiday gatherings. For example: local community bazaars or shared events are common during December. (Columbia Community Connection)
For a cozy, low-key outing: checking local art centers, galleries, or small craft bazaars can be a relaxing way to get in the holiday spirit — especially if you prefer a slower pace.

Skamania Lodge Web Address: 1131 SW Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, WA 98648 Phone: +15093144177

From Nov 28, 2025 through Jan 4, 2026, you can stroll the “Holiday Light Walk” nightly from 5:00–9:00 pm — a path winding through forested Douglas-fir trees and open meadows, all decked out in Christmas lights. (Portland Living on the Cheap)
Great for a festive, outdoor-immersive experience — especially if you like woods, crisp air, and holiday lights under the trees.
Free to attend; you don’t need a ticket or reservation. (Gorge Current)

Over the first weekend of December, White Salmon’s “Village Lights” transforms the downtown into a festive winter-wonderland with holiday lights, luminaries, tree lighting, carolers, decorative storefronts and a Holiday Lights competition. (Explore White Salmon)
You can stroll through the town under the lights, enjoy local art & shopping, and soak in community-style holiday charm — all outdoors and family-friendly. (Explore White Salmon)

HCRH offers some of the Gorge’s most iconic views: including Vista House at Crown Point, perched ~733 ft above the river — giving sweeping panoramas of the Gorge and Cascade mountains. (Hikespeak)
Even in winter, the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and river vistas can be magical — especially with shorter daylight, maybe fog or early dusk, which adds atmosphere.
If you plan a drive from the western Gorge east toward The Dalles (or vice versa), you could time it around dusk to catch scenery + any towns or roadside lights. The stretch from Mosier to The Dalles offers beautiful plateaus and viewpoints (like Rowena Crest) for a wide-open winter-landscape vibe. (Columbia River Gorge)

Dress in layers and prepare for cold/wet weather — winters in the Gorge can be chilly and damp.
If you go for drives + viewpoints, aim for sunset or after to catch soft natural light + early evening town or display lights.
Weekend nights (for lights/walks like Skamania Lodge or White Salmon) will likely be busier — plan arrival/parking with that in mind.
For viewpoint stops on the historic highway, check road conditions — some routes or lots may have restrictions or closures in winter.