KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Tue, Dec 9: Lightopia: An Illuminated Journey at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex
Thu, Dec 11: Beauty and the Beast: The Musical Panto at Portland Panto Players
Fri, Dec 12: Handel's Messiah at Portland Baroque Orchestra
Sat, Dec 13: Angels on Wheels Toy Run | NW Corvette Association at Portland Expo Center
Sat, Dec 13: Sensory Santa at Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Cente
Sat, Dec 13: Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market at Oregon Convention Center
Sat, Dec 13: Holiday Pops at Oregon Symphony
Mon, Dec 15: Gabby's Dollhouse Live! 2025 tour - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Thu, Dec 18: Lighting + Latkes at Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Fri, Dec 19: Reindeer in Rockwood |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of parenthood.
My fervent wish
for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, because the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community: It will make all
the difference.
Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 15 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer to you.
So I want to
step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path.
As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future Deb sends her thanks,
too.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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One final ask: Just a minute of your time could make a big impact! KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence. We're asking all parents, grandparents,
and caregivers-whether you're tech-savvy or…
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November 29-30, December 6-7, 13-14, 21-24, 26-27 Set sail to Maybeland this holiday season with Cinnamon Bear and friends aboard the Portland Spirit! Since 2005, this beloved holiday tradition has delighted families with loads of festive fun on the Willamette River. The whole family will enjoy a hot plated breakfast and reserved seating while the kids are entertained by music, storytelling and magic. Tickets also include a printed souvenir picture with Cinnamon Bear atop his magical throne, and much more.
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The Portland area has many private schools and alternative education options from which parents can choose. Each has its unique benefits and advantages, so it's important to investigate carefully. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in the Portland, OR area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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A joyful community sing-along led by Portland’s own Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini with many of Portland’s finest musical artists and chorale singers. Portland’s Tree Lighting Ceremony is the highlight of the holiday season in downtown. Join in this holiday tradition as Santa Claus ‘flips the switch’ to illuminate nearly 10,000 colorful lights on our City’s Tree that will shine bright throughout the holiday season.
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The City of Lake Oswego and the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce invite you to ring in the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting Festival! 2025 marks the 61st anniversary of this time-honored tradition. Festivities take place at Millennium Plaza Park, with festive music and caroling, a holiday marketplace with food and artisan vendors, letters to Santa, photos with Santa, reindeer viewing from Timberview Farm and more! The celebratory lighting of the Millennium tree takes place at 5:30 p.m.
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This year’s theme, Christmas Through the Ages, invites you to celebrate holiday traditions across the centuries. Stroll among beautifully decorated trees, marvel at the gingerbread houses, and take in the charm of our winter village. The Museum Store is full of festive treats, and of course, Santa visits on Saturdays!
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Experience the wonder of Christmas through our annual Nativity Lights Fundraiser—a self-guided, walkable light display stretching nearly half a mile along Stafford Road. Stroll through beautifully lit nativity scenes, festive Christmas motifs, and visit our friendly farm animals, including goats, chickens, piggies, peacocks, and bunnies.
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The Portland area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in
festive activities.
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Portland's big list of 2025 holiday events: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. The activities we've listed here
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- Mike Bennett's Snow Day Village - Director Park, Southwest Park Avenue, Portland, OR, USA, Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, 11 am - 7 pm
- Christmas Trees at Frog Pond Farm - Frog Pond Farm, 2983 SW Advance Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070, Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, 9 am - 5 pm
- Bard Storytime with
the Bard! | Wonderwood Springs - Wonderwood Springs, 8811 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203, Saturday, November 29, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Free Day at the Discovery Museum - World Forestry Center and Discovery Museum, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221, Sunday, November 30, 2025, 10 am - 4 pm
- Sunday Family Fun Day at Oak Knoll Winery - Oak Knoll Winery, 29700 SW Burkhalter Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123, Sunday, November 30,
2025, 11:00 am
- Winter Village @ Orenco Station - 943 NE Orenco Station Loop, Hillsboro, OR, Sunday, November 30, 2025,
10 am • 11:30 am • 1 pm • 2:30 pm • 4 pm • 5:30 pm • 7 pm
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Portland area! Start thinking outside the box! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens (and dozens) of ideas! Also includes the areas of Lake Oswego, West Linn, Beaverton, Clackamas, Tigard, Tualatin, Milwaukie,
Oregon City, and Hillsboro.
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2025's best places to take kids in the Portland area: In early summer each year, thousands of parents vote in KidsOutAndAbout's survey of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids. Our Top 20 results page is an annotated list of the winners, both of the top 20 slots
and of the three category winners.
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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