Christmas, Solstice, and More Light in Portland 2025

“Christmastime is here, happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call their favorite time of year,” so the song goes. This year we thought we’d do a roundup of things to do and eat around the time the light starts to return—the Winter Solstice, of course, but also Christmas, and Hanukkah (here is this year’s roundup specific to the Festival of Lights). Here’s our hodgepodge roundup for this time of year. 

Christmas Treats | Meals To Go | Eat In
Christmas Meal Shopping
Feast of the Seven Fishes
Tamales | Gingerbread Houses
Solstice | Miscellaneous

Christmas Food: Bûche de Noël and Other Treats

222 Pastry

This vegan pastry shop is offering Christmas tiramisu and cookie box pre-orders. For the tiramisu, they’ll have two flavors, a traditional and a peppermint mocha in both large and small options. Order through Hotplate. Cookies come in one size box, which can also order through Hotplate. Pick-up at their kitchen on Saturday, December 20 11am to 1pm for cookies. and Tuesday, December 23 for tiramisu from 10am to 1pm.

898 Southeast Stark Street, Portland. 222 Pastry website

Baker & Spice

Their holiday orders are live, and options are varied. Along with a Yule Log/Bûche de Noël, they have stollen, a gingerbread bundt cake, peppermint sandwich cookies, cranberry orange loaf, and more.

When you order, you will need to confirm you pick-up day corresponds with the item day in the selection menu. Pick-up days are Tuesday, December 23 from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday, December 24 between 9am and 3pm. More details are on their ordering site.

6330 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland. Baker & Spice website

Bakeshop

They’ve got a variety of holiday cakes, pies, and quiche for the Christmas (and New Year’s) holiday. Particularly festive is the gingerbread cake, apple pies, pecan pie, and a caramelized onion and Swiss cheese quiche. There are a few other things, too.

Pre-order for Christmas by Wednesday, December 17 at 9am, or when sold out. Pick up your treats on Christmas Eve, December 24 between 10am and 2pm.

5351 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Bakeshop website

Bamford Bakeshop

This Beverton bakery has a Christmas holiday menu full of festive treats for pre-order, including the favorite Christmas Tree Cakes, peppermint bark cheesecake, cinnamon roll six-packs, pies, and more. You can place your order here, select pick-up time at checkout. 

Items tend to sell out quickly, FYI. 

14645 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton. Bamford Bakeshop website

Bella’s Italian Bakery

They’ve got a Yule Log (AKA Bûche de Noël), holiday cookies, panettone, and more for their holiday specials. You can order them here, by phone (971-255-1212), or in person.

9119 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland. Bella’s Italian Bakery website

East Glisan Pizza Lounge

Their eggnog special is back for the holidays! There are three versions: traditional, butterscotch, and Jeffrey Morgenthaler. You can get them in a flight, too. They’ll have them available from now until Christmas.

8001 NE Glisan Street, Portland. East Glisan Pizza Lounge website

Ken’s Artisan Bakery

They’ve got Bûche de Noël ready for ordering. “Call the bakery at 503-248-2202 or the bakery annex at 971-383-2531 to place your order, or just stop by.”

338 NW 21st Avenue and 320 NW 21st Avenue, Portland. Ken’s Artisan website

Little T Baker

They are taking pre-orders for holiday items like rolls, stolletone—it “mixes the best parts of panettone and stollen combined,” steamed ginger pudding, left coast fruitcake, as well as their regular breads. Order here.

You can make your pre-orders through Monday, December 22. Pick up is Wednesday, December 24 from 8am to noon at their SE Division Street location. If you want to pick-up at Providore, You can make your pre-orders through Monday, December 22. Pick up is Wednesday, December 24 from 8am to noon at their SE Division Street location. If you want to pick up at Providore, instructions are here.

They’ll have rolls, stolletone, and other holiday specials available for purchase on Tuesday, December 23 while supplies last.

2600 SE Division Street, Portland. Little T Baker website

Nostrana

They are offering cookie and candy boxes, as well as branded gifts for the holidays, including Cathy’s most recent book, “The Italian Summer Kitchen.” Glassware, wine keys, and more will also be available for purchase.

The cookie box holds 24 cookies and costs $49. It includes rainbow cookies, biscotti, chocolate + pecan, cuccidati, baci di dama, and pignoli. The candy box holds 12 pieces and costs $24. It includes torrone, amaro truffles, negroni pâte de fruit, and nocino caramels. In addition. there’s VOV available, “Italy’s lighter, silkier, boozy cousin of eggnog” for $30/bottle.

Place your pre-orders on their Tock page (click on the “Get Tickets” button to start). Pick-up is on Tuesday, December 23 from noon to 3pm inside Enoteca Nostrana.

1401 SE Morrison Street #105, Portland. Nostrana website

Shop Halo Halo

From Geleen, the owner of Shop Halo Halo: “You know it’s Christmas time when the Puto Bumbong comes back around.” Puto Bumbong is a purple sweet rice cake topped with shredded coconut, butter, cheese, and muscovado sugar—A popular dessert sold during the Christmas season in the Philippines.” 

You can find their complete Christmas menu here on their website. They’ll take orders until 11:59pm on Saturday, December 20 or until sold out. Pick up your pre-ordered treats on Wednesday, December 24 from noon to 6pm at Union Way PDX.

1022 W Burnside Street, Portland. Shop Halo Halo website

Southwind Microbakery

Eve has a selection of pies for December but the one that caught my eye (after the Key Lime) for the holidays is her Apple Mince Pie—perfect for the Christmas holiday: “Tart apples and dried fruits, macerated in tons of spices and booze in a flaky all-butter crust.” Check out her offerings here and DM her to order. 

685 SE Belmont Street, Portland. Southwind Microbarkery Instagram

St Honoré

For the holidays, pick up one of their Bûche de Noëls. They have both conventional and gluten-free versions, in medium (9.5″, serves 6 to 8)  and large (12”, serves 10 to 12). Find the selection on their website.

Multiple locations (details). St Honoré website 

Christmas Food: Meals To Go

Bergerac

They are offering a Christmas Dinner To Go. This is a three-course menu for $65 per person and you can pre-order oit via their Open Table page.  

• First: Roasted squash soup (V) and garlic herb croutons & sour cream.
• Second: Duck Confit (GF) with creamy mushroom sauce, green beans & toasted almond, potato gratin, and cranberry sauce .
• Third: Gingerbread Creme Brûlée (GF).
• Optional: Add on whole fruit pies, whipped cream, seasonal cocktails, and wines. 

Pick-up on Tuesday, December 23 from 2pm to 4pm 

5520 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland. Bergerac website

Feral

They are doing A Very Casserole Christmas this year. It’s fully plant-based, costs $125 and feeds two, “with leftovers or 3-4 grazers.” It is available for pick-up on Wednesday, December 24 or delivery (nice) for a $15 fee. Here’s what to expect:

• The Ham: Smoked and luxurious roast ft chanterelle, preserved cranberry and farro with a pineapple honey glaze
• Scalloped Potatoes: Thick sliced yellow potatoes layered with creamy and aromatic beschemel and vegan cheddar
• Wild rice candy-roaster stuffing: Heirloom wild rice, candy roaster squash, many herbs and savory miso broth
• Glazed carrots: Roasted Nantes Carrots, Maple Chile Glaze, Crunchy Topping
• January King salad: Shaved January King Cabbage, Shaved Winter Veg, Quince Vinaigrette
• Cheese ball: Miso Aged OTA Tofu Cheese, Black Garlic Za’atar, Hunk of Brain Food Danish Rye

Beverage pairings are available. Order via their Resy page.

1640 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland. Feral website

RingSide Steakhouse

They are offering a Holiday Prime Rib Dinner for 6 for $295.00. Note: Prime Rib is raw and accompanied by cooking instructions from their chefs. Sides are pre-cooked and just need to be reheated. No substitutions. Here’s what you get: 

• Half Prime Rib Roast with horseradish and house au jus.
• Mashed potatoes.
• Roasted Brussels sprouts.
• RingSide table bread with butter and thyme.
• Caramel Apple Pie courtesy of Willamette Valley Pie Co.

Order on their website. Pick up on Tuesday, December 23 at noon. 

2165 W Burnside Street, Portland. RingSide Steakhouse website

Christmas Meals to Eat In

Bellpine

“Celebrate the magic of Christmas Eve with an indulgent dinner at Bellpine.” This is the restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Portland. $250 per adult, $125 for kids ages 4 to 12. 

You’ll get to enjoy a lot of options: a seafood display featuring PNW oysters and caviar, a carving station with Beef Wellington and Hazelnut-Crusted Salmon, and a variety of seasonal dishes, from salad to dessert. Live jazz music will accompany your meal. Tables will be for a maximum of 2 hours.

And on Christmas Day from 11am to 3pm they’ll have a Christmas Buffet accompanied by live music, entertainment, “and a visit from a special guest!” Gosh, I wonder who that’s going to be? 

You can make reservations for both affairs on their Open Table page. 

900 SW Washington Street, Portland. Bellpine website

Clark Lewis

Head there for their Christmas Eve buffet from 2pm to 8pm on Wednesday, December 24. $85 per person. You can see the spread on their website, which includes classics like prime rib, yams, cornbread stuffing, and sticky toffee pudding. No indication of necessary reservations, but it’s not a bad idea—make yours on their Resy page. 

1001 SE Water Avenue, Portland. Clark Lewis website

Christmas Day Free Meal Providers

Several places in Portland are offering free hot meals on Christmas and New Year’s Day. The list is here.

Chinese Food: It’s a Tradition

Eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was something I became familiar with when I lived in NYC. SNL even did an animated piece about it in 2005 (the magnificent Darlene Love sings the song). Anyway, I think this is a tradition that has spread beyond NYC and the Jewish community—in fact, I tried to eat at Shandong last year it was crazy busy, like lines out the door. 

Here are some Chinese restaurants in Portland that are likely going to be open for Christmas Eve/Day: 

• HK Cafe (dim sum), 4410 SE 82nd Ave, Portland
• Excellent Cuisine (dim sum), 8733 SE Division St, Portland
• Master Kong (Chinese cuisine from Tianjin and Taishan), 8435 SE Division Street and 1522 SE 32nd Avenue, Portland
• Chin’s Kitchen (dumplings and Dongbei cuisine), 4126 NE Broadway, Portland
• Shandong (Northern Chinese cuisine), 3724 NE Broadway, Portland
• Tasty Corner (Sichuan), 624 SW Hall Street, Portland
• Duck House (Sichuan), 1968 SW 5th Avenue, Portland

Christmas Meal Shopping

Elephants Deli

They have put together a number of options: individual dinners, complete dinners, entrees, sides, starters, and more. And even food for Christmas brunch! In particular I want to point out that they are selling a Bûche de Noël, “Elephants famed chocolate Yule log (VE) with our meringue mushrooms, available with pre-order only. Order early—limited availability.”

Here’s where you can order things, and they also have a nice PDF version of their Christmas menu. Pick up on Tuesday, December 23 or Wednesday, December 24, 10am to 6pm. Pick-up is available from NW 22nd, Cedar Hills, Lake Oswego, and our SE Central Kitchen.

Multiple locations (details here). Elephants Deli website

Zupan’s

They have quite a variety of things for Christmas—meats, fish, poultry, ham, seafood, caviar, dessert. And yes, they, too, have a Bûche de Noël, including a gluten-free option. The chocolate one is from Papa Haydn (see their holiday offerings here); the gluten-free one is also vegan: “a vegan chocolate swiss roll filled with vegan vanilla pastry cream and chocolate ganache. All decorated in vegan chocolate frosting.”

Order on their website. Pick-up on Saturday, December 20 to Wednesday, December 24. All orders are reservation only and will be paid for at the time of pick-up. Ordering closes Sunday, December 21 at 5pm.

2340 W Burnside Street and 7221 S Macadam Avenue in Portland; 16380 Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego. Zupan’s website.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Here is where you can experience this very popular Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition.

Campana

You have a choice of sitting in the dining room (2 to 4 persons) or at the bar (1 to 2 persons) on Wednesday, December 24 from 4pm to 9pm. This is a five-course meal featuring seven different seafood preparations (optional wine pairing available). Tickets are $140 per person with four tickets available per order. Dietary restrictions should be made clear when you make your reservation. 

You can reserve the dining room or bar seatings on their Tock page. Here’s the menu: 

• 1st/Spuntini (snacks): CAVIALE SU CARTA DI MUSICA: caviar on a thin cracker with egg & chives; OSTRICHE ‘OREGANATA’: baked oyster with herbed breadcrumbs; SPIEDINI DI POLPO E PATATE: octopus skewer with confit potato & aïoli.
• 2nd/Antipasti (appetizers): TRICOLORE: lettuces & chicories in vinaigrette; INSALATA DI FRUTTI DI MARE: marinated local seafood with chickpeas & olives; BACCALÀ MANTECATO: whipped salt cod & potato dip with crostini.
• 3rd/Primi (pasta): CHITARRA NERO: hand-cut squid ink pasta with dungeness crab, garlic butter & gremolata.
• 4th/Secondo (pasta): ZUPPA DI PESCE: local seafood cooked in our house marinara with fett’una.
• 5th/Dolce (dessert): TORTA AL CIOCCOLATO: Chocolate cake & ganache, whipped mascarpone, hazelnuts.

901 NE Oneonta Street, Portland. Campana website

Jacqueline

They’re offering a “Feast of the Many Fishes.” It really is a lot of beautiful fish. It costs $115 per person and the whole table must participate. They will not accommodate dietary restrictions for this meal. Here’s what they have planned for this prix fixe tasting menu:

• Seafood Tower: Oysters from Hama Hama Oyster o/a Champagne granita; cold smoked mussels, chow chow, salsa verde aioli; yellowfin tuna, avocado, shrimp chip; king salmon tartare, perilla leaf, yuzu kosho; albacore tuna tonnato, boquerones, fennel pollen crackers.
• Amuse bouche: Cara Cara oranges, stracciatella, olive vin, fennel, marigold.
• The Lobster Bun: Maine lobster, Oregon bay shrimp, lobster aioli, steam bun, zucchini pickles.
• Cioppino: Dungeness crab, manila clams, mussels, rockfish, Calabrian Chile, rouille.
• Final Course: Petrale sole w/sungold conserva burre blanc & braised fennel.
• Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding w/grilled dates, cajeta, hazelnut.

Make your reservation on their Resy page.

2500 SE Clinton Street, Portland. Jacqueline website

No Saint

On Tuesday, December 23, they’ll be offering an Italian inspired, Pacific Northwest informed seafood filled feast. $120 per guest. The ticket includes food, and 20% gratuity. Beverages will be available a la carte.

There are three seatings at the writing of this roundup: 5:30pm, 7:45pm, and 8pm. You can make your reservation on their Resy page. 

1603 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland. No Saint website

Pal’s

On Christmas Eve, this seafood shack on Hayden Island is doing their own version of this classic meal for $75 per person. There are two seatings: 11am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm.

“We’re bringing it into the daylight with a festive prix fixe meal that showcases the flavors, generosity, and spirit of this classic holiday feast. Expect a table full of seafood, holiday drinks, and the room to linger.” Reserve via their Open Table page. 

515 NE Tomahawk Island Drive #105, Portland. Pal’s website

Tamales

Tamales, which we’ve featured for Candelmas, are also a traditional holiday food in Mexico. Here are some places where you can order them for your holiday celebrations.

El Sombero Tapatio

Pre-order your Christmas tamales by Saturday, December 20. Each order is $30 for a dozen tamales. They have a variety of fillings: pork ribs in red sauce, pork picadillo (red sauce), chicken mole, chicken in salsa verde, rajas, and blackberry cream cheese. Also, they’ll have Atole ($6). Read additional descriptions on their Instagram post.

Pick upon Wednesday, December 24 or Thursday, December 25. Place your order on their website.

10820 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland. El Sombrero website

¿Por Qué No?

They are offering Oaxacan-style tamales, steamed in a banana leaf and made with masa from Three Sisters Nixtamal in Portland. They’ve been cook, you just reheat. Each order is 6 tamales for $36. Fillings include:

• Pollo Barbacoa: Chicken thigh braised in 3 chile and spiced barbacoa salsa (medium spicy);
• Pork Chile Verde: Braised pork in roasted jalapeno, serrano & habanero peppers & tomatillo salsa verde (medium spicy).
• Veggie: Black beans, crimini mushrooms, corn, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeños, onion & queso Oaxaca in a spicy chile de arbol salsa.
• Served with a side of salsa de arbol, salsa verde and crema.

Order now for pick-up on Monday, December 22 or Tuesday, December 23 at either of their locations.

4635 SE Hawthorne Blvd and 3524 North Mississippi Avenue, Portland. ¿Por Qué No? website

Tamale Boy

They are selling their tamales by the each—$6.75 for savory and $4.75 for sweet. They offer:

• Norteño style (steamed in a corn husk): chile verde (pork), tinga de pollo, and rajas.
• Oaxacan (steamed in a banana leaf): Amarillo (beef in mole amarillo), Cochinita Pibil (pork), Mole Negro (chicken in black mole), and Vegetales (carrot, onion, spinach, zucchini)
• A special birria tamal (also cooked in a banana leaf).
• Sweet tamales: These use rice masa and flavors include fresa (strawberry) and piña (caramelized pineapple). Minimum 6 required per order.

The deadline for orders is Tuesday, December 23rd at 4pm. You can order here. Pick-up is at their Russell Street location unless specified otherwise.

668 N Russell Street and 1764 NE Dekum Street, Portland; 12960 SE 162nd Avenue, Happy Valley. Tamale Boy website

Gingerbread Houses

Recess at the Cambria Hotel 

On Sunday, December 14, Recess is hosting a gingerbread-house decorating party “with gumdrops, icing bags, and all the festive sprinkles.” It’s $50 per person. Along with all the gingerbread house action there will be holiday snacks and their hot chocolate bar. 

Reservations are required—either call them at 971-430-3115 or email them at recess@cambriapearl.com.

105 NW Park Avenue, Portland. Recess website

The Ritz-Carlton, Portland

They’ll be hosting Gingerbread House Decorating classes on Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21. This is for both kids and adults. $95 per house (it’s recommended one house per child). Reserve your spot here on their Open Table page.

While you build and decorate your gingerbread house you can enjoy hot chocolate and other treats. Plus, you get to take home the house, along with a hat and apron. On both days the classes are 11am to noon and 1pm to 2pm.

900 SW Washington Street, Portland. The Ritz-Carlton, Portland website

The Sandy Jug

On Thursday, December 11 from 6pm to 9pm they are hosting the “Sugar Shack Showdown“: a gingerbread house-making contest, complete with festive drink specials and holiday movies. 

7417 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. The Sandy Jug Instagram page

And don’t forget, you can stop by The Benson Hotel to view this year’s Gingerbread Masterpiece!

Winter Solstice

Cascadia Culture’s Solstice Bazaar & Holiday Cabaret

On Saturday, December 13 head to Bridge Space PDX for their Winter Solstice Bazaar & Holiday Cabaret—”a full-day gathering of craft, music, and community magic.” By day (11am to 6pm) you can sip herbal elixirs in the cozy tea lounge, and check out the marketplace offering all sorts of folk crafts, creations by local artisans, and more. Then in the evening (9pm to midnight)  there will be a Holiday Cabaret where you can “toast to community, creativity, and the returning light with laughter, song, and heartfelt connection.”

Tickets are $15 (plus $2.04 fee) for the cabaret; the bazaar is free to enter. Purchase tickets here on Humanitix.

133 SE Madison Street, Portland. Event page

Roseway Winter Solstice Celebration

“Gather as a community on the Roseway Parkway at the site of our street plaza on NE Mason St and 72nd Ave to celebrate the longest night of the year, and the onset of winter. Hot cocoa and apple cider will be provided. Please bring a song, poem or intention you’d like to share with the community to welcome the return of the light after the darkest night. Cookies and other sweet treats to share are welcome.”

This is free to attend on December 20 from 4pm to 6pm. Organized by the Roseway Neighborhood Association.

4040 NE 72nd Avenue (Roseway Plaza), Portland. Event page

Miscellaneous

We can’t not include the ScanFair, happening Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14 at the Oregon Convention Center. Tickets range from $0 to $50. “Stroll through a festive marketplace of handcrafted gifts and Nordic treasures, savor traditional Scandinavian food and drink, and enjoy live music, dancing, and family activities that celebrate the season. ScanFair is one of Oregon’s largest and most beloved holiday events and a joyful celebration of Nordic culture in the heart of Portland.”

You can buy your tickets here. The hours are 10am to 4pm each day.

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland. ScanFair webpage

Updated December 13, 2025, adding a Tamales section.
Updated December 16, 2026 to add more treats.