Christmas
Mass Times
May Through October
Weekdays: 12 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. &
12:00 noon
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Festival of Lights
2012 Christmas Festival of Lights
Friday, November 23 – Sunday, December 30
At The Grotto, NE 85th and Sandy Boulevard, Portland
Festival Information: 503.261.2400
Main reception: 503.254.7371
Nightly 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. with festival grounds closing at 10:00 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
$9.00 general admission
$8.00 senior ( 65 and over)
$4.00 children ages 3 – 12
2 & under are admitted FREE
Tickets are available at the entry gate or may be purchased in advance at The Grotto’s Gift Shop before 4:00 p.m. daily.
During the Festival of Lights the gounds and Gift Shop close at 4:00 p.m.. The Gift Shop reopens at 5:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m. to festival patrons only.
Adequate free parking is available
Visitors are asked to bring a donation of canned or dry food benefiting Snow-Cap, the east county’s affiliate of the Oregon Food Bank.
Event Description
Presenting the sights, sounds and sensations of the season, The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is the largest Christmas choral festival in the world. The 2012 festival features nearly 180 indoor holiday concerts performed by many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs. Offering a family-oriented blend of traditional celebration and serene reflection, the 2012 festival theme “Angels on High” reflects the special season of hope that Christmas offers to many thousands of families from around the Pacific Northwest.
Five indoor concerts are scheduled each evening in The Grotto’s 600-seat chapel, known for its cathedral quality acoustics. Continuous family entertainment in The Grotto’s plaza area includes outdoor caroling, puppet shows and a live animal petting zoo.
Holiday foods and beverages are also available, as is seasonal shopping in The Grotto’s Christian Gift and Book Store. A magnificent display of nativity sets from around the world is on display for viewing and individual sets are available for purchase in the Grotto’s Visitor Complex.
Helpful Hints
Average festival visitation times are between 75 and 90 minutes. Visitors wishing to hear a specific concert in The Grotto’s chapel should arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance of the scheduled concert time.
The Festival of Lights is a walk through event and visitors can expect to walk approximately one quarter mile. All entertainment areas are either indoors or fully tented but visitors should dress for the weather. During festival hours temperatures typically are in the low to mid-40s. Rubber soled shoes, warm socks, gloves, and ear coverings are recommended, especially on colder nights. Outlined in lights, the entry path is somewhat uneven and darkened for effect. While accessible to those with disabilities, the festival is NOT recommended for the elderly or frail.
Parking
Parking is Free and volunteer parking attendants are present on busier nights to direct visitors to the most convenient parking. Weather permitting this year’s busiest nights will be Saturday, Dec. 19th through Sunday, December 23rd and all other Saturday nights. For those attending on the festival’s busier nights, we recommend for ease of access that you arrive before 6:30 or after 8:15 p.m.
Entertainment
The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights presents five indoor concerts each evening. Featuring many of the region’s finest school, church and civic choirs performing in the Grotto’s 600-seat chapel known for its cathedral quality acoustics, nightly concerts begin at 5:15, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Visitors wishing to hear a specific chapel concert should plan to arrive between 30 and 45 minutes in advance of the scheduled concert time.
Outdoor tented family entertainment runs continuously each night in the plaza. Our master puppeteer presents a Christmas themed show at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. The Grotto Carolers perform your favorite Christmas carols at 5:35, 6:35, 7:35, and 8:35 p.m. nightly. Rainbow Farms live animal petting zoo is open from 5:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Volunteers
The Grotto is extremely appreciative of the nearly 1,000 volunteers who help staff the festival each year. Volunteer shifts are typically 3 hours and are split into an early “opening” shift and a later “closing” shift. Both indoor and outdoor positions are available and scheduling flexibility is greatly appreciated.
Special Customer Features
Click here for Group Rate Information
Festival of Lights Hot Line: 503-261-2400
