2023 FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Nightly through Dec. 30
Please bring a non-perishable food item for SnowCap.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Festival Hours
4:45 – 10:00 PM (entry gates close at 9:30 PM)
Admission
ONLINE – IN ADVANCE
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Adults (12+) $14
Youth (3-11) $6
Children ages 2 and under are free.
A small service fee will be added to online sales at checkout.
AT THE GATE PRICING
Purchase in advance for better pricing. NO CASH SALES at the door.
Adults (12+) $18
Youth (3-11) $8
Children ages 2 and under are free.
About the Festival
CHOIR SCHEDULE
Choirs in the Chapel
Enjoy the amazing sounds of local schools, churches and civic groups as they perform inside the Chapel of Mary, with its cathedral-like acoustics.
Fun for Everyone
Continuous entertainment for all ages is offered in The Grotto’s plaza area, including outdoor caroling, puppet shows, and an assortment of musical guests.
Puppet Show & Storytimes
At the top of each hour in the plaza tent, enjoy our puppet shows and storytimes.
Caroling
The Grotto Carolers perform every hour at the bottom of the hour in the plaza tent. Sing along to your favorite Christmas songs.
PLAZA ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
Snacks and Drinks
Find snacks and drinks available for purchase inside the Visitor Center, next to the Chapel.
- Hot Chocolate
- Donuts
- Bottled Water
- Assorted bagged salty snacks
A few details
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 tented, but visitors should dress for the weather. Rubber-soled shoes, warm socks, gloves, and ear coverings are recommended, especially on colder nights.
Average festival visitation times are between 60 and 90 minutes. Visitors wishing to hear a specific concert should arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance of the scheduled concert time.
How to get to the Festival
The entrance to The Grotto is at NE 85th & Sandy Blvd. in Portland, Oregon.
Parking: Parking is free in the main parking lot and on the adjacent streets. Parking attendants will assist you in finding the best spot. Please follow their directions.
Overflow Lot with Free Shuttle: On busy nights, use our overflow lot, which is located at the Parkrose/Sumner Park&Ride on Sandy Blvd. Our free shuttle bus runs every night from this lot.
By Bus: If you plan to take public transit, Bus 12 takes you along NE Sandy Blvd. to The Grotto and Bus 72 takes you along NE 82nd Ave., where you can disembark at NE Sandy Blvd.
From the MAX: Exit at the Parkrose/Sumner Station on the Red Line and take our shuttle bus (located in the bus pull-out on Sandy Blvd.) The shuttle bus runs every night and is free to use.
More Information
For general questions about the Festival, please email events@thegrotto.org or call 503-254-7371.
To book your choir to perform, please contact Samantha Kocher at skocher@thegrotto.org.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jane Tokito at jtokito@thegrotto.org.
Interested in volunteering? Please use this link to sign up.
