Things to Do in Portland in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Portland
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
46°F (8°C)
High Temp
36°F (2°C)
Low Temp
0.3 inches (8 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Near-freezing temperatures, pack warm layers
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December's mild 8°C (46°F) highs mean you can walk the Pearl District all day without the sweat-soaked shirts you get in July. The air feels crisp, not cruel. Locals ditch the down jackets. You will too. Pack a light sweater. Walk farther. Stay out longer.
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% from summer peaks - those downtown lofts with river views suddenly become mid-range instead of splurge territory. Book the balcony room. Watch the Willamette glitter at dusk. You just saved $80. Spend it on barrel-aged gin later.
- + The city's famous rain takes December off - only 10 days all month, and usually just morning drizzle that clears by 10am. Carry a small umbrella. Forget the poncho. Blue skies return fast. Streets steam. Coffee tastes better after.
- + Christmas ships parade on the Willamette River (mid-December) - dozens of decorated boats lighting up the water while you drink hot toddies at riverside bars. Carols drift across the current. Lights shimmer. Order another toddy. Stay until the last boat passes.
Considerations
- − Sunset hits 4:30pm - you'll be navigating Powell's City of Books by headlamp if you don't plan afternoon activities carefully. Start early. Finish by four. Headlamp still helps. The shelves stretch forever.
- − The Saturday Market shuts down for winter - no more browsing local artisans' stalls under the Burnside Bridge. No crowds. No music. No handcrafted mugs. Wait for the holiday market instead.
- − Some food cart pods close early or entirely - the Alder Street pod reduces from 60 to about 20 vendors in December. Lines shrink. Flavors concentrate. Survivors hustle harder. Taste everything left.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Brewery District Walking Tours
December's cool mornings are good for hopping between Portland's 70+ breweries. The sweat you work up walking between Breakside, Ecliptic, and Ex Novo in summer becomes comfortable warmth in winter. Plus, brewers have more time to chat when it's not packed with summer tourists. Ask about the barrel program. Sip slowly. Walk to the next one.
Booking Tip: Book 3-5 days ahead through licensed operators. Look for tours that include both established breweries and newer experimental spots. The booking section below shows current options. Spots fill fast. Plan ahead. Drink better.
Forest Park Urban Hiking
The 8 km (5 mile) Wildwood Trail stays mud-free in December's dry spell, and you might see the Tualatin Mountains through the trees instead of summer's persistent marine layer. Morning fog creates that mystical Pacific Northwest vibe without the summer crowds. Boots stay clean. Views stay clear. Hike farther.
Booking Tip: Self-guided works fine. But guided tours explain the old growth Douglas firs and hidden stone bridges. Book nature tours 1-2 weeks ahead in December. Guides know the shortcuts. Stories add depth. Worth it.
Saturday Market Holiday Edition
While the regular Saturday Market closes, the special December Holiday Market runs weekends through mid-December at the Oregon Convention Center. Same local artisans selling hand-thrown pottery and Portland-made wool scarves. But with actual space to browse instead of summer shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Breathe. Browse. Buy.
Booking Tip: Free to enter. But go early Saturday for best selection. The MAX light rail drops you right at the convention center - easier than parking. Doors open at ten. Coffee first. Shop second.
Food Cart Winter Specials
December brings comfort food specials at the remaining open pods - think kimchi grilled cheese from Kim Jong Grillin' and steaming bowls from Nong's Khao Man Gai. The reduced vendor count means shorter lines and more attention from owners who remember your order. Eat slow. Go back for seconds.
Booking Tip: The Alder Street pod (SW 10th & Alder) stays most active in winter. Go 11:30am-1pm for full selection before vendors sell out. Midday heat helps. Lines stay short. Arrive hungry.
Distillery District Tours
Portland's craft distilleries - House Spirits, Bull Run, Shine - run heated tasting rooms good for December afternoons. The city's weird liquor laws mean you can sample everything from aquavit to barrel-aged gin, then buy bottles at distillery prices. Sip. Warm up. Stock up.
Booking Tip: Book distillery tours 5-7 days ahead. Many offer December-only releases of barrel-aged spirits good for holiday gifts. Taste first. Buy later. Wrap them yourself.
Where to Stay in Portland in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid December through Christmas
Christmas Ships Parade
Over 50 decorated boats cruise the Willamette and Columbia Rivers for two weeks. Best viewing from riverside restaurants like Altabira or the patio at McCormick & Schmick's, where you can watch with a hot cocktail instead of fighting crowds on bridges. Reserve a window table. Stay inside. Stay warm.
Late November through early January
ZooLights at Oregon Zoo
The zoo transforms into a 1.5 km (1 mile) LED wonderland with 1.5 million lights. December evenings are cold enough to justify the hot chocolate stands but not so freezing you rush through the exhibits. Wear a scarf. Sip chocolate. Walk slow.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Portland Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The MAX light rail runs free in downtown's Fareless Square - save your transit budget for the 40-minute ride to Powell's enormous Beaverton location instead. Hop on. Hop off. Pay nothing.
Portland's famous food scene includes a secret - many top restaurants offer December prix fixe menus that cost 30% less than their regular a la carte pricing. Ask the server. Order the special. Eat like royalty.
The best view of Christmas ships isn't from a bridge - it's from the east bank esplanade near OMSI, where you can walk alongside the parade route. Bring cocoa. Walk south. Avoid crowds.
Local coffee roasters like Coava and Heart do December cupping sessions on Saturdays - free tastings that'll recalibrate your coffee standards permanently. Spit cups provided. Notes encouraged. Leave buzzed.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming December means constant rain - you might get 10 days of drizzle all month. But locals still carry umbrellas because when it rains, it pours. Blue sky returns fast. Puddles linger. Step around them.
Booking hotels east of the river to save money - the commute across bridges in December wind and potential ice isn't worth the savings. Stay west. Walk everywhere. Sleep in.
Skipping outdoor activities because it's 'winter' - Forest Park hiking is better in December's dry spell than Portland's notoriously gray November. Trails empty. Views clear. Go hike.
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Top-rated things to do in Portland this December
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