Who’s ready to celebrate the end of 2020? Maybe your kids won’t wait until midnight or maybe you’d just like to get the celebration started early—either way, there’s lots of fun to find during New Year’s Eve in Portland. Bonus points for the stay-at-home in your jammies celebrations! While many events were cancelled this year, a few are moving to virtual or are changing things up to make visits safe, whatever your count down preferences you’ll find an option. Now, stop searching “New Years Eve events near me” and Read on for our curated list of the best!
Noon Year’s Eve Party with AC Gilbert House Children’s Museum
While you can’t gather at Salem’s super fun children’s museum for a noon party this year, you can still celebrate New Years Eve with them from Portland! A “party package” will get to a box delivered to your door full of everything you need for an at-home blast like balloons, noisemakers and confetti. Join in for a virtual “Noon Year” and watch the ball drop. Hint: check out their website for their Noon Year’s Eve dance tutorial!
$20/box
Online: acgilbert.org
Zoolights at Oregon Zoo
One of the best New Years Eve Portland activities is still on the table. Yes, Zoolights are still on this year and yes, they’re perfectly safe! The zoo has expertely transformed it’s lighted wonderland into a car-only zone, meaning you can drive your family through the zoo itself as you gaze at the lights. And don’t worry-- you can pre-purchase snacks and souvenirs online! They’ll be ready for you when you arrive, so you can chow down on that elephant ear or cotton candy while you watch for lights. Tickets are available 7 days in advance and sell out quickly, so plan ahead!
$50 - $65 per car
4001 Southwest Canyon Road
Portland, OR
503-226-1561
Online: oregonzoo.org
New Year’s Eve at Noon with the Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Don’t keep the kids up until midnight (they won’t make it and you’ll all be grumpy!): instead celebrate a balldrop at Noon on Dec 31! While they can’t gather in person like usual, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center is switching to an all virtual celebration. Tune in at 11am for the fun!
11:00 AM
Dec 31
Register on the website
Online: oregonjcc.org
Oregon Garden Resort
In normal years the resort hosts Christmas in the Garden, a veritable wonderland of lights and vendors in a magical setting. This year the full experience has been postponed, but a scaled-back version still holds the same spark of magic. Lights at the Oregon Garden Resort will have thousands of lights with a limited number of booths, fire pits, mulled wine, beer, and more—this experience is guaranteed for resort guests (packages start at $169). If you’re not planning to stay overnight, watch their website as they may sell a limited number of public tickets each week based on occupancy.
Oregon Garden Resort
895 W. Main St.
Silverton, OR
Online: oregongardenresort.com
Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Skibowl
Welcome the new year at Mt. Hood Skibowl with night skiing and Cosmic Tubing until late into the evening. Be sure to order your tickets ahead of time and watch the website for any changes. It’s a party on the mountain!
Junior tickets start at $45.
Dec 31 all day
Online: skibowl.com
Happy New Year and Goodbye 2020!
Featured image via pracilla du via unsplashed
–Katrina Emery
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