November 16
Flannel & Frost
FUNDRAISER – Mark your calendars as the Boys & Girls Club of Bend celebrates 30 years of community impact at their annual dinner and auction. This year is especially meaningful as they gather with 300 community champions to honor three decades of dedication to the club youth. They aim to surpass last year’s incredible achievement of raising over $175,000.
Boys & Girls Club of Bend | $150
bgcbend.org/flannel-frost/
Get Wild Chili Cookoff
FUNDRAISER – Join Think Wild for the Get Wild Chili Cook-Off, a fall fundraiser supporting native wildlife. Sample and vote on chilis in five categories, enjoy live music, raffles, beverages and trail cam footage from Shevlin Park. 4-8 pm.
Aspen Hall | $30
thinkwildco.org
Keychain Class with Kim Leahy
CRAFT – Join Playful Paws Cat Café for a keychain-making class with Kim Leahy, seed bead artist. In the class, create a personalized keychain featuring kitty charms and beads. Afterward, enjoy time in the cat lounge with adoptable kitties. Don’t miss out on this purrfectly crafty fun! Ages 8+.
Playful Paws Cat Cafe | $35
playfulpawscatcafe.com
November 16 & 17
Holiday Bazaar
SHOP – Shop for holiday crafts, décor, antiques and more in downtown Bend at the 84th annual Holiday Bazaar. Search for gently pre-loved items at the rummage sale. Take home some delicious home-baked cookies and treats. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. This is a two-day event Nov. 16, 9am-2pm and Nov. 17, 9am-12pm.
Bend Church | Free
bendsource.com/bend/holiday-bazaar
Winter Traditions – Holiday Bazaar
SHOP – Browse through 35+ vendors including Honeywood wines at the Winter Traditions Holiday Bazaar. On top of the shopping, there will be Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch in attendance. Crepe-oh-holics and the kitchen at La Pine Activity Center will have food for purchase. This is a two-day event: Nov. 16, 10am-5pm and Nov. 17., 10am-3pm.
La Pine Activity Center | Free
lapineseniorcenter.org
November 20
Intro to LEGO Robotics
LEARN – In this intro workshop you will build and program robots using LEGO’s® educational SPIKE app kits. By workshop’s end, students will have a solid foundation and be able to create, modify and control their own robotic creations. These workshops are a great first dive before DIY Cave’s series of robotics and 3D printing classes. Computers and robots will be provided for the workshop’s duration. No prior robotics or programming experience required. All materials included.
DIY Cave | $139-$166.80
diycave.com
November 22 – 24
Holiday Food & Gift Festival
SHOP – The 25th annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival returns to Redmond November 22-24 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Shop hundreds of exhibitors and local artisans for arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, woodcraft, music, photography, toys, Christmas décor and much more. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts, support small businesses and complete your holiday shopping early.
Deschutes County Expo Center | $7 adults, free for kids
hfgf.com/project/redmond-holiday-festival-show/
Jurassic Quest
EXHIBIT – Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe the herd of life-size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus and an incredible T-Rex!
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center | $22 – $36
jurassicquest.com
November 23 -January 1
Traditions at Sunriver Resort
HOLIDAY – Kicking off with the Grand Illumination, this holiday tradition gives families the opportunity to visit Santa, enjoy hot cocoa by the fire, go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, enjoy huggable characters, holiday shopping and more. Enjoy the spirit of the holidays in Sunriver and don’t miss the fireworks show!
Sunriver Resort | Free
sunriverresort.com/traditions
November 23
Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart
READ – Families everywhere will be delighted by Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart—the true tale of a little lost dog and the ultramarathon runner who saved her. This is a fun, engaging picture book perfect for families to enjoy together. Enjoy an author story time and meet Gobi! Suggested ages 0-9; children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
Downton | Free
deschutespubliclibrary.org
November 27 – (weather permitting)
Seventh Mountain Ice Rink
SKATE – Ice skating is a wonderful way to enjoy the magic of winter. Bring the kids or schedule some adult time. Skates are included with admission or bring your own and receive a discount. All ages welcome, and skates come in all sizes. Concessions are available.
Seventh Mountain Resort | $15 – $18
seventhmountainriverco.com/ice-skating/
November 28
Redmond Turkey Trot
RUN – Come for a Thanksgiving fun run (5 or 10K) with your family and friends. Registration includes race entry (no official timing ), a Hoodoo ski lift ticket and a t-shirt (while supplies last). Don’t miss The Brace Place 1K kids race which is free for all kids ages 10 and under!
Sam Johnson Park | $30 – $35
redmondturkeytrot.com
I Like Pie Run
RUN – On Thanksgiving morning, bring the entire family to the Old Mill District for this iconic Bend run anytime between 7:30 and 9:30am to run or walk a 1.3-mile or 5K loop. Each registered participant will receive a unique beanie (first 3,000). All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend.
Old Mill | $20 – $40
cascaderelays.com/events/i-like-pie/
November 29 – approx. start date (weather permitting)
Mt. Bachelor Opening Day
SKI – Grab your shredding buddies and come up to Mt. Bachelor for Opening Day 2024! Conditions permitting, Mt Bachelor will open the day after Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed for deep snow, free refills and loads of stoke!
Mt. Bachelor | Prices vary – day and season passes available online
mtbachelor.com
November 29 – December 5
Silver Sage Trading Winter Sale
SHOP – If you’re looking for that unique Central Oregon gift, head to the High Desert Museum’s gift shop, Silver Sage Trading, where during this time, members receive20% offmost merchandise. (10% off for all visitors). Those coming exclusively to shop may enter the museum for free. Check in at admissions. Open daily from 11am – 4 pm.
High Desert Museum | Free
highdesertmuseum.org
November 29 & 30
White Christmas
SHOW – This is a new show at the Riverhouse Convention Center. Check out the arts, crafts, commercial items, foods, Santa, drawings and a coloring contest for the kids. Please bring a canned good for a local charity. The entrance fee includes free parking. Veterans and seniors receive $1 discount at the show.
Riverhouse Convention Center | $5
centraloregonshows.com
November 29 & 30 and December 7 & 14
Holiday Village Market
SHOP – Come down to the park and cruise through the vendors to find those one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for your friends and family in downtown Redmond. Munch on some delicious caramel popcorn or Norwegian chocolates while you shop for wine and kitchen items. 10am – 4pm.
Centennial Park in Redmond | Free
visitredmondoregon.com/events-in-redmond-oregon/
November 30 & December 1
The Nutcracker: A Child’s Tale
SHOW – Bring the whole family to this heart-warming take on a classic, featuring local dancers as they tell the story of a young girl, Clara, who befriends a nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Through movement and music, the dancers bring the night’s adventure to life.
Tower Theatre | $31.50 – $54
towertheatre.org
November 30
Starlight Parade
SHOP – Join the dazzling Starlight Parade in downtown Redmond! As Clara and the Nutcracker guide you through this enchanting evening, you’ll be mesmerized by the twinkling lights, magical floats and festive music. The magic begins at 5pm on 6th Street, so be sure to find your spot early to witness the wonders of this Nutcracker-themed parade.
Downtown Redmond | $25
visitredmondoregon.com/events-in-redmond-oregon/
Holiday Palooza & Tree Lighting in Sisters
HOLIDAY – All are welcome in Sisters at this spectacular event! The Holiday Palooza will kick-off with the holiday parade down Main Street and culminate with holiday activities, including the tree lighting ceremony at Fir Street Park. Enjoy festive music and free hot chocolate to get you in the holiday spirit! 5:30-6pm
Fir Street Park | Free
visitcentraloregon.com/event/holiday-tree-lighting
November 29 – December 22
Winter Wonderettes
THEATER – The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring great ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the esult is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight.
Cascades Theatrical Company | $39 – $43
cascadestheatrical.org/winter-wonderettes/
December 2
Slightly Nerdy Paint Parties at Modern Games – A Jack & Sally Christmas
ART – Get into the holiday spirit with A Jack & Sally Christmas paint class. Bring out your inner artist and create a fun and festive painting to celebrate the season. All ages welcome with an adult.
Modern Games | $45
letspaintclasses.art
December 4-5, 6-7, 13-15, and 19
Geminids Meteor Shower Starlight Snowshoe Tour
TOUR – The Geminids meteor shower is one of the most plentiful meteor showers that grace the night skies each year! Cruising on snowshoes, enjoy the winter wonderland of the Deschutes National Forest and meander through the powdery snow! During our adventure, our naturalist guides will share the history of trapping on snowshoes or the invention of snowshoeing by Native Americans. Deschutes National Forest | $120
wanderlusttours.com/special-events
December 6
Kids Night Out!
FUNDRAISER – Parents/guardians enjoy a night off, leaving the kiddos (ages 4-11) to experience an evening packed with games, crafts, activities and a DIY meal. This fundraiser event supports the teen program, with certified babysitters volunteering to get hands-on experience.
Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson Elementary I $40
campfireco.org/specialevents/
December 7
Bend Christmas Parade
PARADE – Don’t miss this annual holiday tradition downtown. This year’s theme is “The Heart of Christmas.” Check out the floats, marching bands, decorations and so much more. Santa is sure to make an appearance! Starts at noon.
Downtown Bend | Free
bendchristmasparade.org
Reindeer Rush
RACE – Cascade Relays is excited to bring you this children’s event that will mark the start of the beloved Christmas Parade in the heart of downtown Bend, a cherished annual tradition. Stay tuned for more info on the 2024 event!
Downtown Bend | TBA
cascaderelays.com/events/reindeer-rush/
Rock The Holidays with Sunriver Music Festival
MUSIC – Mark your calendars for this event featuring concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer in Sunriver. Aaron will perform original material and hits of the season, combining contemporary and classical styles with his dynamic rock band. This event is presented in collaboration with the Tower Theatre Foundation.
SHARC’s Benham Hall in Sunriver | $49-$400
sunrivermusic.org
Hospice Festival of Trees
FUNDRAISER – Join the 41st annual Festival of Trees at Hospice of Redmond. The event includes a free family fun tree preview including Santa and cookies from 11am-2pm, then an event and live tree auction takes place at 5pm.
Hospice of Redmond | $95
hospiceofredmond.org/festival-of-trees/
December 7 & 8
Holiday Magic
MUSIC – The Cascade Chorale is thrilled to showcase a high-energy blend of beloved classics and fresh new works, a return of the crowd-favorite Jazz Central, along with special guests, 27th Street Brass Quintet and the Dove String Quartet. Join us as we kick off the holiday season with holiday magic!
Tower Theatre | $26 -$38
towertheatre.org
December 8
Kids Ninja Warrior Competition
PLAY – Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping experience at this competition, which is an official area qualifier for the UNAA Season 10. This event is sanctioned by the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association, a leading global organization in ninja warrior obstacle course racing. Participants will take on a thrilling array of ninja challenges designed to test their skills and agility.
Free Spirit Bend | $49
freespiritbend.com/events
December 9 & 10
Kids Woodworking
ART – In this two-day workshop, kids will tackle design challenges using technical problem-solving skills and mathematics. Kids will focus on design, measurement, and layout techniques while gaining experience with power tools and various hand tools. This is a wonderful program for young makers, introducing them to the joy of woodworking. Beginners and intermediate beginners are welcome and will progress in their skill level. All materials included.
DIY Cave | $209-$250.80
diycave.com
December 10
Santa Pajama Jam – Open Play
PLAY – Get into the festive spirit by bringing your little ones to our holiday event – and don’t forget to deck them out in holiday pajamas for extra cheer! Capture delightful photos with Santa Claus and his playful elves. Our ninja warrior coaches will lead group games and holiday ornament-making. Revel in the holiday ambiance.
Free Spirit Bend | $49
freespiritbend.com/events
December 11
Geology Rocks!
LEARN – Join the Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory to explore geology! Learn all about rocks, volcanoes and fossils. First, we will discover how rocks form and the different categories of rocks. Then we will learn about the explosive history of this area as we make our own volcanoes and see what rocks are formed from lava. We will put our engineering skills to the test as we learn about earthquakes and make our own earthquake-proof structures! This program is recommended for children ages 6-12, accompanied by a caregiver.
Sunriver Library I Free
deschuteslibrary.org
December 14
Holiday Gift Faire
SHOP – This holiday gift fair highlights Central Oregon’s finest artists, artisans and makers. Support this vibrant community while discovering the magic of handmade and locally sourced creations. This is a wonderful market full of unique, quality items and gifts, perfect for the giving season. In addition, the fair is a fundraiser for Central Oregon Locavore, a nonprofit that supports local foods and growers with their marketplace and education programs. Don’t miss this one! 9am-3pm.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Free
centraloregonlocavore.org/holiday-gift-faire/
December 15
Kids’ Entrepreneur Holiday Market
HOLIDAY – A holiday market run entirely by kids ages 5-17. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, learn skills beyond the classroom. You will find gifts, artisan crafts, graphic arts, services, games, food, drinks, jewelry and more. Come support young entrepreneurs in our community!
Bend Elks Lodge | Free to attend. To participate: $10-$20.
envirocenter.org/event/kids-entrepreneur-holiday-market/
December 17
Jump for Joy: Toddler Time at Mountain Air
STORYTIME – Join Mountain Air Trampoline Park for an exclusive toddler time jump session complete with storytelling. During this event, the entire facility is reserved for children five years old and younger to enjoy for two hours. Enjoy some amazing stories read by Ms. Meredith from the Assistance League of Bend! One parent/monitor is included per registered jumper.
Mountain Air Trampoline Park I $14-$24
mountainairbend.com/tickets/
December 18
Kids 3D Printing
ART – Are you curious about exactly how something gets from an idea to a real-world object? This class will cover everything from how a 3D printer works to creating and printing out custom designs. Beginners and intermediate beginners including repeat participants are welcome and will progress in skill level. All materials and tools included.
DIY Cave | $109-$130.80
Diycave.com
December 20 – 22
Swingin’ Tower Christmas
SHOW – Enjoy a family-friendly holiday celebration of the most swingin’ Christmas songs, as well as carols and stories of the season. A 17-piece big band of top local musicians lays down the groove for several of your favorite local singers. Mollie and Jim Tennant host this swingin’ celebration. Keep an eye out for Olive the Elf and the big man himself…Santa!
Tower Theatre | $46 – $56
towertheatre.org/tickets-and-events/swingin-tower-christmas
Dirksen Derby
SNOWBOARD – Come out for this all-ages snowboarding race to raise money for charities and individuals in need. The 100% hand-dug Parallel Banked Slalom course challenges racers with a speedy but technical course. The world-class timing system combines riders’ times down the Red Course (more difficult) and the Green Course (more friendly) for a final combined time at the end of the weekend. Fastest combined time wins.
Mt Bachelor Ski Resort | $60
dirksenderby.com
December 31
New Year’s Eve Bonfire on the Snow
TOUR – Ring in the new year in an intimate and profound setting. Snowshoeing through the lush forest of the Central Oregon Cascades, descend upon an amazing snow-built amphitheater where a crackling bonfire awaits. Gather around the fire and usher in the New Year with a champagne toast at the turn of midnight!
Deschutes National Forest | $160
wanderlusttours.com/special-events
January 1
New Year’s Relay
SKI – Participants will ski a 2km loop for a total distance of 6km for the whole team, except for the youngest category which will have a shorter course. Costumes are strongly encouraged. This is a casual and family-friendly event. Come for the laughs and stay for the goodies and raffle brought to you by Strictly Organic Coffee and MBSEF.
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center | $25-$50
mbsef.org/new-years-nordic-relay/
January 8 & 9
The Nutcracker: A Child’s Tale
BALLET – The Nutcracker is a ballet that has been loved for more than 100 years by many generations of children and adults from different countries all around the world. The performance is based on the fairy tale classic of German literature by E. Hoffmann, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” it is a mystical story about a handsome prince who was bewitched into an ugly doll, and a girl Masha, who helps the Nutcracker defeat the Mouse King.
Tower Theatre | $52.50 – $91.50
towertheatre.org/event/nutcracker
January 10-19
The PROM
THEATER – Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So, when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny.
Cascades Theatrical Company | $39-$43
cascadestheatrical.org/the-prom/
January 11
16th Annual Polar Bear Run
RUN – This annual 5k/10k run is hosted by St. Thomas Academy. This is a timed race for participants. The course for both the 5k and 10k starts and ends at St. Thomas Academy (corner of 19th St & Maple Ave) in Redmond. There will be food and fun for all ages!
St. Thomas Parish Center | TBA
redmondacademy.com/polarbear
January 28
21st Annual Great Nordeen
SKI – Today, the Great Nordeen is significantly less grueling than the races Nordeen won in the 1930s. The courses are groomed specifically for the event and give skiers and fat bikers a once-a-year opportunity to cruise through hemlock forests, over lava flows and around the buttes of the Deschutes National Forest on their journey to the finish at Wanoga Sno-Park.
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center | $40-$120
Mbsef.org
This article appears in BendNest Winter 2024.
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