Featured image: A scene from Urban Nutcracker with Boston's famous Citgo gas station sign in the background on the left. (photo by Peter Paradise; courtesy Urban Nutcracker) For traditional Nutcracker ballet fans, Urban Nutcracker is unlike anything you’ll ever see. There’s no fancy 19th Century mansion in a snowy wonderland. The main character’s name is … Continue reading Urban Nutcracker delivers a classic story with a twist, 16 years running

Featured image: The library, decorated in the “Antique Playing Cards” theme by Sally Woolley, at the Pittock Mansion in Portland. (photo by Cheryl Landes) In the west hills of Portland, a grand century-old French Renaissance chateau stands in memory of a family who helped transform Portland from a small, isolated lumber town to a bustling, … Continue reading Stroll through a grand Portland mansion dressed in holiday finery

Featured image: Entrance to Fort Borst Park in Centralia, Washington. The arch shines in bright multi-colored lights at night during the holidays. (photo by Cheryl Landes) Updated December 5, 2018 Many motorists driving from Portland to Seattle stop in Centralia, Washington, to take a break halfway through their drive and refuel their cars. During the … Continue reading Fort Borst Park’s holiday lights continue through Christmas night in Centralia

Featured image: The Spirit of Seattle docked at Lake Union in Seattle (photo by Cheryl Landes) Seats are still available for some of the final Spirit of Seattle’s Christmas Ship Festival sailings this holiday season on the follow boats, which follow directly behind the lead boats in the Christmas ship parades. All departures are from the … Continue reading There’s still time to sail in a Spirit of Seattle Christmas ship parade

Featured image: The Alpenrose Dairy Opera House, which hosts Christmas from Home through December 18 (photo by Cheryl Landes) It’s December 1941. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, which pushed the United States into World War II. Portlanders are scared and worried, uncertain about the future. But they’re determined to do whatever it takes to win … Continue reading Christmas from Home recalls early World War II struggles, uncertainty, and hope in Portland

Photos by Cheryl Landes Since 1929, residents of Peacock Lane in southeast Portland have decorated their homes and yards with hundreds of colored lights and elaborate holiday displays of Nativity scenes, snowmen and women, Santa in a sleigh, and Christmas villages. The tradition returned December 15 and ends New Year’s Eve. Many Portlanders consider Peacock Lane … Continue reading Peacock Lane, Portland’s Christmas Street, open through New Year’s Eve