The Western Howl

Celebrate the season in style

Natalie Dean | Entertainment Editor

There’s no shortage of holiday events in Oregon that anyone can go to ⏤ including virtual and drive-thru events as well as in person events with social distancing measures. 

First, is the virtual ScanFair from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6, where shoppers can find handcrafted gifts from online vendors. There will be a great variety of vendors, including Gnome Werks Toys, Swedecraft and Folk Art of Norway. Extra information on this virtual holiday event can be found at nordicnorthwest.org/scanfair. 

The holiday fun doesn’t stop there; families can visit Santa at the Riverfront Carousel in Salem at “Santa’s Carousel Workshop,” where participants can snap a few pictures with ol’ Saint Nick before he returns to the North Pole. Visits are always free, and folks can look into the many photo options they have. There must be no more than six people in one group, but there are also options for virtual visits from Santa. Anyone can schedule Zoom meetings or get a custom video message from Santa, where it would be available to view on Christmas Eve. 

If nothing else, make sure to send a letter to Santa this year, so he can decide if you’ve been naughty or nice. Forms for the letters are on their website or in person next to Santa’s bright red mailbox by the carousel. More information and details on reservations are located at, salemcarousel.wixsite.com/salemcarousel/santa-at-the-carousel. 

Even though the holidays will look a little different this year at the Portland Zoo, that won’t stop this year’s special drive-thru experience and holiday get-together. ZooLights Drive shows off the elaborate display of 1.5 million lights that are strung throughout the zoo. Viewers can take in the eleven brilliant light displays, some of which include: fantasy lane, glowing grove and light tree lane. This event will run from Nov. 23 to Jan. 10, 2021, with the exception of Dec. 25. Tickets range in price and can be purchased up to seven days in advance on their website, shop.oregonzoo.org/#/SpecialEvents. 

Contact the author at ndean17@wou.edu