Old favorites made better, and new features to surprise – Silverton Christmas Market is ready to kick off this festive season with a bang, promising new light displays, a longer and wider walking path through the illuminated gardens, a bigger candy cane tunnel, a steeper snowless tubing hill, and more artisan vendors than ever before (meaning even more quality imported German goods!).
One million twinkling lights await you in an awe-inspiring light display and market at the Oregon Garden Resort! This is an annual event offering a truly magical holiday experience for all ages, inspired by the traditional holiday markets in Germany. Buy thoughtful and unique gifts for your loved ones from local vendors in the artisan Vendor Market, listen to live music in the family-friendly Biergarten, go snowless tubing, and snap a photo or two with Santa.
And this is a wonderland where you can stay a while- in a cozy, well-appointed room at the Oregon Garden Resort, with a fireplace to snuggle up in front of and a TV to watch your favorite Christmas movies on.
WHERE: Oregon Garden Resort, 895 W. Main Street, Silverton, Oregon.
OPEN: November 17 – December 31, 2023, closed November 22-23 and December 24-25), 5pm – 9pm.
“Our event is designed for friends and family to enjoy time together and experience the traditions that make this time of year so special. We hope you will join us to create magical holiday memories at this unique event in the Willamette Valley!”
– The organizers
This event is a beloved family tradition that was once named “Lights at the Oregon Garden Resort” and prior to that, it was held in The Oregon Garden’s Rediscovery Forest as “Christmas in the Garden.” The event is now held on the grounds of the Oregon Garden Resort.
Is Silverton Christmas Market A German Market?
The Silverton Christmas Market is inspired by German holiday traditions and authentic German Christmas markets, offering booths full of handmade goods imported straight from Germany, including collectible mugs, traditional lebkuchen (gingerbread hearts) and gluhwein (mulled wine), handcrafted German nutcrackers, smokers and glass ornaments, and a light section dedicated to Krampus – the wicked German version of our Grinch!
Good To Know
There will be no ice skating rink at the Silverton Christmas Market in 2023.
There are no admission tickets available at the door – you have to buy tickets online, in advance. You’re also recommended to buy your snowless tubing tickets online before you go, although snowless tubing tickets are also available at the door.
There are timed slots for attendees to enter the event: at 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm or 7pm. Once in, you can stay as long as you like. And if traffic holds you up, no worries- you’ll still be let in once you arrive.
If you aren’t a fan of crowds, go earlier in the day and earlier in the week.
VIP parking is available at the Oregon Garden Resort for $20, with complimentary continuous shuttle service (no pets allowed on the shuttle) to and from offsite parking lots from 4:45pm to 9pm. VIP Parking must be bought online in advance (you cannot buy it on the day). Hotel guests can park at the Resort for free as part of their overnight package.
No cash accepted in the market. Take a debit or credit card in with you for all purchases.
Pets are allowed at the event on a leash, but not on the shuttles.
There are restrooms on the event site.
Most of the wide, flat light path at the Silverton Christmas Market is ADA accessible, made of coarse gravel, which most wheelchairs and strollers can travel on.
Admission
| Adults (13+) | Child (6 – 12) | |
| Monday – Thursday | $15 | $5 |
| Fridays and Saturdays | $20 | $8 |
| Sundays | $18 | $8 |
VIP parking $20.
Snowless Tubing $5 (2 rides), $9 (4 rides)
Now let’s take a closer look at what the Silverton Christmas Market has in store for us this year.
Get Shopping
Whether you head there early in the season to shop for gifts or are in a last-minute rush (last open day December 22nd!), the Silverton Christmas Market is sure to have something to tempt you, and every purchase goes toward supporting local businesses.
The Silverton Christmas Market is inspired by the open-air Christmas markets that originated in Europe and date back to the Late Middle Ages, called “Weihnachtsmarkt” in Germany and Austria, and which are now held all over the world to celebrate the Christmas season.
The designers of the Silverton Christmas Market have done well to capture the traditional elements native to Europe, from the booths to the decor.
The authentic German booths offer the best in handmade, imported German Christmas decor, including nutcrackers and smokers.
You’ll also find a wide choice of ornaments, incense burners, artwork by Oregon artists, official Silverton Christmas Market souvenirs, blankets, scarves, beanies, gloves, candles, bath bombs and bath soaps, hand-thrown pottery (and a live pottery demo), metal, knitted, macrame and beaded gifts, and custom handmade wood signs.
Eat & Drink
Delight your taste buds and fill hungry tums with a choice of delicious German sweet and savory holiday treats. Focusing on German heritage, you’ll find sausages, macaroni and cheese, and soft pretzels topping the list (don’t miss out on Mary’s famous hand-breaded schnitzel sandwich!), and for those sweet-tooths among you, lebkuchen (gingerbread hearts), sugared almonds, kettle corn, and bread pudding.
It’s thirsty work shopping and wandering the illuminated gardens. As per tradition, the holiday favorites craft beer, hot cider and hot cocoa will be available, as well as signature Gluhwein (warm, spiced wine), hot cocoa with spirits for adults, and water and soda.
Eat as you walk, or grab a space at the table in their covered seating area.
You can also enjoy a meal at their year-round Garden View Restaurant (reservation required), with its roaring fire and live music in the Fireside Lounge each evening. Or chose to eat out in the town of Silverton itself.
Reminder – this is a cashless event! Bring a debit or credit card for all food, drink and market purchases. The menu selection is subject to change based on availability.
Note: Parking fees also apply to guests dining at the Resort.
Go Tubing
Enjoy snowless tubing among the lights and festive music at the Silverton Christmas Market, on trails that are longer and steeper than ever before. Go on Tuesdays and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Silver Falls School District for some seasonal charity.
Snowless tubing is for children 4+ only.
Tubes are provided – you cannot bring your own.
See Santa
Santa will be popping into the market and light walk for you to grab a photo op with from November 17 – December 23 (except November 22-23), between 5pm and 8:30pm.
Did You Know?
The original Santa Claus was historically known as St. Nicholas, a bishop who lived in the 3rd century in Myra (today’s Turkey), known as the patron of children and a magical gift-bringer. The idea of the saint spread and became popular throughout Europe. In Germany today, they still celebrate the legend and traditions of Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day) on December 6th, which was the day of his death.
“On the evening of December 5th in Germany, St. Nicholas visits homes to see if children are behaving. To prepare for the visit, rooms are cleaned, toys tidied, shoes are polished and set out by the door. The next morning, children wake to find them filled with chocolates and treats.”
The Germans also have their own “Grinch” – he’s called Krampus (from the German word, krampen, which means claw). They say he’s the son of the Norse god of the underworld, Hel. On December 5th, known in Germany as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, he goes around with St. Nicholas stealing those children who have been naughty, not nice. See if you can spot Krampus sneaking around at the Silverton Christmas Market!
Enjoy The Music
Silverton Christmas Market every year calls in live performers to bring festive cheer and family-friendly warmth to the Biergarten, in addition to the carolers who wander through the market. Check online for a calendar of each evening’s performers.
Stay
Grab a Silverton Christmas Market Package and make a weekend of it!
Overnight stays need to be booked directly through the hotel, either online or by calling 800-966-6490. Guests must be booked on the Silverton Christmas Market Package to get access to the market too, otherwise admission comes at additional cost.
The Silverton Christmas Market Package includes a hotel room, entry to the Market, parking for one car, and breakfast. The Resort has some great amenities on offer, including the Moonstone Spa, Fireside Lounge, and Garden View Restaurant.
The package stays tend to sell out fast, especially the weekends.
Each room includes a fireplace and a private patio or deck. Some lucky guests even get a room with a view of the lights. Pet-friendly rooms are available.
The Takeaway
The Silverton Christmas Market in Oregon offers a unique opportunity to experience European holiday traditions on your doorstep, as well as the chance to buy quality traditional German imported gifts, and taste German-inspired food and drink. Festive lights, music and snowless tubing promise an afternoon of fun for all the family, while the artisan vendors will inspire you for one-of-a-kind Christmas gift ideas.
What Else Can I Do In Oregon?
Why not take it to these warm Oregon beaches? And what about some low-tide tide pool exploration? It’s chilly, but the critter-packed marine ecosystems you’ll discover at these Cannon Beach Oregon tide pool beaches make a real treat. Alternatively, head along to the tide pools near Newport.
If you’re looking to recharge after your Christmas shopping, consider a long hot soak at an Oregon commercial hot springs, or in one of the state’s free natural hot springs – revive and rejuvenate ahead of the New Year in nature’s best minerals!
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the most up-to-date information, we always recommend you do your own research before you travel to a particular area or visit a specific destination, and check conditions with relevant official authorities. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your adventure!
