 |
 |
CONTACT / ADVERTISE ON BEACH CONNECTION
Published 11/28/08
Holiday Highlights of the Oregon Coast
 |
| Nye Beach hosts a month-long celebration. |
(Oregon Coast) – The winds pick up this time of year, but so do the spirits of those on the coast. The entire shoreline of Oregon is celebrating the holidays in some unique ways. Various special concerts and performances come out of the woodwork. Holiday lights appear in the wildest places. You have holiday bazaars, cooking classes, English tea parties, one lighthouse will get especially gussied up, and Santa shows up on the beaches, all over the place.
Then, for the grown-ups, New Year's Eve means some wild times that will be memorable (or quite possibly you won’t remember them at all).
Look for plenty of celebrations in Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport and lots in Yachats and near Florence.
Beginning November 28. Feed the seals, Feed the people at Seaside Aquarium. Seaside Aquarium is offering a special admission rate of two cans of food per person from November 28th through December 23rd. Food donations will go to the South county food bank. Help them support those in need. The aquarium is open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm. On the Prom. Seaside, Oregon. 503-738-6211.
 |
| Downtown Seaside. |
November 29 - December 20. Nye Beach Holiday Celebration. Four weekends of something different from the holidays, happening in the Nye Beach district of Newport. Strolling musicians, Santa, massive holiday decorations, giving to charities, real roasted chestnuts and events that coincide with the festival itself. Nye Beach will be gussied up in white lights – including some residential buildings. Wine walk and wish list events as well. See full schedule and story here. More information can be obtained by calling the Dapper Frog at 541-265-3764, or Village Bistro and Deli, 541-574-9393.
December 1. Winter Celebration Opening Ceremony at Little Log Church Museum, Yachats. Followed by a performance by the Sweet Adelines and refreshments at the Yachats Ladies Club. 7 p.m. at Little Log Church Museum; 8 p.m. Yachats Ladies Club. Both located on the corner of W 3rd and Pontiac Streets. Yachats, Oregon.
December 4. Manzanita Christmas Tree Lighting. Held in front of the Windemer Real Estate Office (Farmers’ Market area). Manzanita, Oregon. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (503) 368 3454.
December 5. Holiday Wine & Appetizer Party Class, at Lincoln City’s Pacific Coast Center for Culinary Arts. In this demonstration class Chef Justin Wills of Tu Tu Tun Lodge will create an array of appetizers perfect for any holiday party. Willis will also explore wine pairing. This demonstration class runs from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and cost is $70. Lincoln City, Oregon. (541) 557-1125.
 |
| Seaside Aquarium features special admission prices during the season to help the needy. |
December 5 - 6. Sea of Lights at Oregon Coast Aquarium. Ring in the holidays as the Aquarium becomes a winter wonderland surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights. Festive caroling, a Christmas village and a visit with Saint Nick and photos by the big Christmas tree in the lobby. Hot chocolate and holiday treats. Many gift ideas in the Aquarium gift shop. Admission: Aquarium members free; non members free with donation of a new, unwrapped toy or 2 items of non-perishable food items for Lincoln County Food Share or pet food for Lincoln County Animal Shelter. Without donation; adults $2, kids $1. All ages. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Oregon Coast Aquarium. Newport, Oregon.
December 6, 13 and 20 (every Saturday). Seaside’s Gingerbread Tea at Butterfield Cottage. Enjoy a bit of living history with your tea. 2 –4 p.m. $5. Adults, $3. 12 & under. Seaside Museum & Historical Society. 570 Necanicum Drive. Seaside, Oregon. 503-738-7065.
December 6. Holiday English Tea with Santa, Cannon Beach. 11- 5 p.m. Cannon Beach Library, Cannon Beach, Oregon. 503-436-1391.
December 6. Christmas Tree Lighting in Tillamook. Tillamook City Hall. 210 Laurel in downtown Tillamook, Oregon. 503-842-5378.
December 6. Holiday Bazaar, Highway 6, near Tillamook. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tillamook Forest Center. 45500 Wilson River Hwy, Tillamook, Oregon. 503-815-6803. www.tillamookforestcenter.org
 |
| Newport's Lighted Boat Parade happens December 6. |
December 6. Holiday Boat Parade Lights Up Yaquina Bay. Newport is home to the largest fishing fleet in Oregon and the boat parade will feature a variety of watercraft, including charter boats, fishing boats, sail boats and even sea kayaks. Beginning around 5 pm and lasting until approximately 6:30 pm, the parade is traditionally viewed from the docks, restaurants and shops on the historic Bayfront. Or be in the middle of it all by enjoying the spectacle from one of several tour and charter boats. Newport, Oregon.
December 6 & 7. 81st Annual Christmas Bazaar. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Lunch offered 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Yachats Ladies Club House, 286 W 3rd St., Yachats, Oregon. 541-547-3205.
December 7. Cannon Beach Chorus performs in Manzanita. $10 donation requested. 7 p.m. Concert will be held in the Hoffman Center Annex, 595 Laneda, Manzanita, Oregon. 503-368-3846.
December 12. Rockaway Santa, Sing-a-long
& Christmas Decorating Awards. Rockaway Beach Wayside (if raining,
at Firehall). Rockaway, Oregon. 503-355-8108. www.rockawaybeach.net
December 12. Old St. Nick Christmas Tea, Manzanita. Elegantly
decorated tables with treasured china settings and crafty centerpieces
fit the season. There will be an array of sweets and savories to relish,
followed by a spirited program of holiday readings by local writers and
around of carols. Proceeds benefit Tillamook Women’s Resource Center.
Tickets $6 are available at Syzygy and Nehalem Harbor. Pine Grove Center,
on Laneda. Manzanita, Oregon. 503-368-7140.
 |
| Heceta Head Lighthouse has its lovely Victorian celebration this month. |
December 13. Children’s Community Holiday Celebration. Arts, crafts, entertainment, games and more. Free. Seaside Civic & Convention Center. 415 First Avenue, Seaside, Oregon. (503) 738-8585.
December 13, 14, 20 and 21. Heceta Head Lightstation Victoria Christmas Open House. Heceta Head Lighthouse hosts evenings where local musicians perform holiday favorites while local sponsors provide warm drinks and goodies. 4 – 7 p.m. Santa Claus will also make a special appearance each evening between 5 – 6 p.m. Oregon State Parks volunteers will offer historic tours of the lighthouse. There will be a holiday raffle with great prizes from local businesses. Coastal Journeys will offer shuttle service from the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Area parking lot to the front door. Or bring warm, rainproof clothing and a flashlight and enjoy a beautiful walk up from the parking lot/beach. The parking fee is $3 or present your Oregon Coast Passport. 541-547-3696. The lightstation is located just 14 miles south of Yachats.
December 17. Holiday Desserts Class at Lincoln City’s Pacific Coast Center for Culinary Arts with Chef Sharon Wiest . In this hands-on class, Sharon will teach you to make an array of delicious endings to your holiday meal. This class runs from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. and cost is $50. Lincoln City, Oregon. (541) 557-1125.
December 19 – 21. Little Nutcracker, Newport. The ballet suite put on by the little ones. 7 p.m. Adults $12 - Seniors/Student $10. Newport Performing Arts Center. Newport, Oregon.
December 26 – January 1. Whale Watch Week. Whale watch interpreters all over the entire Oregon coast, including Cape Perpetua Overlook, Devil's Churn Viewpoint and Cook's Chasm Turnout, Nye Beach (Newport), Cape Meares, Cape Foulweather, Depoe Bay, Ecola Creek State Park (Cannon Beach), and many more. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (541) 765-3304.
 |
| Manzanita's wacky parade. |
New Year’s Eve on the Oregon Coast: Look for a larger, more detailed listing of NYE coastal events from BeachConnection.net soon. In the meantime, party hotspots to be thinking about are Rick’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill in Rockaway, San Dune Pub in Manzanita, Maxwell’s in Lincoln City, Landmark Lounge in Yachats, and Pudgy’s in Seaside.
Manzanita's Wacko New Year’s Eve Midnight Parade. A little known secret about Manzanita’s New Year’s celebrations is its New Year Parade at midnight, which has been a surreal little local tradition that’s been happening for at least a few years. Generally, people just stagger out of the local bars and perform an oddball parade of sorts – proof again of the kooky and creative side to the fun-loving locals. Now, only the San Dune exists in Manzanita, but some may be coming from nearby The Wateringhole in Nehalem or Sea Shack in Wheeler. In the past, there was, among other things, a large dragon costume. It’s quite a spectacle. In recent years, the city grudgingly gave it’s okay for the parade, partially on the basis it would happen with or without the permit.
January 1. New Years Day Ocean Plunge, Manzanita. Celebrate the new year polar bear-style. 10 a.m. at the Intersection of Nehalem & Beulah Rds, on Neah Kah Nie Beach.
Secrets of the Season |
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south
end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by
the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach
strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering
gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms.
Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly.
Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine
and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
Arch
Cape Property Services.
Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
rugged stretch between Cannon Beach and Manzanita known as Arch
Cape. Oceanfront and ocean view , or just a short walk from the
sea. |
|
Seaside,
Oregon Lodging Calendar
of events Oregon
coast mileage chart & map Search for Oregon Coast Subjects, Articles Oregon
Coast Real Estate Atypical
Things to Do Oregon Coast Complete Guides every beach access, attraction |
|||||||||||||
OR
TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR |
|||||||||||||
|
Oregon Coast Best of Awards for the Year And the winners are: best of Oregon coast restaurants, lodgings, science, odd events in nature and stunning moments for 2007
Watching Transformations of Oregon Coast Beaches Seasons change and so do beaches, revealing different sides and a variety of eye-popping sights
Staggeringly Cool Ideas for Oregon Coast Romance Be it the season of Valentine's or be it any time of the year, Oregon's coastline has essentially cornered the market for cuddle-inducing possibilities and gushy activities for the hand-holding set
Day or Night Mysteries and Merriment on Oregon Coast It's more than just nightlife that comes to life, but the beaches offer major opportunities