![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/C26MDBBSGZAKRCER44PTDJKQ4Y.JPG\")
Portland Youth Philharmonic presents its annual Concert at Christmas. Oregonian file photo. Beth Nakamura<\/p>\nChristmas celebrations continue, even after Santa has finished his yearly trip. You can still score a seat at a few holiday-themed events this week, or maybe just head to the coast and watch for whales as they migrate toward Mexico. We\u2019ve also got a few New Year\u2019s Eve events that still have tickets available. Also, don\u2019t forget the Kwanzaa celebration held in Beaverton on Dec. 27. <\/p>\n
Portland Youth Philharmonic presents its annual Concert at Christmas. Oregonian file photo. Beth Nakamura<\/p>\n
64th Annual Concert at Christmas: A Popcorn Solstice <\/p>\n
Portland Youth Philharmonic continues its decades-long holiday tradition with an evening concert performed by the Alumni Orchestra, Portland Youth String and Wind Ensembles, Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra and the flagship Portland Youth Philharmonic. Enjoy a world premiere work of Bruce Stark\u2019s \u201cPopcorn Fantasia\u201d a tribute to film music, as well as Leonard Berstein\u2019s suite from \u201cOn the Waterfront.\u201d Other works include hits from \u201cWicked\u201d and John Williams\u2019 \u201cRaiders March.\u201d<\/p>\n
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $15; portlandyouthphil.org\/concerts<\/a>. <\/p>\n Winter Whale Watch Week <\/p>\n Planning a trip to the Oregon coast during winter break? The Oregon State Parks annual Winter Whale Watch Week offers 14 volunteer-led watching stations along the coast where you just may spot gray whales on their southward migration to calving lagoons in Mexico. Even if you don\u2019t see a whale, you can learn a lot about their migration habits and the environmental difficulties they face. The website includes a map of watching sites.<\/p>\n 10 a.m.-1 p.m. daily Saturday, Dec. 27-Wednesday, Dec. 31; free; oregonstateparks.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cA Charlie Brown Christmas\u201d <\/p>\n This national tour of beloved characters from Charles Schultz\u2019s Peanuts comic strip offers a holiday celebration for the whole family. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the Peanuts gang are together live on stage as they uncover the true meaning of Christmas. Expect the songs and wonderful musical score from the holiday classic cartoon. This Broadway-style production offers immersive sets, lighting, choreography, and colorful costumes, and the afternoon showtime is great for kids. <\/p>\n 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, Keller Auditorium, 222 S.W. Clay St.; tickets start at $45; portland5.com\/keller-auditorium\/events<\/a>. <\/p>\n Joyous Kwanzaa Celebration <\/p>\n Head to Beaverton for the third annual Beaverton-based Kwanzaa celebration. This free community event offers live music, vendors, food, games and a performance by West African drummer Baba Nii Ardey. <\/p>\n 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, Tualatin Hills Athletic Center, 15707 S.W. Walker Road, Beaverton; free; beavertonblackpeoplesunion.org\/kwanzaacelebration<\/a>. <\/p>\n Grand Ballroom Carnaval <\/p>\n Portland Chamber Orchestra offers the sweeping rhythms and vibrant energy of ballroom dancing and music. From the waltzing charm of Beethoven to Strauss\u2019 passionate tango flair, the orchestra will explore how composers personified dance through music. A pre-concert dance lesson is open to all ages in the lobby of the Reser at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Concert 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $19.50-$64.50; thereser.org\/event\/grand-ballroom-carnaval<\/a>. <\/p>\n Kids\u2019 New Year\u2019s Eve <\/p>\n All the fun of a New Year\u2019s Eve ball drop without the midnight timestamp. Celebrate the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026 with crafts, DJ music, prizes, a photobooth, and more in this party meant for families with children ages 10 and younger. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.<\/p>\n 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Reser Center for the Arts, 12615 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; admission $15-$20; thereser.org\/event\/kids-new-years-eve<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sobriety Powwow<\/p>\n The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest hosts the annual sober celebration of the new year. This powwow draws thousands of guests and offers a demonstration of the culture, community, and commitment to sobriety. The 1 p.m. grand entry features youth-focused events, traditional dancing, fun and games. The 6 p.m. grant entry honors the original founders, community partners, and others. Expect drum and dance performance steeped in tradition and resilience. <\/p>\n 1 p.m.-midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 31, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd; free, and all are welcome; oregoncc.org\/attend\/events<\/a>. <\/p>\n Bing in the New Year<\/p>\n Did you know that Oregon\u2019s very own Milwaukie is the birthplace of the Bing cherry? Well, it is. So, when the new year comes around, the community drops a giant 7-foot lighted cherry rather than a \u201cball.\u201d Ring in the new year at this free event held outdoors at the Farmers Market location. Attractions include live music, a Chinese cultural performance, food, beer, and a vendor marketplace. The countdown happens on East Coast time (9 p.m. PST) so you can get home with the kids before it\u2019s super late.<\/p>\n 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the intersection of Southeast Harrison and Main streets in Milwaukie; free; binginthenewyear.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n Grateful Brass New Year\u2019s Eve<\/p>\n Led by Adam Theis, Grateful Brass reimagines the iconic music of the Grateful Dead with an instrumentation of brass, drums and vocals (and no guitar!). Take a deep dive into the Dead\u2019s discography highlighted by re-imaginations infused with the spirit of New Orleans Second Line, trance-like grooves of Afrobeat, brass-driven energy of Balkan music, and energetic Afro-Cuban polyrhythms. Performers include Erin Honeywell, Ross Eustis, Dan Zemelman and others. 21 and older only for this show. <\/p>\n 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Alberta Rose Theater, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $55; <\/a>albertarosetheatre.com\/event\/grateful-brass<\/a>. <\/p>\n Josh Gondelman comedy show<\/p>\n Writer and comedian Gondelman helped write the final season of \u201cThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel\u201d and earned Emmy Awards for his work on \u201cLast Week Tonight with John Oliver.\u201d See him live at one of two special New Year\u2019s Eve comedy shows. The later show includes an after party in the lounge. <\/p>\n![\"Depoe](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DMYZANA2DFDGVMGXXLSVNQ5TX4.jpg\")
A gray whale raises its tail fluke out of the water as it dives just offshore of Depoe Bay on the central Oregon coast. Oregonian file photo. Jamie Hale\/The Oregonian<\/p>\n![\"Beaverton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GJT5FDGRNFBW5PYBKB4DTFZFQ4.jpg\")
Head to the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts for a family New Year’s Eve party Wednesday afternoon. Jamie Hale\/The Oregonian<\/p>\n![\"powwow\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/3NFDBHMYIBEC3MZZXIR6N64YMY.jpg\")
Celebrate the New Year during the annual Powwow held by Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) at the Oregon Convention Center. Oregonian file photo. LC-<\/p>\n