Few small towns lean into the holiday season like Canby. Heck, there’s a reason even Santa himself told us Canby is his favorite place to visit.
Here’s a run-down of what’s happening around Canby and Aurora this December. If we’ve missed something, or have the details wrong, please drop us a line at info@canbyfirst.com.
Red Mitten Christmas Bazaar: Nov. 21-24, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Dec. 5-8. Hours vary. Warner Grange. Shop for unique high-quality handmade gifts, children’s items, fresh locally made wreaths, vintage wares, holiday goodies, amazing fused glass creations, jewelry, ornaments, beautiful soy candles, yummy soaps and lotions, home décor and more. Local authors will be on site for book-signings throughout show. FREE Admission. Facebook event.
Jingle Jam: Dec. 1. 5-7 p.m. Canby Foursquare Church. You’re invited to the Jingle Jam! Grab your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and join Canby Foursquare as they kick off the Christmas season! There will be a hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating/crafts/games, carolers, raffles, and a giant tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all. Facebook event.
12 Days of Christmas: Throughout December. Canby Pioneer Chapel Performing Arts. Speaking of music, there’s a lot going on at the historic Canby Pioneer Chapel this month for their holiday spectacular. Michael Allen Harrison and Julianne Johnson will be returning several times for their beloved annual Christmas show (Dec. 7 & 8), Rebecca Hardiman and Co. will be presenting their Carpenters Tribute (Dec. 14), John Nilsen will offer piano music by candlelight (Dec. 4, 18 and 22), and keep it local with Joni Harms and the Harms Way Band (Dec. 15)! Website.
Holiday Open House: Dec. 5. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Canby Public Library. All ages are invited to come and visit with Santa, enjoy Christmas crafts, sample delicious refreshments, and get into the holiday spirit with live music by the Dickens Carolers. Every child will receive a free book! Generously funded by the Friends of the Library. Facebook event.
Canby Christmas First Thursday Celebration: Dec. 5. 5-8 p.m. Canby Pioneer Chapel Performing Arts and downtown Canby. It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in Canby, and the Canby Area Chamber is celebrating the kickoff of the holiday season with an event for the whole family. There will be pictures with Santa, a letters to Santa creative station, wine tasting, snacks, food and fun! Everything is free. Facebook event.
Baker Prairie Middle School Presents Scrooge!: Dec. 5-7. 7 p.m. Also a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 7. Richard R. Brown Fine Arts Center. This timeless musical follows the plot of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in which the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Tickets available online or at the door. Website.
Light Up the Night: Dec. 6. 6-8 p.m. Downtown Canby and Wait Park. This is many residents’ favorite event of the year… and for good reason! The Canby Parks Department goes all out in decorating Wait Park for the holidays, and the community parade is always fantastic. Join the community for an evening of holiday cheer with a festive parade, ceremonial tree lighting, caroling from the Oregon Trail Pitchpipers, and a cup of hot chocolate from the Knights of Columbus. Facebook event.
Operation Snuggle: Dec. 7. 9 a.m. Baker Prairie Middle School. Operation Snuggle’s mission is to provide every homeless student in the Canby area with a handmade blanket, pillow and pillowcase. Each year, hundreds of volunteers gather to make fleece tie blankets, and this year, the outreach is serving children in both the Canby and North Marion school districts. Everyone is welcome. Don’t forget to bring your scissors! Facebook page.
Annual Holiday Bazaar: Dec. 7. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Canby Adult Center. Please mark your calendars and save the date for the Canby Adult Center’s annual Holiday Bazaar! Get your Christmas shopping done early with jewelry, handcrafts, seasonal décor, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and a hot lunch for sale.
Meet & Greet with St. Nick: Dec. 7. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Canby Depot Museum. Come start the holiday season by bringing your family and friends to meet Santa. Pets welcome. Refreshments will be served. Facebook event.
2019 Christmas at the Grove Winter Festival: Dec. 7. 5-9:30 p.m. The Grove Camp & Retreat Center. The Grove (formerly Canby Grove), located at 7501 S. Knights Bridge Road, is lighting up the Christmas season with a fun-filled festival of lights, music, magic and activities for the whole family! Enjoy tasty food and live music all evening long. Toast marshmallows, win prizes and shop for unique gifts. Website.
Aurora Colony Holiday Flea Market: Dec. 7-8. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Aurora American Legion Post 110. Aurora’s monthly flea market expands to two days and adds special holiday events for the month of December. A Christmas tea, hosted by Wind Horse Antiques will be held on Sunday, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Facebook event.
Holiday Concerts: And hey — why not even more music in your life? It is the holidays, after all, and they come but once a year. Enjoy the sweet sounds of local Canby School District students who have been working for months to help make our holiday celebrations special. The Ninety-One School Band & Choir Concert will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Canby High School Choir Winter Concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 11-12 at the Richard R. Brown Fine Arts Center. The Baker Prairie Middle School Concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 17, also at the Fine Arts Center. And finally, the Canby High School Holiday Concert will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at — you guessed it! — the good, ole FAC.
STEAM Night – Mini Gingerbread Houses: Dec. 12. 6-7 p.m. Canby Public Library. Join the team at the Canby Public Library each month as they explore Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics! This month: construct and decorate mini gingerbread houses. Generously funded by the Friends of the Library. Facebook event.
Christmas Tour of Homes: Dec. 14. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This annual fundraiser for the Friends of the Canby Public Library showcases five different homes every year, each beautifully decorated for the holidays. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the library or the customer service counter of Cutsforth’s Market. All proceeds go toward library programs and services. Facebook event.
Canby Kiwanis Community Food & Toy Drive: Sign up to receive food and gifts by Dec. 13. Food and toy distribution Dec. 20-21. Clackamas County Fairgrounds & Event Center. Main Pavilion. This will be the 61st year of this Canby tradition, which brings the entire community together, thanks to help from many other civic groups, church groups, scouting troops, and individuals who volunteer and donate. In 2018 the community provided toys for nearly 1,000 children, and food baskets for 385 families. You can help by volunteering to serve, or donating healthy food and great toys at the many drop-off locations throughout town. Website.
Christmas Tree Recycling: Dec. 28. 10 a.m. Clackamas County Fairgrounds & Events Center. Christmas is over, people — no point in dragging it out, right? Come by the red lot of the Clackamas County Fairgrounds to recycle your Christmas trees for free.
Photo by Gordon Christiansen, courtesy CTV Channel 5.