Fun winter activities to enjoy over Winter Break.

If you’re looking for local, fun, and (mostly) cheap ways to spend your time this holiday season, then you’re in the right place. Check out the list below for some of Eugene’s best winter activities!

Holiday Market

Each year, Saturday Market hosts a Holiday Market in the Lane Events Center at the fairgrounds up until Dec. 24. The Holiday Market always features a wide variety of arts and crafts vendors, food carts, and musical performances. Specific dates and times can be found on the Saturday Market website.

5th Street Market

After the lighting of the Christmas Tree on Nov. 29, 5th Street Market will retain its cozy holiday atmosphere until Dec. 23. Each day will have a visit from “Santa,” as well as the beautiful light displays. 5th Street Market is also home to many shops, boutiques, and restaurants, perfect for holiday excursions.

Ice Skating

The Rink Exchange, located at the fairgrounds, is open for public skating every day (although it is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Check the website for specific times. Whether you’re a professional skater or not, ice skating is a fun, family-friendly activity that many will enjoy. Skate rental is available, as well!

It’s (Still) A Magical World, Hobbes, Ol’ Buddy

If you’re not feeling the holiday spirit this year, don’t worry, because there’s still plenty for you to do, like the Calvin and Hobbes art exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. UO students and anybody under the age of 18 can get in for free, and this showing of selected original Calvin and Hobbes strips by Bill Watterson will be available for viewing until Feb. 2, 2025.

Choose ‘n’ Cut Christmas Trees

Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm is one of the best holiday attractions around, even if it is a bit of a drive to get there. Located in Pleasant Hill, Northern Lights features many activities such as food carts, a gift shop, and the chance to cut down your own Christmas Tree. And if you don’t celebrate Christmas, Northern Lights just has an overall cozy holiday environment for everybody to enjoy.

Article by Abby Ketchum