It may not even be Halloween yet but it’s never too early to start booking your holiday festivities in Lake Oswego. Popular events like the Tinseltown Trolley sell out early. So start making a list and book the festivities that require reservations.

Luckily there are lots to choose from–so many that I’m covering them over two different weeks. Here’s the first installment.

Make Your Own Holiday Centerpiece for ages 18+. Learn the basics of floral design and then take what you’ve learned to assemble a centerpiece to display during the holidays or to give as a gift. All materials will be provided but you are asked to bring your own clippers. Saturday, November 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. $40/person. Register online. Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Road.

West Linn Annual Holiday Bazaar. Get a jump start on unique holiday gifts with over 50 vendors featuring handcrafted jewelry, kids’ clothing, woodworks, ceramics, artwork, home décor, paper products and more. Wine tasting and bottle purchases available after 11:00 a.m. Free admission. Saturday, November 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. West Linn Adult Community Center, 1180 Rosemont Road. 503.557.4704.

Lakewood in City Lights. This annual event is returning to downtown Portland to the Sentinel Hotel. Enjoy dinner catered by Jake’s Grill, entertainment, and silent and oral auction. Make a night of it and stay at the hotel at a special rate. Saturday, November 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $125/person and can be purchased at the box office, online, or by calling 503.635.3901.

Lighting of Maddax Woods. Our West Linn neighbors will be turning on the lights of Maddax Woods park with accessible trails down to the Willamette River viewing platform. Look for creatures of the woods along the way and enjoy the holiday sparkle. Lights will remain on every evening through November and December. Saturday, November 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 5785 River Street, West Linn.

Floral design and Wine. Create a beautiful autumnal floral arrangement for your holiday table that guests and your family will enjoy. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Sunday, November 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. $100. Zupan’s Market Breezeway. 16380 Boones Ferry Road, 503.210.4190.

Reunion Farmers Market. Local farms bring autumn’s bounty to downtown Lake Oswego. Enjoy shopping in the crisp fall air and pick up some fresh ideas for your Thanksgiving feast. Saturday, November 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Millennium Plaza Park, First and Evergreen.

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides. Here’s another opportunity to slow the season down and take in the sights as enjoy a 20 minute ride through downtown Lake Oswego and the First Addition neighborhood while the Reunion Farmers Market is taking place. Saturday, November 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Limited reserved seating ($8/Adults; $5/Youth) is available on the hour by registering online or contacting 503.675.2549. The rest of the seats are first come, first served for rides on the half hour: $8/adults; $5/children. Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First Street.

54th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy one of Lake Oswego’s longest standing traditions which includes tree lighting, caroling, treats, and a visit from the big guy decked out in red and white. Friday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. Begins at Bigelow Plaza on the corner of 5th and A Avenue and proceeds down to Millennium Plaza Park.

Arts Council of Lake Oswego’s Holiday Marketplace. Looking for that special gift or something unique for yourself? Stop by the Arts Council of Lake Oswego’s Holiday Marketplace for a unique gift for yourself or someone on your list. Select from fine art, ceramics, jewelry, handmade one-of-a-kind items, and wonderful prints and cards, among many other fine gifts and home goods. Marketplace opens Saturday, November 30 through Saturday, December 28. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 510 1^st Street, 503.675.3738.

Holiday Gift Show at Oswego Heritage House. Get your holiday shopping done early and local with selections that include hats, jewelry, puppets, wine and more. Wednesday, December 4, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Oswego Heritage House. 398 10th Avenue. 503.635.6373.

Holiday Gift Making for ages 7-12. Over three different sessions kids will learn to make holiday inspired art including rock painting, cork ornaments and more. Wednesdays, December 4-18 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road. Register online for class #19902. $43/Residents; $65/Non-residents.

Holiday Caroling Event. Meet at Old Town’s Peg Tree, 141 Leonard Street and be entertained by the Portland Phoenix Choir before joining in the fun as you carol-while-you-walk to the Preservation Society’s Iron Workers Museum at 40 Wilbur Street for hot chocolate and cider. Friday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. 503.481.2479.

Holiday Magic Breakfast Theatre—The Peppermint Bear Show: Seasoned Greetings.Enjoy a special holiday continental breakfast ½ hour before the curtain goes up for this holiday production o area high school student performers. Geared for ages 3-12. Performances are twice daily at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays December 7, 14, and 21; Sundays December 15 and 22 and Monday, December 23 in the Lakewood Center Community Meeting Room on the Side Door stage at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Advance reservations are required by purchasing tickets either online, at the box office or by calling: 503.635.3901. Fee: $15/adults; $12/youth 18 and under.

Gingerbread House Workshop for ages 6-13. Who needs a boxed kit when you can bake your own gingerbread? Luscher farmhouse Chef Laura Content will help kids bake gingerbread, decorate a keepsake house and send them home with dough to bake. They’ll finish up by making holiday cards. Saturday, December 7 (#20046) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and (#20048) from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8 (#20047) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Luscher Farm, 125 Rosemont Road. $52/Resident; $78/Non-Resident. Register online.  

Market in the Breezeway: Holiday Bazaar. Spend the afternoon sampling holiday foods and wine and check out holiday décor and floral. Pick up some hostess gifts and place an order for a holiday basket. Saturday, December 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Zupan’s Market. 16380 Boones Ferry Road, 503.210.4190

Dennis’ 7 Dees Reindeer Magic.Bring the kids to meet Santa and his reindeer. Ticketed admission gives you access to view and take pictures with the reindeer, sit on Santa’s lap, enjoy holiday music and other festivities. Tickets are on sale online now until sold out. Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lake Oswego Garden Center, 1090 McVey Avenue. 503.636.4660.

‘Tis the Season of Soul Holiday Concert. Let the sounds of Oregon Music Hall of Fame inductee Patrick Lamb put you in the holiday mood while he works his magic with his saxophone. Concert benefits the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center. Sunday, December 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Road. $22/Adults; $15/Youth (0-12). Register online or call 503. 635.3758.

Christmas Ships Trolley Excursions.Come see the lighted Christmas ships along the Willamette River from the comfort and warmth of the Willamette Shore Trolley. Schedule begins Wednesday, December 11 with trolleys leaving at both 6:15 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. as well as on Fridays, December 13 and December 20 and Wednesday, December 18. Catch the combined fleet on Saturday, December 15 on a 3:30 p.m. trolley. Tickets are $30/person; $40 for the Saturday run. Rides should take between 60-90 minutes depending on the boats. Tickets go on sale Monday, November 18 at 10:00 a.m. Online reservations only.

Tinseltown Trolley.It’s Lake Oswego’s version of the Polar Express. Hop aboard and let your imaginations soar as you enjoy carols, story time, treats and a visit from someone special from the North Pole! Friday, December 13 at 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m.; Saturday, December 14 rides are at 1:00 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:45 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 15 rides are 1:00 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. Depart from station at 311 N. State Street. Allow about 45 minutes for the roundtrip to Portland and back. Reservations are required and tickets sell out fast. Tickets are $19/Adults; $16/Youth 12 and under. 503.675.2549.

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