The Rogue Valley will be full of festival events in the weeks ahead
By Jim Flint for Ashland.news
Ashland kicks off the holidays in signature style the day after Thanksgiving, when the 33rd Annual Festival of Light returns Friday, Nov. 28, with music, festivities and more than 1 million lights illuminating downtown.
Produced by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce and Travel Ashland, the festival draws thousands of visitors and families from around the region for what many consider the unofficial start of the town’s holiday season. For Travel Ashland director Katharine Cato, the festival’s enduring pull is part of the charm.
“It’s heartwarming to see visitors return each year for this magical event and build traditions they can share,” Cato said.
Music and more on the plaza
New this year, festivities begin earlier than usual with a 3 p.m. start on the Ashland Plaza, featuring live performances by A&M Brass Quintet and Danielle Kelly Jazz Project. Local vendors will offer snacks, crafts and family-friendly activities, with the full vendor list rolling out on social media in the days ahead.
From there, the buildup to twilight is all about anticipation — especially for the youngest festivalgoers waiting for Santa.
Santa’s parade
At 5 p.m., Santa’s parade will wind its way to the plaza, led by themed entries escorting Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their team of elves and reindeer. The procession ends at the Brickroom balcony, where Santa will greet the crowd before flipping the switch on the town’s holiday glow.
The Grand Illumination bathes downtown Ashland in shimmering lights from Lithia Way to the plaza’s rooftops. Afterward, families are encouraged to linger for more live music, treats from vendors and photos with Santa’s cheerful entourage.
For the Ashland chamber, the day is both a community celebration and an economic cornerstone.
“The Festival of Light day is such a magical day that kicks off a festive and fun season,” said Dana Preston, the chamber’s membership and business development director. “We love how much the community and visitors come out for the event to celebrate the magic. We are excited to add some more live music and activities to the event this year and really kick off the holidays in style.”
A full month of cheer
The Festival of Light doesn’t end with opening night. A full slate of programs runs through December, each designed to bring families downtown and encourage support for local businesses.
Santa’s Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by Evergreen Federal Bank, sends families across Ashland on a search for Santa’s “sneaky friends.” Completed game cards can be returned to the chamber office for a chance to win a gift basket and chamber gift certificates redeemable at more than 50 businesses. Cards are available online beginning Nov. 29 at ashlandchamber.com.
Caroling weekends run through Dec. 21, filling the plaza with local musicians and caroling groups each Saturday and Sunday.
The chamber’s popular Love Ashland Local text-to-win campaign also returns. Shoppers who text SHOP to 877-401-1656 and submit receipts from locally owned businesses will be entered into weekly drawings for $100 in chamber gift certificates. The promotion runs Nov. 28 to Dec. 29.
New: Holiday Sip & Shop
One of this year’s most anticipated additions is Ashland’s first Holiday Sip & Shop, set for 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6. Participating downtown businesses will offer wine tastings from local wineries, nonalcoholic options, live music, in-store activities and special holiday promotions. Maps will be available starting Dec. 3 online and at the chamber office.
Visits with Santa at Carpenter Hall
Families will also have a chance to visit Santa in a cozier setting at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Carpenter Hall on Dec. 13 (12-4 p.m.) and Dec. 14 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.). The free event includes photo opportunities, children’s crafts, and warm drinks sold by OSF.
Supporting local businesses
Holiday shopping and dining hours, a list of performances and craft fairs and information on chamber gift certificates are all available on the Festival of Light webpage. Preston said local support is central to the chamber’s work during the season.
“Ashland’s small business community is a large part of what makes this town so special,” she said. “Knowing that the chamber can create magic around the holidays and inspire people to support these local businesses is important to us.”
More information, maps, schedules, and updates can be found at TravelAshland.com/festival-of-light or on social media at @AshlandChamberOregon and @TravelAshland.
More area holiday events
Things get even busier than normal at Talent Maker City in Talent during the holiday season. On tap are a Talent Maker City meet-up at Naumes Suncrest Winery for a gnomies felting workshop, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4; and community ornament making at the 109 Talent Ave. location from 4 to 6:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Lights on Bikes will be Saturday, Dec. 13, with decorating starting at 4 p.m. and the bike ride at 6 p.m. Free Community Craft Nights are set for Tuesdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 5 to 7 p.m.
There are several crafts-themed shows and markets planned for the holidays. The Historic Ashland Armory Christmas Faire will be on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30, hosted by the Lithia Artisans Market. There will be crafts, art and music. Candlelight, an annual holiday shopping event featuring unique gifts, clothing and jewelry, will be held at Hospice Unique Boutique, 1618 Ashland St., Ashland, at 5 p.m. Dec. 4, with proceeds benefiting Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice. The Holiday Market at Fry Family Farm opens at 10 a.m. Dec. 4 at the farm’s store, 2184 Ross Lane, Medford. The Medford Armory Holiday Market, sponsored by Lithia Artisans, is set for 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 21, sponsored by Lithia Artisans.
Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild members will be showing and selling their handcrafted works at their Thanksgiving Weekend Harvest Show of Fine Woodworking at the Hay-Patton Rehearsal Center, across from the Ashland Springs Hotel. Show times are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Shoppers will find an array of items, including elegant furniture, decorative accents, bowls, boxes, keepsake chests and decorative carvings.
If art is on your Christmas list, the Rogue Valley’s Friday Art Walks offer plenty to choose from. Ashland hosts First Friday on Dec. 5, Phoenix follows with Second Friday on Dec. 12, Medford’s Third Friday arrives Dec. 19, and Talent wraps up the month with Fourth Friday on Dec. 26.
The Bellview Grange at 1050 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland, will host a Holiday Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 28-29. Featured items include handmade and practical household items, new and gently used toys, original artwork, books and jewelry. Homemade holiday sweets and treats will be available.
Phoenix will brighten the holiday scene with a Christmas Tree Lighting from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Phoenix Civic Center, 220 N. Main St. A Santa Scavenger Hunt is planned, local carolers will perform on weekends, and the indoor Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Winter Market will be open on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 2 through 23, at the Phoenix Civic Center and Phoenix Grange.
Step back in time at the Jacksonville Victorian Christmas Parade a 10 a.m. Dec. 6. Jacksonville’s shops, cozy cafes and historic sites will be decked out in seasonal décor. Vintage costumes will bring holiday history to life. There will be carolers, visits with Father Christmas, a complimentary hot cider stand and seasonal treats.
The annual First Frost Community Skate Event will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink, 95 Winburn Way, Ashland. Enjoy a festive evening on the ice with live music, a special figure skating performance and special family discounts
Santa and Mrs. Claus will sleigh into Ashland Springs Hotel for Brunch With Santa at Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. There will be cookie decorating in addition to the brunch. “Bring your camera to capture the memories,” said spokesperson Alexa Brown.
Freelance writer Jim Flint is a retired newspaper publisher and editor. Email him at [email protected].
