Updated Holiday events for December

Dec. 5, 2022 — Florence welcomed the holiday season this weekend with a host of events around town. The topping on the tree came with the Florence Holiday Festival in Historic Old Town, where crowds packed shoulder to shoulder for the annual City of Florence Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Center on Bay Street. People saw thousands of lights, and even snowlike bubbles blown across the landscape, to announce the opening of December holiday festivities. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were on hand for the event as they heard Christmas wishes in the Old Town Gazebo, while lit up cars made their way up and down Bay Street in a bright parade. Also this weekend, festivities included Oregon Coast Military Museum’s Florence Festival of Trees at Three Rivers Casino and Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s Holiday Arts Festival and Florence Food Share’s Empty Bowls, which brought crowds to the Florence Events Center. The culminating weekend event was CROW’s “Holly Jolly Follies,” which had a sold-out show on Sunday at the event center’s mainstage. 

2022 Holiday Highlights in Florence

2022 North Pole Express — Letters to Santa

Now through Dec. 18

Hosted by the City of Florence, kids of all ages can drop off letters to Santa Claus at the North Pole Express mail drop box. www.ci.florence.or.us/community/2022-letters-santa
Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Center on Bay Steet

Happy Wrappers 2022

Now through Dec. 23

Florence Habitat for Humanity’s annual gift wrapping service is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit Habitat’s mission. www.florencehabitat.org

Florence Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 2004 Highway 101

Gnome for the Holidays Treasure Hunt

Now through Dec. 24

Hosted by Florence Area Chamber of Commerce

florencechamber.com/event/gnome-for-the-holidays-treasure-hunt/

All over Florence

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater

Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.

Presented by FACE, this comedy pet theater show by Gregory Popovich partially benefits the animals at Oregon Coast Humane Society. Tickets required.

Florence Events Center

Starlight Cabaret: The Music of Robbie Dee

Friday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.

Join Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for Robbie Dee’s classical Christmas music on the violin. Donations appreciated.

87738 Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road

Empty Bowls

Friday, Dec. 9, 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fundraiser for Florence Food Share featuring handmade art and bowls

Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.

Small Business Holiday Faire

Friday, Dec. 9, 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join The Mustard Seed’s 2^nd annual holiday faire for treats, sips and shopping. www.tms1720.com

The Mustard Seed, 509 Kingwood St.

Fanana on Ice

Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Drag Queens Fanny Rugburn and Ana Khonda present this show for 18+. Tickets are $20; masks required. Email [email protected] for tickets.

Florence Golf Links, 1201 35th St.

Live Music: Bret Lucich & Paul Biondi Experience

Friday, Dec. 9, 9 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. to midnight

Live music inside Blue Bills Sports Bar for 21+

Three Rivers Casino Resort, 5647 Highway 126

Winter Wonderland Drive Thru

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 to 11 a.m.

Presented by Florence Community PTA — see Santa and the Grinch! Free cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa and crafts. Donations will be accepted for Food Backpack for Kids.

Crossroads Church, 1380 10^th St.

Gingerbread House Day

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Siuslaw Public Library's annual gingerbread house decorating day is back for free fun (and candy). Kids of all ages are welcome.

Siuslaw Public Library, 1460 Ninth St.

Mapleton Community Holiday Event

Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendor fair, decorations from Mapleton Elementary students, Santa arriving at 11 a.m., photo opportunities, live music at noon, the Christmas Donkey, chili cookoff, face painting, hot cocoa and more

Old Banner Bank Building, 10756 Highway 126

Toys for Tots Giveaway

Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
US Marines, Coast Guard members, the Florence Police Department, and local firefighters will be giving away toys for infant children up to 14 years old. Go to www.toysfortots.org or the Toys for Tot’s link on www.svfr.org to see what qualifies as proper documentation. 541-600-4483

Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, 2625 Highway 101

Zentangle Holiday Crafts Workshop

Saturday, Dec. 10, noon to 2 p.m.

Drop-in gathering to make greeting cards, ornaments and more. Holiday snacks, beverages and  coffee available, along with some art supplies. $5 per person, bring tools and materials you’d like to use. www.sassflo.com/event-details/zentangle-holiday-crafts

Serene Abundance Studio Space, 1790 Highway 101

“Christmas with Light and Love”

Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m.

Charles Suniga, The Angels and guest vocalists present “Christmas with Light and Love.” Tickets required.

Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St.

Victorian Christmas Open House

Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11, 4 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 4 to 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 to 7 p.m.

Heceta Lighthouse B&B Hosts the 26th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House. Free admission, $5 parking required; shuttle available

Heceta Lighthouse B&B, 92702 Highway 101

Community Chorus Christmas Concert

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m.

Community Chorus of Florence’s annual concert. Suggested donation of $10. communitychorusflorenceoregon.org

Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw, 3996 Highway 101

Breakfast at Mapleton Lions Club

Saturday, Dec. 11, 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Come join the Lions for friendship and wonderful food; $10/adults, $5/kids. Pancakes, eggs, ham and/or sausage; coffee, milk, OJ or water. www.facebook.com/LionsClubMapletonOregon/

Mapleton Lions Club, 88158 Riverview Ave.

SHS Band and Choir Concert

Monday, Dec. 12, 7 to 9 p.m.

Support local students at Siuslaw

Florence Events Center

Ugly Sweater Christmas Karaoke

Friday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m.

Shorewood fundraiser to bring donations of cold weather clothes, tents, sleeping bags. Karaoke and raffle. www.shorewoodsl.com

Shorewood Senior Living, 1451 Spruce St.

Live Music: The Endeavors

Friday, Dec. 16, 9 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 p.m. to midnight

Live music inside Blue Bills Sports Bar for 21+

Three Rivers Casino Resort, 5647 Highway 126

Soroptimist Christmas Basket Giveaway

Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

People are invited to come get a free box of food to stock their pantries from Soroptimist of Florence and the area volunteers. All cars must line up on 27th between Kingwood and Oak streets. First come, first served. Email [email protected] for info

Siuslaw Middle School, 2525 Oak St.

Siltcoos Lake Lighted Boat Parade

Sunday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m.

Darlings Marina and RV Resort invited the community to bring boats lit up with Christmas cheer to launch from the marina and join a boat parade on Siltcoos Lake. This is a non-sponsored event and subject to weather. Call 541-997-2841.

Darlings Marina, 4879 Darlings Loop Dunes City

Christmas Movie Night: “The Grinch” (2018)

Tuesday, Dec. 20. 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of Florence Oregon and City Lights Cinemas present Universal Studios’ “The Grinch” (2018). Admission is $1, and tickets can be reserved now at www.citylightscinemas.com. This family-friendly event also features treats sponsored by Florence Food Share.

City Lights Cinemas, 1930 Highway 101

Winter Solstice Lantern Walk

Wednesday, Dec. 21, 4:45 to 6 p.m.

Serene Abundance Studio hosts this event, which begins at the SW corner of the 75 Harbor Street Building and walks through Historic Old Town Florence. Bring a light source and dress for the weather.

“Seek This Jesus:” A Christmas Musical Evening

Thursday, Dec. 22, 7 p.m.

This free musical evening features the Mohlman Family and refreshments. Jim Mohlman served in Florence as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2705 Munsel Lake Road

Live Music: Joseph Carroll

Friday, Dec. 23, 9 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m. to midnight

Live music inside Blue Bills Sports Bar for 21+

Three Rivers Casino Resort, 5647 Highway 126

"I'm Too Old For Midnight" New Year’s Eve Bash

Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 to 8 p.m.

Just because you want to go to bed early doesn't mean you can't party! Welcome in the New Year early with a special appetizer menu and holiday drinks. Reservations recommended. Full menu, champagne toast at 6:45 p.m. and live music with the Drifts of Downtown: Denny Weaver.

Homegrown Public House & Brewery, 294 Laurel St.

Coast Runners EDM Dance Party
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. to midnight

16+ electronic dance music party hosted by local DJs LALiPOP and Rave Rabbit. Bring a valid student or State Issued ID. Dance and wear a costume. Admission required.

Florence Events Center