Explore Washington Park

Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum
2025-11-30 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Discovery Museum, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Explore the wonders of World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum at no cost today, from 10 am – 4 pm. Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum is brought to you by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and its enduring commitment to community. Located in Portland’s forested Washington Park, World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum invites visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they impact our lives. Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of a northwest forest, explore society’s connection to the woods, and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing this critical natural resource. Through interactive and featured art exhibits, visitors can learn how the way forests are managed affects everyday lives and how they are crucial to the forestry conversation.

Family Studio
2025-11-30 10:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 17:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Perfect for visitors of all ages, this dedicated space invites families to sit down, pick an activity, and linger during their visit to the Garden. Whether you’re folding intricate origami creations or coloring vibrant pages inspired by the beauty of the Garden, there’s something to spark creativity and joy. This interactive space offers a welcoming environment for all to explore their artistic side, providing a relaxing and engaging experience for both children and adults alike. Take a moment to unwind, create, and connect with nature through these hands-on activities. Included with garden admission.

ZooLights
2025-11-30 16:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-01 16:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-02 16:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-03 16:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-04 16:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-05 16:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-06 16:30 - 22:30, 2025-12-07 16:30 - 21:30 and 5 more dates | Oregon Zoo, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Add some sparkle to your holiday season! The region’s most impressive light display returns with ZooLights, November 21 through January 4. Every year, ZooLights dazzles visitors of all ages with wildlife-inspired light displays and a whole lot of seasonal fun. It’s the ideal place to gather friends and family, snap photos and make lasting memories. Looking for the perfect holiday date night? Bring that special person in your life to ZooLights. See the zoo in a whole new light! Check out the magical meadow light show, along with a variety of interactive displays. Hop on the zoo train and see dozens of life-size animal lanterns along the route. Walk through vibrant tunnels of glittering lights and take in the glowing festive atmosphere.

Tree Time! Preschool Walk
2025-12-01 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-12-08 10:00 - 11:15 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Tree Time! preschool walks are a safe and fun way to get outside with your little one. Come join us for a story and guided walk on the trails at Hoyt Arboretum. We will use all of our senses to explore the natural surroundings and maybe even get our hands dirty! Staff and trained Arboretum volunteers will introduce you and your family to the plants, trees, insects, mushrooms, and more found at Hoyt Arboretum. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum, and registration is required through their website.

Forest Storytime
2025-12-03 11:30 - 12:00 | Discovery Museum, 4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
On the first Wednesday of the month, join us in the Discovery Museum’s reading nook for Forest Storytime. A storytime dedicated to forests and forest-themed books that connect adults and children and engage the imagination. Coloring pages are also available. Included with museum admission!

Cultural Demonstration: Tea Ceremony
2025-12-05 13:15 - 14:30, 2025-12-06 13:15 - 14:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Portland Japanese Garden will offer free public demonstrations of Chadō, the Way of Tea, at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center from 1:15 – 2:15pm. The Way of Tea is intrinsically linked to Japanese gardens and understanding the kokoro (heart) of Japanese gardening. Included with garden admission.

Member Garden Tour
2025-12-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Join one of our volunteer guides on a free Garden tour for members and their guests only, during member hours. Our knowledgeable tour guides, some of whom have been patrons of Portland Japanese Garden for decades, will provide members with interesting and informative cultural, historical, and horticultural information about the Garden. Whether you just joined as a member for the first time, or have been a long-time supporter, guided tours can provide new insights into the vision of the Garden and its place in the community.

Resin Jewelry Making Workshop
2025-12-06 10:30 - 12:30 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
This hands-on art class introduces you to the creative process of making resin jewelry using UV resin, pigments, polymer clay, and pressed natural elements. The workshop will begin with a casual nature walk to gather inspiration and learn about some PNW native plants before moving into the studio portion. Back inside you will explore fundamental resin techniques, experiment with color blending, try out clay sculpting to incorporate into the resin pieces, and practice embedding natural materials. The workshop emphasizes creativity, craftsmanship, and the joy of working with both natural and handmade elements. Each student will leave with at least three finished pieces of jewelry—such as a pendant, earrings, or keychain—that they have designed and crafted themselves. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum and registration is required through their website.

Winter Plant ID
2025-12-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Portland is fortunately very green in the winter due to evergreen trees, ferns, and moss. Other plants, however, are bare and make identification more of a mystery. Join this class to learn the clues to search for that make plant identification more manageable in the colder months. Class will start in the library with a brief presentation along with samples of key features to search for when identifying deciduous plants in the winter. Then bundle-up and walk outside during the remainder of time to practice identification on the trails with your instructor. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum and registration is required through their website.

Winter Magic: Card-making of Love, Light, & Hope (Family Friendly)
2025-12-07 10:30 - 13:00 | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Step into winter’s wonder and mist among Hoyt Arboretum’s holly and evergreen collection. In this warm, family-friendly session, we’ll craft cards with intention—celebrating what we’re releasing, what we’re carrying forward, and what we hope to invite in the return of the light. You will learn: Techniques for creative card-making using seasonal themes, how to embed intention, gratitude, or affirmations into your creations, as well as a gentle reflection on solstice energy and winter stillness. You will leave with: A set of handmade cards for the holiday season, a clear vision of your hopes and intentions for the new year, and a sense of togetherness and warmth in community. This event is coordinated by Hoyt Arboretum and registration is required through their website.

Cultural Performance: Oregon Koto-Kai
2025-12-07 13:15 - 14:30 | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, 97205, United States
Enjoy a free koto performance by Oregon Koto-Kai at 1:15pm at the Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center. Included with garden admission.
