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About Gresham

    • Family and friends look at holiday lights on cars at the Spirit of Gresham.
    • Crowds gather to see the Spirit of Gresham tree lights on the Arts Plaza.
    • A family and group of friends smile while wearing holiday sweaters and fun hats at the City of Gresham community tree lighting.
    • Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd.
    • Santa Claus hears the wishes of a boy at the Spirit of Gresham event.
    • Two young girls sip hot cocoa and smile at the Spirit of Gresham tree lighting event.
    • Young children stand with Santa next to the red Letters to Santa mailbox outside on the Gresham Arts Plaza.
    • A holiday elf and teenage friends dress warm for the festivities in historic downtown Gresham.

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Spirit of Gresham

  • Tree lighting

    Saturday, Dec. 2

    Arts Plaza

    Kick off the holiday season with the Spirit of Gresham. We invite all of Gresham to celebrate our many holidays and traditions and light the community up with holiday cheer. Gather at the Arts Plaza for music, free treats, hot cocoa and more.

    Schedule

    4:30-5:00 pm: Gresham Holiday Light Cruise
    5:00 pm: Spirit of Gresham begins at the Arts Plaza
    6:00 pm: Tree lighting

    Interested in sponsoring this year’s event? Contact Jake.Ostrow@GreshamOregon.gov

    • Holiday Light Cruise
    • Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting
    • Letters to Santa
    Holiday Light Cruise

    Saturday, Dec. 2
    4:30-5:00 pm

    Watch the cruise

    Catch the Holiday Light Cruise on Main Avenue in historic downtown between First and Fourth streets beginning at 4:30 pm. Santa and cruisers will drive by on their way to the Gresham Arts Plaza. Then, head on over to the plaza for the annual Spirit of Gresham tree lighting event beginning at 5:00 pm. Vote on your favorite cruisers and enjoy the festivities!

    Interested in joining the holiday light cruise this year? Registration will open soon.

    • We will cap this event at 60 participants.
    • The light cruise will stage and begin from Gresham City Hall at 4:30 pm.
    • Participants will cruise through historic downtown Gresham and end around the Gresham Arts Plaza
    • Attendees of the Spirit of Gresham event will vote live.
    Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting

    Arts Plaza
    5-6:30 pm

    Free music, pictures with Santa, refreshments and activities on the Arts Plaza.

    Tree lighting

    The tree is lit promptly at 6:00 pm.

    Once the Holiday Light Cruise makes its way to the Arts Plaza, we'll gather to enjoy international holiday music, activities and free treats from around the world. More information coming soon. 

    Letters to Santa

    Letters to Santa

    Santa Claus visited Gresham and gifted our community with two beautiful mailboxes for letters to Santa. Children and families can find their express mailbox to the North Pole at two locations.

    No postage is necessary. Letters are picked up and delivered to the North Pole weekly through Dec. 31.

    Gresham Arts Plaza

    401 NE Second St.
    Directions

    Rockwood Market Hall (inside)

    458 SE 185th Ave.
    Directions

    Special thanks to our local partners at Secret Santa Charities for helping get each letter to the North Pole safely. Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves read each letter and will do their best to write back.