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Residents

    • 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. 3

    Arts Plaza

    Kick off the holiday season with the Spirit of Gresham presented by Weston Kia 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 presented by Gresham Ford
    5:00 pm: Spirit of Gresham presented by Weston Kia of Gresham begins at the Arts Plaza
    6:00 pm: Tree lighting with Mayor Travis Stovall, City Council and Santa Claus himself

    Special thanks to our sponsors

    • Spirit of Gresham presenting sponsor Weston Kia of Gresham
    • Holiday Light Cruise presented by Gresham Ford
    • Spirit Sponsors: Servpro of Gresham, US World Class Taekwondo, Advantis Credit Union
    • North Pole Elves: Pediatric Therapy Services, Gresham Senior Center, Portland Production Company, Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm
    • Holiday Light Cruise
    • Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting
    • Letters to Santa
    Holiday Light Cruise

    Presented by Gresham Ford

    Saturday, Dec. 3
    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? Hurry! Only a few spots remain. Register now

    • 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.
    • Prizes for the top winners include $500 toward tires at Gresham Ford, Portland Trail Blazer Tickets and more.
    • Please see the registration page for more details regarding participation.
    Spirit of Gresham Tree Lighting

    Presented by Weston Kia of Gresham

    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.

    Santa will arrive in style, greet the crowd, listen to the children's wish lists, pose for photos and assist Mayor Travis Stovall and Council in leading the countdown to the tree lighting. Free cocoa and hot cider will be served thanks to our generous sponsors.

    Spirit of Giving

    The City is partnering with Gresham Ford and SnowCap Community Charities to host a packaged diapers and baby food drive to support local families in need.

    Thanks to Gresham Ford, everyone who donates items at the event will be entered into a drawing for one of these fantastic prizes (each donation counts as one entry):
    • 4 tickets to the Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans game on March 27, 2023, including parking
    • $100 gift certificate to Poppy and Dale’s vintage shop downtown Gresham
    • $50 gift certificate to Gresham Burrito, downtown Gresham

    If you are able, please consider bringing baby food or diaper donations to share as part of this year's Spirit of Giving event. Let's fill the Arts Plaza with baby supplies for everyone in the community!

    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.

  • Contact

    Community Events Specialist Sasha.Konell@GreshamOregon.gov.