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Residents

Spirit of Gresham

  • Holiday light cruise and tree lighting

    Saturday, Dec. 4

    Arts Plaza

    Kick off the holiday season with the 2021 Spirit of Gresham. This season we invite all of Gresham to celebrate our many holidays and traditions, and light the community up with holiday cheer.

    Holiday light cruise, 4:00-5:30 pm

    This year's festivities will feature a holiday light cruise, presented by Gresham Ford, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this community event. Participants will follow a route weaving through all Gresham neighborhoods, with vehicles decorated in holiday lights. There will even be prizes from the North Pole! 

    Registration is free and space is limited. Gresham residents, local businesses and community-based organizations are encouraged to participate.

    Register your holiday vehicle

    Tree lighting, 6:00-7:30 pm

    Once the cruise makes its way to the Arts Plaza, we'll gather at 6:00 pm to enjoy international holiday music and treats from around the world. At 6:30 pm, count down to light the 70-foot Ponderosa pine along with Mayor Travis Stovall, City Councilors and Santa Claus.

    • Spirit of Giving
    • Letters to Santa
    • Sponsorship
    Spirit of Giving

    The City is partnering with Gresham Ford and SnowCap Community Charities to host a canned food drive at the tree-lighting event to support local families in need.

    If you are able, please consider bringing non-perishable foods or donations to share as part of this year's Spirit of Giving event. Let's fill the plaza with food for everyone in the community!

    Letters to Santa

    Last year Santa Claus visited Gresham and gifted our community with two beautiful mailboxes for letters to Santa. Kids and families can once again find their express mailbox to the North Pole at the Gresham Arts Plaza on 2nd Street and at Rockwood Central Park on Yamhill Street.

    Letters are picked up and delivered to the North Pole weekly starting on Monday, Nov. 29. No postage necessary.

    Special thanks to our local partners at Secret Santa Charities for helping get each letter to the North Pole safely. 

    Sponsorship

    Spirit of Gresham is made possible each year with the generous support of our community sponsors.

    We give special thanks and appreciation to our 2021 Spirit of Gresham sponsors.

    Holiday light cruise presenting sponsor

    Gresham Ford

    North Pole elf sponsors

    • Clackamas County Bank
    • Servpro of Gresham
    • Nicholas Restaurant: Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine

    Interested in bringing this event to life with holiday spirit? Contact Sasha.Konell@GreshamOregon.gov to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

    • A holiday elf and teenage friends dress warm for the festivities in historic downtown Gresham.
    • A crowd gathers under the holiday lights of the 70 foot Ponderosa pine on the Arts Plaza.
    • Santa Claus hears the wishes of a boy at the Spirit of Gresham event.
    • Spirit of Christmas participant with hot cocoa
    • Spirit of Christmas attendees

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