Enjoy Bend for the Holidays
We heart the holiday season in Central Oregon. And while 2020 will undoubtedly be different than years past, it’s impossible to be in Bend during the holidays and not feel festive.
From fun in the snow at Mt. Bachelor to holiday lights and special meals and gift runs in the Old Mill District, the eggnog flows like wine in this part of Oregon during the holiday months.
North Pole Mailboxes
From Nov. 27 to Dec. 19, two special Christmas mailboxes will be in Bend’s Old Mill District for children to drop off their letters to Santa. One box is by Ben & Jerry’s and the other is near Jimmy John’s. All letters will get a response from the North Pole.
Santa in the Old Mill District
Come see Santa in-person this holiday season when he picks up the letters from the special North Pole mailboxes!
Santa will in the Old Mill District the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December – Dec. 4-5, Dec. 11-12, and Dec. 18-19 at 1 p.m. each day.
Santa schedule in the OMD:
– Friday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m.
– Friday, Dec. 11, 1 p.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m.
– Friday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m.
– Saturday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m.
With a little help from his friends in Bend, Santa will be driven through the OMD in the back of a pickup truck, allowing him to wave and interact with everyone in the Old Mill District while he picks up the letters, but in a way that respects the current health and safety guidelines.
The public is encouraged to come down and cheer on Santa as he collects his holiday letters. We do ask that spectators maintain proper distance between one another and Santa and his special helpers.
Menorah Lighting
Rabbi Yitzchok Feldman, of Chabad of Central Oregon hosts the 10th annual Menorah Lighting in the Old Mill District.
This year’s festivities, like many others, will be different due to COVID-19. The lighting ceremony will be held in the westside parking lot across the river from the shops in the Old Mill District, near the Hampton Inn, where people will be able to view the menorah from their cars at a safe social distance.
After the initial lighting ceremony, which is expected to start around 4:30 p.m., the menorah will be transported across the river to Center Plaza in the Old Mill District, where it will remain lit for the duration of Chanukah.
During the main event there will also be light music, an inflatable dreidel, and a large screen showing Chanukah videos. The Rabbi and his wife will be passing out a Chanukah treat bag to each car.
This event is free to the public and all faiths are welcome.
Tree of Joy
A partnership between the Salvation Army, the Greater Bend Rotary Club and the Old Mill District, the Tree of Joy ensures that every child in Central Oregon experiences the joy of Christmas.
This year, the traditional in-person Tree of Joy with tags is on hold, but we are still asking for your support. If you would like to participate by purchasing a gift for a child, visit the Greater Bend Rotary Club website for children’s names and gift ideas!
Delivery of unwrapped gifts are due back to The Salvation Army in Bend at 515 NE Dekalb near Bend High School by December 16. The Salvation Army is receiving gifts Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thank you for your continued support of this local outreach!
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