Visit with Santa in Bend, Oregon: Mr. Claus is set to make his rounds in Bend’s Old Mill District

Hold on to your tinsel! Santa is making his pilgrimage down from the North Pole to SantaLand in the Old Mill District on Friday, Nov. 26! That’s right, gather your little turtle doves, grab some warm drinks and come down to SantaLand, a special place where families can drop off letters to Santa, mingle with the elves, sing carols and get their picture taken with the jolly man in red.

He’ll be available to entertain your little sugarplums every Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. starting Thanksgiving weekend through December – Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, Dec. 10-11, Dec. 17-18, and Dec. 21-22. With a little help from the elves, Santa will engage the kiddos in various activities like reading holiday books, opening and reading letters, singing carols and answering questions about life in the North Pole with the reindeer.

Santa schedule in the Old Mill District:

– Friday, Nov. 26, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Saturday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Friday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Friday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Friday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Saturday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

– Tuesday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

-Wednesday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. t0 3 p.m.

It’s our wish to spread holiday cheer but in a way that respects the current health and safety guidelines. Photos and selfies are encouraged, but we ask that spectators maintain proper distance between one another as well as Santa and his special helpers.

May your days be merry and bright, Central Oregon!

Write & Mail a Letter to Santa

From Nov. 26 to Dec. 19, three special Christmas mailboxes will be in the Old Mill District for children to drop off their letters to Santa. The mailboxes can be found at the South end by Wild Child, in the SantaLand plaza near City Home and Greg’s and at the North end of the district.

Please note: No postage stamp is required. If the child would like to receive a letter back, be sure to include the return address on the envelope.

Menorah Lighting: All Faiths Welcome

Back in Center Plaza this year, the Chabad of Central Oregon hosts their annual menorah lighting in the Old Mill District on Nov. 28.

Festivities start at 4 p.m. and the menorah will be lit at dusk. 

The Chabad Jewish Center of Central Oregon welcomes everyone, regardless of affiliation, level of knowledge or observance and strives to create a warm, welcoming environment to explore and experience Jewish heritage in a non-judgmental and inviting atmosphere.  

The organization was founded on the principle that, while Jews may embrace many levels of observance in their personal lives, there should be a place for all Jews – no labels, no affiliations – to develop a sense of community, to enhance the experience of being Jewish, and to learn and enjoy Judaism.

All faiths and denominations are encouraged to attend the menorah lighting in the Old Mill District!

Tree of Joy: Give to Needy Families this Holiday Season

A partnership between the Salvation Army, the Rotary Club of Greater Bend 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 the annual program that provides approximately 1,000 Central Oregon children with holiday gifts will live on virtually. 

If you would like to participate by purchasing a gift for a child, visit the Rotary Club of Greater Bend website for children’s names and gift ideas!

Unwrapped gifts can be delivered to The Salvation Army in Bend at 515 NE Dekalb near Bend High School. The Salvation Army is receiving gifts Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Paddle Parade: Paddle in the Parade or Watch from the Old Mill District

It’s a Bend tradition like none other.

Celebrate the holidays with Tumalo Creek’s annual Holiday Lights Paddle Parade on Friday, Dec. 10!

Every year Bend’s most dedicated paddling enthusiasts dress up their canoes and kayaks in bright lights and other holiday garb for a paddle around the Deschutes River in the Old Mill District. After missing out on last year’s Paddle Parade, Tumalo Creek is more excited than ever for this year’s event.

Paddlers: Meet at Tumalo Creek from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to decorate your boat. Please bring whatever decorations you want. We recommend small battery-operated lights, inflatable characters, and of course, costumes! Please be sure to secure all your decorations to prevent losing anything in the river. Tinsel, and other small decorations can be very hard to secure and easily fall off. So come with a plan!

The parade will launch around 4 p.m. (dusk) from the dock behind Tumalo Creek’s shop, with a paddle upstream toward the Old Mill District Flag Bridge.

Dress warmly to ensure you can paddle until dark as the lights get even cooler after the sun sets.

Spectators: Boats will be making their way through the Old Mill District between 4:15 and 5:30 p.m.. Please bring your phones and snap away!  Be sure to tag @tumalocreek on Instagram. The shop will be using these posts to share on their storyboard so spectators who could not join don’t miss out on the fun. Tumalo Creek’s favorite tag will win a $50 gift card to the shop. 

I Like Pie Run in Bend: The Thanksgiving Day Fun Run is Back

Come celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with the iconic I Like Pie run in the Old Mill District. One of the years most anticipated run raises money for local nonprofits and participants will earn some well-deserved (Covid-safe, single serving) pre-Thanksgiving Pie and a unique ILP beanie. 

Please note that if you plan to attend, registration is required. Participants can register online in advance or day of between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. in Center Plaza.

Individuals and families of all ages and running/walking abilities are encouraged to come run/walk, eat pie, and have fun!

What: I Like Pie Run

When: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 7 a.m.

Where: Center Plaza, Old Mill District

Distances: Untimed 1.5- or 2.5-mile family-friendly fun run/walk 

Cost: Registration fees vary individual and family. All proceeds benefit NeighborImpact and the Boys and Girls Club. 

Registration: Register for the I Like Pie Run

Course: The 1.5- or 2.5-mile course will take place on flat, paved pathways and trails through the Old Mill District along the beautiful Deschutes River.  The course is stroller-friendly, so bring the whole family out!

Dogs: Only service dogs are allowed at I Like Pie run.