Holiday lights, local musicians and strange markets are among the many ways to gather and celebrate in Salem this month. Here’s your guide to what’s happening in Salem this December. Descriptions come from event organizers. *Starred events are free to attend, though they may include ticketed components or a suggested donation. Jump to a section Festivals and community events Comedy, improv and other entertainment Live theater, dance and cinema Live music and nightlife Classes, workshops and lectures Markets and shopping An incredibly happy visit with Santa at the Salem Holiday Tree Lighting at Riverfront Park on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) Festivals, fairs and holiday celebrations Back to top *Through Dec. 22 Start enjoying the holiday season with a festive snack and drink or fun carnival ride. The Holiday Village is open at the Oregon State Fairgrounds livestock pavilion, 2330 17th St. N.E. Holiday Village has a market full of locally-made crafts and on weekends, people can take photos with Santa. The event runs on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free but parking is $5 per vehicle. More information can be found online.  Through Jan. 4 The Magic of Lights is at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center, 2330 17th St. N.E. A mile-long stretch of the fairgrounds is transformed into a bright holiday wonderland until Jan. 4. The drive-thru holiday light experience will go from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. weekends. A standard vehicle pass starts at $19 in advance. More information can be found online.  Nov. 29-Dec. 2 The Willamette Heritage Center will transform into a holiday wonderland for the Magic at the Mill event, which runs nightly Friday through Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event includes Santa visits, live music, historical demonstrations and more. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for children ages 6 to 17 years old, and free for kids 5 years or younger. Willamette Heritage Center members also get in for free. *Dec. 3 Willamette University will kick off the holiday season by lighting the Star Trees on campus at 7 p.m. The event includes music, cocoa and s’mores. The trees are located on the north side of campus, 900 State St. *Dec 6 Join the city of Salem for its Holiday Tree Lighting in Riverfront Park. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. with Santa visits, horse carriage rides, a scavenger hunt, letter-writing to Santa and holiday music. Cookies and cocoa will be available at 5:45 p.m. while supplies last. The tree lights up at 6 p.m. The event concludes at 8 p.m. Lighting display will continue through Dec. 31. *Dec. 15, 20-23 Walk-in visits with Santa at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel are open several days in December. Visits are free, with keepsake photos $15 each, and photos on your own device $5. For a full schedule of times, see the Facebook event here. The carousel is located in Riverfront Park, 101 Front St. N.E. *Dec. 29 Celebrate Chanukah in Salem with the annual menorah car top parade, followed by a menorah lighting. Parade leaves from the Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 1370 Crowley Ave. S.E., at 2:30 p.m. and proceeds to the menorah in Mirror Park at the corner of Southeast Trade and Commercial streets in downtown Salem. The Grand Menorah Lighting is at 4 p.m. Tery Grisa, a professional fire performer, entertains the crowd at the lighting of the menorah in 2023. (Ron Cooper/ Salem Reporter) Comedy, improv and other entertainment Dec. 6 Comedian Joe Gatto will perform at the Elsinore Theatre as part of his “Let’s Get Into It” tour with opener Mark Jigarjian. Gatto is best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” He has toured with the Jokers live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $39.75. Age 16+ suggested. Dec. 12 Enjoy “A Night At Nakatomi Plaza: A Dramatic Reading Of Die Hard” at the Grand Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event starts at $7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on show day. The show is 18+. Dec. 13 See one of Portland’s funniest people when Ben Harkins stops by Infinity Room for a night of stand up comedy. Harkins recently won Portland’s Funniest Person contest and produced a public access soap opera called “Intrigue.” The show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. 21+ only. Dec. 14 Saint Syndrome and Nicole Onoscopi host a night of drag, music and comedy at Infinity Room. There will be piano and vocal performances as they share stories throughout the night. The early show starts at 7 p.m., the late show starts at 9:30 p.m. and is a 21+ only show. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.  Cherry City Roller Derby’s “Wreck the Halls” double-header features two games for the price of one at the Madhouse, 1335 Madison St. N.E. Adults skate at 4:30 p.m. and juniors at 7 p.m. Tickets $12 in advance or $15 at the door, children 5 and under free. Dec. 19 RiRi Caliente returns to Infinity Room for “Drag Time!” The night will have drag performances by RiRi Caliente and others, including Lylac, Jenna, Rosita and Hex. The event starts at 8 p.m. and is all ages until 10 p.m. when it becomes 21+ only. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Back to top Live theater, dance and cinema Back to top Through Dec. 21“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley” will play at the Pentacle Theatre. The holiday play focuses on the middle sister of “Pride and Prejudice,” as she seeks independence, an intellectual match and possibly even love. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with shows at 2 p.m. most Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets start at $25. Dec. 2, 5 The documentary “Maria by Callas” will play at Salem Cinema, exploring the opera singer’s life. Monday’s show is at 6 p.m. and Thursday’s is at 3:45 p.m. Tickets are $9.Dec. 3 A screening of “Klimt & The Kiss” will show at 6 p.m. The film dives into the history of the famous painting and life of artist Gustav Klimt. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the event. Dec. 4 The 1939 musical “The Wizard of Oz” will play at Salem Cinema at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.  Dec. 6-14 Theatre 33 presents a 1940s radio show version of “A Christmas Carol” with live Foley sound effects. Shows Dec. 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 and 14 at 2 p.m. Shows in the Putnam Studio at the M. Lee Pelton Theatre on Willamette University’s campus. Tickets $20 general admission and $15 for students and seniors. Zak and Ivy Zundel take a closer look at the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Elsinore Theatre while attending the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. (LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter) Dec. 7, 8 The Premiere Academy of Performing Arts will put on its annual Nutcracker ballet show at the Elsinore Theatre. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $18. Dec. 8  A screening of the National Theatre Live production of “Vanya,” starring Andrew Scott, will play at Salem Cinema at noon. The play shares a “radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.” Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 day of the event.  Dec. 10 The 1979 comedy “Being There” will play at Salem Cinema at 6 p.m. The film follows a gardener’s rise into high society. Tickets are $9.  Dec. 11 Tippy Toe Dance Studio presents its original production of “FROST” at the Elsinore Theatre, with performances in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and more. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the showtime is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Dec. 13, 14 Salem Aerial Dance Studio’s youth company presents its Winder Wonderland shows at Chemeketa Community College at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Immerse yourself in a magical winter experience filled with joy, excitement, connection, and feats of strength. Tickets start at $10. Dec. 14, 15 Students of American Ballet Academy will perform A Children’s Nutcracker at the Elsinore Theatre. Set to Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary music, dancers will awe and entertain audience members with their beautiful movement and contagious energy. Doors open for the Saturday show at 6 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. On Sunday, doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the show starts at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $19. Dec. 15 “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” starring Debbie Reynolds, will play at Salem Cinema at noon. Tickets are $9. Dec. 17 World Ballet Company presents Nutcracker at the Elsinore, with a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers gathered to bring the most beloved holiday tradition to life. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $42.  Dec. 21, 22 Starr Studios presents “The Nutcracker” dance recital at Chemeketa Community College. Shows are at 2:15, 4:15 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets $15. The Elsinore Theatre will show three classic holiday movies on the big screen. Tickets start at $5 for each. Elf – Saturday. Doors open at 1 p.m., showtime at 2 p.m. White Christmas – Sunday. Doors open at 1 p.m., showtime at 2 p.m. Home Alone – Sunday. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m. You can also pop into Santa’s workshop for a selfie with Santa (and Buddy the Elf at the Saturday showing). He will be in attendance the hour before the show and visits are included with tickets. Dec. 22 The classic romantic musical comedy “Meet me in St. Louis” will play at Salem Cinema at 12:15 p.m. Tickets are $9. Dec. 29 The comedy “Singin’ in the Rain” will play at Salem Cinema at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $9.Dec. 31 The beloved rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” will play at Salem Cinema at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9. Live music and nightlife Back to top Dec. 3  Spend a night at the Elsinore Theatre enjoying the music of a cappella group The Coats as they take to the stage. The four men have spent two decades performing around the country. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-$45.  Dec. 5 Leslie Odom Jr. is bringing The Christmas Tour to the Elsinore Theatre. He is a multifaceted Tony and Grammy Award-winning, three-time Emmy and two-time Academy Award-nominated vocalist, songwriter, actor, and New York Times bestselling author. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50. Dec. 5, 6 The “Holidays in Hudson” concert by the Willamette University Chamber Choir, Voce and Vox will perform holiday classics and audience sing-alongs. They will be accompanied by guest organist Dr. Paul Klemme and alumni pianist Honey Wilson. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, or free for students and people under 17. Members of the tuba ensemble warm up for the Salem Tuba Holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023.(LAURA TESLER/Special to Salem Reporter) Dec. 6 Confluence LGBT chorus performs its “Home” concert at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 700 Marion St. N.E., at 7:30 p.m. General admission $20, children 12 and under free. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. Buy tickets here. A cozy evening of live acoustic music performances and singing is in store. The Salem Folklore Community Holiday Coffeehouse Concert is at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, 5090 Center St. N.E. Tickets $16 in advance. Low Bar Chorale presents its holiday singalong show, Snow Bar Chorale, for the first time in Salem at the Historic Grand Theatre. There will be singing, stories, special guests, and the occasional music trivia nerdout. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on show day. Dec. 7 Join Salem hip hop group Friendship is Rad for a release party celebrating their new album. Friendship is Rad will perform, along with local folk artist Jon Fro, Mike Beez, Vivvoiid and DJ Swone. Salem beatboxer Robotic Torres will host the event, which takes place at Infinity Room starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door.  Jenner Fox Band will perform Christmas songs by John Prine such as “Silent Night All Day Long” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” at the Grand Theatre. A John Prine Christmas will weave together Prine’s classic hits, his holiday themed songs, stories, and will include a chance to sing along. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 online and $25 on show day.  Dec. 9 Punk band X will perform at the Elsinore as part of its holiday tour dubbed “Putting the X Back in Xmas.” Formed in 1977, X quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in the first wave of LA’s flourishing punk scene, becoming legendary leaders of a punk generation. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $34.50 and will be $5 more on the day of the show. Dec. 12 Girl Named Tom’s “The Joy of Christmas” tour will make a stop at the Elsinore Theatre. The sibling trio of Bekah, Joshua and Caleb Liechty made history as the only group to ever win NBC’s The Voice. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.50. Dec. 14 Jacob Westfall and Sarah Vitort of Fox & Bones will perform a live tribute to Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s Christmas album, Once Upon a Christmas, at the Grand Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 online, $20 on show day and kids under 12 get in free. Dec. 18 Olympia-based country group The Olson Bros Band will take the Grand Theatre stage. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on show day. Dec. 19 Gather with members of the Oregon Symphony brass and percussion sections for a heartwarming, joyful and intimate concert featuring a mix of classical and popular holiday favorites at the Elsinore Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $10. Dec. 20 Chemeketa Community College presents “The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. in the college’s auditorium in building 6. Expect renditions close to the original soundtrack, but also some re-imaginings, different sonic textures, extended journeys, and maybe even a surprise or two. Tickets start at $25 general admission and $15 for students. Dec. 21 Attend the Krampus Ball at Infinity Room for a night filled with rock music and a costume contest. Bands including Wild Ire, The Doug Fury’s and Wire Monkey Mama will perform. Tony Meyer and Dash Thompson will co-host the event and even have an appearance from Krampus. The ball starts at 7:30 p.m., doors at 7 p.m. Presale tickets are $20, at the door $25. Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, a horn-driven band with a blend of pre-rock musical styles, incisive lyrics and sometimes outrageous stage theatrics, will perform at the Grand Theatre. WWII Tiki Xmas Canteen is a holiday production that evokes the atmosphere of a 1940s radio broadcast. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on show day. Dec. 24 The Salem Tuba Holiday returns to the Elsinore Theatre on Christmas Eve for an annual tradition of musical merriment featuring players of conical bore instruments: baritone horns, euphoniums, and tubas. The show includes arrangements of popular Christmas carols and holiday songs performed by musicians of all ages from all over the Northwest. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the show starts at noon. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the show. Dec. 27 Tribute band The Fab Four will stop at the Elsinore Theatre to celebrate The Beatles’ first visit to the U.S., with performances from the Ed Sullivan show and the Meet The Beatles album, as well as the Beatles’ greatest hits of every era. Doors open at 6:30 and showtime is at 7:30. Tickets start at $34.50. Michael Jackson impersonator Danny Dash Andrews will bring his tribute concert to the Grand Theatre. A show for all ages, this two hour non stop high energy show will take you on a breathtaking magical musical journey that spans Jackson’s four-decade career. Doors open at 7 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30. Dec. 31 Enjoy A Grand New Year’s Eve Party at the Grand Theatre with the high-energy grooves of DTW and local legends THIS Funk Band, who will bring non-stop funk, soul and celebration. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 online and $25 day of. All ages. Classes, workshops and lectures Back to top Dec. 4 *Interested in some new reading material this season? The Salem Public Library is giving away free copies of “Why Didn’t You Tell Me?” by Carmen Rita Wong on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s the 2025 Salem Reads selection and will be the focus of a variety of library events in February.. Come to the main floor of the library downtown at 585 Liberty Street S.E. to get a free copy of the book, which is a memoir about family secrets and identity. Books are available in English or Spanish.  Dec. 6 Chemeketa Community College’s Planetarium hosts “The Sun, Our Living Star” Fridays at 7:30 p.m. All shows include a brief introduction that explores the night time sky over Salem during this season of the year. Tickets $5 for adults, $4 for children. Cash only, no ATM in the building.  Chemeketa’s planetarium is located in Building 2, Room 171 on the Salem campus. Tickets sold starting 15 minutes before showtime, no late admissions. More information here. Markets and shopping Back to top Dec. 7 *Over 150 vendors are slated to be set up at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center on Saturday for the Salem Etsy Team Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jackman Long Building. Come by for the free event and browse handmade gifts, and try your luck at winning a raffle basket. There is also a scavenger hunt for kids and Santa will make a jolly appearance. Parking is $5 per vehicle.  Dec. 13-15 *Salem Holiday Market 2024 is back at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free holiday market includes more than 250 vendors with handmade, handcrafted and homegrown products. The event includes a raffle, Santa’s Village, kids activities, pet adoptions, the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest, the 5th Annual Tree Decorating Contest, and more. Parking is $5 and more information is available online.  Dec. 22 Market for the Strange at the Salem Convention Center will celebrate the growing alternative art scene in the Salem area with its last event of the year, The Nightmare Before Creepmas. The last-minute holiday market is the perfect place to find gifts for your strangest friends and family with over 80 local creators showing off oddities, unusual art, and bizarre creations, along with a tattoo artist, food, and costumed performers. Ticket sales will start in December on the vendor market’s website. STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected] MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post Events calendar: what to do in Salem for December 2024 appeared first on Salem Reporter.