Portland Welcomes a 75-Foot Holiday Fir Before the Lights

Tuesday morning is the one day Portland's holiday fir arrives at the square. A 75-foot Douglas fir is welcomed to Portland's Living Room between 9:00 and 10:30, and spectators gather across the bricks to watch the arrival. The square becomes the city's holiday living room once the tree is in place, with the morning following a relaxed, open gathering pace.

Santa greets families throughout the morning, and complimentary hot chocolate is poured while supplies last. Kids can line up for a hello and take in the giant fir. Hot chocolate supplies and Santa visits depend on morning availability, making early arrival ideal for little ones. Bring a camera along if you want a holiday snapshot before heading on.

No admission or tickets are needed for Tuesday morning's arrival—the square is fully open to the public. Blue and Red MAX lines stop on Morrison at Pioneer Square North and on Yamhill at Pioneer Square South. Yellow Line trains stop on 6th at Pioneer Courthouse and Orange Line trains on 5th at Pioneer Place, with transit mall buses nearby. Sesame Donuts sits 1.3 km away (a 16-minute walk). Mark November 27 for a separate celebration: the 42nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 to 6:45 PM, when Santa flips the switch on roughly 10,000 lights.