The holidays are a busy time of year in Oregon, with each and every corner of the Beaver State (including our rivers!) overflowing with Christmas cheer. The sheer number of festivities can be overwhelming, but we have a suggestion on where to begin — and it’s one of the biggest and brightest festivals in the state. The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is a must-visit holiday lights display in Oregon that’s sure to put everyone in your family in the proper Christmas spirit. Oh — and this epic event is also a world record setter… and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see its superlative star.
Grab a mug of hot cocoa and crank up the Christmas tunes: the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is happening now at River Forks Park in Roseburg, Oregon.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights
The Christmas festival, a project of the Roseburg Rotary Club, has been delighting Oregonians since 1993.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
This dazzling drive-through event is larger-than-life in every way: 500,000 lights, more than 90 animated displays, and some of the biggest Christmas scenes you’ve ever seen.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
Whimsical displays are sure to please everyone in your party, from old-timey Christmas totems to scenes from “Frozen.”
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
But the most extraordinary thing about this festival isn’t the dozens of animated displays or half-million twinkling lights. It’s Woody.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
This is Woody; or rather, Herr Woody Winterguard. He has the prestigious title of the World’s Largest Nutcracker, and he’s marvelous.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
Woody is 41 feet tall and weighs a whopping eight tons (that’s a lot of nuts!). Woody lives at River Forks Park, and is always happy to pose for a photo op. During the nighttime festivities, Woody is all aglow, and is truly a sight to behold.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
This year’s festival runs nightly through Jan. 1, 2022. Tickets are just $10/carload, and are available through the website. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club, which sponsors local scholarships and service projects.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights
Come and experience a long-standing tradition in Oregon (and the tallest standing Nutcracker, too!) at the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
Have you ever been to the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights before? If so, we’d love to hear about your experience at this festive event! The 2021 Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights runs nightly at 5:30 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2022, at River Forks Park in Oregon.
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights
Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights/Facebook
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Address: River Forks Park, 380 River Forks Park Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471, USA
