South Oregon Coast's Holidays Go Bonkers at Brookings, Gold Beach, Cape Blanco

Published 11/08/2026 at 8:58 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Brookings, Oregon) – The holiday season takes some interesting turns the farther south you go in Oregon. Along that coastline, between Bandon and the California border, Curry County sits – and it's crammed with cool stuff for December. Port Orford, Gold Beach and Brookings kick out the jams and pull out all the stops for a month of merriment, lights and wonders. (Brookings' Festival of Lights)

. Home Sweet Home For Christmas at the Historic Hughes House. Cape Blanco State Park. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and it's free.

Hughes House Open House December 11-16 and December 20-23 (December 17,18,19 will be Main Street Brunch). December 20 from 2-4 p.m.: Music Concert with the Allen Giardinelli Trio. capeblancoheritagesociety.com

The annual holiday tradition at the Historic Hughes House and Ranch at Cape Blanco State Park continues with the theme of “Home Sweet Home For Christmas.” Now in its 36th year, the Cape Blanco Heritage Society invites area organizations, businesses, and individuals to decorate the restored 1898 Victorian farmhouse built for pioneers Patrick and Jane Hughes to a theme. This year's theme celebrates the very essence of the Hughes House during the holiday season. The two-week Open House event will include holiday teas, desserts, art, music, merriment and more. Its annual Christmas Concert will be on December 20th (the anniversary of the first lighting of the lamp in the lens of the Cape Blanco Lighthouse).

Gold Beach

Christmas at Cape Blanco

The holiday season arrives at the Port of Gold Beach with a festive afternoon designed especially for families. Kids Holiday at the Port takes place Saturday, December 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. in front of Jerry's Rogue Jets, where children can meet Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and Cindy Lou Who.

Set along the waterfront where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, the event offers plenty of holiday cheer, photo opportunities, and family-friendly fun. Organizers encourage visitors to bundle up, bring their cameras, and enjoy a seasonal gathering that has all the makings of a cherished holiday tradition.

Gold Beach also enters the holiday season lane via the stage with Rented Christmas: The Musical, a community production featuring both adult and youth performers. Presented by the Ellensburg Theater Company at the Rogue Playhouse, the show opens December 4 and runs through December 20 over three consecutive weekends.

The musical brings a heartfelt holiday story to life through music, humor, and the talents of local performers. Audiences can expect an intimate theater experience filled with seasonal spirit and family-friendly entertainment.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults and $8 for students under 18. A family package for two adults and two students is available for $40.

Performances are held at the Rogue Playhouse, home of the Ellensburg Theater Company, located at 94196 Moore Street in Gold Beach. Additional information and tickets are available through rogueplayhouse-etc.org or by calling (541) 247-4382.

Brookings

Each holiday season, one of the Oregon coast’s most dazzling traditions flips the switch on a wonderland of color, sparkle, and festive cheer. Nature's Coastal Holiday - Festival of Lights will once again transform Azalea State Park in Brookings beginning November 27, with the 2026 season running through December 27.

Adults can enjoy the spectacle for just $5, while children under 12 get in free. This time around, it's open nightly.

Visitors stepping into the southern Oregon coast park will find themselves surrounded by millions of twinkling lights spread throughout the grounds. Elaborate displays, glowing holiday characters, and seemingly endless pathways of colorful bulbs create an immersive experience that feels part winter wonderland, part festive maze. There's so much to see that most visitors spend between 30 and 45 minutes wandering through the illuminated displays.

The Festival of Lights takes place nightly from 6 to 8 p.m., bringing a warm holiday atmosphere to Brookings throughout the season. On Fridays and Saturdays, Santa and Mrs. Claus add even more charm to the festivities as they greet children and families enjoying the evening.

As with any outdoor event on the Oregon coast, Mother Nature occasionally has other plans. Storms or rough weather can force closures for the evening, so organizers encourage visitors to monitor the festival's Facebook page for any last-minute updates or cancellation notices.

The experience isn't just about the lights. Guests can also stop by the Snack Shack for classic holiday treats, including hot cocoa, hot cider, and cookies, adding a little extra warmth to chilly winter nights.

What began as a modest community effort has grown into one of the region's premier holiday attractions. The tradition started in 1997 when local residents donated their Christmas lights to the park. Volunteers then spent countless hours hanging what was then several thousand lights throughout the grounds. Fast forward 26 years, and that humble display has evolved into a breathtaking showcase featuring more than 3 million bulbs, illuminating Azalea State Park each holiday season and drawing visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.

The event does not provide wheelchairs, but the paths are paved, ADA-accessible and so are the restrooms onsite. See their site.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

 

A1 Beach Rentals - in Lincoln City and Depoe Bay
20 Aug 2026 at 4:35am
Some rates drop as low as $250- $275 per night at times. Other charges / fees apply - click on site. Siletz Bay, walk to NW 15th beach access, near Roads End, walk to shopping, short walk to D River access, Lincoln City tidepools

Snuggle Inn: An Oregon Coast Inn / Rental With Killer Views, Deep Depoe Bay V...
5 Nov 2026 at 7:30pm
Depoe Bay reviews: Snuggle Inn, a two-story charmer with two vacation rentals. Near Depoe Bay Bridge, Otter Rock, Devil's Punchbowl. Keystone Vacation Rentals. Closest rooms to seawall and spouting horn. Fogarty Beach, Closest to Depoe Bay fishing docks, Whale Watch Center

Soaring Views at North Oregon Coast's Neskowin: One exceptional vacation ren...
20 Aug 2026 at 4:35am
Incredible views, incredible decor. Closest to Neskowin Ghost Forest, close walk to Neskowin dining, Cascade Head. Right on the ocean, in the midst of a forest. Pacific City Hotel reviews. Kiwanda Coastal Properties

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Fireball Reported Over Portland, Oregon Confirmed by AMS
8 Oct 2026 at 12:39am
Seen Oct. 3 at 3:52 a.m., there were other reports but no footage

A Sunny, Warm Week on Oregon Coast, Highs 70s - 80s Some Areas
30 Sep 2026 at 3:31am
South coast in 70s to 80s at times. Dry at least a week in NW Oregon / SW Washington. Weather

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad is 'Off the Rails' with Fall Rides, Holiday Trips
6 Oct 2026 at 5:49pm
Fall Splendor rides now taking off, holiday rides announced: Wheeler events, Rockaway Beach events, Garibaldi events, Tillamook events

Freeze and Frost Advisories, Watches Tonight for Washington, Oregon, Coastline
30 Oct 2026 at 8:41pm
Good chances rural areas in NW Oregon and SW Washington get below 32. Portland, Chehalis, Weather, Eugene, Silverton, Wine Country

This Weekend's Chonky, Orange-Tinged Harvest Moon Above Oregon, Washington and Coast
25 Sep 2026 at 9:55pm
Large moon - but there's a catch - and some meteor showers. Weather, Astronomy

Yachats Celtic Fest Puts Oregon Coast Firmly on Course for Irish, Scottish Vibes
5 Nov 2026 at 7:30pm
Friday - Sunday, November 13, 14, and 15. Yachats events

Oregon Coast Deputy Uses Boat to Rescue Man in Submerged Vehicle
9 Oct 2026 at 8:02pm
Elderly man accidentally drives into Alsea Bay, Waldport. Rescue

Festive and Family-Friendly on Oregon Coast: Florence Hotel Gets Lighthearted with Halloween
16 Oct 2026 at 9:21am
Haunted Hotel event on Saturday, Oct. 31 - with treats for adults too. Florence events

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted