It’s time to light up the holidays in Clark County

Holiday lights give the darkness of December a sparkling uplift, just like bubbles in Champagne. These local light shows include festive displays that have been family traditions for decades as well as a couple recent additions, like Ridgefield’s Brew Lights in the Park and the Holiday Light Walk at Skamania Lodge. Wherever you decide to enjoy the glittering extravaganza of holiday twinkles, you can be sure that your spirits will be made merry and bright.

Until Dec. 21: The Port of Camas-Washougal has already hosted its annual Christmas Ships viewing party, but the Columbia and Willamette fleets will keep floating along through Dec. 21. All sailings visible from Vancouver are between 7 and 9 p.m. See the ships sail by Washington Shores, Wintler Park and the I-5 Bridge tonight and Dec. 19. On Wednesday and Dec. 16, the lighted boats will sail near Steamboat Landing, Interstate 205 and 164th Avenue. On Friday and Dec. 17, see them between the Vancouver waterfront and Hayden Bay. For the Willamette Fleet and Combined Fleet sailings, visit christmasships.org.

Until Dec. 30: The Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights is open from 5-9:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 30 (except Christmas Day) at 8840 N.E. Skidmore St., Portland. This walk-through display features millions of lights along a quarter-mile of footpaths, choir concerts, caroling, puppet shows and live music. Attendees should bring a nonperishable food item for SnowCap Community Charities. Check hours and purchase tickets ($7.95-$16.95) at thegrotto.org. Discount nights ($6.95-$14.95) are today, Wednesday and Thursday. All tickets are $1 to $2 more at the gate.

Until Dec. 30: Christmas on Franklin features 200,000 lights stretched across 10 properties that will glow from 5 to 10 p.m. every night until Dec. 30, with a centerpiece display at 4616 N.W. Franklin St., Vancouver. The free display, accessible by car or by foot, includes 45 holiday figures, 25-foot animated trees and five Nativity scenes. Hot cocoa and treats are available to buy on weekends. On select nights, enjoy live musical entertainment, visits from Santa and falling “snow.” For more details, see facebook.com/HolidaysOnFranklin or holidaysonfranklin.com.

Until Dec. 31: Peacock Lane in Portland’s Sunnyside neighborhood will be open for free viewing from 6-11 p.m. daily from Dec. 15 to 31. Pedestrian-only nights are Dec. 19 and 20, when the street is blocked to vehicle traffic. Get free cocoa at the cocoa booth, open at 6 p.m. every night from Dec. 15 to 24; donations are welcome to offset costs. Get complete details at peacocklane.org or check facebook.com/peacockln for updates.

Until Dec. 31: See a million lights (literally) at the Winter Wonderland drive-thru light show at Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 4:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. From Dec. 12 to 25, hours are 4:30 to 11 p.m. See 250 colorful light set pieces and animated scenes, including dinosaurs, sea creatures, a candy forest and leaping reindeer. The Tunnel of Lights is a new feature for 2025. All proceeds benefit Sunshine Division’s hunger relief programs. Admission is $50 per vehicle or $85 for limos, RVs and vans. VIP Fast Passes are $85. Buy tickets at winterwonderlandportland.com.

Until Jan. 4: Skamania Lodge, 1131 S.W. Skamania Lodge Way, will offer a Holiday Light Walk through Tree House Village from 5 to 9 p.m. every night through Jan. 4. See a collection of forest animals and a life-size Sasquatch decorated with twinkling holiday lights. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa around the fire pit at the end of their stroll. This event is free and open to the public. Get details at skamania.com.

Until Jan. 4: ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo is a beloved local tradition. Walk through tunnels of sparkling lights, pose next to colorful animals and make holiday memories against a glittering backdrop. See a meadow light show, interactive displays and life-size animal lanterns along the train route. Most animals are not on display but some creatures — like bats — are active at night. Adult tickets range from $13 to $35 and youth tickets are $13 to $30. “Any Night” tickets can be used at any time during the season. ZooLights is closed on Christmas Day. Admission on Jan. 3 is only for guests 21 and older. Learn more at oregonzoo.org/lights.