It's December! And 'tis the season for GIVING, so bear with me as I belabor this extended metaphor. Consider Do This, Do That your holiday advent calendar this month, where you'll pry open one of those little perforated cardboard doors (read our weekly round-ups) to reveal a foil-wrapped piece of chocolate shaped like a star (find events you should check out each day).
If anything, Do This, Do That is a bit better than a physical advent calendar. It's less packaging-dense, just as joyous, and also, it doesn't cost you anything. Let's get into some glad tidings.
Monday, December 1
A John Waters Christmas
The seasonal sojourns of America’s favorite cult movie maker, sicko author, and filth elder John Waters have always been fun—he’s funny, irreverent, and unexpected. But during the Trump administration’s first run, Waters’ holiday stand-up shows became sort of beautiful and sustaining. Like, he’s still a pervert. But there’s something about someone shining—so brightly—their filthy light upon the world that gets at the holiday spirit. (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, 21+) SUZETTE SMITH
Tuesday, December 2
Joe Sacco
There are very few nonfiction comics makers who put as much time and research into their work as Joe Sacco. Trained in journalism at Oregon State University, Sacco’s autobiographical comics about his visits and interactions with people living in Palestine and Bosnia gained notoriety in the ’90s for their approachability and insight. He’s been seemingly trying to unravel the complexities of war ever since. His latest book, The Once and Future Riot, covers the 2013 instances of communal violence in Uttar Pradesh, India called the Muzaffarnagar riots, why incidents like it had happened before, and why they’re likely to happen all over again. (Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7 pm, FREE, more info, all ages) SS
Wednesday, December 3
Christmas Festival of Lights
Don your hat and gloves, gather your loved ones, and get excited for one of Portland's favorite holiday traditions. The Festival of Lights transforms the Grotto into a magical place where twinkling lights and joyful songs guide your way. The plaza tent will host puppet shows and story time at the beginning of every hour, followed by the Grotto Carolers and their merry tunes towards the end of each hour. Don't miss the Chapel of Mary's "cathedral-like acoustics" with nightly performances from local choirs. There's just something about holiday music that really brightens up our dark, wintery nights. (The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore, 5-9:30 pm daily through Dec 30, $7.95-$18.95, more info) SHANNON LUBETICH
Thursday, December 4
Fungi Film Fest
At the intersection of experimental, psychedelic animations and mycological quests, Fungi Film Fest has amassed a furtive following of eukaryotic enthusiasts. Whether you arrive lightly dosed or wanting to learn more about the global contemporary mycology community, there's something for you in the 2025 screening's 130-minute assemblage of short films, and even more available to stream online at fungifilmfest.com. If a particular short isn't for you, Cinema 21 has some of the best concessions to snack distract. (Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, Thurs Dec 4, 7 pm; Sun Dec 7, 3:30 pm, $16 evening, $14 matinee, more info, 130 minutes, also streaming at fungifilmfest.com) SS
Mohanad Elshieky
When a “Portland comedian who makes good” returns to entertain the hometown team, it’s always a reason to celebrate. Mohanad Elshieky is such a comedian, and after cutting his comedy teeth in Portland (where he was lauded as a Mercury “Genius of Comedy”), he went on to make his national TV debut on Conan as well as appearing on Late Night with Stephen Colbert. In between, he’s been working on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, the wildly popular podcast Lovett or Leave It, and is currently a writer for the Wait… Wait Don’t Tell Me podcast. But putting aside the stellar resume, Elshieky is smart as a goddamn whip—and when you pair this with his dry-as-a-bone observations about America, you know you’re in excellent comedic hands. Currently the show is sold-out, so pray they add an extra performance! (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 8 pm, SOLD OUT, more info, all ages) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Sun Ra: Do The Impossible
For fans of Space Is The Place, A Joyful Noise, Points on a Space Age
Titling a Sun Ra documentary Do The Impossible is impossibly nuanced. Sun Ra’s discography is—as was the man himself—impossible to define. Broad strokes like Afrofuturism and spiritual jazz are the easiest routes taken when describing the prophet to the uninitiated, but his music and pathways are so expansive that a mere few words aren’t nearly enough. Do The Impossible will serve well to give deeper understanding to the now mythological musician. The film's director, Christine Turner, will present this screening at Mono Space; alongside Do The Impossible editor Steven Golliday, she'll also offer a post-film Q&A. (Mono Space, 608 NW 13th, 7 pm, more info, all ages) NOLAN PARKER
Machine Nightmares: Portland’s Artists, Writers, Musicians, and Filmmakers Confront AI
Are you depressed about the shockingly rampant use of ChatGPT in today’s world? Do you value human-powered creativity over AI slop? You’re not alone. If Sam Altman and Elon Musk (etc.) want to facilitate the death of human artistry, they’ll have to go through a bunch of passionate creative-types who are doing everything in their power to combat the creep of generative AI in their industries. Portland-based artist Roger Peet has organized a group of some of those people for an evening of presentations dedicated to “addressing what AI is doing to our lives and our work, and what we can do to push back on it.” In addition to Peet, you can expect to hear from Portland-based artists including the writer Lydia Kiesling, photographer Celeste Noche, musician and writer John Niekrasz, and more. Inspiration and hope may follow. By the way, AI dabblers should attend, too. Expand your mind. (Mother Foucault's Bookshop, 715 SE Grand Ave, 6-8 pm, FREE, more info) TAYLOR GRIGGS
Friday, December 5
Krampuslauf PDX
For 16 years, fine, fierce, festive folks have been dressing up like half-goat half-demon monsters from Alpine folklore and marching down SE Hawthorne in procession. The story of Krampus changes with different cultures, but the general gist is this old-world beast knows if you’ve been bad and is going to remind you of it somehow. In practice, Krampuslauf means a lot of people wearing horns and carousing. (Meet up at Sewell Crest Park, SE 31st and SE Market, sunset, FREE, more info, all ages) SS
Kachka Fabrika "Late Night" Happy Hour
Portlanders always whine (🙋) that there's a sorely-lacking amount of night food in Portland. And while Kachka Fabrika's new happy hour—Friday and Saturday, starting at 9 pm—may not really be late night… because nothing before midnight should be considered late night, IT IS A PLACE TO GET A $5 MINI MARTINI. Can I still get into trouble after drinking a MINI espresso martini? It is very likely. Will I get into trouble if I eat a $10 McKachka's Fillet-O-Fish with that? Better order some dumplings to be safe. (Kachka Fabrika, 2117 NE Oregon, late night happy hour Fri & Sat, 9 pm-11 pm, more info, 21+) SS
Also worth it:
Bird Alliance of Oregon’s 45th Wild Arts Festival, Wingspan Event Center, more info
Supporting the education and conservation work of the Bird Alliance of Oregon, this festival includes a nature-themed art and book fair, a silent auction, a binocular raffle, and book signings and appearances by local nature writers Seymour Gulls, Rebecca Lexa, and Robert Michael Pyle.
Saturday, December 6
Holiday Photos with the Grinch
Santa-style photos with someone in a Dr. Seuss' Grinch costume have been an annual occurrence at the Lloyd Center since at least 2019. But with the building's long-prophesied redevelopment plan moving forward, this may be your last year to grin with the big green guy—or have your children photographed with this secular holiday icon—at this particular venue. Furthermore, Stranger Things fans cannot deny that the Netflix show's staggered finale has overtaken yule celebrations and Vecna is Grinch. No one will mind if you assemble your Halloween team for a group photo—in fact, as your mother, I would love to see it. (Lloyd Center Mall, 2201 Lloyd Center, Sat Dec 6 & Sun Dec 7, noon-3 pm, $10 photo fee benefits area non-profits, more info and reservations, all ages) SS
Homie Fest Winter Edition
After a seven-year sabbatical, Homie Fest is back in a big way in 2025. The fest’s grand return lit up Swan Dive’s two stages in late June with a deeply diverse lineup focusing on Brown and queer artists from the region. The first-ever winter edition of Homie Fest will be similarly expansive in both genre fluidity and identities represented on stage. Favorites of this mini-fest include the punishing dance-noise of headliners Sea Moss, Talking Contest’s psych ramblings (the band includes ex-members of the Blood Brothers, Past Lives, and !!!), the extremely sexy beats of PsychoTropika, and the astral spacescapes of Cosmos Dark. (Swan Dive, 727 SE Grand, 7 pm, $20, more info, 21+) NP
Also worth it:
Multnomah County Pinball Championships, The Zed, more info
The best-of-the-best square up against each other (and a raft of classic Gottlieb machines) to see who can claim the county title for most awesome pinball wizard. WSH
My People's Market, Oregon Convention Center, more info
Continuing to highlight BIPOC creators, makers, and culinary masters, this installment of the free, fam-friendly My People's Market includes dozens of artsy local vendors, sweet treats, and more.
Fourth Annual Holiday Sale, Elbow Room, more info
The hardworking artists of Elbow Room, a local arts organization providing material support, mentorship, and studio space to artists experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities, will show off their wares at their annual holiday sale.
Winter Wreath Festival, Learning Gardens Lab, more info
Portland State University's Brentwood-Darlington garden hosts this festival, offering kids’ activities, vendors, and a ticketed wreath-making workshop in a heated greenhouse.
Sunday, December 7
Sagra del Radicchio + Cider
This edible event will be bittersweet, but not in the complex-feeling sense of the word. We’re talking flavor profiles here–specifically the oppositional, yet complementary, notes of bitter radicchio and sweet cider. Organized by the Culinary Breeding Network and Northwest Cider Association, 35 tables “curated by farmers, breeders, chefs, and makers” will celebrate unsung winter ingredients like quince, medlar, buckwheat, barley, dry beans, and cabbage alongside unique cider pairings spanning different styles and apple varietals. I’m hoping to get some good inspo for hibernation season recipes. (The Redd, 831 SE Salmon, 3 pm, $53.65, more info, all ages) JW
Matt Rogers: Christmas in December
One of the most important questions of our time has to be: "Have you heard of Christmas?” Not afraid to ask the tough questions, famous vers-bottom Matt Rogers—of Las Culturistas, Fire Island, and Q-Force fame—has done the near-impossible by creating a modern Christmas classic, double penetrating the gay yuletide with a comedy special and its companion album, both entitled Have You Heard of Christmas? On both the special and the album, Rogers really does the work, letting us know that Santa and Jesus met at college in Bethlehem, that the Grinch is a grower, not a shower, and that Mrs. Claus isn’t one to be cheated on. Come, let us adore him. (Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie, 7 pm, $57.33, more info, all ages) NP
Also worth it:
The Piano Reimagined: Kinzie Steele Octet, Sama Dams, Luke Wyland, Holocene, more info
The "contemporary-impressionist collective" Kinzie Steele Octet will be joined by local musician-composer Luke Wyland (of AU and Methods Body) and the genre-spanning trio Sama Dams for this Northwest piano-focused showcase.
Looking for even more events happening this week? Head on over to EverOut!
