Ring in 2024 at Wallowa Lake Lodge

JOSEPH — Celebrate the new year with a dance party at the Wallowa Lake Lodge, 60060 Wallowa Lake Highway, on Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Cost is $20, and the evening is for ages 21 and older. Music will be provided by The Travelers Band. The event features snacks, a champagne toast and cash bar for craft cocktails and more.

For tickets, email madeline@wallowalakelodge.com or call the lodge at 541-432-9821.

Join Christmas karaoke at The Main Event

BAKER CITY — Warm up your voice and enter a Christmas karaoke contest on Friday, Dec. 22, at The Main Event, 1929 Main St., starting at 9 p.m.

Also, be sure to wear your best Christmas outfit. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Santa will be handing out gifts to the best dressed in attendance.

Crafts, movies planned at the Baker library

BAKER CITY — The Baker County Public Library, 2400 Resort St., is planning three days of drop-in arts and crafts during winter break.

Sessions are Dec. 20, 21 and 22 from 9-11 a.m. The Thursday gathering will be aimed toward toddler/preschool age.

Those same days also offer family holiday movies — 1 p.m. Dec. 20, 3 p.m. Dec. 21 and 2 p.m. Dec. 22.

Take a selfie with Santa in Union

UNION — Capture a “selfie with Santa” during storytime at the Union Carnegie Public Library, 182 N. Main St. There are three chances: Dec. 20 and 21 from 3-5 p.m., and Dec. 22 from 1-4 p.m.

Christmas Bird Count is Dec. 21

CANYON CITY — The Grant County Bird Club invites area residents to join the National Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, the world’s longest-running community science survey.

The goal is to count all the birds within a 15-mile-diameter circle. Groups divide the circle into smaller areas, and people can participate from home by tallying visitors to their bird feeders. Local data is sent to the National Audubon Society to be compiled into a comprehensive snapshot of bird populations during the winter months.

Interested birders can meet at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, at the Squeeze-In Restaurant, 295 S. Canyon Blvd. in Canyon City. Over breakfast, Grant County bird count compiler Tom Winters will designate teams and assign territories. At 5 p.m., birders will gather at 1188 Brewing Co., 141 E. Main St. in John Day, to submit their results. Feeder watchers and other interested parties are invited to join them.

For more information, contact Winters at 541-542-2006, 541-620-2922 or tjwinters1951@gmail.com.

Santa rides a sleigh of pallets Dec. 23

BOARDMAN — In its eighth year, SECO Pallets will deliver Santa Claus in a special sleigh made out of pallets for the Santa Drive on Saturday, Dec. 23, 5 p.m., starting at the Boardman business with an escort by the Boardman police and fire departments.

The lighted parade will make its way down Main Street on its way to the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road — where Santa will pose for photos and give gifts to all the good boys and girls (while supplies last). Hot chocolate will be served. To join the event or to view the parade route, search Facebook at bit.ly/3W4HhEb. For questions, call 541-720-3088.

Tour a local light display

Communities across Eastern Oregon are illuminating the dark winter nights with holiday light displays. Pile in the car with hot cocoa and check out the lights near you.

• Wheeler County’s holiday drive-thru light festival at Isobel Edwards Hall in Fossil is open nightly from 5-8 p.m. through Dec. 27. Entry is free.
• Fair Lights at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds in Enterprise is open every night through Dec. 26 from 5-8 p.m. The entrance is across the street from Les Schwab Tires on Medical Parkway.
• The Festival of Lights is back at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road in Hermiston. Billed as the “largest light display in Eastern Oregon,” the annual tradition features numerous lighted displays along a drive-thru path. Entry is free, but the suggested donation of $5 per car benefits the Hermiston Rotary Club. The festival runs Thursdays through Sundays from 6-9 p.m. until Jan. 1. Santa will visit from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 22. It is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• The Union County Chamber of Commerce in La Grande encouraged the community to submit businesses or home displays for the annual holiday decorating contest. A map is posted on the chamber’s Facebook page, or pick up a copy at the office, 207 Depot St. Winners will be announced Dec. 20.
• Voting is now open for the Milton-Freewater Chamber Downtown Alliance’s Happy Holiday Outdoor Decorating Contest. A map of locations is posted online at mfcda.org/votexmas/ and voting runs through Dec. 20. Winners will be announced Dec. 22.
• A light display continues to shine each night throughout the end of December at the SAGE Center, 101 Olson Road, Boardman. While it doesn’t include synchronized music, Breena Beck, SAGE Center assistant manager, said it brightens the holiday spirit. She encourages people to drive through and look at the lights and play their own Christmas music.

Have cookies with Santa on Dec. 23

LA GRANDE — Le Bebe Cakes, 1101 Washington Ave., is again planning a Cookies and Milk with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 23, 5-7 p.m. This gathering is free, although registration is encouraged due to limited space. To RSVP, call 541-963-2253.

Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and enjoy story time and a chance to visit with Santa.

Register now for Community African Drumming

LA GRANDE — Registration is now open for the winter term of Community African Drumming, a program offered by Art Center East.

The term runs from Jan. 9 to March 12. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in Loso Hall room 123 at Eastern Oregon University.

Participants will learn how to play the djembe (a goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands) or refine skills. Drums are provided. No experience is necessary.

The class is open to ages 12 and older. Cost is $45 for current ACE members, or $55 for nonmembers. Youth scholarships are available for age 18 and younger — for information, visit artcentereast.org/ace-youth-scholarship or email outreach@artcentereast.org.

Register online at artcentereast.org, in person at ACE (1006 Penn Ave.), or by calling 541-624-2800.

Several Christmas Day dinners offered

JOHN DAY, JOSEPH — A free, traditional Christmas dinner will be served at noon on Monday, Dec. 25, at the Grant County Senior Center, 142 NE Dayton. The community is welcome. This special dinner is organized by Glenn and RoseAnn Palmer. It will be served onsite, with no deliveries available this year.

In Wallowa County, Hurricane Creek Grange, 82930 Airport Lane, will have a traditional Christmas dinner on Dec. 25 starting at noon. The meal is free and open to the public.

Call to artists for student show

BAKER CITY — Crossroads Carnegie Art Center is expanding the annual student show that opens Jan. 5, and invites students — high school, college and amateur artists — to submit 2D and 3D work.

There is no entry fee. Artwork can be dropped off at Crossroads, 2020 Auburn Ave., between Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The opening reception is Friday, Jan. 5, 5-8 p.m. The show runs until Jan. 27. For more information, call 541-523-5369, email info@crossroads-arts.org or visit crossroads-arts.org.

BackFire Station hosts Christmas Eve event

PENDLETON — Before closing early on Christmas Eve, BackFire Station invites family and friends to enjoy a viewing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

The BackFire Family Christmas Eve Get Together is Sunday, Dec. 24, 4-6 p.m. at 911 S.W. Court Ave. There is no cover charge.

Setting the stage for a festive evening, the Christmas tree out front will be aglow, the fire pits a-blazin’ and Christmas music will fill the air.

Complimentary champagne punch, non-alcoholic Martinelli’s punch and plenty of yummy munchies will be available.

For more information, search www.facebook.com/BackFireStation. For questions, call 541-512-6977.

Unity Collectibles tunes up with music

PENDLETON — A free all-ages show will feature ambient music by a pair of singer-songwriters.

Cimiotti and James Dean Kindle will perform Wednesday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m. at Unity Collectibles, 237 S Main St. In addition, DJ RnR Damnation will spin records before, between and after sets.

Under the name Cimiotti, Queens-based musician Paul Collins makes lyrical experimental music in the vein of Cluster, The Durutti Column, and Loren Connors. The goal of his music is to make the listener feel creative, and hopefully generate their own unique homemade creations.

Kindle has an eclectic approach to music performance. The Pendleton artist’s compositions blur the boundaries between country, folk, jazz, Latin genres, and experimental music. As both a solo artist and in other group projects, he has released several full-length albums and singles.

Josh and Jennifer Burrington opened Unity Collectibles in June. In addition to vinyl records, the store offers a variety of collectibles and other goods, as well as serving as a community space. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3RFJN41.

Ugly sweaters go underground

PENDLETON — If you haven’t already done so, dig out your ugly sweaters and party underground with DJ Big Wispr.

The Ugly Sweater Party Underground is Saturday, Dec. 23, 7-11 p.m. in the Shamrock Cardroom Bar, 37 SW Emigrant Ave. The evening includes specialty cocktails and music. Voting at 9 p.m. will determine the winner of a prize for the ugliest sweater.

Also, adult-only underground tours with Matt Ramirez (6 p.m.) or Judith Burger (6:30 p.m.) are $30. For more information, search pendletonundergroundtours.org and click on “Shamrock Bar.” For questions or to reserve a tour, call 541-276-0730.

Join a bingo night in Umatilla

UMATILLA — Umatilla Parks and Recreation is planning both kid and adult bingo nights. Space is limited, so be sure to register early.

The next Kid’s Bingo is Friday, Dec. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Umatilla City Hall. Entry is $5 per child. Organizers ask that only one guardian accompanies a child to keep seats open for participants.

Adult Bingo for age 18 and older is planned for Jan. 6 and Jan. 27, 6-8 p.m. in Umatilla City Hall. Cost is $15 per person, and additional cards are $2.

To register, visit umatilla-city.org/parksrec. For information, call 541-922-3226.

Hinder to rock Wildhorse Resort & Casino

MISSION — Multi-platinum rock band Hinder announced its winter tour, which includes a show at Wildhorse Resort & Casino.

The 21-and-over event is Jan. 19, 2024, 8 p.m. in the casino’s Rivers Event Center, located off Interstate 84, exit 216. The doors open at 7 p.m. Regular reserved seats are $44 and premium seats are $59. Tickets went on sale Nov. 17 and organizers expect the show to sell out.

Formed in 2001 in Oklahoma City, the band’s sound is described as rock with post-grunge inspiration. Hinder’s full-length debut album, “Extreme Behavior, went platinum.

To reserve tickets, visit bit.ly/3GJ6IpX. For questions, call 800-654-9453.