Holiday party with music planned at Settler’s Park

BAKER CITY — Dementia Friendly Baker County is hosting a holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m. at Settler’s Park, 2895 17th St.

The Baker High School chamber choir will provide music, including a sing-a-long. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.

Dancers present ‘Joy to the World’ Dec. 19

LA GRANDE — Beckie’s Studio of Dance will present a holiday show “Joy to the World” on Thursday, Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m. at the La Grande High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and admission is by donation.

This year, approximately 65 dancers will perform to contemporary music and a few standards from countries around the world, including Germany, Hungary, Egypt, Africa and New Zealand.

Beckie’s Studio of Dance was established in January 1980. Donations collected at the holiday show will support student scholarships, as well as costumes and other dance basics.

Seniors Matter plans sweet exchange in Heppner

HEPPNER — There’s still time to whip up a batch or two of your favorite cookies for the upcoming South Morrow County Seniors Matter YOLO activity.

The Senior Christmas Cookie Exchange is Thursday, Dec. 19, 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Senior Center, 190 N. Main St. Participants are asked to bring two dozen of their favorite cookies to exchange with others.

For more information, call 541-314-3185 or search Facebook via bit.ly/3Vmia1y.

Yellowhawk hosts Winter Wonderland event

MISSION — Participate in holiday-related activities and enjoy light refreshments during the Winter Wonderland Family Event in Mission.

The free event is Thursday, Dec. 19, 4-7 p.m. in the Laxsimwit Conference Room at Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center, 46314 Timine Way.

Participants can make ornaments and jingle bell necklaces, as well as decorate cookies.

In addition, family story-telling kits will be available.

Also, bring your cell phone or camera to take photos with Santa Claus and the Grinch.

For more information, contact Alisa Portley-White at 541-240-8521 or AlisaPortley@yellowhawk.org.

Kids invited to shop Santa Store Dec. 21

MILTON-FREEWATER — Bring your children down to shop at the Kids Santa Store on Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Milton-Freewater Community Building, 109 NE Fifth St.

All items cost between $1-$5. Children can shop for mom and dad, grandparents, brothers and sisters. Gift wrapping is free.

Adults are not allowed in the shopping area and will wait in another room. Santa’s helpers will be available to assist children.

Also, there will be photo opportunities with Santa.

Proceeds from the store benefit a local nonprofit each year. About 150 children shopped at the store last year.

Donations of gift bags, tissue paper and gift items, such as aftershave, lotion, gloves, scarves and knickknacks, are appreciated.

They can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 801 S. Main St.

Rex Taylor holiday spectacular hits Elgin

ELGIN — The Elgin Opera House presents “That Holiday Feeling — The Rex Taylor Family Christmas 1970s TV Spectacular” on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m.

Join fictional TV host Rex Taylor and his family for a variety of holiday songs. The performances feature Aubrey Slaughter, Trevor Winder, Hunter Adams, Carly Elder, Grant Deem, Jeremiah Dockweiler, Nicholas Vece, Anne Turner, Nicole Turner, Stacy Show, Sarah Deem and more.

Tickets are $10 and are available at elginoperahouse.com.

Evening of song set for winter solstice

COVE — The Meadowlark Singers, a group of individuals bringing songs of solace to people experiencing life’s transitions, will be at the Ascension Chapel, 1007 Church St., on the winter solstice, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.

Symphony gives free concert Dec. 20

UMATILLA — The Windy River Symphony Orchestra, which started in June 2024, will present a free winter concert on Friday, Dec. 20, 6 pm. at Umatilla High School, 1400 Seventh St.

The orchestra welcomes adults who maybe haven’t played an instrument for a while, as well as musicians currently in middle school or high school bands. Members hail from Umatilla, Hermiston, Irrigon and the Tri-Cities area in Washington.

The group rehearses Mondays, 6-8 p.m., in the UHS band room. For information about joining, email director Ashley Walchli at windyriverso@gmail.com.

Heritage Lights continues Dec. 20-21

PENDLETON — Heritage Lights and Artisan Market returns to the Heritage Station Museum, 108 SW Frazer, from 5-7 p.m. on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.

An annual event, staff and volunteers fill the museum grounds each December with more than 20,000 lights, big and small.

The exhibits begin with holiday trees set to music outside the front of the building and stretch to the back corner of the museum grounds. Santa and the Grinch will be on site both days.

Admission to Heritage Lights is free, but a box is set up to accept donations.

For more information, visit heritagestationmuseum.org or call 541-276-0012.

Thrill of Hope presents living nativity

PENDLETON — The Pendleton Thrill of Hope ministry returns this holiday season to present a live nativity on Saturday, Dec. 21, 6-9 p.m. at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave.

The walk-thru presentation features various scenes that portray the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

The production includes costumed characters, live animals and carolers. In addition, a hospitality team will serve cocoa and cookies.

Admission is free.

The collaborative ministry includes members from area churches, who gather together to share a message of hope with the community.

For more information, visit www.pendletonthrillofhope.org or search Facebook via bit.ly/3ZwPbJF.

Holiday concert planned at Josephy Center

JOSEPH — The Wallowa Valley Music Alliance and Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will present a holiday concert on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m. at the center, 403 N. Main St.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Holiday treats will be served.

This year’s performers include Robyn Burns, Janis Carper, Eagle Cap Youth Musical Ensemble, Amy Fairchild, Ted Hays, Haven Johnson, Carolyn Lochert, Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, Stewart & Fairchild Brothers and Nick Porter.

The two organizations have been frequent partners in pairing music with visual art to bring an even richer experience to their patrons.

These two leading arts nonprofits appreciate this opportunity to express thanks to the community for the support of their programs year-round.

A donation of $10 is suggested for admission.

Proceeds will benefit both the WVMA and the Josephy Center.

Electric Sundown goes retro on New Year’s Eve

PENDLETON — Adults are invited to shake their booties into new year by dancing to hits from the late ‘70s to the early 2000s during the Retro Video Dance Party.

The party starts at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 in The Ballroom at Electric Sundown, 14 SE Third St. The music, dancing and fun will continue into the wee hours of the morning of Jan. 1. Music videos will be projected on three screens, including a giant 12-foot one.

Attendees are encouraged to wear retro pop-culture outfits for a chance to win $100 in a costume contest.

The event also features radical door prizes and a no-host bar mixed up by Midway Bar & Grill.

Food will be available for purchase from 3rd Generation BBQ.

Tickets are available at www.allevents.in/pendleton. The cost is $25, which includes a champagne toast, photo booth pictures and party favors. Tickets purchased after Dec. 24 are $30 each.

Community Kindness plans Christmas meal

LA GRANDE — On Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon is putting on the fourth annual Christmas Day buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian Friendship Center, 1204 Spring Ave. A full selection of luncheon choices with beverages and desserts is provided in a welcoming environment to socialize.

For more information, call 541-805-1410 or drop by the Community Kindness store, 1315 Adams Ave., to and speak with Grant or Liz.

Share a Christmas meal in Joseph

JOSEPH — A community Christmas meal with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls and desserts is planned for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 3-6 p.m. at the Joseph Community Center, 102 E. First St.

Also, meals can be delivered to those who are homebound. Volunteers are needed for preparation, serving, delivery and clean up. To schedule a delivery or to volunteer, call Nicole at 541-215-3295.

‘American Idol’ Chayce Beckham tunes up in Pendleton

PENDLETON — Chayce Beckham, the season 19 “American Idol” winner, will perform Jan. 18, 2025, 7 p.m. at the new Blue Mountain Equine Center in Pendleton.

The country musician released his first full-length album, “Bad for Me,’ in April 2024. Beckham’s breakout single, “23,” made the Billboard Hot 100.

The singer-songwriter’s North American tour includes stops in Canada, and then he’s heading to Europe in March. Opening Beckham’s Round-Up City show are Scotty Wilson, a singer-songwriter from Pendleton, and Tylor & the Train Robbers, a Boise-based band with Helix roots.

General admission floor and bleacher tickets are $40; and general admission tickets with beer garden access are $50. They are available at www.meetinpendleton.com.

For more about Beckham, search www.chaycebeckham.com.

Festive happenings in Dayville

DAYVILLE — Dayville has a couple of holiday-related events this month.

Community members are invited to adopt one of the Christmas trees attached to the lamp posts by calling city hall at 541-987-2188.

Also, the city has a decorating contest for homes and businesses. Prizes will be awarded for first through third places.

Participants are asked to leave lights on until 8 p.m. on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 for judging.

Rec It Arena returns to EOTEC

HERMISTON — Indoor fun for the whole family is featured during Rec it Arena Dec. 20-22 at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road.

Hosted by Hermiston Parks & Recreation, activities include a toddler zone, inflatable fun, ping pong, volleyball, basketball and more. The weekend kicks off with Family Night on Friday, Dec. 20, 4-7 p.m. The cost is $5 per person at the door (one free child with a paying parent). And teens have the place to themselves from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Open play for everyone runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22. The cost is $5 per person.

Also, semi-private party rooms for up to 50 guests are available for rent. For more information, visit bit.ly/hermistonrecreation, search Facebook via bit.ly/3SQQ7VT or call 541-667-5018.

Get creative with recycled materials at Crossroads

BAKER CITY — Make creations with recycled materials and common craft supplies at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave.

Upcycled Holiday Family Fun is Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $42 members, $52 nonmembers.

To register or learn about other upcoming classes, visit crossroads-arts.org. All classes have a “pay what you can” option.

Auditions set for ‘Outside Mullingar’

BAKER CITY — Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre will hold auditions for “Outside Mullingar,” which will be performed Feb. 7-9 and Feb. 14-16.

Auditions are Dec. 26 and Dec. 30 at 6 p.m. at the theater, 2101 Main St.