Portland Christmas Tree Arrives at Pioneer Courthouse
The 75-foot Douglas fir kicks off Downtown for the Holidays, which runs through December 31.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Seasonal Events
Live Poll
Is downtown Portland getting better for local businesses in your view?
A 75-foot Douglas fir arrived at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland on November 10, 2026, launching the Downtown for the Holidays celebration. The tree was donated by Stimson Lumber Company for the 25th consecutive year and grew on its property near Gaston.
Why it matters
The celebration is intended to build on growing foot traffic in Portland's core, with downtown visits up 3.6% year to date. It gives shoppers and diners a season-long reason to spend time in the city center.
The tree weighs about 8,000 pounds and stands 75 feet tall, marking the 25th consecutive year Stimson Lumber Company has donated it. Downtown foot traffic is up 3.6% year to date, compared with a nearly 7% summer increase over summer 2025.
The players
Stimson Lumber Company
A Gaston-area timber company that has donated the Portland Christmas tree for 25 consecutive years from its own property.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland's central public plaza, which serves as the gathering place for the city's holiday tree and seasonal events.
The details
Crews delivered the tree to Pioneer Courthouse Square on a Tuesday as part of the Downtown for the Holidays lineup of shopping, dining and entertainment. The season also includes the PDX Pop-Ups program, which places 17 small businesses in storefronts downtown and in the Pearl District.
Timeline
November 10, 2026: The 75-foot Douglas fir arrives at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
November 13, 2026: Sneaker Week pop-up opens at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Taylor Street.
November 28, 2026: Free parking at all five SmartPark garages for Small Business Saturday.
December 31, 2026: Downtown for the Holidays season ends with a New Year's Eve drone show.
Seasonal Patterns
The holiday season is extending a downtown recovery that has seen foot traffic rise 3.6% year to date and nearly 7% over summer 2025. Events like The Nutcracker, which draws more than 50,000 people downtown each December and generates about $6 million in economic impact, show how seasonal programming anchors that activity.
Shoppers can use free SmartPark garage parking on Small Business Saturday, November 28, to visit downtown shops and restaurants. The PDX Pop-Ups storefronts and the Sneaker Week pop-up on Southwest Fourth Avenue let visitors shop local brands directly.
The takeaway
Holiday foot traffic in downtown Portland is a practical reason to plan a visit early, with free parking on Small Business Saturday making local shopping easier. Pairing a trip with the tree and pop-up stops can make a seasonal outing across the city center.
What happens next
The Downtown for the Holidays celebration runs through December 31, 2026, closing with a New Year's Eve drone show at Pioneer Courthouse Square with performances at 9 p.m. and midnight. Small Business Saturday free parking at five SmartPark garages takes place November 28.
Further reading
For more on the city's recurring celebrations, browse Seasonal Events coverage in Portland.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXL Newsradio 750.
Live Poll
Is downtown Portland getting better for local businesses in your view?
