Downtown Grants Pass is preparing to welcome the holiday season with one of its most cherished community traditions as the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony returns in early December. The celebration anchors a month of festive activity, transforming G Street and the surrounding blocks into a seasonal gathering place that brings families, visitors and local businesses together. With the arrival of the community tree on December 1, crews will begin several days of work to decorate the towering evergreen and build the holiday plaza that has become a signature backdrop for the event. The ceremony itself is set for Friday, December 5, marking the official start to the city’s holiday calendar.
On the afternoon of December 5, G Street between 4th and 6th streets will close beginning at noon and remain closed until late evening. Fifth Street from G to H will also close for the festivities. By early afternoon the street begins to take on the character of a winter market as vendors open their booths and families wander from one end of the celebration to the other. More than two dozen artisans, bakers, makers and small local businesses will line the north side of G Street with handcrafted goods and seasonal treats. The lineup includes everything from chocolate truffles, crochet toys and vintage silverware jewelry to wreaths, natural body care products and handcrafted holiday décor. The diversity of booths reflects both the creativity of the region and the community’s support for small businesses during the peak of local holiday shopping.
The afternoon continues with traditional carriage rides along G Street as horses move slowly through the heart of the celebration. Music fills the air from the stage at 5th and G where student musicians, community singers and local performers carry the event from late afternoon into early evening. Children gather at the Oregon Center for Creative Learning on the corner of 4th and G where a sock skating rink gives young visitors a chance to glide across a wooden floor in their stockinged feet. The playful activity returns this year as a favorite feature and highlights the future home of the Children’s Museum.
The holiday spirit continues in the days that follow. On December 6, the Main Street Grants Pass Cocoa Crawl returns from late morning to early afternoon. This family event brings residents into downtown businesses where cocoa samples are offered alongside seasonal shopping. It has become a relaxed tradition that draws families back into the heart of downtown the day after the tree lighting.
For children who want more time with Santa, additional visits are scheduled at the Downtown Welcome Center on December 13 and December 20. Each session offers a window for families to stop in and enjoy a quiet holiday moment before the bustle of the season reaches its peak.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony has grown into much more than a single evening event. It is a gathering of community, creativity and local pride that has become a hallmark of December in Grants Pass. As preparations begin and decorations rise over G Street, the city looks ahead to another year of shared celebration, bright lights and the simple joy of welcoming winter together.