That’s it! Before you could blink, 2023 is over. If you’re looking for ways to see the old year out, or welcome in the new, we’ve got some options. And remember, if you need a ride home New Years Eve consider ride shares, taxis, or use TriMet or C-Tran, both of which will run extended service on some lines and provide FREE rides across the systems after 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Read more here: trimet.org/2023.
The Fab Four - The Ultimate Tribute Concert (Salem)
The 2023 tour promises an all-new show with a performance of The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” in its entirety, as well as the Beatles’ greatest hits. This Emmy Award-winning band is renowned for its precise attention to detail, uncanny note-for-note live renditions of Beatles classics and for a lively show that brings the music of a generation alive for today’s audiences.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, Elsinore Theater, 170 High St. S.E., Salem; tickets start at $34.50, elsinoretheatre.com/events.
Oregon Symphony New Year’s Eve concert
Finish off 2023 with a symphony concert featuring the grandeur of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. The concert also includes vocals by the Ode to Joy chorus, Portland State University Chamber Choir, and the Oregon Repertory Singers. Deanna Tham conducts.
7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 30-31, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway; tickets start at $35; tickets.orsymphony.org.
“12 Days of Christmas in the East”
Cappella Romana celebrates the season in a joyful program of chants, hymns, and carols of Christmastide from the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The program includes medieval Byzantine chant and new choral works by contemporary composers.
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, St. Mary’s Cathedral,1739 N.W. Couch St.; tickets start at $33; cappellaromana.my.salesforce-sites.com.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve at the Reser
If celebrating the new year with the youngest family members is your goal, the Reser Arts Center in Beaverton is offering a party in the middle of the day aimed at families with kids 10 or younger. Ring in the New Year with live musical performances by Arietta Ward and Mo Phillips on the main stage, traditional West African rhythm, dance and song with Sebe Kan Youth African Drum and Dance, fun family activities in the lobby, and prize drawings (including a PlayStation 5). Portland Trailblazers’ DJ OG ONE will be the master of ceremonies.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; tickets $10-$20; thereser.org/event/kids-new-years-eve.
“Glam Slam” New Year’s Eve Party
Sure, you could dance all night. But what about endless rounds of pickleball? If that’s your jam, join like-minded enthusiasts at The People’s Courts for a night of cornhole, ping-pong, bocce, disc golf and of course pickleball. Admission includes the equipment needed to play. You can glam up your attire all you want, but athletic shoes are required on all the courts. The venue is usually all ages, but for the New Year’s Eve party it’s limited to 21 and older. There’s a DJ dance party and Champagne toast at midnight.
8 p.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, The People’s Courts, 2700 N.E. 82nd Ave.; tickets $35; eventbrite.com/e/the-peoples-courts.
Oaks Park Roller Rink’s annual all-ages New Year’s Eve skate party
Each year, skating fans roll out the new year at Oaks Park with a night-long skating party featuring a live DJ. The event is family-friendly, but new this year is the option of toasting at midnight (for guests 21 and older). Admission includes a standard skate rental. This event often sells out, so get your tickets asap.
7 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the rink at Oaks Amusem*nt Park, 7805 S.E. Oaks Park Way; skate only tickets $23, Champagne toast $28; spectator-only tickets are for adults 18 and older who are accompanying a skater; oakspark.com/nyeskate.
McMenamins New Year’s Eve Celebrations
McMenamins wants to make sure you see in the new year and hosts a variety of free and ticketed bashes across the Portland metro area and at properties around Oregon. All listed events are on Dec. 31. Ticket prices vary, some events are free. Here’s a sampling: (check mcmenamins.com for a complete list)
- Kennedy School (Northeast Portland) - Kennedy School will be kicking it up a notch this year with live music by Outer Orbit featuring Arietta Ward and other bands, a sparkling wine toast, and a midnight balloon drop.
- Crystal Hotel (West Portland) - Al’s Den offers Shelly Sings Sinatra offering a swingin’ New Year’s Eve and the Crystal Ballroom welcomes the Bridge City Sinners.
- Edgefield (Troutdale) - The Winery has How Long Jug Band; the Loading Dock features Cedar Teeth & Family Worship Center; Blackberry Hall welcomes My Siamese Twin.
- Grand Lodge (Forest Grove) - Garage Door welcomes Linn Street Din, The Newport Nightengales and Smut City Jellyroll Society.
“Rage at the Rose – An Opulent Affair”
The Saloon Ensemble joins forces with Izhonny & Pink Lady DiAnn’s The Cat’s Meow for a live soul/funk/jazz dance party and burlesque performance. It’s a partially-seated show so there will be room to dance. 21 and older only.
10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000, N. Alberta St.; $40 advance; event.etix.com/ticket.
First Day Hikes
Oregon Parks and Recreation wants you to start the new year outdoors. Choose from 34 hikes in 31 parks across the state. All hikes are guided by a park ranger who will share stories about the park’s history, geology, wildlife and flora during the annual First Day Hikes event. All hikes are free, and no day-use parking fees are charged (Jan. 1 only). Some hikes require registrations. Portland-area hikes include Champoeg State Park, L.L. Stub Stewart, and Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
Various times Monday, Jan. 1. Hikers can register for specific hikes online here: stateparks.oregon.gov.
Small Works Show
The Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro welcomes the public to its annual shows of small artwork with a reception on Tuesday evening. The show highlights more than 150 artworks by 50 area artists and all works are available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds go to the Hillsboro Arts & Culture Endowment. Works are sized 10X10 inches or smaller and are all priced at $150 or less.
Reception 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, Walters Cultural Arts Center, 527 E. Main St., Hillsboro; free admission. The show remains on view through Jan 26. Details: Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/ArtWalk.
Portland Art Museum return of Free First Thursdays
Beginning in January, the Portland Art Museum will once again offer free admission on First Thursdays. Take this opportunity to check out the current exhibitions including “Africa Fashion” and “Black Artists of Oregon.” The museum has also announced new hours for 2024: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
First Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave.; reserve free tickets online in advance; portlandartmuseum.org/tickets.
- If you have events you’d like to see highlighted at OregonLive.com or in the weekly printed A&E section of The Oregonian, please email submissions to events@oregonian.com at least three weeks prior to the start of your event. Digital images or links to videos are helpful.
— Rosemarie Stein
503-221-4376, events@oregonian.com; @trafficportland
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