Events, happenings in January 2026

2, First Friday Art Walk: Walk around downtown businesses and enjoy free art installations, pop-up events and live music. It’s free and will take place from 5 to 8 PM. Check out the online map for all the featured artists and businesses.  

3, New Year, New Intentions: Shaping the Year Ahead with Images and Aspirations at the Art Department: The art tore’s Glenda Goodrich is teaching a class on how to connect what you’re looking for in 2026 with a vision board. No experience needed, admission is $65. Session is from 11:30 AM to 3 PM. Tickets are available online. 254 Commercial St NE. 

3, The Museum Memories of an American Family One-Act Play at Bush Barn Art Center: Gabrielle Brew-Wallin is presenting a one-act play, The Museum: Memories of an American Faily exploring how belongings shape lives and how memories and aging reflect reliable storytelling. Space is limited, register online to save your spot. Admission is $10, event is from 7:30 to 9 PM. 600 Mission St. SE.

4/11/18/25, Artist-in-Residence Gatherings at Bush Barn Art Center and Annex: Adults and practicing artists looking to build community, look no further than this weekly gathering hosted with Elaina Lavon. Bring your own projects to work on and get to know others in person with ideas and support. These are from 10 AM to 1 PM. RSVP online. 600 Mission St. SE.

9, Opening Reception for Yuji Hiratsuka exhibit at Bush Bart Art Center A.N. Bush Gallery: Opening reception will be 5:30 to 7:30 PM, with welcome and introductions at 6 PM. More details on the exhibit in “Featured Art Exhibit” below. 600 Mission St. SE. 

11, Bush House Museum Tour: Sally Bush - Renaissance Woman of Salem: This special tour of Bush House Museum will highlight Sally Bush, who served as the lady of the Bush House. She was a renaissance woman: accomplished photographer, gardener, animal lover, art patron, philanthropist and Vice President of Ladd and Bush Bank. Tour is maxed at 12 spots, register online to save a spot. Admission is recommended $20. Tour is 1:30 to 2:30 PM. 600 MIssion St. SE.

12, Salem Origami Club monthly meeting at Salem Multicultural Institute: The origami club meets the second Monday of every month, and January’s theme is “light.” All levels of folders are welcome, though children under 13 please be accompanied by an adult. Showing up promptly at 4:30 PM is optional. The meeting will be from 4:30 to 7 PM. 390 Liberty St. SE.

16, Watercolor Realism Open Studio at Art Department: Wanting to pait watercolor realism? This small group with individualized instruction will be from 1 to 3:30 PM, admission is $30. This is not an intensive instruction class. Reserve your spot online now. 254 Commercial St NE.

30, Curator Tour of Willamette Heritage Center: Come for a special themed tour of the museum, and see the museum in a new way. January’s theme is Fleece to Fabric, where you’ll learn about the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and its processes, people, and products. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and $6 for students with ID and those ages 6 to 17. Tickets are available online now. 1313 Mill St. SE. 

8, Creating Kombucha: The Science Behind Fermentation and Flavors at Venti’s Cafe: Join local kombucha brewer Jeremy Greenwood as he talks through the process and secrets of creating the carbonated drink. He runs Rhythm Beverage Co., producing non-alcoholic kombucha in Salem. The talk is free, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. 325 Court St. NE.

9-11, Sip and Savor: A Dry January Experience at Brooks Winery: Kick off your dry January with this celebratory weekend of non-alcoholic beverages, including Friday night dinner, events throughout Saturday, and Brunch at Books. Partake in all events or just a few, for more info or to purchase tickets, check out the winery’s website. 21101 SE Cherry Blossom Ln, Amity.

23 - 25, 26th Annual Mo’s Seafood and Wine Festival at Willamette Valley Vineyards: Celebrate crab season with this annual Seafood and Wine festival at the Estate winery locations. Tickets are $35 per person, or $25 for club members/owners, and include a complimentary glass of wine, $20 bottle credit and access to live music. THere will be seafood selections paired with wine throughout the weekend. Tickets are available to purchase online now. 8800 Enchanted Way SE, Turner.  

3, Tropical Greenhouse Yoga at the Oregon Garden: Tsipora Berman is hosting a yoga session, staying dry and warm at the Garden’s greenhouse. No materials are required, just bring yourself. Admission is $20, and $15 if you’re a garden member; signups available online now. The session is from 10:30 AM to noon. 879 W Main St., Silverton.

5/12/19/26, Weekly Drop-In Improv Comedy Class at Grand Theater’s Grand Ballroom: Take a break from real life and join this weekly improv class from 7:30 to 9 PM. First class is free, $5 all classes after. Open to improvisers of all experience levels. 191 High St NE. 

7/14/21/28, Bricked Up Comedy: A Weekly Comedy Open Mic at the Brick Room at the Grand Theatre: Enjoy this weekly comedy night at 8 PM to see comics work out new material. Doors open at 7:30 PM, no cover or online ticket purchase required. Two item minimum for audience members and all ages allowed until 10 PM. 181 High St NE.

22, Justin Willman: One For The Ages Tour at Elsinore Theatre: Justin Willman is going on tour with brand-new material and more. This all-ages friendly show will feature both comedy and magic. Tickets are available online now. The show will be from 7 to 10 PM. 170 High St. SE.

25, Brad Williams: The Tall Tales Tour at Elsinore Theatre: Brad Williams’ tour stop brings two hours of humor to Elsinore Theatre. Tickets are available online now. The concert will be from 7 to 9 PM. 170 High St. SE. 

30, The Peking Acrobats at Elsinore Theatre: The world-renowned Chinese acrobats will be performing daring maneuvers, contortion and with the accompaniment of traditional Chinese instruments. Tickets are available online now. Performance is from 7:30 to 10 PM. 170 High St. SE. 

31, COME TOGETHER: A Burlesque Tribute to the Beatles at Salem’s Historic Grand Theater:  See how The Beatles and burlesque are mixed for an experience like you’ve never had before. This event is 21+ only. Event will be from 7 to 10 PM. Tickets are available online now. 191 High St. NE. 

11, Camerata Musica Concert at Salem Public Library: This free chamber music concert series will make a stop at the Loucks Auditorium in the public library. This Sunday afternoon performance will be from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. Katherin McLin on violin, Noah Seitz on cello and Andrew Campbell on piano. 585 Liberty St. SE.

15, Pat Travers Band with special guest Wild Ire at the Grand Theatre: Pat Travers will be bringing a full night of rock and blues, along with special guest Wild Ire. Tickets are $40 and concert will be 8 to 10 PM. Tickets are available online. 191 High St. NE.

16, Candlelight: Coldplay and Imagine Dragons at The Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center: This concert will bring the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons to the glow of thousands of candles. Attendees must be 8 years or older, and those nder 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online now. Event is from 6:30 to 7:45 PM. 1313 Mill St. SE.

16, Oregon Symphony in Salem - Beethoven’s Eroica at Smith Auditorium at Willamette University: “Eroica” by Beethoven and “To the Memory of an Angel” violin concerto by Alban Berg will be performed. Tickets are available now and will be reduced/free for Willamette students and staff. Concert will be from 7:30 to 9:30 PM. 270 Winter St. SE.

25, Salem Symphonic Winds: Tales the Winds Remember at South Salem High School: The Salem Symphonic Winds will be performing this concert from 3 to 5 PM, weaving music, literature, and cultural references for this afternoon of music. 700 Howard St SE.

17, Gardening for Wildlife at Ankeny Hill Nature Center: Learn to create a home for butterflies, birds, deer, and other wildlife with Stephanie Hazen. Admission is free. Event will be from 10 to 11 AM. 130 Ankeny Hill Rd. SE. 

25, Get Earthy: Plant Workshop at Cristom Vineyards: Learn the basics of plant care, watering schedules, pruning, repotting, fertilizing and more at this workshop. Each ticket includes a potted plan to take home and a glass of wine. Tickets are $65 per person, and the workshop will be from 1 to 3 PM. 6905 Spring Valley Rd NW. 

This section is for me to spotlight one of the many amazing art exhibits, as there are so many interesting ones around town. They’re not like events, as they are usually on display for at least a month. 

I’d like to highlight Yuji Hiratsuka’s upcoming exhibit by the name of Personal Mythology: Color Intaglio, which will be showing at Bush Barn Art Center Bush Gallery from January 9 to February 22. He has had many solo shows and works in various public collections around the world. He was previously a professor of art at Oregon State University for 30 years. The gallery will be open noon to 4 PM from Wednesday to Sunday.  

That’s it from me - can you believe how packed January is? I’m sorry if I missed an event or two, but let me know so I can make sure they’re included in the future! Send them my way at [email protected]. There’s just alway so much going on. I’m also looking for more book recommendations, if anyone has any? 

Assembling my vision board,

Em Chan