What’s Up Salem!

Been a great year. I can’t believe it is already coming to a close.

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December 8, 2025 - Salem, OR

Salem City Council held a lengthy meeting Monday addressing multiple pressing community issues.

Immigration Enforcement: Residents testified about Sunday's incident where federal agents detained a man at Mega Foods on Lancaster, causing injuries requiring hospitalization. Community members requested $300,000 in emergency funding for affected families. Fire Chief Dave Gerboth clarified that Salem Fire Department does not violate sanctuary laws and only provided medical transport.

Housing Development: Planning Manager Eunice Kim presented proposed zoning code changes to ease housing development, including streamlining middle housing, allowing more flexible tree removal, and reducing infrastructure requirements. Salem has been designated "severely rent burdened," with over 25% of residents spending more than half their income on rent.

Homelessness: Mayor Hoy proclaimed December 21st as National Homeless Persons Memorial Day. Forty-seven people experiencing homelessness died in Marion and Polk counties this year. Emotional testimony highlighted conditions at Wallace Marine Park's encampment, estimated at 1,800 residents.

Other Business: Council unanimously approved updating the city operations fee structure to create more equitable rates based on actual service usage. The housing code proposals will undergo additional public hearings before returning for adoption.

Now let’s see what is happening in Salem this weekend!

The holiday season is glowing bright in Salem and Keizer, with magical light experiences happening all month long. Magic of Lights has returned to the State Fairgrounds and runs nightly from 5:30pm to 10pm through January 3. This drive thru spectacle wraps your car in vivid displays and sparkling tunnels that make every turn feel enchanted. After your cruise through the lights, take a stroll through the Holiday Village, also on site. You will find festive music, local shopping, delicious food, warm drinks, classic carnival rides, and even a holiday tree maze. It is the perfect setting for a cozy date night or a fun family outing.

Just a few miles away, Keizer lights up the night with one of the community’s favorite traditions. ❄️✨ Bundle up and get ready for a night of pure holiday magic. ✨❄️ The Keizer Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Keizer Holiday Lights Parade, this Saturday, December 13 at 7pm. Sponsored by Local Plumbing, this event brings the season to life with this year’s theme Lights, Camera, Action: A Hollywood Holiday. River Road will sparkle with star inspired floats and lighted entries from local businesses, fire districts, civic groups, car clubs, and marching bands. Bring your family, sip some hot cocoa, and soak in the twinkling lights, joyful music, and holiday cheer that make this parade such a beloved part of the season. It is a magical night you will not want to miss.

And the festive fun continues with Glow Oregon, an outdoor walk around festival presented by the Salem Keizer Volcanoes at Roto-Rooter Park. This year’s theme Santa’s Lost Presents invites families into a glowing winter landscape filled with gentle snowfall, cozy scenes, and whimsical characters. Children will love helping Santa search for the gifts he dropped along the way, turning the entire walk into a charming scavenger hunt. Glow Oregon runs nightly through December 31 and is open on Christmas Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day. This family friendly event offers a warm and imaginative adventure that adds even more sparkle to the holiday season.

Salem's young musicians are bringing the season to life with two uplifting holiday performances. Sprague High School presents Sounds of the Season, a nonprofit concert supporting Sprague’s performing arts programs in band, choir, and orchestra. This showcase invites the community to celebrate the warmth and joy of the holidays through music while cheering on talented local students. Performances take place on December 11 and 12 at 7:00pm and on December 13 at both 2:00pm and 7:00pm. After the show, guests are welcome to stay for a complimentary dessert and drink social in the Commons. Open seating is available for $20 and students may attend for $15. For questions or details, contact [email protected] or call 503-399-3261.

The musical celebration continues with the Salem Youth Symphony Winter Concert on December 14 at 3pm in Willamette University’s Smith Auditorium. This annual performance fills up quickly and guests are encouraged to avoid leaving empty seats between parties so that everyone has space to enjoy the show. Admission is $15 for adults and free for students 17 and under with a ticket. SYS musicians do not need a ticket. Festival seating is available, with reserved seating near the back for Mozart, Amadeus, and Philharmonia musicians. This concert is a wonderful way to support youth artists while enjoying an afternoon of winter music in a beautiful setting.

🕵️ Murder at the Pink Elephant (1920s Whodunit) @115 Lancaster Dr SE • 6:00PM–8:00PM • 1920s Dress Code
🎄 Christmas Open House @Willamette Lutheran Homes, 7693 Wheatland Rd N • 6:00PM–8:00PM • FREE
🎙️ Shelly Sings Sinatra! Holiday Show @Christo’s Pizzeria & Lounge • 7:00PM
🪩Sprague HS Sounds of the Season @Sprague High School Auditorium • 7:00PM-9:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳

🐾 Adoption Alley @State Fairgrounds • 5:30PM
🧸 Parents Night Out - No Sitter? No Problem! @Kroc Center • 5:30PM–8:30PM
🎄 The Original Salem Holiday Market @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 5:30PM–8:30PM • FREE Admission
🎻 3 Wise Women of the Blues @Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM
🎻 Theatre 33 Presents: Holiday Shorts @Willamette University, M. Lee Pelton Theatre • 7:00PM
🍀 2nd Friday Céilí! @VFW, 630 Hood St NE • 7:00PM
🪩Sprague HS Sounds of the Season @Sprague High School Auditorium • 7:00PM-9:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳
✨ Open Skate: Disney Night @Cherry City MadHouse • 7:30PM–10:00PM

🔫 Concealed Handgun License Class @Sportsman’s Warehouse • 9:00AM–1:00PM
🎄 Holiday Market @Convention Center • 9:00AM–4:00PM • FREE Admission
🎄 The Original Salem Holiday Market @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–6:00PM • FREE Admission
🎅 FREE Photos with Santa! @Radar Toys, 1440 Lancaster Dr • 11:00AM–2:00PM
🎁 Merry Grinchmas Photos @Ratchet Brewery, 2475 25th St SE • 1:00PM–5:00PM
📚 Read to a Pet for young readers @Salem Public Library • 1:00PM–2:30PM
🪩Sprague HS Sounds of the Season @Sprague High School Auditorium • 2:00PM-4:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳
🎲 Adult Game Day @Salem Public Library • 2:00PM–4:00PM • FREE
🛼 Roller Derby: Wreck the Halls Holiday Mashups @Cherry City Roller Derby • 4:30PM–9:00PM
🐾 Adoption Alley @State Fairgrounds • 5:30PM
🎄 Keizer Holiday Lights Parade @River Rd N • 7:00PM
🩰 A Children’s Nutcracker by American Ballet Academy @Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM
🪩Sprague HS Sounds of the Season @Sprague High School Auditorium • 7:00PM-9:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳
🎤 Austin Gilbert Live @Honky Tonk Bar & Grill • 8:00PM–12:00AM

🌟 A Very Merry Adventure @Athletic Edge Adventure Park • 9:00AM–8:00PM
🎄 Holiday Market @Convention Center • 10:00AM–4:00PM • FREE Admission
🎄 The Original Salem Holiday Market @Oregon State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–4:00PM • FREE Admission
🍪 Cookies & Cocoa with Santa @Gilbert House Children’s Museum • 12:00PM–3:00PM
🩰 A Children’s Nutcracker by American Ballet Academy @Elsinore Theatre • 2:30PM
🎶 Benefit Concert for Marion Polk Food Share: Comfort & Joy @The BAD Space, Santiam Brewing • 3:00PM–7:00PM
🎷Salem Youth Symphony Concert @Willamette University, Smith Auditorium • 3:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳
🐾 Adoption Alley @State Fairgrounds • 5:30PM

🎬 How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) @Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM

🎬 Home Alone (1990) @Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM

☕Coffee & Connect Holiday Mug Exchange @Miller’s BBQ • 9:30AM–10:30AM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form 🥳
🐴Charro Attire Exhibit Opening Reception @World Beat Gallery • 6:00PM–7:30PM • FREE
🎬 Elf (2003) @Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM

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Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie