The annual Christmas card photo is a beloved tradition, but you may be feeling that the poses in yours are looking a little tired and the smiles on the faces you love appear to be forced, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop the tradition. You can shake up your favorite tradition by changing the location, perhaps taking the photos on the road to Bend during your annual family vacation and even if you pose in matching pajamas in front of a roaring fire, in much the same way you have done for years, doing so in the cozy comfort of our Bend Vacation Rentals holiday hideaways will be an important change. This guide to where you can take your family holiday photos while vacationing in Bend will give you many more ideas on how to make family photos in Bend this Christmas shine brighter than all others!
Bend Community Tree Lighting, December 6
Magic is in the air, a magic that will be reflected in every photo you take as you gather around the Bend Community Tree, watching as with a flick of the switch it lights up the night. Offering Christmas carols performed by local choirs, hot cocoa, and a celebrity meet and greet (and by celebrity, of course we mean old St. Nick himself), this joyful celebration will provide many incredible photo opportunities, with the resulting photos helping to remind you of the fantastic time you had during your holiday getaway to the Northwest!
Tumalo Falls in the Deschutes National Forest
When we look through our Christmas family photos throughout the years, the ones that stand out are often made more unique because of the background, and you can’t get more unique than a family photo posed in front of the iced-over Tumalo Falls. Located just 14 miles from downtown Bend, the crystalline beauty of the frozen water adds a “Frozen” quality to your photograph and provides a stunning backdrop to the colorful winter clothing you all will be wearing. This spot isn’t accessible by car in the winter months, but it IS accessible by snowshoes or cross country skis via a relatively easy hike.
The City of North Bend Christmas Parade, December 7
Now it is true, it can be difficult to take pictures at night, but as the lighted Christmas Parade passes by your spot on its route, it may be the perfect time to take a candid shot of your kids. All the colors of the rainbow will be reflected on each face, vying for attention with sparkle in their eyes as the magic of Christmas lives on in their tiny souls, and when you take the shot from the side, capturing the profiles you love so much, as well as a blurry portion of the lighted floats that have already passed, we think you will find that THIS is the ideal shot to grace your annual Christmas card.
Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Boulevard
Although not as popular today, when we were little, snow globes were a whimsical part of the holiday, and as we carefully shook them, making snow fall on whatever scene was in the center of the globe, we often wished we could climb inside and play. During your Bend adventures, you may discover your globe dreams can come to life as you pose in front of a frozen Mirror Pond while the limbs of the trees bend against the weight of the snow piled upon them and perhaps even more snow gently falls to the ground around you. While not technically a snow globe, it will feel as if you climbed inside one, and the pictures taken here will have a dreamy quality that truly reflects the spirit of the season.
SantaLand, Old Mills District, Weekends from November 29th Through December 23
Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Old Mills District becomes North Pole South on the weekends, offering the North Pole Express mailbox, the Tree of Joy, and of course, Santa Claus, who is waiting to pose for pictures with your good little boys and girls and getting a head start on what to direct the elves to build in preparation of the most exciting night of the year. The pictures taken in SantaLand are sure to be filled with all the excitement of the season and will be even more so the closer we get to Christmas.
Photo Ops at Home with Bend Vacation Rentals
Still have your mind set on a Christmas photo in front of the fireplace? Our properties at Bend Vacation Rentals offer fireplaces in rooms with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, ensuring that the lighting will be just about perfect for your holiday photo tradition. Bring out the matching jammies, dress your pooch in a Christmas hat and scarf (many of our vacation rentals are pet friendly ones!), and pose for pictures filled with light, joy, and not a single forced smile. Reserve your favorite escape today!
Spring has sprung! If you’ve already busted through your spring cleaning list and are ready for a getaway after your hard work, check out what Oregon has to offer for your Easter vacation in Bend. This is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the area without all the crowds, but still with plenty of fun and exciting activities for the whole family!
Classic Events for Easter Vacation in Bend
Always the favorite activity, no Easter can really be considered complete without your traditional Easter egg hunt! You can spend a whole day on the hunt on your Easter vacation in Bend if you take advantage of all the available hunts; altogether, 20,000 Easter eggs get hidden across the city! Other popular holiday festivities include additional games, bouncy houses and local vendor booths to browse. If Easter is an important religious holiday to you, you can find the perfect Easter service during your stay in Bend at one of our city’s many churches. Enter a quick search online or talk to a local and you’re sure to find a service that fits your preference.
Brunch, the Most Important Meal of the Day
Brunch has always been one of the most popular Bend events, and some of the most amazing options roll out around Easter! Many local restaurants cater this special holiday weekend with buffets and brunch specials. At Currents at the Riverhouse, you can enjoy a terrific view of the Deschutes River while munching on their splendid brunch buffet. Some of the specialties they usually offer include scones, pastries, waffles, omelets, fresh seafood, carved meats and more! Their brunch is so popular, if you want to make sure you have a table, it’s recommended to book ahead of time. Of course, if you don’t make it to Riverhouse, there are plenty of other cozy brunch spots to check out for your Bend events!
Enjoy the Great Outdoors
If you need to get outside and burn off some brunch calories, there are great places to get active around Bend. The surrounding area features a national forest, state park, Pine Nursery Park, as well as several stunning waterfalls and breathtaking caves! There are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, photography, and exploring. And when the day is done, you will be glad you have a comfortable home to relax and unwind in. Trust us, staying in a vacation home is way more fun than being cooped up in a hotel! Book your stay with Bend Vacation Rentals today and Easter 2020 will be one you won’t forget!
Come and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2020 in Bend, Oregon this year. We know how to have a good time here, and you’ll get to celebrate in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The beer is tasty, the weather is fine, and there are countless ways to enjoy the holiday.
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
Joining us for a holiday weekend is a great way to experience Bend. Come attend our St. Patrick’s Day Dash on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, March 14th. It’s the 9th annual dash presented by the Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club, and it doubles as a challenging activity and a charity event (raising money for the Family Access Network). Gear up in green and join us for this 5K fun run!
You have all weekend to experience the Bend town, so why not hit up a wide variety of different activities over the weekend? Pay a visit to Newberry National Volcanic Monument for some stellar views and a breath of fresh, natural air. To explore the city, join the Bend Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour. This is an awesome way to see the whole Bend town in one whirlwind day; a great Sunday activity.
A great way to spend Monday would be paying a visit to the Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint, or maybe even taking a tour into the world of mountain biking with Cog Wild Bicycle Tours & Shuttles.
St. Patrick’s Day 2020 in Bend
On Tuesday (St. Patrick’s Day 2020 in Bend), spend the day where the trees are evergreen! It does depend on the snow depth, but you can usually still ski this time of year, so grab your chance while you can. This is a great way to work up an appetite for later, when you’re celebrating the evening of the holiday in town. Head to the Brown Owl at 7:00pm for a St. Patty’s Party: a free show for all ages featuring live performances of traditional Irish music. Afterwards, head over to The Dogwood Tail Cabin for some artisan cocktails and gourmet bar snacks. Another perfect bar for St. Patrick’s Day is The Stihl Whiskey Bar, where they serve over 400 different whiskeys. The featured drink right now is the Ginger Cube (a cube of ginger brew with a Bulleit Bourbon pour over), and it’s the perfect drink to end the night with.
Spend Your Stay with Bend Vacation Rentals
Whatever St. Patrick’s shenanigans you get up to during your stay here, you’ll want only the best of our vacation rentals in Bend to rest in between activities. Simply head over to our catalog today and take the first step toward your Bend vacation.
Travelers from all over are welcome in Bend for the holidays, whether they’re returning home to reunite with family or establishing a new tradition in a new place. Bend loves the holidays, and there are all kinds of things that we love to do here to get into the spirit! Here are just a few things to do in Bend so you can embrace the holiday cheer.
Tower Theater Hosts A Charlie Brown Christmas—Live on Stage
The classic Charlie Brown special that plays in so many homes throughout the holiday season is coming to the stage! The touring production is coming to Bend’s Tower Theater on November 27th, and brings to life the lovable cast of the fifty-year-old TV special. Featuring an ensemble playing the music live and an animated (in a different way!) cast, it’s sure to delight anyone who appreciates the timeless message of Christmas cheer.
23rd Annual Bend Jingle Bell Run/Walk
If you missed Sunriver’s Turkey Trot, then come to Bend for this yearly event on Saturday, December 2nd! Starting at the First Interstate Bank in downtown, this 5k is Christmas themed—tie bells to your laces or anywhere else you please to be part of a stream of seasonal sprinters! The proceeds from the Jingle Bell Run go to the Arthritis Foundation, which aims to find cures for a leading cause of disability. Jingle all the way for a charitable cause—what could be more Christmas-like?
Things to Do in Bend With Sled Dog Rides
We’ve all sung about the one-horse open sleigh, but why not be pulled along by some dogs instead? Oregon’s Mount Bachelor is home to Oregon Trail of Dreams, reservable sled dog rides. Mix the gorgeous scenery of the Cascades with the massive energy of a team of sled dogs—they may be the friendliest guides you’ll ever have! Four people (or 450 pounds) can fit per sled, so it’s perfect for small families. Have an exciting winter trek you’ll never forget!
Bend’s Christmas Parade
Every town has their own Christmas traditions, and Bend is no exception. Join us for our annual Christmas Parade this December 2nd. This year’s theme is “Christmas Surprises,” and you may indeed be surprised by the creative floats and costumes people come up with! The parade will begin on Newport Avenue continue onto Wall Street, Franklin Avenue, and Riverside Boulevard. Celebrate a heartfelt love for the season!
Bend Vacation Rentals: Home away from Home for the Holidays
Your Bend Vacation Rental Property will be full of cheer—because you’ll be thrilled with the comfort and welcoming atmosphere of your new vacation home! From condos to large family houses and even pet-friendly rentals, we have some of the greatest places to stay in central Oregon. Call us at 541-385-9492 to learn more about our offerings.