Spending a winter holiday in Bend feels magical. There’s glitter in the trees, festive tunes filling the air, and holiday lights twinkling like disco balls everywhere you turn.

Whether you’re desperately searching for seasonal cheer, or brimming with plenty to share, here are six amazing spots for holiday spirit in Bend.

Find festive forest vibes

If you’re craving holiday vibes like wonder, awe, and soul-stirring joy, may I point you to the Deschutes National Forest?

Bend forests are magical no matter what time of year you visit, but winter’s bright blanket of snow makes it extra special.

Try an inspiring winter hike for a simple adventure with no special gear required. At lower elevations, you’ll find plenty of snow-free trails to hike in regular ol’ boots with plenty of blissful solitude.

For an extra-special woodsy experience, try a forest bath with r’oming Yoga. My family and I enjoyed this together several years ago, and I’m still moved by the experience of touching, smelling, and fully absorbing the forest. Think of it as a cool combination of meditation and hiking.

If snow’s what your soul craves, toss the snowshoes in the car and head for the hills. If you don’t have shoes of your own, plenty of Bend gear rental shops can hook you up with a pair. You’ll find tons of outstanding SnoParks near Bend, so scan the list for what suits your snowshoeing needs.

Prefer to go the guided route? Book a snowshoe outing with Wanderlust Tours. Choose from daytime outings shushing through the trees with clear blue skies overhead, or the sparkling wonder of a moonlight snowshoe adventure. Your guide provides all the instruction, gear, transportation, and spellbinding knowledge of the area’s geology and history.

Want to blend your outdoorsy experience paired with holiday tradition? Hop online to grab a $5 permit that lets you troop through the woods and cut down your own holiday tree to haul home with you. Now there’s a cool souvenir!

Let the spirit move you

If the holidays bring out your spiritual side, embrace it in Bend. Whether you tend your spirit from a temple, church, mosque, synagogue, yoga mat, or a springy bed of fallen pine needles, Bend’s holding space for you this season.

Bend churches and other houses of worship run the gamut from Baptist to Buddhist, so scan the listings to find your spiritual home base when you vacation in Bend.

If organized religion isn’t your jam (or maybe you just want to try something new?) consider kickstarting a meditation practice with classes at a Bend wellness center like Blissful Heart or Bend Community Healing. They offer a variety of classes and workshops like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, Zero Balancing, Qigong, and more.

Distilled spirits, anyone?

Whether your favorite holiday spirit is gin, vodka, rum, or whiskey, make it your mission to find the perfect Bend happy hour or cozy cocktail bar.

This season, I’m diggin’ the offerings at Bar RBC in downtown Bend. The Vale.Vale.Vale features Gompers gin, La Cigarrera Oloroso, Rothman & Winter Orchard Pear, lemon, and lime, complete with an awesome design in the foam on top. I’ve also been liking La Manzana, made with Clear Creek Apple Brandy, Alma de Trabanco vermouth, Trabanco Sidra, and dried apple.

Don’t confuse Bar RBC with Bar Rio (which, I’ll admit, I’ve occasionally done). Both spots are excellent, but only the latter offers a huge array of creative tequila and mezcal concoctions, including my personal pick, Midnight in Oaxaca. That’s made with mezcal, dark chili rich simple, Angostura + Aztec chocolate bitters, and toasted chile. So freakin’ good, particularly when paired with an order of their Patatas Bravas.

I’m also in love with the cocktail offerings at Dear Irene, including the Herb your Enthusiasm (Tanqueray Gin, Genépy, aquavit, Velvet Falernum, chamomile, lime, egg white). Hook and Plow has a lilikoi mojito that’s outstanding (white rum, passionfruit juice, mint, lime, Grand Marnier). Newcomer Yokocho Izakaya has a fun Japanese street food vibe, plus plenty of unique cocktails like the Magic of Yokoco (400 Consejos Mezcal, yuzu syrup, coconut cream, rosemary, whole milk, and a cute little gummy bear garnish).

If Bend snow has you dreaming of tropical beaches, head for Rapa Nui Tiki Lounge for a Viking Fog Cutter (lemon, orange, light rum, cachaca brandy, akvavit). And don’t get me started on the cocktail offerings at Lady Bird Cultural Society, which offers swoon-worthy traditional cocktails like the Lady Bird Martini (pink gin, rosé vermouth, twist) as well as low-alcohol and zero-proof options. I’m partial to the Blind Serpent with citrus-cardamom syrup, Wilderton luster, cucumber basil, and tonic.

Speaking of booze-free beverages, Bend has a growing number of mocktail bars and other spots specializing in alcohol-free beverages. Check out The Dez Lounge (which also doubles as Palate Coffee in the daytime) or The Hosmer bar at Waypoint Hotel and let their mixologists wow you with zero-proof drinks.

Seek out spirited events

If your inner organizer needs a special event to anchor your quest for holiday spirit, December’s the month when Visit Bend’s event calendar brims with holiday happenings. 

Seek out seasonal offerings like tree lightings and parades, or maybe a holiday fun run to kick that spirit into high gear.

From a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in the Old Mill District to the annual Tumalo Creek Holiday Lights Paddle, you’re bound to find the perfect spot of spirit for your holiday agenda. 

Shopping in a winter wonderland

If you’re dreaming of scenes from a holiday Hallmark Movie, look no further than Downtown Bend. With storefronts boasting holiday displays and trees sparkling with lights, there’s a festive air to the whole zone. Swing by the new Willamette Valley Vineyards Bend tasting room for a tipple or hit Bellatazza for a cup o’joe or cocoa for the ultimate belly warmer.

In the Old Mill District, they’ve created a whole holiday wonderland complete with Santaland, a special mail slot for Letters to Santa, and a Tree of Joy so you can help folks less fortunate.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Bend when we’re seeing snowfall in town, either of those spots becomes ten times more magical. They’re also great stops for all your holiday shopping needs.

Go where the joy is

Holiday spirit doesn’t have to be about any one particular holiday. It’s sometimes just an extra heaping helping of joy, so seek out spaces to spark some.

Frolic with frisky felines at Playful Paws Cat Cafe or head for one of Bend’s off-leash dog parks to see canine bliss in full force. Try an art class at Freakn’ Art to unleash your creativity and maybe craft handmade treasures for seasonal gift giving.

Cradle a steaming mug of cocoa in your mittens while watching skaters twirl on the Pavilion’s ice rink, or head for the High Desert Museum to “awww” over otters, porcupines, and an adorable beaver.

If cuddle-by-the-fire cozy mountain vibes are giving you joy this season, place an order at Central Oregon Soup Company and prepare to feel your tastebuds swoon as you snuggle with your mug in a blankie by the fire at your Bend vacation rental.

Even something as simple as smiling at strangers or practicing Leave No Trace principles in the great outdoors can leave you sparkling with joyful vibes.

Here’s to a happy holiday season. Now get out there and find your spirit!