The best things to do in Bend for December

If you’ve started your holiday film binge and catch yourself wondering “what is Bend like in December?” let me paint a quick picture. 

You’re strolling along, boots crunching sparkly snow as you stop to watch ice skaters twirl. Wonder turns your breath to foggy bursts as a breeze laced with nutmeg and pine tickles your cheeks. Laughter drifts off the river where twinkle lights transform kayaks into floating festivals.

Nope, that’s not a Hallmark movie. (Well, maybe that nutmeg bit is a touch dramatic.) That’s just Bend in December, a month filled with cocoa and carols and snowflakes falling like confetti. Find your perfect place to stay and kick winter off right. Here’s what’s happening in Bend this December as the lights in our winter wonderland glow brightest.

What is there to do in December in Bend?

Winter in Bend gives you a unique chance to explore all sorts of outdoor adventures. You can:

• Ski at Mount Bachelor and cross country ski on community trails at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park and Swampy Sno-Park. Don’t forget your sno-park permit.
• Lace up your boots for one of Bend’s best winter hikes on trails you’ll have all to yourself this time of year. More on that below.
• Try fat tire biking, with a new loop coming online at Wanoga Sno-Park in December. 
• Play golf: some Bend golf courses like River’s Edge Golf Course stay open year round, though be sure to bundle up warmly. 
• Go surfing: Not a typo. You’ll find lunatics—er, surf fanatics—catching waves in the Bend Whitewater Park even when it’s snowy (a drysuit is a must, obviously). 
• Go ice skating and trail running in the same afternoon? Why not!
• Try snowshoeing (either solo or with a guided tour from Wanderlust) or plan a family sledding adventure. 
• Go snowmobiling. 

You don’t have to be all bundled up to have fun outside either. Bend has lots of ways to play indoors, too. From racing go-karts at K1 Speed to escape rooms at Puzzle Effect Bend to playing vintage arcade games Vector Volcano, here are some ideas for when you need a break from Jack Frost.

What’s Bend weather like in December?

Even in lean snow years when Mt. Bachelor’s not open Thanksgiving weekend, there’s nearly always enough white stuff to open by the start of December.

• Average high: 41º
• Average low: 24º
• Average snowfall in December in Bend: 8 inches
• Average snowfall in December at Mt. Bachelor: 96 inches

And while odds are good we’ll get sprinkles of snow in town by December 1, you may not see much while strolling the streets. What’s up with that?

Welp, Bend’s annual precipitation is less than 12 inches a year and most of that shows up as snowfall during the winter. But travel just 22 miles west and gain a little elevation and boom! There you are at Mt. Bachelor, where the average annual snowfall is a whopping 390 inches. 

What that means is you can spend the day savoring Mt. Bachelor’s 4,300 acres of lift-accessible terrain, along with all the skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and dogsledding your flurry-filled heart can handle.

Then head back down to Bend for some awesome après. Find more ways to warm up here.

What’s happening for the holidays in Bend?

When you’re seeking the best place in Oregon to spend the holidays, you’re on the right path if it’s headed for Bend. December adds an extra layer of enchantment with a fairy dusting of holiday tradition. It’s also your ideal homebase for skiing Mt. Bachelor over the holidays. What else is happening?

A holiday gelatin salad show for one! Coming in exactly as billed, this beloved event at the Deschutes Historical Museum kicks off on December 14, 2025, when you can expect to see all manner of “freak holiday salads,” as the promotional materials say. People have set off on road trips for lesser reasons—just sayin’.  

Of course, you can always enjoy treasured small-town celebrations like Bend’s annual Community Tree Lighting or the festive Christmas Parade in downtown Bend. These events take place each year and offer fun for the whole family.

Bend’s twinkling Old Mill District has its own set of traditions and holiday happenings. Santa’s standing by to hear your kids’ Christmas wishes, and there’s a Tree of Joy bearing tags with wish lists from folks in need. As holiday carollers serenade you, slip a letter to Santa in the dropbox before ducking into one of the Old Mill’s wine tasting rooms for a winter belly warmer.

The annual Menorah Lighting hosted by Chabad of Central Oregon takes place in the Old Mill’s Center Plaza. Be sure to arrive before dusk so you don’t miss the main event.

Want a one-of-a-kind Bend holiday experience? Don’t miss the annual Holiday Lights Paddle hosted by Tumalo Creek. It’s a thing of wonder watching Bend’s most dedicated paddlers light up their canoes and kayaks to cruise the Deschutes River through the Old Mill District.

For more holiday happenings around Bend, check our event calendar for the dates you plan to be here. From holiday bazaars to kids’ craft fairs, there’s always something happening this time of year!

Where’s the best winter hiking in Bend?

Does it make you dizzy trying to mix visions of sugarplum hikes with those snow-covered trails I described? Strange as it seems, you’ll find plenty of bone-dry trails to hike around Bend each winter, thanks mostly to that low precipitation I mentioned.

Try lower-elevation trails like those in the Oregon Badlands Wilderness or through the Crooked River Gorge (Chimney Rock is my pick out here). 

Another fab pick close to town is Tumalo State Park, which boasts a terrific trail following the river all the way to Riley Ranch Nature Preserve. That’s another cool place to explore, featuring 184 acres filled with rimrock cliffs, pine forests, grassy meadows, and river views to make your toes curl. (Please, no dogs allowed, even on leash.)

December’s a great time to explore Bend’s parks, and…what? Ohhhh, you’re picturing swings and a merry-go-round? Sure, we’ve got parks like that (plenty of ‘em) but we also have parks with sledding areas and wide-open spaces of sweeping acreage with jaw-dropping scenery.

Explore Sawyer Park’s 53.4 acres of trees, trails, and Deschutes River frontage with outstanding birdwatching. At nearly 1,000 acres, Shevlin Park offers oodles of trails for hiking, running, biking, and nature walking, or bust out the snowshoes or cross country skis when the snow falls. Hollinshead Park in northeast Bend has great hillsides for sledding. Still want park amenities like play structures and sports fields, but with meandering trails that are paved and ADA friendly? Try Pine Nursery, also in northeast Bend, and explore 159 acres of high desert splendor including a stocked fishing pond, fitness trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, pickleball courts, and a fenced, 14-acre off-leash area for dogs.

And don’t forget Pilot Butte, where you’ll get bragging rights for hoofing it up a dormant volcano. Many people can make it up and down in under an hour, with the bonus of epic sunrises and sunsets from the top (don’t forget your headlamp!). Just remember: the parking area closes at dusk and you’ll be ticketed if you’re still there. 

Need more ideas for inspiring winter hikes? Check out this post for a plethora of suggestions perfect for December conditions. 

Oh, and invest in some microspikes for your shoes to give you peace of mind and extra traction. I don’t always need them on winter hikes, but when I do, it’s handy to slip them on and keep truckin’. Shops like FootZone, Mountain Supply, and REI all carry them.

Is it hard to drive in the winter in Bend?

Despite what my mother might tell you, winter driving in Bend isn’t scary. You just need patience and a little preparation.

Like I shared in this Best of November post, lots of local roads shut down once snow piles up at higher elevations. The perk? So many places to explore in car-free peace! You won’t be watching for vehicle traffic on Pilot Butte if you walk up the paved road, and areas off the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway become wonderlands worth exploring on snowshoes, skis, or via snowmobile.

Keep a close eye on the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck page for up-to-the-minute info on road conditions around the state. Then scan our conditions page for even more info like weather reports, trail conditions, and road reports. If in-person interactions are more your jam, stop by the Bend Visitor Center for trail and road info, plus complimentary maps and smiles.

If you’re driving over mountain passes to reach Bend, you’ll find chains or traction tires (read: proper snow tires, which are not “all-season” tires) are required at various points throughout winter. Central Oregon favorite Les Schwab Tire Center sells great ones, and their friendly associates will show you how to use them if you’re new to chaining up.

Want to play in the snow without having to drive there? Bend has several shuttle options to make that particular winter dream come true. Mt. Bachelor shuttles can not only get you from Bend to the mountain, but also between West Village and the Sunrise Lodge. If Nordic skiing is more your scene, there’s a brand-new shuttle in 2025 that’s sponsored by Meissner Nordic Ski Club. It’s a great way to get from Bend to the popular Meissner Sno-Park and back without fighting traffic or searching for parking. Look for information on the club’s website.

More December events and activities in Bend

There’s so much fun stuff happening in December that you’ll need an extra-big calendar to keep track of it all. Make note of important dates so you don’t miss something you’ve looked forward to all year.

To get your list going, here are some of the best things to do in Bend this December:

• Attend Bend’s annual Community Tree Lighting or the festive Christmas Parade in Downtown Bend. 
• Check out holiday lights. You’ll see neighborhood lights just driving through Bend’s streets, or head to Eagle Crest or Sunriver Resort to see spectacular, flashy displays.
• Scope out special holiday events at the High Desert Museum. There’s always something happening, from Winter Wonderland camps for kids, to their Winter Nights events when they stay open late on a few special evenings.
• Catch a holiday concert or show at the Tower Theatre.
• Go ice skating and savor the sparkle of holiday lights and a sea of stars overhead.
• Take the whole fam sledding. While this isn’t a December-only attraction, it might be your one chance if your only trek to Bend happens over winter break.
• Sip a hearty craft brew beside a fire pit on the Bend Ale Trail. Now’s a great time to swill seasonal faves you’ll only find this time of year!
• Seek out seasonal cocktails at a Bend happy hour. My 2025 fave: Hotter Than a Brass Crab at Flamingo Room. It features pineapple juice, DeGroff Amaro, coconut cream, fresh lime, and the most mouthwatering curry rum that transforms the whole drink into a belly-warming marvel.
• Lots of folks choose the holidays to get engaged, and wouldn’t it be awesome to plan your proposal on a snowshoe outing? Plenty of lovebirds have popped the question on Moonlight Snowshoe Tours with Wanderlust, or check out my snowshoeing roundup to pick the spot that’s right for you.
• Make New Year’s Eve plans now. Bend loves celebrating our surge to a new year, so make those special dinner reservations now to ring in 2026. It’s also the time to scope out parties and festivals, like the Speakeasy Social at the Riverhouse Convention Center featuring dinner, live music, and more. Tickets will go fast, so grab ‘em now and rest easy with your holiday plans set.

Have a great holiday season in Bend, everyone! Enjoy your walk (or snowshoe, bike, or ski run) in our winter wonderland.