Hi friends,

Happy almost weekend! Hope you’ve been able to catch at least one of the epic sunsets this week. It’s been a nice reminder for us to pause and enjoy the moment in the middle of what is a very busy season.

In this weekend’s Loop:

—Megan

Here’s what’s happening this weekend!

🎅 Toddler Holiday PJ Party
🕘 9am & 11:30 am 📍Mountain Air ⭐️ 0-5
Bounce out some of that holiday energy at Mountain Air’s PJ Party with Santa photos, lots of jump time, cookie decorating, crafts, face painting, and a visit from the Grinch. → Register

🎨 Pre Clay
🕤 9:30am 📍Harmon Park Clay Studio ⭐️ Ages 3-5
Trade playdough for real clay in this starter class where kiddos get to squish, pinch, and roll their first ceramic piece, then brush on bright glazes to finish. → Register

🛶 Holiday Lights Paddle Parade
🕓 4pm 📍Old Mill District ⭐️ All ages
Watch the Deschutes light up as paddlers deck their kayaks and boards in holiday lights, creating a twinkling holiday parade you can enjoy from the river paths and bridge. → more info

📚 Local Author Storytime: “U-Cut: A Christmas Tree Story”
🕕 6pm | 📍Barnes & Noble ⭐️ All ages
Meet local author Roger Becker as he reads U-Cut: A Christmas Tree Story, a sweet picture book about a not-so-perfect tree and the boy who sees its beauty. Storytime plus optional book signing. → more info

🏠 Gingerbread House Holiday Workshop
🕤 9:30am & 11am 📍Larkspur Community Center ⭐️ Ages 5-12
Kick off holiday baking without turning your kitchen upside down. You and your child team up to decorate a gingerbread house, pile on candy, and leave the sticky cleanup to someone else. → Register for 9:30am or 11am

📚 Picture Book Exchange & Storytime
🕙 10am 📍Paulina Springs Books (Sisters) ⭐️ All ages
Cozy up for winter stories and a picture book swap. Bring one or more gently used books you’re ready to pass along and head home with a “new to you” read. → more info

🎁 Locavore Holiday Gift Faire
🕙 10am-3pm 📍Unitarian Universalist Fellowship ⭐️ All ages
Perhaps not a kids-first event, but we couldn’t leave this family-friendly holiday market off the weekend’s list! Over 80 Central Oregon artisans gather to put on the biggest “shop local” event of the season. Free to attend, though there is a VIP early entry from 9-10 for $25 (kids are free) with complimentary coffee and pastries for a more relaxed experience. → more info

📚 A Charlie Brown Christmas Storytime
🕚 11am 📍Barnes & Noble ⭐️ All ages
Good grief! Gather in the children’s department to hear the Peanut’s classic. → more info

🌟 Tula Holiday Night Market
🕓 4-7pm 📍Tula Movement Arts ⭐️ All ages
If your ideal holiday market includes face paint, aerial silks, and Tarot readings, Tula’s makers night is it! Local vendors, music, food & drinks, and kid friendly art stations. Free, though donations are welcome to support the studio & scholarships. → More info

💃 Get Up and Groove!
🕙 10-11:30am | 📍The Pantry ⭐️ All ages
Remember when “going out dancing” meant 10 p.m., not 10 a.m.? Now “the club” is a family-friendly dance party with a live DJ at a coffee shop (which honestly sounds like a way better time). → More info

🧒 Kid's Entrepreneur Market
🕐 1-4pm 📍Elks Lodge ⭐️ All ages
Support budding entrepreneurs ages 7-17 while shopping for hand-crafted gifts, art, and edible treats. → More info

🎼 What Sweeter Music!
🕑 2pm 📍Tower Theater ⭐️ All ages
If you’re burnt out on the Raffi’s Christmas playlist, treat the family to the Central Oregon Mastersingers holiday concert with chamber orchestra, classic carols, and audience sing alongs. → Tickets

🕎 Menorah Lighting
🕓 4-6pm 📍Old Mill ⭐️ All ages
Light up the first night of Chanukah with music, hot drinks, and treats at the Old Mill menorah lighting. Welcoming event for all faiths and families who want to celebrate together. → More info

Friday: Santa Land is open again for the weekend (11am-5pm), and Santa will be bouncing over to the Mountain Air Toddler PJ Party, too! (9am-1:30pm).

Saturday: Santa is out on the town today! Catch him at Sister’s Bakery from 8am-noon for photos and ornament crafts. Or, grab a bite to eat and meet Santa at Lifty’s from 12-3pm. Of course, he’ll also be at Santa Land all day from 11am-5pm, too (how does he do that? 😉)

Sunday: Mrs. Claus takes the spotlight as she leads a special storytime in front of the grand fireplace at Sunriver Lodge (11am), while Santa continues his post at Santa Land (11am-5pm).

📬 Psst… The last day to drop off your child’s letter to Santa at the North Pole Express Mailbox (located in Santa Land) for a response is this Sunday, 12/14.

Opportunities for you get a little time without the kids (hello, date night!).

FREE RockStar Ride
🗓️ Friday 🕛 Noon📍StarCycle
A free ride while the StarKids Lounge is available ($6). See you there! → Register here

Kids Night Out: Grinch PJ Party
🗓️ Friday 🕖 7-9pm 📍Mountain Air ⭐️ Ages 4-12
Jump time, games, and staff led activities. Pizza provided. → More info

Kids Night Out: Adopt a Snowman
🗓️ Friday 🕔 5-7:30pm 📍Two Suns Art Studio ⭐️ Ages 6+
Kids get creative with holiday crafts and art projects. Pizza & hot cocoa provided. → Register here

Thanks for reading the Bend Family Loop today. If you found something useful, please share it with a friend 💛

See you out there!

–Megan