Christmas in Gearhart, Oregon (2026–27): Holiday Events, Where to Stay and New Year's Guide

Christmas in Gearhart combines a peaceful Oregon Coast getaway with easy access to holiday events in Seaside, Cannon Beach and Astoria. Seaside is about 5 minutes away, Cannon Beach 15–20 minutes, and Astoria 20–25 minutes. Confirmed 2026 festivities include Cannon Beach's wreath workshops, Dec. 5 lamp lighting and Dec. 20 caroling, plus Seaside's Parade of Lights and tree lighting on Nov. 27. Christmas week also brings king tides, winter whale watching and plenty of opportunities for beach walks and storm watching. Gearhart by the Sea offers more than 75 studio to two-bedroom condos with full kitchens and two pools, giving couples and families a comfortable home base between holiday outings.

Gearhart sits just two miles north of Seaside, placing the North Coast's festive events and activities within an easy 5- to 25-minute drive, while still giving you a quieter place to come home to.

Gearhart works especially well for a Christmas getaway because it gives you the best of both worlds on the North Oregon Coast. You can spend the day exploring festive activities in nearby coastal towns, then come back to somewhere quieter for a home-cooked dinner, a walk on the beach or a cozy evening in your condo. For couples, that might mean a slower, more romantic holiday by the ocean; for families, it means more space, a full kitchen and room to settle in between outings.

Driving from Portland? Our Portland to Gearhart route guide covers the drive and the Friday-afternoon slowdown on the Sunset Highway in detail.

Christmas events on the Northern Oregon Coast run from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year's in three nearby towns (Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Astoria), all within 25 minutes of Gearhart vacation rentals, offering markets, parades, lamp lightings, and holiday concerts throughout November and December.

Holiday Events in Seaside (5 Minutes from Gearhart)

Christmas in Cannon Beach (15–20 Minutes from Gearhart)

Cannon Beach's Haystack Holidays runs from late November through December, filling the town with seasonal events, local shopping and festive traditions. Saturday, Dec. 5 is an especially lively day to visit, with wreath-making workshops, the Cannon Beach Library Holiday Tea, the 4 p.m. Lamp Lighting Ceremony and the Tolovana Arts Colony Holiday Bazaar all happening around town. If you're staying in Gearhart, it's an easy day trip, or you can pair part of the afternoon in Cannon Beach with Seaside's Festival of Trees gala that evening.

Dates and times come from the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce's Haystack Holidays page, checked Oct. 1, 2026.

Christmas in Astoria (20–25 Minutes from Gearhart)

The Astoria Christmas Trolley runs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12–13, 2026: the Old 300 Trolley carries riders from the Barbey Maritime Center to the "North Pole" at Pier 39, and tickets go on sale the day after Thanksgiving. For more holiday happenings, check the Astoria Downtown calendar. Rainy day in Astoria? The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a good indoor stop, but don't forget to check its holiday hours first.

More holiday events may be announced as the season gets closer, so it's worth checking local event calendars before your trip for newly added festivities, updated times and ticket information.

December on the north Oregon coast is mild and wet: the National Weather Service's 1991–2020 normals give Astoria an average December high of 48.7°F and about 10.68 inches of rain. Snow is rare; however, Christmas-week storms and king tides make this an appealing time for storm watchers.

What to pack:

• Waterproof jacket and rain pants

• Warm layers (fleece or wool)

• Waterproof boots for beach walks

• Binoculars for whale watching

• A camera to capture the misty beach light

Christmas week also brings king tides. Oregon Coast Weekend reports the 2026–27 dates as Nov. 23–27, Dec. 22–26, 2026, and Jan. 20–24, 2027. Confirm them with the Oregon King Tides Project before your visit. Watch from a safe distance, keep an eye on the tide schedule, and always respect road and beach closures.

Bring your binoculars for Christmas whale watching! Thousands of gray whales travel south past Oregon from mid-December through mid-January, with migration peaking near 30 whales an hour. Oregon State Parks usually staffs 15 viewing sites during Winter Whale Watch Week, which runs December 27 to 31 in 2026. Check Oregon State Parks for current Whale Watch Week dates.

Oregon Whale Watch says researchers estimate more than 13,000 gray whales live in the eastern North Pacific. For viewpoints near Gearhart, see our complete seasonal guide to whale watching in Gearhart.

Gearhart by the Sea manages more than 75 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom condos, each with a full kitchen for cozy Christmas dinners at home, plus two resort pools and beach access from select oceanfront buildings. For Christmas meals and multi-night stays, condos offer the comfort, space and flexibility needed to create unforgettable holiday memories.

• Full kitchens: Every condo has a full-size refrigerator, oven, stovetop, microwave and cookware for your Christmas dinner.

• Two pools: The Gearhart House pool has a jacuzzi and exercise room. Pacific View's pool is shared with Pacific Terraces and Pacific Palisades guests.

• Pets: A select number of condos welcome pets. Use the pet-friendly rental filter to find them.

• Laundry: Select units have washers and dryers.

• Choosing your building: Owners furnish each condo individually, so read recent reviews for the specific unit you're considering. Our where to stay guide explains the four building groups.

A three- to seven-night stay gives you enough time to enjoy Gearhart at a relaxed pace while still fitting in day trips to Seaside, Cannon Beach and Astoria. When you're ready to book, browse available vacation rentals and check the deals and specials page for any current offers. Keep in mind that Christmas and New Year's dates may be excluded from seasonal winter pricing, so it's worth checking the rate details for your specific stay.

While neighboring towns bustle with festivities, don't forget to make time for Gearhart's quieter pleasures. Walk along eight miles of open beach, watch the storms from a safe spot, look for elk near the dunes or enjoy a small beach fire where permitted. McMenamins Sand Trap Bar & Grill, across the street from the resort, is an easy stop for a meal.

• Beach walks: The beach between the Columbia River's south jetty and the Necanicum Estuary is public under Oregon's 1967 Beach Bill. Dogs may be off-leash under voice control.

• Beach fires: Allowed, with rules. Within Gearhart city limits, get a burn permit from the Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department. Keep your fire to a three-foot cube, stay at least 25 feet from beach access points, dune grass, large driftwood and seawalls. Never leave it unattended, and extinguish it with water, not sand. Our Gearhart beach guide offers additional details.

• Storm watching: December brings dramatic Pacific storms best viewed from cozy rental windows with hot chocolate.

• Fireworks: Personal fireworks are prohibited on Oregon beaches (City of Seaside, 2026).

• Dinner out: McMenamins Sand Trap Bar & Grill serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, but hours vary; call 503-717-8502 for the holiday schedule.

• Golf: Gearhart Golf Links, founded in 1892, is across the street from the resort. Check winter tee times, and see our Guide to Golfing in Gearhart for more details.

Gearhart also has a resident herd of Roosevelt elk that lives in and around the dunes year-round. Keep a generous distance, and leash your dog near them (City of Gearhart elk guidance).

A one-week Christmas stay from Sunday, December 20 to Sunday, December 27, 2026 gives you time to enjoy Gearhart at a relaxed pace while still fitting in Cannon Beach, Astoria, king tides, holiday lights and a cozy Christmas Day at your condo.

Staying on different dates? Earlier in the season brings even more holiday events, including Seaside's Parade of Lights and Yuletide Holiday Festival & Market (Nov. 27–28), the Cannon Beach Chorus concert (Dec. 4) and the Astoria Christmas Trolley (Dec. 12–13). More events may also be added as the season approaches, so check local calendars before your trip.

One practical tip: grocery stores and restaurants may reduce their hours around Dec. 24–25, so pick up Christmas dinner essentials by Dec. 23 and confirm holiday hours before heading out.

New Year's in Gearhart is all about enjoying the coast at a slower pace, with plenty to do nearby when you're ready to head out. Spend the last day of the year walking along the beach, exploring Cannon Beach or browsing the shops before settling in for the evening.

In Gearhart, McMenamins Sand Trap Bar & Grill is an easy choice for a casual meal, local beer and drinks just across from Gearhart by the Sea. You can also stop by Daughter's on Pacific Way for wine and small plates. For more options, Seaside is only a few minutes away and has several pubs, breweries and restaurants around downtown.

Cannon Beach in Lights continues through December 31, giving you a festive and sparkly way to spend part of New Year's Eve before the winners are announced on January 1. Afterward, head back to Gearhart for a quieter celebration of your own, whether that means a candlelit dinner for two, drinks by the window while the Pacific rolls in, or a family night with dinner, games and a late-night movie.

On New Year's Day, ease into the year with a walk along Gearhart's wide-open beach, head out to a nearby viewpoint for winter whale watching, or take a scenic drive north to Fort Stevens. Oregon State Parks has hosted guided First Day Hikes in the area in previous years. Check Oregon State Parks for current New Year's Day event listings.

After a day of holiday events, whale watching or walking the winter shoreline, Gearhart gives you a quieter place to come home to. Settle into your condo, warm up after the beach and make Christmas dinner in your own kitchen, with Seaside, Cannon Beach and Astoria still close enough for an easy holiday outing.

If Gearhart sounds like the right place for your Christmas or New Year's getaway, check live availability early, especially if you need a pet-friendly condo or a specific number of bedrooms. Holiday pricing can differ from the resort's regular seasonal winter rates, so check the rate details for your travel dates before booking.

Browse available condos, filter for the features you need and read recent reviews for your building before booking. You can also check the deals and specials page to see whether any current offers apply to your stay.

Ready for a quieter Christmas on the Oregon Coast? See available condos and find your holiday home in Gearhart!

Sources (event dates checked October 1, 2026)

Event dates and times

• Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, "Haystack Holidays" (2026)

• Seaside Chamber of Commerce, "Parade of Lights" (2026)

• Seaside Chamber of Commerce, "Tree Lighting Ceremony" (2026)

• Seaside Chamber of Commerce, "Yuletide in Seaside Holiday Festival & Market" (2026)

• Seaside Chamber of Commerce, "Holiday Bazaar" (2026)

• Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation, "Festival of Trees" (2026)

• Cannon Beach Chorus, "Concerts" (2026)

• Astoria Christmas Trolley (2026)

• Columbia River Maritime Museum, hours (2026)

Weather, tides and wildlife

• National Weather Service Portland, "Climate of Astoria, Oregon," temperature normals (1991–2020 normals, revised 2024)

• National Weather Service Portland, "Climate of Astoria, Oregon," precipitation normals (1991–2020 normals, revised 2024)

• Oregon Coast Weekend, "Watch King Tides" (2026–27 dates)

• Oregon King Tides Project (2026)

• Oregon State Parks, "Whale Watching" (2026)

• Oregon Whale Watch (2026)