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Christmas with kids in Medford
In Medford, Oregon, the holiday season starts with a free evening at Pear Blossom Park. Kids hunt for candy canes, Santa poses for photos and the downtown tree lights up.
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Winter Lights Festival
When: Sat, Dec 5, 5 to 8 pm
Where: Pear Blossom Park, Medford
Cost: Free
The story of Christmas in Medford
How Medford celebrates
Medford's signature Christmas tradition is the Winter Lights Festival at Pear Blossom Park in downtown, presented by the city's Parks, Recreation and Facilities department. A 2022 city guide described a family night with a tree lighting, photos with Santa and a candy cane hunt. The same guide listed Breakfast with Santa at the Santo Community Center and a letters program, where children could drop a note in the Special Delivery Pole mailbox and Santa would mail back a personalized reply.
Christmas last year in Medford
The 2025 Winter Lights Festival took place on Saturday, December 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. A candy cane hunt began at 5:15, and the evening included performances, photos with Santa, the tree lighting and, weather permitting, fireworks. New that year was a free illuminated parade of decorated bikes, scooters, wagons and strollers. A drone show drew shapes including Santa and ice skaters, and organizers expected more than 3,500 people. The Autism Society of Oregon also held a free Sensory Santa on December 14.
Fun facts about Christmas in Medford
Families at the 2025 festival got lighted bracelets while supplies lasted, and a hot cocoa station offered card making and cookie decorating. The festival has a place on the city's calendar again for Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. In 2022, Medford's Breakfast with Santa was free for children 12 and under and needed registration. Medford's Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5 meets Mondays at the Medford library, in a room just for stories.
Trains and Christmas near Medford
Medford's rail story is found at Medford Railroad Park, where five rail clubs run free rides on miniature steam trains on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from April to October. The park also shows a caboose, Medco's Four Spot locomotive and model trains. The Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society cares for Medco No. 4, a 1925 Willamette logging locomotive, plus cabooses and freight cars. Both are best seen in the warmer months, so winter visitors can use the museum pages to plan a spring trip.
- Medford Railroad Park: Free miniature steam train rides on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from April to October, plus a caboose and a logging locomotive.
- Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society: The group behind the park, caring for Medco No. 4, a 1925 Willamette logging locomotive, plus cabooses and freight cars.
Traditions today
- Winter Lights Festival: A free evening at Pear Blossom Park with a tree lighting, Santa photos, a candy cane hunt and live performances.
- Illuminated parade: Added in 2025, kids decorate bikes, scooters, wagons or strollers and roll through the festival.
- Festival drone show: A 2025 drone show drew images of Santa, ice skaters and the Medford logo.
- Breakfast with Santa: A Parks and Recreation breakfast at the Santo Community Center that was free for children 12 and under in 2022.
- Letters to Santa: A mailbox at the Santo Community Center where Santa mailed back a personalized letter in 2022.
- Sensory Santa: A free, appointment-based Santa visit run by the Autism Society of Oregon in December 2025.
A fact for kids
In Medford, kids can mail a letter to Santa at a special mailbox, and in 2022 Santa wrote back to children who included a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Questions about Christmas in Medford
What is the Winter Lights Festival in Medford?
It is Medford's free downtown holiday celebration at Pear Blossom Park, presented by the city's Parks, Recreation and Facilities department. The city describes live performances, vendor booths, food trucks, a tree lighting and photos with Santa. Past editions have also included a candy cane hunt for children.
Where is the Winter Lights Festival held?
It is held at Pear Blossom Park, at 204 N. Bartlett Street in downtown Medford. The park has also hosted the tree lighting in past years. If you are driving with small children, plan time to park and walk, since the festival happens on an evening in early December.
What happened at the 2025 Winter Lights Festival?
The 2025 festival ran Saturday, December 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. A candy cane hunt started at 5:15, followed by live performances, photos with Santa and the tree lighting. A DJ battle began at 5:30, and fireworks were planned, weather permitting. Admission was free.
What was new at the 2025 Medford festival?
An illuminated parade was new in 2025. Participants decorated bikes, trikes, scooters, wagons or strollers, and joining was free with pre-registration online or by phone. A drone show also lit the sky, with images of Santa, ice skaters and the Medford logo, according to local TV coverage.
How many people go to the Winter Lights Festival?
Medford Parks and Recreation expected more than 3,500 people at the 2025 festival, according to local TV coverage. That is a big crowd for a two-hour evening, so younger children may enjoy it more if you arrive early for the candy cane hunt and get settled before the tree lighting.
Who runs the Winter Lights Festival?
The City of Medford's Parks, Recreation and Facilities department presents it, with help from sponsors. A recreation supervisor said the goal of the 2025 additions, including the light parade and interactive bracelets, was to involve the community more. That is why the festival keeps adding things kids can join in.
What is the candy cane hunt?
It is a kids' activity at the festival. In 2025 the candy cane hunt started at 5:15 p.m., before the performances and the tree lighting. A 2022 city guide also mentioned the hunt. It is a fun way to get little ones moving and excited before the evening's bigger moments.
What were the lighted bracelets at the festival?
Attendees at the 2025 Winter Lights Festival received lighted bracelets while supplies lasted. They are part of the interactive feel the organizers wanted. If you go with a group of children, arrive early, since the bracelets are given out only until supplies run out.
What did the 2022 Medford holiday guide include?
The city's 2022 guide listed the Winter Lights Festival on Saturday, December 3, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., with a tree lighting, Santa photos and a candy cane hunt. It also listed Breakfast with Santa on December 10 and a Letters to Santa program, giving a snapshot of Medford's traditions a few years back.
What is Breakfast with Santa in Medford?
In 2022, Medford Parks and Recreation held Breakfast with Santa at the Santo Community Center, at 701 N. Columbus Avenue, in two morning sessions. It was free for children 12 and under, and registration was required with limited seating. Check the city's calendar to see if it returns this season.
How do kids send letters to Santa in Medford?
In 2022 children could drop letters in the Special Delivery Pole mailbox at the Santo Community Center or mail them to Medford Parks and Recreation. Including a stamped, self-addressed envelope let Santa mail back a personalized letter in time for Christmas, which many kids love to receive.
What is Sensory Santa in Medford?
Sensory Santa is a Santa visit run by the Autism Society of Oregon for families who need a calmer setting. In 2025 it was held on December 14 at the Girl Scout Auditorium, 2001 N. Keene Way Drive. It was free, with 10-minute appointments booked online in advance.
Are there library holiday story times in Medford?
The Medford branch of the Jackson County library lists Preschool Storytime for ages 3 to 5, held on Mondays from 10:15 to 11 a.m. in its Storytime Room. The schedule ran from December 2025 into spring 2026. Special holiday storytimes vary by year, so check the library calendar.
Is the Winter Lights Festival good for toddlers?
It is a short, free evening, from 5 to 7 p.m. in 2025, so it suits small children. Families found a candy cane hunt, photos with Santa and lighted bracelets while supplies lasted. Because more than 3,500 people were expected, arriving early helps. If crowds and noise are hard for your child, the Sensory Santa visit offers a calmer setting.
How do I explain a tree lighting to a young child?
Tell your child that the town gathers after dark to turn on the tree together. At Medford's festival there are things to do first, like a candy cane hunt and a visit with Santa, so the wait is fun. Then everyone watches the tree light up at once.
What can kids make at the Winter Lights Festival?
In 2025 a sponsor's station offered hot cocoa, holiday card making and cookie decorating, along with a photo booth. Past festivals focused on Santa photos and the candy cane hunt. Activities change by year, so check the city page for the current list before you head to Pear Blossom Park.
Is there a Christmas festival in Medford this year?
Yes, the City of Medford's events directory lists the Winter Lights Festival for Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Pear Blossom Park. It is free. See our Medford Christmas events guide on this page for other confirmed holiday dates this season.
Where can kids see Santa in Medford?
Santa has been part of the Winter Lights Festival for years, with photos offered at Pear Blossom Park. Past seasons also had Breakfast with Santa and a Sensory Santa visit for families who need a quieter setting. Our Medford Christmas events guide on this page lists confirmed Santa visits for this season.
Can kids ride trains in Medford?
Medford Railroad Park offers free rides on miniature steam trains on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from April to October, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is run by five rail clubs and also shows a caboose, Medco's Four Spot locomotive and model trains. It is a spring and summer outing rather than a Christmas one.
What is Medco No. 4?
Medco No. 4 is a 1925 Willamette logging locomotive cared for by the Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society, the National Railway Historical Society chapter behind Medford Railroad Park. The group also keeps cabooses and freight cars, and you can see the collection on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from April to October.
Sources
- Tis the Season for Holiday Events Around Medford, City of Medford
- Winter Lights Festival to Bring Music, Fireworks and Holiday Cheer to Downtown Medford, Medford Alert
- Winter Lights Festival 2025, KOBI-TV NBC5
- Winter Lights Festival returns Dec. 6 with illuminated parade, tree lighting and fireworks, Right Now Oregon
- Sensory Santa (Medford), Autism Society of Oregon
- Preschool Storytime 3-5 YRS, Jackson County Library Services
- Preschool Storytime 3-5 YRS, summer 2026, Jackson County Library Services
- Medford Railroad Park, Rally Takes the Train
- Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society, Rally Takes the Train
- Winter Lights Festival, City of Medford