Preparations Underway For 35th Annual Umpqua Valley Festival Of Lights

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Preparations are underway at River Forks Park as the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights gets ready to welcome visitors for its 35th holiday season, beginning Sunday, November 22.

The annual event has become a holiday tradition for families throughout Douglas County and beyond, bringing thousands of visitors to Roseburg each year to enjoy one of the area's largest Christmas light displays.

This year's festival will feature more than 90 illuminated displays, over 500,000 lights and a half-mile drive-through route winding through River Forks Park. Visitors can expect to see familiar favorites, including one of the world's largest nutcrackers, animated characters from Disney's Frozen, and displays celebrating the Umpqua Valley's history and local traditions.

The festival will operate nightly through January 1, 2027, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.

Holiday Village And Wagon Rides Return

In addition to the drive-through displays, the Dutch Bros Holiday Village will return to Helleck Hall at River Forks Park, offering families another way to enjoy the holiday season.

Visitors can meet Santa Claus, take free pictures, write letters to the North Pole and enjoy a model railroad display. Santa will be available through December 24.

Cookies and cider will also be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting local fundraising groups.

Wagon rides are also returning for the 2026 season, giving visitors another way to experience the illuminated displays at River Forks Park.

Additional information about Holiday Village hours and wagon ride availability can be found on the festival's website.

Special Nights Planned Throughout The Season

The festival has several special nights planned this year, giving visitors opportunities to experience the displays in different ways, support local causes and take advantage of free admission offers.

The season begins with Opening Night on November 22, followed by Bike the Lights Night on November 23, presented by Thrive Umpqua, Umpqua Velo Club and Bike Walk Roseburg. Visitors can walk, ride bicycles or scooters through the displays before the route opens to vehicles at 7 p.m.

On November 24, Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center will present Walk Your Dog Night and Santa Paws Pictures. Families can bring their leashed dogs to enjoy the lights and take holiday pictures. The route will open to vehicles after 7 p.m.

Other special nights scheduled for the 2026 season include:

• November 27: Aviva Health Night, offering free admission with passes available to patients at the clinic.
• December 1: The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug Night.
• December 2: Food Drive Night, offering free admission with seven canned food items per vehicle.
• December 5: First Interstate Bank Night, offering free admission with a First Interstate Bank card.
• December 6: U.S. Bank Night, offering free admission with a U.S. Bank membership card.
• December 7: Veterans Night, presented by Clint Newell Auto Group and AmeriTitle, offering free admission to veterans and their families with proof of service.
• December 11: Peak Credit Union Night, offering free admission with a membership card.
• December 13: OCCU Night, offering free admission with an Oregon Community Credit Union membership card.
• December 18: First Community Credit Union Night, offering free admission with a membership card.
• December 19: Cascade Community Credit Union Night, offering free admission with a membership card.
• December 20: Rogue Credit Union Night, offering free admission with a membership card.

The full schedule, including any changes to special nights and admission requirements, is available on the festival's official special nights page.

The Roseburg Receiver And Roseburg Plug Supporting This Year's Festival

The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug are getting involved in this year's celebration as two of the festival's major media sponsors.

The Roseburg Plug recently completed a redesign of the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights website, providing visitors with an updated way to explore event information, purchase tickets and learn about upcoming activities.

Both organizations will also host a special evening at the festival on Tuesday, December 1.

During The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug Night, visitors can enjoy the holiday displays while receiving full-size candy canes handed out by the two organizations.

The involvement gives both local media organizations an opportunity to support a longstanding Douglas County tradition and connect with residents during the holiday season.

Supporting Local Students And Community Projects

Beyond the holiday displays, the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights serves as an annual fundraiser for the Roseburg Rotary Foundation.

Proceeds help provide scholarships for graduating high school seniors and support Rotary projects throughout the Umpqua Valley.

According to festival organizers, the event welcomes more than 8,000 vehicles each season, making it an important fundraiser while bringing families together during the holidays.

Admission, Hours And Location

General admission for the 2026 Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is $15 per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers.

The drive-through will operate from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The festival is scheduled to remain open nightly from November 22 through January 1, including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights takes place at River Forks Park, located off Garden Valley Road west of Roseburg.

Tickets can be purchased online, and visitors are encouraged to review the special nights schedule before attending, particularly if they plan to take advantage of a free admission offer.

For tickets, event details and additional information, visit the newly redesigned festival website at www.uvfestivaloflights.com.