Portage's Christmas Festival returns Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, from 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. around City Hall and Founders Square, with the Kiwanis Parade of Toys, tree lighting, and horse-and-carriage rides.
Portage packs its biggest holiday evening into Saturday, Dec 5, 2026, when the Portage Christmas Festival runs 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. around City Hall and Founders Square. The centerpiece is the Kiwanis Parade of Toys, which lines up behind Willowcreek Middle School at 4 p.m., rolls east on Central Avenue, and ends at Founders Square Plaza, collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots along the way. The festival continues with the Founders Square tree lighting, horse-and-carriage rides, and seasonal activities into the evening. It is a full night of small-town holiday spirit, and the Portage Christmas Craft Show at Woodland Park the same weekend (Dec 5-6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) makes it a two-day destination. Bring a toy to donate and a warm coat.
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Saturday, Dec 5, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: the holiday parade lines up behind Willowcreek Middle School, heads east on Central Avenue, and ends at Founders Square Plaza, collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
The festival runs 4:30 to 9:45 p.m. around Portage City Hall and Founders Square with the tree lighting, horse-and-carriage rides, and seasonal activities.
The same weekend, Dec 5-6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Woodland Park: 75-plus vendors, carriage rides, live music, and Santa, free with a non-perishable food donation.
