Portland 5 Things to Do This Weekend

1. Few places take holiday lights as seriously as Peacock Lane in Southeast Portland. The annual celebration of 31 lighted English cottages got underway on Thursday night and continue every evening 6:00-11:00 p.m. through New Year's Eve. Many of the owners on the block are involved with a battle to have the area declared a National Historic District. For more on that, head here.

2. Speaking of holiday lights, there are few things as magical as the more than one million lights the Oregon Zoo strings together into a fantasia of animals and scenes as part of their annual Zoo Lights spectacular. Check out the Zoo's website for more information.

3. The Polar Express may be a book and movie but The Holiday Express is very, very real. And in Oaks Park. Sponsored by the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, the train runs Saturday and Sunday, this weekend and next. Tickets are still available. Check the website for more information.

4. Not everyone knows this but the first SantaCon ever was held here in Portland 20 years ago. Now the city has three of them. The one this Saturday - which begins at Splash Bar on Northwest Couch at 3:30 - is different as it's for charity. All proceeds go to the Police Bureau's Sunshine Division, which provides food and clothing for families and individuals in need. Check out this this website for more information.

5. A great holiday light display that benefits a great charity? Say no more. Head to the Winter Wonderland at Portland International Raceway. As with SantaCon, it benefits the Sunshine Division. It runs all weekend (actually every day through Christmas). Head to their website for more details.