Smiles with Santa 2026
A Free Family Holiday Celebration

Saturday, November 28, 2026
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Barn Exhibit Hall and Harlow House Museums
Troutdale, Oregon 97060

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The Troutdale Historical Society invites you and your family to celebrate the magic of the holiday season at our annual Smiles with Santa event! Join us for a festive afternoon filled with holiday activities, delicious treats, visits with Santa Claus, and the beginning of a wonderful new holiday tradition. Best of all, the entire event is completely free and open to all ages!
 

Holiday Activities at the Barn Exhibit Hall

The Barn Exhibit Hall will be filled with holiday cheer, offering complimentary cookies, beverages, and snacks for visitors of all ages.

Families are invited to enjoy several activity stations, including:

• Ornament Making: Create a personalized ornament to take home and enjoy for years to come.

• Letters to Santa: Children can write their holiday wishes and messages to Santa Claus.

• Coloring: Enjoy a variety of festive coloring activities for children of all ages.
   

Visit Santa at the Historic Harlow House

Just next door, the historic Harlow House will welcome a very special guest from the North Pole!

Families are invited to visit with Santa Claus and capture memorable holiday photographs. Guests are welcome to take their own pictures, or enjoy complimentary professional Santa photography provided by Legna Studio.

There are no sitting fees, photography charges, or required purchases.
 

Free Museum Admission

Throughout the event, both the Barn Exhibit Hall and Harlow House museums will be open with free admission for everyone.

We encourage visitors to take advantage of this opportunity to explore Troutdale's fascinating history while enjoying the holiday festivities.
 

First Annual Barn Lighting Ceremony

We are especially excited to introduce a new holiday tradition, our First Annual Barn Lighting Ceremony!

Thanks to the generous support of our event sponsor, Donovan Construction, the historic Barn Exhibit Hall will once again be beautifully decorated with professionally installed holiday lighting. As part of the celebration, Troutdale Mayor and Troutdale Historical Society Vice President Dave Ripma will have the honor of officially illuminating the Barn, marking the holiday season at the museum. We invite everyone to stay for this special moment as we celebrate the holidays together and begin what we hope will become a cherished annual Troutdale tradition.
 

A Community Celebration for Everyone

At the Troutdale Historical Society, we believe the holiday season is about bringing people together, celebrating traditions, and creating lasting memories. Smiles with Santa is our opportunity to give something special back to the community that continues to support our museums and our mission. Admission, activities, refreshments, Santa visits, and professional photographs are all completely free. No tickets or reservations are required. Bring your family, invite your friends and neighbors, and join us for an afternoon of holiday cheer, community spirit, and memories. We look forward to celebrating the season with you at Smiles with Santa!

Presented by the Troutdale Historical Society, with generous support from Donovan Construction, Legna Studio, and of course our amazing volunteers!