Pop Up Shops and Ugly Sweaters

Pop-Up Shops turn Portland’s vacant retail space into temporary stores where local designers and artists can set up up shop for the holiday season. The program showcases local design talent, encouraging downtown shoppers to seek out unique gift offerings you can only find in Portland this holiday season. The shops are popping up in Old Town Chinatown, 11 N.W. Fifth Ave., from November 13 through December 24. Head this way for more details.

Celebrate ugly sweaters beginning November 13, 2014, when some of downtown’s most iconic sculptures will don their holiday finery for the season. In the Pioneer District on Southwest Yamhill and Morrison streets, you’ll see Animals in Pools, Allow Me (aka "Umbrella man") and Kvinneakt dressed up in festive ugly sweaters. And, you can join in on the fun: Wear your ugly sweaters downtown and take selfies with these yarn-bombed statues. Be sure to tag pictures with #UglySweaterPDX.

On November 29, the statues will celebrate the Civil War football game between the University of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State University Beavers. Wear your team colors and show your school spirit by visiting the duck and beaver statues on Yamhill and Morrison between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

Spread the warmth: The Transition Projects warm clothing drive welcomes donations of new or gently used warm winter clothing. For more info on the program or to find a drop-off location, head this way.