The festival, sponsored by the Bandon Chamber of Commerce, usually kicks off around the first weekend in December, with most of the decorations remaining up through New Year s Day. Thousands upon thousands of lights decorate many buildings in town, buggy rides are offered through Old Town, carolers from the high school or church choirs serenade shoppers and hot cider and cookies are given out on the opening weekend. A live Nativity scene is performed several times in the City Park and tells of the original Christmas story, and the boat basin and lighthouse glow with decorations. And the festival is definitely not limited to the business community. Many homes, both in the city and in the rural areas, are aglow with thousands of lights.
Homeowners try to outdo themselves, and their neighbors, with the grandest of displays.
Bandon s volunteer fire department strings hundreds of lights to outline the lighthouse, making it glow from across the river at night. Shops throughout Bandon offer unique gift items and nearly every merchant provides gift wrapping free. A warm, old-fashioned, community feeling with plenty of Christmas cheer makes the Festival of Lights one of Bandon s most inviting events. P.O. Box 737 Bandon, Oregon 97411. Monday through Saturday 10am-4pm.