❄️ Snow on the way?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! I know we’re all pining for snow, but the holiday lights paddle parade was an all-timer with the weather and incredible sunset! We hope everyone had an amazing time!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• ❄️ Snow finally on the way?

• 🧺 New grocery store opens in SW Bend

• 🐶 Toys for tails at Monkless

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

SPONSORED BY HIGH DESERT MUSEUM

Wrap yourself in the colors of the season—think silver or white pajamas, onesies, track suits ... all are welcome—during Winter Nights this coming Thursday, December 18, at the High Desert Museum. We’ll be open late to share indoor exhibitions, beverage tastings, music with a DJ, cookie decorating and photo-boothing like Jack Frost. Get tickets in advance and get a discount, or just show up at the door! 

🎟️ Winter Nights - High Desert Museum 

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SNAPSHOTS

 🐶 Toys for Tails at Monkless

Make sure the pups of Bend have a very merry Christmas as well by donating a toy or two (unwrapped please) at Monkless. They will be collecting toys until December 22nd and then donating the entire lot to the Humane Society, where the pups can pick out their favorite new stuffed or squeaky toy from the basket.

❄️ Is There Finally Snow on the Way?

I don’t want to jinx anything, but the forecast is finally looking a little more favorable for folks who are hoping to hit the slopes by Christmas. The folks at Bachelor say they need around two feet of snow to open, and the forecast for Wednesday - Saturday is calling for accumulations close to that total. Fingers crossed!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🧺 Farewell Market opens in SW Bend: The SW neighborhoods of Bend now have a grocery store again, as the space formerly occupied by C.E. Lovejoys is now Farewell Market. The market held a soft opening over the weekend and, despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to find out much more info yet on hours, days, etc. Once we know more, we’ll be sure to let you know!

👩‍🎨 New pottery studio opening in Sisters: Things tend to slow down a little around this time of year when it comes to business news, so we’re going a little outside of Bend for this one. Sisters Clay Collective is opening its doors today, Monday, December 15, for folks to stop by and take a look at the new space, meet the owners, and sign up for pottery classes.

@THEBENDBUZZ

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TOGETHER WITH CASCADE VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER

At Cascade Village Shopping Center, we make dining and shopping in Bend a breeze. With a wide variety of stores, delicious dining options, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to spend your day. Shop, dine, and experience everything the Cascade Village Shopping Center has to offer, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Trader Joe’s, See’s Candies, Moose Sisters, PetSmart, El Rancho Grande, Pretty Moments Lingerie, World Market, Men’s Wearhouse, Best Buy, and Dakota’s Brick Shop, to name a few.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Monday 12.15

🌲 Solstice Garland Workshop: Celebrate the winter solstice with floral play! Create wall-hangings, set intentions, and plant seeds for growth. All materials included. 6 PM Open Arts Center

🏆️ Bingo with Bren: Try your luck at some bingo while supporting a local charity with Bingo with Bren at Bevel Brewing. 6 PM Bevel Brewing

🎶 Carol-O-Gram: Send a burst of holiday cheer the old-fashioned way—live carols delivered with heart. It’s wholesome, nostalgic, and guaranteed to make someone’s day. 1 PM Unity Community

💧 Tribal Sovereignty & Water: A meaningful conversation about stewardship, sovereignty, and the future of our region’s water—paired with a pint and community connection. 6 PM Worthy Brewing

🎨 3Doodler Ornaments: A playful, techy craft session where you can draw your own ornaments into existence. Perfect for kids, creatives, and curious adults. 4 PM Downtown Bend Library

Tuesday 12.16

🎄 Christmas Caroling: Get ready to belt out your best Fa-la-la-la-la’s with some Christmas caroling at the historic First United Methodist Church in downtown Bend. If you need a little extra incentive to join there will also be cookies and cocoa. 6:30 PM First United Methodist Church

📖 Graphic Novel Book Club: Are your kids as into graphic novels as mine? If so, bring them to Larkspur for the graphic novel book club. This week, they’ll be discussing the book The Happy Shop by Brittany Long Olsen. 4:30 PM Larkspur Community Center

❄️ Hoodoo’s Wintervention: A pre-season winter stoke fest with gear giveaways, lift ticket prizes, and pure ski-bum energy. If you’re manifesting powder days, this is the place. 6 PM Sunriver Brewing East

🍻 Holiday Craft Beer Dinner: A festive four-course pairing dinner built around Terranaut’s seasonal brews. Each dish is designed to highlight a different holiday-inspired beer, making this a cozy, elevated way to savor the season. 5:30 PM Terranaut Beer

🎁 Holiday Gift Wrapping: Let the holiday elves take over your to-do list. Bring your gifts, choose your wrap, and enjoy a peaceful afternoon while volunteers turn your stack of presents into perfectly ribboned little masterpieces. 1 PM Unity Community

🔥 Fireside Festivities: Gather around the fire for a heartwarming blend of hot drinks, simple winter crafts, and neighborly conversation. Make something festive or just soak up the cozy ambiance—low-key, charming, and very “small town December.” 4 PM Discovery Corner

🧗‍♀️ Ladies Climb Night: A supportive and welcoming night for women and nonbinary climbers to try new routes, meet new people, and cheer each other on.  6:30 PM Bend Rock Gym

🎤 Lunch & Learn: Holiday Concert & Sing-Along: A midday dose of holiday spirit featuring live seasonal music and a cheerful sing-along segment. Enjoy lunch with friends old and new while soaking up the warm, nostalgic sounds of the season. 12 PM Larkspur Community Center

🎽 Ugly Sweater Run: Pull on your most ridiculous knitwear and hit the pavement for a festive fun run through the east side. Expect jingle bells, unhinged sweater patterns, and big laughs—plus brews, high-fives, and holiday chaos waiting at the finish. 6 PM Ballers & Brews

🕊️ Winter Solstice Open House: Take a break from the hustle and bustle and join the folks at Hanai for a warm and nourishing evening at their Winter Solstice Open House! Enjoy festive treats, cozy drinks, crafting, mindful moments, and community! 4 PM Hanai

UPCOMING EVENTS

🧘 Breathwork Sound Healing: Reset your nervous system, clear stress, and open your heart through an immersive breathwork journey led by expert facilitator Brighton Loughlin. With personal headphones, eye masks, and expert-led breathwork, this session helps you reconnect with yourself and finishes with a grounding gong and crystal bowl sound healing. 7 PM on Thursday, December 18th at Hanai

🇺🇦 Ukrainian Winter Caroling Night with Inna Kovtun: Experience a unique cultural holiday evening at Café des Chutes on Saturday, December 20 (4–6 PM). Kyiv ethno-singer Inna Kovtun leads a night of traditional Ukrainian winter songs, a communal sing-along ceremony, and a holiday buffet featuring kutya, borshch, pampushky, sweets, and uzvar. This is the centerpiece of Kolovita’s two-day winter program, which also includes a Vertep mask workshop on December 19. Free admission; donations support Central Oregon's cultural wellness programs. Café des Chutes, 50 SE Scott St #22.

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LIVE MUSIC

Monday 12.15

Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Tuesday 12.16

Elise Franklin Quartet | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM

WEEKEND PREVIEW

🎨 Friday brings hands-on holiday fun, crafty cheer, and a little festive sparkle. Start your afternoon at Ukrainian Winter Craft Lab for DIY masks and colorful light decorations, then sip, craft, and design your own arrangements at Winter Flower Bar. Hunt for treasures at Vintage Rendezvous or shop local at the Holiday Pop-Up & Kids Makers Market. Reflect, connect, and toast the year at Celebrating 2025: A Gathering of Gratitude, then score retro finds at Vintage Merch Sale. Evening vibes swing from festive trivia at Dirty Minds Christmas Trivia to live music and dance at the Whiteout West Coast Swing Party.

✨ Saturday is a full day of holiday energy, family fun, and seasonal magic. Morning starts with Pancakes & Pajamas with the Grinch or Christmas at the Oxford, then browse artisan gifts at Ale Apothecary Winter Market. For makers and kids, don’t miss Michael the Train Man’s 25th annual train display. Afternoon thrills include Deck the Walls for ski and snowboard stoke, and evening options range from jazzy cocktails at A Night at the Speakeasy to cozy Christmas Movie Night at 10 Barrel. Music lovers can groove to the Rhythm and Blues Holiday Bash at Silver Moon or catch festive tunes throughout town.

❄️ Sunday slows things down with reflective, creative, and seasonal experiences. Shop sustainable and pet-friendly gifts at Resellers Row or the Paw-liday Market, then craft something cozy at Intro to Crochet Workshop. Celebrate the season at Winter Solstice Dinner, or take in epic adventures at Sierra to Baker Film + Live Music. End the weekend with calm, restorative vibes at the Winter Solstice Sound Bath, honoring the season with healing energy and reflection.

🎶 Live Music Highlights: Bend’s stages are packed this weekend. Catch Evan Mullins at Ponch’s Place, Jordan Wolfe at Portello Lounge, or Eel Sallad at Wildwood. Big nights out include 40oz to Freedom and Klippee & Wavhart at Silver Moon, Dry Canyon Stampede or The Substitutes at The Commonwealth. Coyote Rider delivers sunset vibes at River’s Place—music, groove, and festive cheer for every mood.

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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