Say goodbye to the leaves of autumn and hello to the snowflakes of winter. The winter solstice, which marks the end of fall and the beginning of winter, is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and the longest night of the year. 

Celebrate the winter solstice on Saturday by parading in Ashland or running laps in Phoenix.

The annual Gnome Procession to the Wishing Tree in Ashland’s Lithia Park is set to begin at 5 p.m. at the Ashland Plaza. Bring a lantern and your wand.

Southern Oregon Runners is hosting a “Longest Night Mile” event from 6-8 p.m. at the Phoenix High School track, 745 N. Rose St. in Phoenix. Racers compete in one of several heats based on ability.

Cost is $10 or two boxes of dry cereal, with donations going to the Southern Oregon University Student Food Pantry. For more information, visit sorunners.org.

Mountain Club hosts holiday party

The Siskiyou Mountain Club is hosting a holiday party from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at its Siskiyou Mountain Store, 33 N. Third St. in Ashland. An incorrect date for the party was published in last week’s Outdoor Adventures.

The event features Sasquatch Santa, homemade cookies and hot cocoa. For more information, call 458-254-0657 or visit siskiyoumountainclub.org.

Whale Watch Week is Dec. 27-31

Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31, when volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico.

The sites, which include some of the best places to watch for whales, include Harris Beach State Park near Brookings, Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint near Bandon and Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay. View a map of volunteer-staffed sites at bit.ly/41x2o7T.

The migration typically lasts from mid-December through mid-January. Whale-watchers are advised to dress for the weather, bring binoculars and mind beach safety precautions.

Crater Lake rangers lead free snowshoe walks

Crater Lake National Park offers free ranger-guided snowshoe walks on weekends through April and also on weekdays during winter break, Dec. 23-Jan. 3, and spring break, March 24-28.

They start at 1 p.m., last two hours and cover 1-2 miles over moderate to strenuous terrain. Participants must be at least 8 years old. Snowshoes are provided.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Separate groups tours might be available. Park entrance fee of $20 applies. Call 541-594-3100.

In a related matter, snowshoe hikes led by Bureau of Land Management rangers through the forest at Hyatt Lake Recreation Area on Dec. 21, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 are full, but people may sign up on a waitlist at bit.ly/3VvloQv.

Ashland rink hosts ‘First Frost’ event

The Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink, 95 Winburn Way in Lithia Park, is hosting a “First Frost” skating event from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, featuring live music, figure skating performances and discounted prices.

Performances are 4-4:30 p.m., followed by open skating and a DJ. Admission is $4 for people 15 years of age and older, $2 for children 5-14 and free for younger children. Rental skates are $3.

The rink is open for the winter season, but may close if skating conditions become unsafe. Skate lessons are available on various dates. Visit bit.ly/4gqkwVg or call 541-488-9189 for more information.

Fish Lake Resort offers wagon rides, activities

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride at Fish Lake Resort, Highway 140, mile marker 30, from Dec. 28-Jan. 1. Time slots are limited. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children 6-14 and free for children 5 and under.

Children’s crafts and other activities are held weekends in December, $5 per child. Christmas tree permits are $5. Snowshoe rentals are available. For more information, call 541-949-8500 or visit fishlakeresort.net.

Medford publishes winter-spring activities guide

Medford Parks and Recreation is publishing its winter-spring activities guide, which will be available online Dec. 21 and mailed to city residents. Registration begins Dec. 30. For more information, visit playmedford.com.

The cities of Ashland and Central Point publish seasonal guides, too, at ashlandoregon.gov/parks and centralpointoregon.gov/parksrec, respectively. The guides include classes, events and outings.

Parks passes on sale

Annual Oregon State Parks and Josephine County park passes for 2025 are on sale for $25, which is $5 off, through the end of the year. For details on state parks passes, go to stateparks.oregon.gov; for details on the county passes, go to bit.ly/4f0ZlHY. For more information, call 800-452-5687 for state parks and 541-474-5285 for Josephine County parks.

Celebrate the holidays at historic sites, outdoor areas

Holiday activities are taking place at a number of historic places and outdoor areas, including the following:

• Visit the annual holiday lights display at Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay from dusk until 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Timed entry and $5 parking must be purchased before arrival at bit.ly/2024holidaylights or by calling 800-452-5687 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Holiday lights and decorations remain up at the historic McKee Bridge, 9161 Upper Applegate Road, through the end of the year. For more information, visit mckeebridge.org.

• The Annual Old Fashioned Christmas at the historic Wood House near Eagle Point is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the 1800s-era homesteaded property, 12988 Highway 62. Admission is free. For more information, go to oldwoodhouse.org.

• Take a 45-minute trolley ride past locations in Jacksonville decorated for the season. Tickets are $15 and reservations are required. Go to christmasinjacksonville.com or call 541-899-8118. While in Jacksonville, visit the Beekman House, 470 E. California St., for a holiday tour, from noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 29. For tickets, go to historicjacksonville.org/victorian-christmas.

• Visit the historic Hanley Farm on Dec. 26 to see the 1857 farmhouse decked out for the holidays. Tours begin every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The farm is at 1053 Hanley Road in Central Point. Tickets are $10, $5 for children 12 and younger. For tickets, visit sohs.org or call 541-622-2025.

Want to publicize your upcoming outdoors event for free? Send details to writer Shaun Hall at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com. Submissions about upcoming events are encouraged.