Three reasons the week between Christmas and New Year’s is a great time to visit Cannon Beach

Festooned with twinkly lights and evergreens, Cannon Beach keeps the holiday season going with some fun events during the last week of the year. Plan to stay the week between Christmas and New Year’s and you can watch for migrating Gray Whales, get your toes tapping at a festive concert and indulge in international culinary creations during these great end-of-year opportunities:

December 26: Holiday Concert with Fireside Social Orchestra

Seven musicians will wrap up the holiday season with an engaging performance of 19th century Christmas and other festive music on period instruments and voices. Instruments include violin, tenor viola, cello, mandolin, flute, ophicleide, reed contrabass, bagpipes, flageolet, walking stick recorder, cornet, alto horn, ballad horn, tenor horn, tuba and piano. This must-see orchestra is directed by Phil and Gayle Neuman of The Trail Band and The Oregon Renaissance Band. (Event info)

December 26-28: Holiday Foods Around the World

Local restaurants will present special menu items featuring cuisine from around the world between Christmas and New Year’s for Cannon Beach’s Holiday Foods Around the World celebration. (Event info)

December 27-31: Winter Whale Watch Week

There’s nothing quite like spotting a plume of mist shooting up from the surface of the ocean and catching a glimpse of a massive whale rolling back into the depths. Weighing in at 35 tons, Gray Whales migrate from spots all along the north Pacific Coast to their breeding grounds off the Baja Peninsula throughout winter, with the peak of this migration happening during the last week of the year. Oregon State Parks volunteers will be at Ecola State Park daily with information and binoculars to help visitors spot these gentle giants. (Whale watching info)