Did you know that the world’s largest nutcracker is located right here in Roseburg, Oregon? Standing at over 40 feet tall and weighing more than 16,000 pounds, his name is Herr Woody Winterguard and he’s located at River Forks Park as part of the Festival of Lights! Swing by before January 1st to enjoy a drive-through holiday themed light show!
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, Herr Woody Wintergaurd got a makeover! Woody was cleaned up, power washed, repainted and revarnished. He’s now looking brand new and you can take a look at him at the Festival of Lights this year.
The nutcracker was originally built by a Willamette Valley woodworker, Toby Johnson, using chain saws back in 2014. It’s built from a variety of woods including sequoia, coastal redwood, western red cedar and Port Orford cedar. The metal work was done by Intermountain Innovations Corps.
Festival of Lights was started by the Roseburg Rotary Club back in 1993. Since it’s beginning, 30 years ago, the festival has grown in both size and popularity. Each year the event draws over 25,000 visitors! The light show features more than a half-million lights and over 90 displays, and as well as Woody Wintergaurd! Throughout the run of the festival there are some special nights scheduled allowing people to see the event for free through featured offers (see festival website for full list of special nights and details.)
In addition to the festival, The Dutch Bros Holiday Village will return again this year at Riversdale Grange at 4855 Garden Valley Road. The village will feature Santa Claus and other characters, a model railroad, a Santa collection and decorated Christmas trees. It will be open Thursday through Sunday nights from November 30th to December 24th. Buying a holiday village ticket will provide you access to Festival of Lights.
For just $10 per car, you and your family can take in the sights at Festival of Lights. The money from the event goes towards Rotary Club scholarships and service projects. If you’re planning on going more than once this year, consider buying the season pass for just $40. Additional information about Festival of Lights is located down below.
Cost: $10 per vehicle
When: November 19th through January 1st
Drive Through Hours:
Monday - 5:30pm - 9pm
Tuesday - 5:30pm - 9pm
Wednesday - 5:30pm - 9pm
Thursday - 5:30pm - 9pm
Friday - 5:30pm - 10pm
Saturday - 5:30pm - 10pm
Sunday - 5:30pm - 9pm
Holiday Village Hours:
Thursday and Sunday - 5:30 pm - 9 pm
Friday and Saturday - 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Additional Information: https://www.uvfestivaloflights.com/
Or for more holiday season events head over to the Experience Roseburg events page.
