Old Town Silverton: The Historic Downtown Behind Oregon's Christmas Market

Old Town Silverton is the historic downtown core of Silverton, Oregon, a walkable stretch of preserved brick buildings, family-run shops, and more than 30 outdoor murals along Water and Main Streets. It sits about a mile and a quarter from the Oregon Garden Resort, home to the Silverton Christmas Market.

The market itself runs November 20 through December 31, and the town also doesn't wait for the holidays to be worth a stop.

What is there to do in downtown Silverton, Oregon?

Silverton's downtown centers on Water and Main Streets, where Silver Creek runs through the middle of town past creekside cafes and a footbridge in Town Square Park. Locals point newcomers toward North Star Antiques & Collectibles, The Red Bench, and Homestead Relics Vintage. For food: Silver Falls Brewery, Oso (Spanish/Mediterranean), and Mac's Place. Once a month on First Friday, galleries and shops stay open late (per the Silverton Chamber of Commerce visitor guide).

How far is Downtown Silverton from the Christmas Market?

The market runs at the Oregon Garden Resort, 895 W. Main Street; downtown sits about 2 miles away. Silverton sits about 14 miles northeast of Salem.

What are the murals in Silverton, Oregon, and where did they come from?

Downtown's murals go back to 1992, when residents founded the nonprofit Silverton Mural Society. More than 30 murals now cover building walls, including a 70-foot mural of Bobbie the Wonder Dog, a 1994 reproduction of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms series, and a 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Claus mural that gets photographed every December.

Is The Oregon Garden part of a downtown Silverton visit?

The Oregon Garden sits next to the Christmas Market's home at the Oregon Garden Resort and is an 80-acre botanical garden with the Gordon House, the only public Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in the Pacific Northwest. Guests booking the market's Christmas Market hotel package get garden access included.

What to do in Silverton, Oregon, during Christmas Market season

Park downtown in the early afternoon, walk Water and Main Streets for the murals, grab an early dinner, then drive over (or take one of the event's free shuttles) to the Oregon Garden Resort for the market's vendor booths, lights, ice skating and biergarten. Check the market's full lineup of things to do before you go. General admission starts at $15, and peak nights sell out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is downtown Silverton within walking distance of the Christmas Market? 

About 2 miles each way; most guests drive or take a free event shuttle instead of walking.

How many murals are in Silverton, Oregon? 

More than 30, maintained by the Silverton Mural Society (founded 1992).

What are the market's 2026 dates and hours? 

November 20 through December 31, gates 5-9pm on select nights, tickets from $15.

Is The Oregon Garden open during the Christmas Market? 

It operates on separate hours/admission. The resort's hotel package includes garden access.

Can I combine a stop to The Oregon Garden with an Oregon Garden Resort stay? 

Yes, the resort's 2026 package bundles room, tickets, breakfast, parking, and garden access for select dates Nov 20-Dec 31.