Events

Brave the chilly water of the Deschutes River for a good cause. The Polar Plunge is an annual benefit for Special Olympics Oregon, where participants take part in an early morning dip into the river. $50 minimum. Riverbend Park.

Tien Hsieh is an award-winning pianist who will be performing in the February event for the Redmond Community Concert Association. Hsieh will be joined by tenor Robert Trenpham in a classical music performance. Redmond Performing Arts Center.

Smoke from wildfire season may have cancelled the Sisters Folk Festival in September, but the Winter Concert Series is in full swing. We Banjo 3, an Irish string band considered “the hottest thing in Irish music,” returns to Sisters for a performance in February. $10-$60. Sisters High School.

This Valentine’s Day, grab your loved one and head to the historic Great Hall in Sunriver for the annual dinner and concert presented by Sunriver Music Festival. Enjoy a hosted happy hour and gourmet meal from the resort’s chefs. Top off the evening with dancing to the live music performed by saxophonist Patrick Lamb. $75-$80....

Get a taste of the upcoming season of opera from OperaBend, a new opera production company in Central Oregon, at the Operaganza. There will be entertainment from local opera performers throughout the evening, as well as a silent auction. Operaganza will be held at Elevation at the Cascade Culinary Institute and the ticket includes a...

Colson Whitehead’s 2016 novel The Underground Railroad won a Pulitzer Prize, among many other awards, that year. Whitehead will be in Bend to talk about that and his other writing that includes novels and essays at the Author! Author! event from the Deschutes Public Library in February. $25. Bend Senior High School.

Jazz violinist, and MacArthur Fellowship recipient, Regina Carter will be in Bend for two nights to perform with her critically acclaimed quartet. With musical influences that range from Gospel and swing to folk and Motown, Carter is one of the stars of her generation. $55. Riverhouse on the Deschutes.

WinterFest packs tons of entertainment into its annual three-day festival. There’s the 10 Barrel Rail Jam, the Royal Run 5k and 10k races, ice sculpting and fire pit competition, bouncy houses and the OMSI tent for kids and live music to top it all off each night. Local food vendors and businesses are onsite all...

Spot wild bald eagles flying overhead at Cove Palisades State Park. Eagle Watch features activities for kids and families, including live birds of prey onsite and fun, educational activities. Stay for the Quartz Creek Drummers and Dancers cultural program. A free lunch is also provided at the event. Free. Round Butte Overlook Park.

The popular Australian singing group is back in Bend for a one-night-only performance. Featuring “Wish You Were Here,” and songs from departed legends including David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Prince and more. Find more information at towertheatre.org

The annual golf tournament is held at some of the region’s best golf courses. Build a team of at least two players and join the fun competition. The cash prizes doled out last year totaled more than $20,000. Find more information at aspenlakes.com