Portland Winter Light Festival photo by Remaining Light Photography
During the darkest time of year, one Portland event brings the city together to celebrate creativity, culture and community through light.
The annual Portland Winter Light Festival is one of the most popular winter festivals in the city. The citywide outdoor arts celebration features interactive light-based art installations, vibrant performances and kinetic fire sculptures. The festival presents public art installations and performances for the community to enjoy.
For its 10th year, the festival has special anchor sites, events and light displays throughout the city. Here are the details:
2025 Portland Winter Light Festival
Portland Winter Light Festival photo by Amy Sakurai
The Portland Winter Light Festival is February 7-15, 2025. The festival is open to all ages and free to attend.
Creative and inspiring light displays are set up throughout the city and aglow every evening of the event. The festival features more than 200 art experiences focusing on the theme A Light for Tomorrow: A Technicolor Future.
Prepare for a dazzling display of light as visionary artists take you on a journey to the future. See pillars of colorful pulsing glow, buildings shimmering in dazzling pastels, videos and images aglow in a splendid sight that looks as beautiful in the daytime as the night.
Here’s how you can make the most of this festival.
Anchor Sites
The event has anchor sites open on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m. with special performances, artwork and activities located in the heart of Portland. These locations provide a starting point for a night of exploration and celebration of the incredible art displays.
2025 anchor sites include:
- Pioneer Courthouse Square
- World Trade Center Plaza
- The Electric Blocks at SE 2nd and Clay.
Also 0pen on the weekends are activities at Director Park and Glow Bar at Columbia Square, which is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
There are also pop up locations throughout town and many are open every day of the festival.
Festival Art Map
The festival art map lets you click on the pinpoints for more information on each art display around the city. Along with the three anchor sites, you can find light art displays are local businesses, storefront windows, front yards and more.
Special Events
Special events take place every day of the festival throughout Portland and neighboring cities. Here are just a few you may be interested in.
Opening Ceremony Performance
On Friday, February 7, join the opening night festivities with a giant show at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 Sw 6th Ave., at 7 p.m. Enjoy performances by Bloco Alegria, Bright Heart Circus and My Burning Pianist.
Illuminated Bike Ride
Get ready to bike the lights with fellow riders on Saturday, February 8. For the Illuminated Bike Ride, you’re invited to dress up your bike, and yourself, and join us for a ride. Meet at the Rose’s Equipment Supply parking lot, 125 SE Clay St., at 6:30 p.m. The ride starts at 7 p.m. The ride ends at Director Park around 9 p.m.
Lantern Procession
Don’t miss the Lantern Procession on Saturday, February 15, from 6:30-8 p.m. Meet at the World Trade Center. You’re encouraged to wear illuminated costumes and bring giant puppets, lanterns, simple colorful flags and lit objects. The parade ends at Director Park.
Glow Bar
Glow Bar transforms a glass-walled and glass-ceilinged vacant retail space into a pop-up event series. The space is aglow with dynamic lighting, art installations and an electrifying energy that captures the creative spirit of Portland. Enjoy the bar and lounge featuring five curated art and light installations just south of the World Trade Center. There’s also food and drinks available for purchase.
Glow bar is open Fridays and Saturdays only at Columbia Square, 111 SW Columbia Street. It is all ages from 6-8 p.m. and 21+ from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The festival is February 7-15, 2025, from 6-10 p.m. For more information and to view all events, visit the festival website.
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