Portland Winter Light Festival. Photo by Amy Sakurai.
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 featuring 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 7th year the festival is taking a new shape with special anchor locations, light displays and art installations throughout the city. View the art map and list of special events below.
2022 Portland Winter Light Festival
Diabolus II by artist Moltensteelman. Photo by Emily Shimano.
The Portland Winter Light Festival is taking place from February 4-12, 2022. The festival is open to all ages and free to attend.
The festival features more than 100 artworks focusing on the theme Within the Ecosystem.
New this year are three anchor locations with food carts, artwork and amenities located in the heart of Portland. These locations will provide a starting point for a night of exploration and celebration of the incredible art displays.
Anchor locations are at Pioneer Courthouse Square, the World Trade Center, and the Electric Blocks at SE 2nd and Clay. These locations will have food carts and amenities open on Friday and Saturday nights only, February 4-5 and 11-12.
To help you get around to the various displays, the Portland Streetcar will offer free rides on every night of the festival from 6-10 p.m.
Art Map
Installations will be on display in North, Northeast, Downtown, Central Eastside and Southeast. Here’s a map. Click on the pinpoints for more information on each art display:
Special Events
Special events will be held on several days of the festival. Here are a few of the noteworthy free events you may want to partake in.
Illuminated Bike Ride
On opening night, Friday, February 4, put on your most fabulous mask, decorate your bike with lights, and bring your friends and family to Montgomery Street Plaza between SW 6th and Broadway.
The easy 4-5 mile ride will take you by the central city installations on display. Meet at 6:30 p.m. and ride at 7 p.m.
Fun Luv’n Silent Disco
On Friday and Saturday nights the festival will come to life with dance during Fun Luv’n Slient Disco. You can rent headphones onsite for $10.
On the first weekend, it is at the Electric Blocks at SE 2nd and Clay. On the second weekend, it is at World Trade Center, SW 1st and Salmon.
Midway Lights at Oaks Park
While the amusement park rides are closed for the season, they still have dazzling lights to admire. Take in the artistry of the lights at you walk Oaks Park’s midway each night of the festival.
Keep the night of lights rolling at Glow Skate Nights from 7-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Performances at Earth Space PDX
Along with a long list of light installations, Earth Space PDX is showcasing local artists, musicians, and poets on Friday and Saturday nights.
Portland Winter Light Festival is happening February 4-12 from 6-10 p.m. For more information, visit the festival website.
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