Break free from the darkness at the Winter Light Festival
At this point in the winter, months of perpetual cloud cover and rain can dampen the spirits of even the most ebullient Portlander.
This year has been particularly taxing for locals due to a historic winter ice storm that confined many to their houses for over a week without heat or, worse yet, internet access!
FEATURED EVENT
The City of Roses transforms into the city of lights
If being cooped up with your family without reliable access to TikTok has sapped your will to live, don’t fret. The Portland Winter Lights Festival will soon free you from the winter doldrums.
This free, all-ages celebration will illuminate the city with over 170 free light-based art installations and performances from February 2–10, 2024.
Now returning for its ninth year, the festival has become a tradition for over 200,000 attendees. Folks eagerly wait all year for this uniquely Portland event that can feel as if a county fair and a rave had a baby.
Choose your own adventure
Three major anchor sites in the central city will offer large interactive art exhibits, live events, and food carts.
- Pioneer Courthouse Square
- World Trade Center
- Electric Blocks
These sites will only be open on Friday/Saturday nights, February 2-3 and 9-10.
However, you can find smaller pop-up window installations throughout the entire city during the two weeks of the festival.
Must see acts
The number of shows associated with this festival has exploded, but here are some of the performances we are most excited about this year.
Friday, 2/2:
- Opening Ceremony with Pyrotechnic Dancers | 7 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square
A fire performance by Garnish, a troupe of talented dancers, will delight the crowd. They use fire, props, and unique dance moves to create spectacular performances.
- Bright Heart Circus Stage Show | 8:45 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square
This talented, dynamic duo uses LED hoops, synchronized music, and circus acrobatics to entertain the masses.
Saturday, 2/3:
- Portland FIRE Showcase | 7:00 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square
Portland’s Tyler Spades and Enrico SolRiso are Guinness World Record holders who travel the world as celebrated fire staff jugglers. What a life!
- LED Drag Show | 7:00 p.m. | Cartblocks
Watch amazing local drag artists perform around LED lights. Hosted by celebrated drag queen Sequin McQueen and produced by Rose City Drag.
Friday, 2/9:
- Ice Carving Showcase | 11:00 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pioneer Courthouse Square
World-class artists will carve a pair of dragons, one from the West and one from the East.
- Circus Luminescence | 8:00 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.| Pioneer Courthouse Square
This modern-day vaudeville act includes incredible LED partner juggling, breathtaking acrobatics, and epic combination tricks—all delivered with comedic wit and charm.