Portland’s dark dreary nights will soon glow brightly with a dynamic new festival. The Willamette Light Brigade, stewards of the Morrison Bridge’s nightly  color lighting displays,  is presenting Portland’s First Annual  “Portland Winter Light Festival” on February 3rd-6th sponsored by Portland General Electric and powered by PGE renewable energy.

The event’s purpose is to bring all the neighborhoods of Portland together during a time of year  when the city is quiet and activities are typically reserved for the indoors. The festival celebrates the spirit of winter and the warmth of the Portland community. Bundle up and come celebrate!

Inspired by the light events around the world in other major cities, this inaugural festival is designed to create remarkable opportunities for Portland’s world class artists, makers,  performers and technology innovators. “The Portland Winter Light Festival” will showcase unique light-based art and engage Portland’s diverse communities.

Centered around host, OMSI, on the east bank of the Willamette River, the festival will foster collaborations, partnerships and participation throughout the community.

Similar events planned by world class lighting artists are:  lighted bike rides, Pedestrian lantern walks, light puppet shows, dance and music performances, building facades aglow with animated projections, and light displays in local galleries and store fronts.

Visit “Portland Winter Light Festival” for additional information and details on the event. If you have interest in getting involved as a sponsor, volunteer or to donate, visit  the Contacts page.

Join strangers and neighbors alike to watch the lights dance through the winter air from the beautiful architecture of Portland’s bridges and the water of the Willamette River, as performances fill the night with excitement and whimsy.

It will be a festival unlike any Portland has seen before, and it is free!

The Portland Winter Light Festival (PWLF) is a an event of the Willamette Light Brigade, a non-profit organization.

By Errol Beard