Plan Your Visit

CHOOSE YOUR OWN LIGHT ADVENTURE

PDXWLF 2023 will feature anchor art sites with large-scale interactive art, performances, and pop-up art in storefronts, retail spaces, front yards, and public spaces throughout Portland. Guests are encouraged to embrace this citywide art scavenger hunt and visit as many locations as possible! Anchor sites are focused on weekend nights and will be available only on February 3-4 & 10-11. Many pop-up installations will be viewable from the street throughout the 9-day festival, so check the times before you head out!

program

Helianthus Enorme by Fez BeGatez during the 2022 Portland Winter LIght Festival. Photo © 2022 Remaining Light Photography — Helianthus Enorme by Fez BeGaetz. Photo by Remaining Light Photography

Photo © 2022 Remaining Light Photography

Go by bike

Festival fan Tom Howe created these GPS-compatible loop routes for cyclists to ride different sections of the PDXWLF. How fun is that?

He’s a contributor to BikePortland.org

Explore five bike routes on your own time with these comprehensive bike maps highlighting our featured art along the way!

BIKE MAPS BY ZONE

FAq

The eighth annual Portland Winter Light Festival is February 3 – 11, 2023

Yes! The festival is not-for-profit and is presented for free to attendees. It is made possible by generous support from our sponsors and donations from community members like you. Thank you for helping to keep the festival free for all!

Anchor sites include Pioneer Courthouse Square, World Trade Center Plaza (downtown), and the Electric Blocks at SE 2nd and Clay. Additional sites are located throughout Portland in storefront windows, front yards, and more and are viewable from the street.

Yes! Isn’t that great? The festival is a reason to get out of the house and celebrate winter with the entire community. Please dress appropriately for Portland’s winter weather. Don’t forget to light yourself up too!

Festival attendees can navigate PDXWLF by using our google Maps (link) or our map PDF (link). Art installations are located throughout the city at pop-up locations and anchor sites, including Pioneer Courthouse Square, The World Trade Center, and the Electric Blocks. We encourage guests to create their plans for exploration. Consider using public transportation when possible. The Portland Streetcar will be accessible until 11:30 pm, and anchor art sites are located near public transportation. Ample parking is available downtown, and parking at all festival sites is on a first come basis. Bike parking will be available at anchor sites.

If you are coming from out of town, consider staying with one of our Hotel Partners. These local accommodations are knowledgeable about the festival and can provide you with an authentic experience of Portland!

Yes! We have food and hot beverages available for sale from local food cart vendors at anchor site locations.

Absolutely! The festival is family-friendly and has many interactive activities for people of all ages. We encourage families to participate.

Most of the festival is on public land, where you are welcome to bring your leashed pets. Dogs are not allowed in the World Trade Center Plaza. For festival events and exhibitions that take place inside, pets are not permitted.

Note that the festival can become extremely crowded and difficult to navigate; we recommend lighting up your pup for style and safety or leaving them in the comfort of home.

Yes, please! In addition to dressing warmly for our winter weather, we always encourage attendees to participate by donning festive accessories.

For sustainability concerns, we suggest avoiding single-use glowsticks (that you “crack” to activate) and instead using reusable, solar- and battery-charged LED lights, el-wire (electroluminescent wire), and other light accessory options.

There are no vendor opportunities at PDXWLF except for limited food vendors.

Lost and found items will be returned at the closest Info Booth during the festival. Outside of festival hours, contact [email protected] to inquire.

We are always looking for volunteers! Click here to find out more and sign up to help! If you are interested in participating as an artist, we will post the call for 2024 submissions in the summer of 2023.

Yes! The Willamette Light Brigade / Portland Winter Light Festival is a small non-profit organization. Our success is completely dependent on the generous support of our community.

Donations directly support the incredible art and design on display and the critical infrastructure needed to present a festival of this magnitude. Donations help keep the Portland Winter Light Festival free and accessible to all. All donations are tax-deductible and help ensure the festival continues to thrill and inspire. Click below to donate to support this dynamic free event. Support the festival here!

We listed some ideas below, but feel free to be creative and become part of the Festival experience!

Decorate yourself with lights
Donate to support the Festival
Join the Illuminated Bike Ride
Be a part of the Lantern Parade
Become a Volunteer
Tag us in your social posts IG @portlandwinterlightfestival and FB @pdxwlf
Use our hashtag #PDXWLF2023

Photograph of the Glow Cats art piece by Paige Tashner — Glow Cats by Paige Tashner. Photo by Amrik Kerketta

Hotel Partners

Thanks to the support of our generous Hotel Partners who help make PDXWLF a reality by hosting artists and installations, making contributions, and providing knowledgeable staff who can help you navigate PDXWLF 2023! Thank you!