The Portland Winter Light Festival is a family-friendly city-wide event that brings residents and visitors out to explore free digital and light-based artwork and performances each February. The Festival has grown ninefold since its inception and saw an attendance of 274,000 in February 2024. It presented 159 free public art installations and 52 free performances showcasing the creative work of 417 artists and performers.
The call for participation for PDXWLF 2025 is now open, and submissions are welcome from all creatives and community members who wish to contribute to the 10th-anniversary celebration. This is an opportunity to showcase innovative light-based art installations and performances, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate light and community. The call for participation can be found at pdxwlf.com.
“The Light Festival, like no other, galvanizes the public around art, creativity, and community,” says Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director of the Willamette Light Brigade, the nonprofit arts organization responsible for PDXWLF. “This year we celebrate our 10th anniversary and how art, particularly accessible, playful, light-based art, can lead to positive invigoration for Portland in the winter when we need it most.”
The Portland Winter Light Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience cutting-edge tech-based art installations in public spaces for free. The vibrant event drives late winter tourism and engagement, contributing an estimated economic impact of $10 million in 2024.
As a not-for-profit, PDXWLF receives crucial support from individual donors and supporters such as Presenting Sponsor Portland General Electric, Prosper Portland’s Office of Events & Film, Travel Portland, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Google, Alaska Airlines, and more. Sponsors ensure the festival remains free for all to attend.