I love everything about the Portland Winter Light Festival: the creativity; the colorful lights on dark February nights; that it’s free. I’ve gone to the festival each year that I’ve lived in Portland — it was one of my first Portland wintertime city experiences, when it was just hosted outside OMSI — and I’m blown away every February. It’s a tradition I now continue as a parent, which gives me another reason to love the light festival — it’s family friendly.
This year, the festival is from February 6-14 and features more than 200 unique installations at locations throughout the city. Think displays, interactive works, sculptures, video projections, fire art and performances. The theme for 2026 is “All the Little Things,” exploring how even the smallest things can have a great impact.
Here’s how to explore the festival this year with kids.
Visit the Displays
The festivities happen at three main Portland sites: Pioneer Courthouse Square, World Trade Center Portland and the Electric Blocks. This trio of central city locations features all the good stuff: large interactive artworks and performances. But you can also find festival happenings at other sites including Portland State University (PSU), Director Park, the Waterfront Park, Ankeny Alley and Old Town. Pro tip: Although many installations can be enjoyed throughout the festival, most activities take place each on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6–7 and Feb 13–14 from 6–10 p.m. While the light installations are at their most dazzling at night, if you have a little one who’s in bed long before 10 pm, you can still check out the impressive displays during the day. This can be especially fun for kiddos who like to know how things work.
Make an evening of it by getting food before or after. Each of the three festival anchor sites will have food carts, and for adults, there’s the Glow Bar with a full bar, a lit dance floor and DJs.
Special Events
There’s a lot happening at the festival this year, which is another reason the festival is so great, you can customize your experience to what interests you and family most. You’ll find juggling; fire dancing; dance parties; live music; a roaming, illuminated art bus and so much more. Find the full line-up here. Pro tip: Be sure to double check event details before heading out; light installations can change!
Here are some of our favorite family finds:
Free Hot Cocoa
Swing by the glowing tent in the illuminated Portland State University blocks where you can grab a free hot cup of cocoa!
When: Feb 6-7 and Feb 13-14, from 6-8 pm
Make Some Bling
If you need a glow up, head to the Big Pink Lobby for Bling Your Thing for a LED necklace workshop. Festival artist Becca Priddy will help participants use laser cut acrylic parts, simple hardware, LEDs, to make a truly bling worthy necklace. Pro tip: Recommended for age 10 and up.
When: Feb. 7 and Feb 14 from 6-8 pm.
Glow-in-the-Dark Bike Ride
Decorate yourself and your bike for the Illuminated Bike Ride. Bikers will meet at Rose’s Equipment Supply parking lot in Southeast.
When: Feb 7. Meet at 6:30 pm; riders will get rolling by 7 pm.
Buckman Elementary Student Art
This collection is straight from the imaginations of Buckman Elementary’s SUN After School program. First through fifth grade students chose their own mediums to create art based on this year’s theme of All the Small Things.
When: Feb. 12, 6-9 pm
Make a Luminary Lantern, and Join a Parade
More festival crafting! Join festival artists at Northwest Children’s Theater’s The Judy for the Little Luminary Lantern Workshop and Procession (pictured above). Created for the littlest festival goers, families can make their very own lit paper lantern. And then show it off! After the workshop ends, gather for the Little Luminaries Procession through the illuminated South Park Blocks and Festival grounds, ending in Director Park.
When: Feb. 14; 5:45 pm for the lantern workshop; procession starts at about 6:15 pm.