For nine nights this February, the streets of Portland were full of brilliant art, cozy moments, and community joy. Thousands of Portlanders took the opportunity to dine, shop, and explore downtown for the Portland Winter Light Festival and the Portland Staycation: Winter Edition. Friends, families, and loved ones braved the chilly winter nights to experience radiant art displays and performances in our very own downtown Portland.
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe was proud to sponsor both the Portland Winter Light Festival (PWLF) and Portland Staycation: Winter Edition. PWLF ran from February 6-14 this year, and the Portland Staycation took place on the two festival weekends: February 6-8 and 13-15.
The Events
From Blazers and Winterhawks games, a newly renovated Portland Art Museum, Valentines Day tango dancing, Chinese New Years events, Pippin the musical, and special offers from over two dozen Portland restaurants, eateries, and bars, the Portland Staycation offered countless ways for visitors to explore, connect, and celebrate downtown.
This year’s PWLF featured over 200 unique art installations, events, and performances. The Morrison Bridge was lit up with iconic colorful lights, 28-foot dandelion light sculptures towered on the southwest waterfront, and a giant sparkling illuminated cuttlefish perched on top of the Salmon Street Fountain.
The Data
The surge in foot traffic from the Portland Staycation and the PWLF was incredible. The first weekend of February saw 222,788 visitors, representing a 10.7% increase from 2025 and a 91% recovery from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The Little Luminary Lantern Workshop
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe hosted our very own event at this year’s Portland Winter Light Festival: the Little Luminary Lantern Workshop! Kids and families gathered at The Judy to craft and decorate their own glowing paper lanterns. When everyone had designed their perfect lantern, we set off on a magical, luminous adventure through downtown, ending at Director Park.
The workshop was so much fun, and we would like to thank everyone who participated!
View photos from our workshop below.
