Last Saturday, Matt and I went to the Portland Winter Light Festival. I hadn’t been before and didn’t know what to expect. My takeaway: A nighttime Maker Faire meant to cheer you up in the dead of winter. There are installations spread around Portland, but we went to just a couple locations. Tonight is the final night for this year.

World Trade Center

There were many fun and interactive exhibits here, both inside and out. This is just a small subset.

Auto-generated description: People gather in a vibrant outdoor space with colorful purple and blue lighting, featuring art installations and illuminated decorations. Auto-generated description: A glowing, tall artificial flower with bright petals and three round leaves is illuminated in a dark room. Auto-generated description: A colorful, geometric light installation with swirling patterns and concentric circles is on display in a dimly lit indoor space. Auto-generated description: A decorative, illuminated structure with colorful lights stands near a modern glass building at dusk.

The dragon on the south waterfront was very cool. The fire was hot from where we were standing, I wouldn’t want to be standing right underneath it.

Auto-generated description: A large, illuminated dragon sculpture breathes fire in front of a crowd at night, with decorated trees and a bright fireball in the sky. Auto-generated description: A vibrant, illuminated dragon sculpture is set against a dark, wooded background.

Pioneer Courthouse Square

This was probably my favorite installation. The lights subtly changed colors. Auto-generated description: People are gathered around brightly lit, colorful artificial trees at a night event.

A water scene projected onto a large building over a forest made of light. A large art installation with flames in the center but with lights that changed in time with music.

I love the community spirit in Portland. I didn’t take any good photos of individual costumes, but people are lovely and creative.

Auto-generated description: A large crowd gathers in a brightly lit urban square at night, surrounded by tall buildings and festive lighting. Auto-generated description: A child wearing a winter hat sits on someone's shoulders, watching a performance with flame jugglers at an outdoor event.

Another display here was a door that had a different scene behind it every time you opened it. Sometimes you were looking at a beautiful nebula and other times, there was a dinosaur running at you. My photos didn’t do it justice though.

Creativity, color, fire AND community. What’s not to love?