BETTER CITIES AT NIGHT

The Willamette Light Brigade is a Portland-based nonprofit that enriches the public realm by harnessing the power of art and artful lighting to transform the cityscape. We light bridges, produce the dynamic Portland Winter Light Festival, and advocate for the importance of night-time identity and place-making using light and art.

ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE LIGHT BRIGADE

The Willamette Light Brigade was founded in 1988 with a mission to enhance and beautify the city of Portland by lighting the bridges that span the Willamette River and therefore uniting the East and West sides of the city. Over the last four decades, Willamette Light Brigade volunteers have successfully advocated for and facilitated the lighting of many of Portland’s iconic bridges. The WLB continues to be part of long term planning for the bridges in the city of Portland.

In 2015, The Willamette Light Brigade founded the Portland Winter Light Festival in an effort to propel forward its mission of connecting community and enriching the public realm through artful lighting. The light-based art and technology event continues to be a beloved annual winter event that is presented for free to the public each February, and provides significant economic and cultural stimulation to Portland during the darkest time of year. 

Light the Morrison Bridge

Peak Spring Bird Migration
Lesbian Visibility Week
Portland Fire & Rescue
The Make-A-Wish Foundation's World Wish Day
Portland Fire & Rescue
American Lung Association
World Lupus Awareness Day
American Lung Association
We miss you Karrah Russakov
Go Timbers!
Children’s Tumor Foundation
Pride
National Gun Violence Awareness Day
ZETA PHI BETA SORORITY
100th Anniversary of Scouting in NW Oregon & SW Washington
Prevent Child Abuse America National Conference in Portland
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Donate Life Month
Honoring those with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Dates of Availability

Are you one of the thousands of residents and visitors who enjoy the LED lights on the piers of the Morrison Bridge? Want to put your colors up there? To have your say in lights on the community’s riverfront? Thanks to the enthusiastic leadership of Multnomah County, the Lighting Partner program exists so you can do just that.

Please submit an application to reserve your dates today!

Announcing the new Seasonal Bridge Lighting Program!

Starting in Fall 2024, the Morrison Bridge shines on nights not reserved by community members in colors that reflect the changing seasons of the Pacific Northwest.

Dates of Availability

UPCOMING BRIDGE LIGHTINGS

Peak Spring Bird Migration

Bird Alliance of Oregon works to inspire people to protect birds and the natural world, building a community dedicated to creating a sustainable future for all life. Our seasonal Lights Out campaign highlights Peak Migration, when artificial lights can draw birds off course while flying at night.

Lesbian Visibility Week

The Sports Bra opened in April 2022 and is the world’s first sports bar 100% dedicated to women’s sports. Founder and CEO, Jenny Nguyen's inspiration came from her desire for a space where she and her LGBTQ+ friends could come together and cheer on their favorite women athletes.

Portland Fire & Rescue

This request is in hopes of honoring fallen firefighters across the country. We have 78 members of PF&R who have given their lives in service to the city and unfortunately we are adding names locally and nationally all the time. Thus effort is in hopes of a nationwide honoring.

Our Partners