Waterfront Blues Festival & School of Rock
Lighting Up the Night
The Portland Winter Light Festival doesn’t just glow—it grooves.
On February 13 and 14, the Festival’s closing weekend comes alive with live music at World Trade Center Plaza, where we block off the street, roll out the lights, and turn the city into an open-air concert experience. This is a special pocket of the Festival—where sound, light, and community collide and hit you in a whole different way.
At the heart of it all is SoundsTruck NW, returning for its third year at PDXWLF with a stage that’s as innovative as the artists who step onto it.
A Stage That Moves With the City
SoundsTruck NW is a reimagined concert experience built for flexibility, access, and resilience. The fully portable stage runs entirely on rechargeable solar power, making it off-the-grid and ready to deliver powerful outdoor concerts wherever the city needs them.
With built-in, meticulously curated audio and visual systems, SoundsTruck NW unfolds and becomes performance-ready in moments—bringing high-quality live music to public spaces and inviting everyone to gather, listen, and connect.
This shared commitment to accessibility and creative expression is why SoundsTruck NW has become such a natural fit for the Festival year after year.
A Collaboration That Keeps Portland Moving
This year’s lineup continues a meaningful collaboration with the Waterfront Blues Festival, a partnership rooted in a shared belief: live music belongs in the streets, in the community, and in moments that bring people together.
That collaboration also bridges seasons. While PDXWLF lights up winter nights, Waterfront Blues Festival fuels summer joy—and together, they help keep Portland vibrant year-round.
Friday, February 13: Soul, Blues & Americana Under the Lights
6:00 PM – Arietta Ward & Peter Knudsen
A powerful blues and soul collaboration kicks off the evening. Arietta Ward—known lovingly as Mz. Etta—is a cornerstone of Portland’s music scene, carrying forward a deep musical legacy with heart and grit. Joined by multi-instrumentalist Peter Knudsen, their set blends soul, groove, and undeniable chemistry.
7:15 PM – Lilla
Portland-born and globally traveled, Lilla brings a genre-blending sound rooted in soul, R&B, jazz, funk, and storytelling. Her music uplifts, empowers, and connects—and under the Festival lights, it hits especially deep.
8:45 PM – Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters
Closing out Friday night in partnership with the Waterfront Blues Festival, Ashleigh Flynn & The Riveters turn up the energy with foot-stomping Americana rock. Known for fearless musicianship and high-octane live shows, the all-female band delivers songs built on joy, connection, and letting love lead.
Saturday, February 14: New Voices, New Energy
Saturday night marks a Festival first as we welcome School of Rock Portland to the SoundsTruck NW stage.
6:00 PM & 7:30 PM – School of Rock
Two different student acts take the spotlight, showcasing what performance-based music education looks like in action. School of Rock Portland’s House Band program gives young musicians real-world stage experience, building confidence, skill, and community through live performance. It’s loud, joyful, and exactly what the Festival is about: creating space for the next generation to shine.
Later That Night – River City Riot! Brass Band
Bringing the closing energy, River City Riot! Brass Band transforms the plaza into a full-on New Orleans–style street party. Funk, soul, second-line grooves, and pure movement, this is music that refuses to be ignored and practically demands you dance.
Music That Brings Us Together
SoundsTruck NW exists to expand access to the performing arts—and at the Portland Winter Light Festival, that mission comes to life in real time. Free, family-friendly concerts. Diverse genres. Shared space. No barriers.
As the lights glow and the music fills the street, this final weekend reminds us what the Festival is really about: transforming our city into a vibrant canvas through creative expressionand reinvigorating Portland year-round.
Come for the lights. Stay for the music. Leave feeling lit up in a whole new way.
A community-powered event
Thanks to support from individuals like you- families, local businesses, art-lovers, community partners and sponsors, the Light Festival exists.
Contributions help:
- Present over 250 FREE light-based art installations and performances citywide
- Support emerging and established artists with stipends and production resources
- Activate public spaces, small businesses and vacant storefronts during winter
- Create inclusive, family-friendly experiences that welcome people of all ages
Keep the Lights On & the Art Alive – Support the Festival!
