Portland’s event calendar for Feb. 4–10, 2026: lights, film, civics and live jazz

A week of public festivals, screenings and performances across Portland

Portland’s cultural calendar for Feb. 4–10, 2026, spans hands-on crafting, film programming that explores new production tools, a citywide light-art festival, a civic engagement fair, and a headline jazz performance.

Feb. 4: Craft night in downtown and a film showcase on SE Division

On Wednesday, Feb. 4, Ravens Manor (235 SW 1st Ave.) schedules “Crafterdark” at 8 p.m., a ticketed, 21-and-over craft event hosted by local maker Amy Mothercraft. Organizers describe the evening as a themed workshop centered on repurposing Valentine-related materials, with admission listed at $27.

Later that night, Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St.) hosts “MIXED* — A Hybrid Film Showcase.” Doors are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with the program at 7 p.m. Tickets are listed at $15. The event format combines curated short-film screenings with a live panel discussion and a post-show mixer. The program is framed as a forum for exploring how traditional filmmaking and generative AI techniques are increasingly intersecting in creative work.

Feb. 5: A free screening of a landmark film

On Thursday, Feb. 5, Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St.) lists a 7 p.m. screening of Black Girl (1966), with free admission. The theater’s calendar notes the showing is supported by the Regional Arts & Culture Council. The film, directed by Ousmane Sembène, is widely regarded as a foundational work in African cinema and is frequently taught in film studies for its depiction of power, labor and postcolonial identity.

Feb. 6–14: Portland Winter Light Festival begins, with anchor sites and transit details

The Portland Winter Light Festival opens Friday, Feb. 6, running through Saturday, Feb. 14. Organizers list typical festival hours as 6–10 p.m. and describe the festival as free and citywide, featuring more than 200 light-based installations and events. Anchor areas are identified as Pioneer Courthouse Square, the World Trade Center, and the Electric Blocks (SE 2nd and Clay), alongside additional sites across downtown, the Central Eastside and neighborhood corridors.

Festival planning information also notes that Portland Streetcar service is scheduled to be free after 5 p.m. on Feb. 6, 7, 13 and 14, aligning with the festival’s busiest evenings.

Feb. 7: Civic action fair at Benson High

On Saturday, Feb. 7, Benson Polytechnic High School (546 NE 12th Ave.) is slated to host “Neighbors for Change,” a civic action fair scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is advertised as free and family-friendly, with participating grassroots and mutual-aid groups, plus workshops on de-escalation, lawful protest, community resilience and civic education. Activities listed include live performances, art installations and a KidZone.

Feb. 9–10: Northwest history in Troutdale and a major jazz booking in NE Portland

On Monday, Feb. 9, McMenamins Edgefield’s Blackberry Hall in Troutdale (2126 SW Halsey St.) schedules a “History Pub” program titled “A Man Called York,” with doors at 6 p.m. and the talk at 7 p.m. Admission is listed at $5 and open to all ages. The presentation focuses on York—an enslaved man who traveled with the Lewis and Clark expedition from 1803 to 1806—and is scheduled to be delivered by Oregon Black Pioneers executive director Zachary Stocks.

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, Alberta Rose Theatre (3000 NE Alberta St.) lists vocalist and composer Cécile McLorin Salvant at 8 p.m., with doors at 7 p.m., presented by PDX Jazz. The listing describes the performance as centered on Oh Snap, a suite of original songs developed using a computer-based music setup, marking a shift toward electronic textures alongside Salvant’s established jazz approach.

• Dates covered: Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
• Most events are indoors; the Winter Light Festival is primarily outdoors during evening hours
• Several listings note free admission, but others require tickets; age restrictions vary by venue

Tip for festivalgoers: Winter Light Festival sites are spread across downtown and the Central Eastside, so transit planning can be as important as the art itinerary.