In 2021, the
completely freeÂ
event will be the first in-person event to tiptoe back, a hopeful sign for the days and months ahead, even if this yearâs version wonât look much like its predecessors.Â
For starters, this yearâs eventâwhich
kicks off this coming Friday and Saturday
 from 6 to 10 p.m. and repeats on February 12â13, wonât be clustered around the Eastbank Esplanade and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. That area has traditionally been at its heart, resulting in molasses-slow, bundled-up crowds oohing and aahing at the often-interactive light installations positioned every few feet.Â
Instead, says Alisha Sullivan, the festivalâs director,