Thursday, September 24, 2026 / Downtown Eugene
Downtown Eugene plans to glow Saturday night
The BRiGHT Parade loops from Eighth and Pearl, then hands the Park Blocks to aerial art, projection mapping, music and an arcade bus.
Downtown Eugene gets a moving light show Saturday. The free BRiGHT Parade begins at 7:30 p.m. at Eighth Avenue and Pearl Street, makes its loop with illuminated human- and electric-powered art, and returns to the same intersection about an hour later. This year's theme is "KINDNESS!"
The AfterParty runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Farmers Market Pavilion and Park Blocks. The official lineup includes aerial work, projection mapping, DJ Krista Basis, an arcade bus, a table-tennis court game called Pongoalin, food carts and the parade awards.
People who want to assemble their glow before the parade can stop at the Hult Center lobby beginning at 3 p.m. for face painting, light-up hat building and free signs while supplies last. The Hult garage is free for the event, and the lobby closes at 7. Rain is expected to clear Friday night, with a drier Saturday in the forecast.
Field notes
What changed: The 2026 BRiGHT Parade and AfterParty take over downtown Eugene on September 26 with a new KINDNESS theme and pre-parade activities.
Why it matters: It is a free, all-ages downtown event with a street route, evening crowd and transportation considerations.
Who may be affected: Families, artists, downtown visitors, nearby businesses and Saturday evening drivers.