PORTLAND, Ore. – More than 100 fans armed with lightsabers and dressed in cosplay descended on the Lloyd Center ice rink Friday night for the debut of “Lightsabers on Ice.” The after-hours event combined skating, music, costumes, and Star Wars fandom inside a mostly empty mall, offering an experience unlike any other in Portland.
A New Twist on Ice Skating
The event, hosted by Legion Sabers in partnership with Docking Bay 45, gave attendees the chance to skate in costume while wielding glowing lightsabers. With the rink illuminated by LED sabers and the beat of electronic dance music from live DJs, participants twirled, dueled, and posed for photos in an atmosphere part comic convention, part dance party.
“You come on the ice to wield a lightsaber,” said Matt Morrison, owner of Legion Sabers. “You can just spin around and enjoy the EDM music. We’ve got some killer house DJs here.”
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Comic Con After-Party
Friday’s event also served as the official after-party for Rose City Comic Con, drawing both convention-goers and casual fans. Many attendees wore elaborate cosplay outfits, ranging from Star Wars characters to other pop culture favorites, making the rink feel like a skating cantina.
But organizers emphasized that this won’t be a one-time spectacle. The next themed event is already scheduled for Halloween night, October 31, from 8 to 10 p.m. Future dates include November 21 and December 12, with more monthly events planned “as long as Lloyd Center is open,” Morrison said.
Food, Magic, and Prizes
The first “Lightsabers on Ice” offered more than just skating. Lorell’s Chicken Shack, a Lloyd Center food court favorite, stayed open late to feed hungry skaters.
Meanwhile, illusionist Mark Benthimer from the All American Magic Theater performed a special show on the ice, adding to the festive atmosphere. Attendees were also entered into raffles for Star Wars-themed prizes, including lightsabers and licensed blankets provided by Oregon-based company Sackcloth & Ashes.
Local Businesses at the Center
The event spotlighted quirky, independent businesses still operating inside Lloyd Center, a mall that has been in transition for several years. Docking Bay 45, located next to the rink, is a 3,000-square-foot Star Wars-inspired immersive shopping space offering cosplay gear, collectible sabers, and even lightsaber fighting classes.
While Lloyd Center’s future remains uncertain, events like this show how local tenants are finding creative ways to draw people back to the mall.
Lloyd Center’s Uncertain Future
The Nordstrom department store at the mall is currently being demolished to make way for a future music venue, but the rest of the shopping center remains intact. Mall owners have said the site will stay open through at least the 2025 holiday season, though redevelopment plans loom in the background.
For Morrison and his team, the uncertainty hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. “As long as the Lloyd Center is open, we’ll keep bringing people together on the ice,” he said.
Tickets and Participation
Tickets for upcoming “Lightsabers on Ice” events cost $20 for individuals or $30 for two people, and include skate rentals. Attendees can bring their own lightsabers, borrow one, or purchase one from Docking Bay 45.
Fans can learn more and purchase tickets at legionsabers.com/party.
A Community-Building Event
For Portland’s cosplay and fandom communities, “Lightsabers on Ice” offers a unique mix of performance, fun, and community-building. It transforms the rink into a glowing spectacle where fans of all ages can channel their inner Jedi—or Sith—while enjoying one of the city’s most iconic yet evolving spaces.
As the mall’s long-term fate hangs in the balance, events like these highlight the creativity and resilience of Portland’s fan community, proving that even in uncertain times, the force is strong at Lloyd Center.
