Disclosed is a compact portable light tower that can be stacked or nested. The light tower employs a scissors lift mechanism to raise a set of bar lights from a housing having a height of about 28″ and a length of about 60″, to an extended height of about 360″. The scissors lift is extended and retracted by use of a linear actuator. Batteries or an engine/generator assembly is employed for operation of the actuator and light bar. The housing can be stacked for ease of storage and transportation. Outriggers provide stabilization of ground engagement.