The Town and people of Ipswich, Massachusetts are proud to present Ipswich Illumination 2024, a celebration of beauty & community. Now in its 15th year, Ipswich Illumination features a collection of interactive art installations, live music, poetry, projection, bonfires, and more along the Ipswich River.
Each evening, Bonfires will blaze on the Ipswich River, which runs through the heart of our downtown & community. Bonfires will be lit at sunset by flaming arrows from the bow of internationally celebrated archer Carlos Segura. Enjoy installations and performances on the first weekend at the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural, and on the second weekend at the Green Street Bridge, Water Street, and the Town Wharf. Food, & drink are available for purchase on all four nights. Special thanks to all of our musician friends, content creators, performers, the bonfire tenders, and of course the Town & people of Ipswich, Massachusetts.
Parking: Residents are encouraged to arrive on foot, bike, kayak, or canoe. Parking is available at the Hammatt Street Lot, MBTA Lot, and EBSCO Lot at Saltonstall Street.
Ipswich Cultural Council Art Show
Weekend One, October 11-12, 2024:
Downtown Riverwalk & Takeout Terrace
Light up the night with the Play is the Way team, Melissa Bilo, Julie Doyle, and Kerry Zagarella, and create a paper cup lantern! These veteran early childhood educators are firm believers in the power of play and community!
Our mission is to promote the critical importance of play in children’s lives. We strive to create programs that utilize the various types of play to support brain development and lay a strong foundation for the social and emotional well-being of young children.
Sign up to help with the bonfires. Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Or email Carla Villa at carlaevilla@gmail.com
“Afterglow”— the Teen Exclusive at The Lounge—will occur late in the evening, after the main event, a let-down-your-guard-gathering around an outdoor campfire. With the night sky above, the river running by, and fire at the center, the focussed theme for “Afterglow” encourages teens to tune their senses to what lies at the center of their lives, beneath all the layers. Is there something trustworthy and helpful, as seen in “Afterglow”? Simply being by the campfire to ponder such notions will be fun.
A Nautical Night, Maritime Music
Northshore Concert Band, Conductor David L. Benjamin
3:30 – 5pm, Saturday, October 26 at the Town Wharf
- “Star Spangled Banner”, Francis Scott Key/ Arr. Fillmore
- “Anchors Aweigh”, Miles/ Zimmerman, arr. Yoder
- Theme from “The Sea Hawk”, Korngold, arr. Tatgenhorst
- “Sea Songs”, R. Vaughn Williams
- Selections from “South Pacific”, Rodgers & Hammerstein, arr. Leidzen
- Selections from “Moana”, Miranda, arr. Bocook
- “Mickey Mouse March”, Dodd, arr. Moffitt
- “American Seamen Overture”, Michael Edwards
- The Perfect Storm, Warner Bros. motion picture “Coming Home From the Sea”, “Eternal Father Strong To Save”
- Theme from “The Love Boat”, Fox/ Williams, arr. Osterling
- “Sailor’s Hornpipe”, arr. Jim Carnow
- “Water Music Suite”, Handel, arr. H. Kay
- “Russian Sailors’ Dance” from “The Red Poppy” Gliere, transcribed Leidzen
- Fantasy on American Sailing Songs Clare Grundman
- “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid”, Ashman/Menken,
- “Rhapsody on An Old English Sea Song,” Stuart Johnson
- “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”, Vance/Pockriss, arr. Nelson
- “Stars & Stripes” (march), John Philip Sousa
Illumination Closing Ceremony Sunday, October 27
Photos from Friday evening, October 11
Historic Ipswich 