2026 Ipswich Illumination

2026 Ipswich Illumination

Ipswich Illumination is a celebration of beauty and community featuring interactive art installations, live music, poetry, projections, and bonfires in our historic downtown. Special thanks to our musician friends, content creators, performers, bonfire tenders, and the Town & people of Ipswich, Massachusetts.

2026 Ipswich Season of Illumination

This is the full schedule. Some events were rescheduled or canceled because of weather.

Download the 2026 Ipswich Illumination Schedule as PDF

Friday – Sunday, October 2, 3, & 4

40th Annual Ipswich Cultural Council Art Show & Sale


Location: Ipswich Town Hall Gym & Stage, 25 Green Street, Ipswich

Exhibit Hours:

  • Friday, October 2, 5:00–9:00 PM
    • Opening Reception begins at 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, October 3, 12:00–5:00 PM
  • Sunday, October 4, 12:00–4:00 PM

The Annual Ipswich Cultural Council (ICC) Art Show & Sale showcases local artists and raises funds for the ICC, which in turn funds Ipswich community arts and humanities grants.

Friday, October 2: Weights & Measures

5:15 – 5:30 pm: The official unveiling of the recently restored Ipswich Town Scales will occur during the Annual art show & sale on the first floor of the Ipswich Town Hall. In 1847, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts contracted with Howard & Davis of Boston to manufacture and distribute to every town in Massachusetts a precision equal-arm balance scale with brass standard weights, and a large wooden cabinet. The Ipswich cabinet & scales were restored by Gordon Harris, who will share their fascinating history, along with Ipswich Select Person Michael Dougherty.

Illumination Weekend One: October 9, 10, & 11

Meeting House Green at the top of Town Hill, celebrating Civility, Multiculturalism & Color!

ON~GLOWING Installations

Pieces of Light by Gina Tzizik 
High Spirits at Ipswich Illumination
  • Pieces of Light by Gina Tzizik 
  • KaleidoLive, a real-time kaleidoscopic projection, #ProjectProject in collaboration with ICAM.
  • High Spirits Robin Eggs, Crystals & Rainbows
  • StereoOptics, Truth is Multi~Faceted: See in 3D; 19th-century dual-lens stereoscopic cards captured three-dimensional views of New England, turning flat landscapes into deep, tangible views. Dan Lovy Photography

Friday, October 9, 2026

5:45–6:14 pm: Hear Ye, Here Ye! Poetry by Pete McDade on the Ipswich Public Library front steps, 25 N. Main Street

6:14: Sunset Ringing of the Bells at North Green at the top of Town Hill

Nada Brahma Kirtan

6:15 – 7:00 pm: Nada Brahma Kirtan (Indian traditional call & response chanting meditation)

7: 00 pm: The Orchestra On the Hill presents “American Tapestry: The Cambodian Spirit,” a collaboration with Angkor Dance Troupe at the Ipswich Community House / Living Faith United Methodist Church on Meeting House Green. The Cambodian music is inspired by Arn Chorn-Pond. RESERVE FREE TICKETS.

7:30 pm: Ravi Sound Bath: Ravi Sirois is a local yogi and sound bath practitioner who leads GEM (Gong Enhanced Meditation) sound bath sessions and Kundalini yoga. Location: The Meeting House behind First Church.

2001: A Space Odyssey, 8 pm at the Takeout Terrace & Stage

2001: A Space Odyssey is presented by 23 Microcine, which is dedicated to bringing people together through thoughtfully curated cinema. We invite you to share an evening of film with us during Ipswich Illumination. Location: the Takeout Terrace & Stage, 4 Union Street.

Saturday, October 10, 2026 

1:00-3: 00 pm: Craft Supply Swap at the Ipswich Public Library, 25 N. Main Street. Give your used supplies a new home and pick up materials to try a new hobby for free.

2:00-3:45 pm: Ipswich Public Library Archives Open House with Heidi Horner. Lower floor of the Ipswich Public Library, 25 N. Main Street.

2:00-4:30 pm: The Light Between: Self-guided viewing of stained glass windows at Ascension Memorial Church at 31 County Street. Guided Tours (40 minutes) at 2 pm & 3:30 pm for an in-depth look at their history, artists, symbolism, and significance to Ascension. This remarkable collection is associated with some of the most important names in American stained-glass art, including John La Farge, Harry Eldredge Goodhue, Heaton, Butler & Bayne of London, and the Burnham studios. Created as works of art, faith, and remembrance, the windows also tell fascinating stories of the Ipswich families who commissioned them and the artists who helped shape the American stained-glass movement. Come discover the beauty and the stories hidden in plain sight inside one of Ipswich’s historic churches.

4:30: “HOLDING HUMANITY IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY”

4:30 pm: Presentation by Arn Chorn-Pond. No charge, but registration is required. Arn Chorn-Pond — musician, human rights advocate, and survivor of the Cambodian genocide — shares a deeply personal and inspiring message about the power of music, courage, and human connection. Through stories from his extraordinary life, Arn asks us to consider how we can hold onto our humanity, find hope, and care for one another in uncertain times.

5:30 pm: Traditional Cambodian Dinner hosted by Heart & Soul. Presented by The Orchestra on the Hill in collaboration with the Ipswich Public Library. $27 per person. The dinner will be in the Fellowship Hall of the Living Faith United Methodist Church / Ipswich Community House. Registration is limited to 100 persons. Register

Saturday Evening Music on the North Green

4:00-5:00 pm: Sound Bath with Ravi Sarois and Deep Rest Meditation at the Meeting House behind First Church.

5:00- 6:10 pm: Circles, Lines & Squares Family-Friendly Folk Dance with fiddle music by Egrets Only.

6:20 pm: Sunset Ringing of the Bells at North Green at the top of Town Hill

6:25 – 7:30 pm:  Cables & Lines is a trio of dynamic musicians crafting emotionally resonant music that blends rich harmonies with intricate guitar playing. Location: High Spirits

7:30- 9:00 pm: Music by Jah Spirit: The group blends an African-Reggae beat with elements of calypso jazz, blues, and rock. “Together we Aspire, Together we Achieve.”

Jah Spirit

First Weekend Food & Beverages

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10

  • 1634 Meadery
  • Ipswich Ale Tap Truck.
  • Ascension Church serving from 1:30 to 6:00pm unless food runs out.
  • Ipswich Inn serving award-winning chowder
  • 1:30-6:30 pm: Marley Eats at Ascension Church
  • Heart & Soul ticketed event with Cambodian food

SUNDAY OCTOBER 11

  • Sandpiper Bakery is extending hours of operation, serving until 4pm

Sunday, October 11: Meeting House Green

1:00 – 4:00 pm: Music with Labor In Vain Band

1:00–1:30 p.m. — Introduction to Self-Defense with Tashi Deb Mahoney, with the students performing brief “flash-mob” demonstrations as opportunities arise throughout Illumination, at Meeting House Green, top of Town Hill.

1:00 – 4:00 pm: Neighborhood Yard Sale, Meeting House Green, North Main, High, East, & Summer Streets. Brown Paper Grab Bags: 50¢ Curiosity Bag, $1 Mystery Artifact, $5 Treasure Trove at Meeting House Green, top of Town Hill.

1:00 – 5:00 pm: Healing & Well-Being Gathering. Come as you are and join us for an informal gathering featuring local resources that support healing, well-being, connection, and recovery. Meet people and organizations from across our community offering support, practices, programs, and opportunities for strengthening body, mind, and spirit. Whether you’re mapping out your winter routine, looking for support, or simply curious about what’s available in our community, come as you are at Meeting House Green, top of Town Hill.

4:00-6:00 pm: Curiosities with Master of Ceremonies Kerry Zagarella. Bring curiosities to Show and Tell. Open mike. As you shop today, think about what lures you to buy an item. What makes others “trash” your treasure? What life lingers inside of the objects we love? Join Kerry Zagarella as she explores the power of inanimate objects in a short performance, followed by an open mic. Open mic participants will have 3-5 minutes to share their treasure and why they bought it, or choose an item from our curated Curiosities table to talk about. Open mic time and format will depend on the number of participants. Come tell us your story and hear others share theirs! Location: Fellowship Hall of the Ipswich Community House (Methodist Church)

4:15–4:45 p.m. — Martial Arts Demonstration led by Tashi Mark Warner, bringing the energy, excitement, and spirit of Kung Fu to this community celebration. Location: Meeting House Green, top of Town Hill.

6:06 pm: Sunset Ringing of the Bells at North Green at the top of Town Hill

Choose your adventure:

6:10 pm: An Evening Lantern Walking Tour, Ipswich History through the Darkness of the Night. The Town of Ipswich Planner Director Alan Manoian will be your Local Heritage Lantern Tour Guide. Stroll together to look, hear, and walk through local architecture, legends, tales, stories, and curiosities of Ipswich at Night! Meet at the Devil’s Footprint on the rocks beside First Church on the Meeting House Green.

6:10 pm: CozyUp Story Time; Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams at the Ipswich Community House Fellowship Hall: Recording by Merril Streep with music by George Winston.

6:10 pm: Ravi Deep Rest SoundBath at the Meeting House on Meeting House Lane behind First Church.

Illumination Weekend Two: October 16 & 17

Downtown at the Ipswich River, 4 Union Street

Bonfires on the Ipswich River by the Riverwalk

OnGlowing Installations along the Downtown Riverwalk 

  • Hall-Haskell House Artist in Residence: Brett Gamache, a plein air landscape painter from Ipswich. He holds an MFA from UNH and a BFA from MassArt.
  • A Flock of Seagulls 
  • Ipsy the Dragon
  • ShadowDance
  • KalidoLive 

Friday, October 16 at the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural & Take-Out Terrace

Archers at the Ipswich Illumination
Archers Carlos Segura and Kara Mears send flames aloft as bonfires are lit on the Ipswich River. Photo by Coco McCabe

Saturday October 17

3:45 pm: Reading of “No Dragons for Tea” in front of the History Mural on the Ipswich downtown Riverwalk

Chuck & the Players

4:00 pm -5:50 pm: Chuck & the Players on the Ipswich Illumination Main Stage behind Zumis

5:55 pm: Herald by Julian Jnorogi

5:57 pm: Sunset Illumination with Archers Carlos & Kara Junko

6:00 pm: Yodeler Jared Mason

May, 2016 Mama Mia presentation by the IHS Theater Department

6:02 pm: Mamma Mia Music Medley

6:10 – 9:00 pm: Bottles & Cans on the Ipswich Illumination Main Stage behind Zumis.

Bottles & Cans

IHS Robotics Team 5459 will demonstrate their robots in the EBSCO parking lot adjoining the Take-Out Terrace.

Sunday, October 18: Town Wharf & Pavilion Beach

The 2026 Labor in Vain Challenge

2:00-4:00 pm: The Labor-In-Vain Challenge

Put in at Town Wharf beginning at 2:00 pm and paddle against the incoming tide in time to arrive at Pavilion Beach by 4:00 pm for Ipswich Illumination Closing Ceremonies. The Labor-In-Vain Challenge is free and public: No registration required. The Win is to arrive at Pavilion Beach in time for Ipswich Illumination Closing Ceremonies from 4-6 pm. (High Tide is at 5:47 pm; Sunset is at 5:56 pm).

4:00 – 6:00 pm, Closing Ceremonies at Pavilion Beach

8:00 pm: 23MICROCINE Presents: The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair is a 1968 film starring Steve McQueen & Faye Dunaway, who is hired to investigate the culprits of a multi-million-dollar bank heist orchestrated by Thomas Crown (McQueen).
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards.

23MICROCINE is dedicated to bringing people together through thoughtfully curated cinema. We invite you to share an evening of film with us during Ipswich Illumination.

SECOND WEEKEND FOOD AND BEVERAGES

FRIDAY OCT 16

  • True North
  • 1634 Meadery
  • Hungry NoMAds
  • Beefy Boys

SATURDAY OCTOBER 18 

  • True North
  • 1634 Meadery
  • Beefy Boys

6 to 8 pm, Friday, October 23

GemJam

GemJam is a free public outdoor drum, dance & DJ event held on the 4th Friday of each month at the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural behind 4 Union Street.

Scenes from Bygone Illuminations

Screenshot

4 thoughts on “2026 Ipswich Illumination”

    1. Planning on coming to the November 1 event. A couple questions:

      1. Where can we park if the Town Wharf lot is full?
      2. Where is the best place to see the archers and bonfire boats?

      Thanks!

      1. The archers will be shooting from the Pedestrian Bridge by the dam on the first weekend.

        The second weekend will be at the wharf. If there is any parking there, it will be limited. You can park at the Town Hall on Green St. If that is full, there is also the Elm Street parking lot, and walk on Water St. to the Town Wharf.

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