Ipswich Illumination is a celebration of beauty and community featuring interactive art installations, live music, poetry, projections, 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
The 2026 annual Ipswich Illumination will be held on the following dates:
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Oct. 9, 10, & 11 at Meeting House Green at the top of Town Hill
- Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17 at the downtown Ipswich River Walk, 4 Union Street
- Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 pm Ipswich Town Wharf Labor in Vain Challenge
- 2:00-4:00 pm Closing Ceremonies at Pavilion Beach
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
- Weights & Measures unveiling 5:15 – 5:30 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
- 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
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.
7:00 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.”
Spirits: True North, 1634 Meadery, and Ipswich Ale.
Food: To be announced
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 Zagorella. Bring curiosities to Show and Tell. Open mike. Location: Fellowship Hall of the Ipswich Community House.
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 SoundBath at the Ipswich Meeting House/Methodist Church. Deep Rest.
Illumination Weekend Two: October 16 & 17
Downtown at the Ipswich River, 4 Union Street
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
- 5:25 pm – 5:55 pm: Ipswich Community Band performing “Summer Stars” at the Alan Pearsall’s Ipswich History Mural on the Riverwalk
- 5:56 pm: Herald by Julian Jnorogi
- 5:59 pm: Evening SunSet Illumination Archers Carlos, Kara & Junko
- 6:00 – 9:00 pm: Orville Giddings Band on the Ipswich Illumination Main Stage
Saturday October 17
- 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: Mama Mia music medley by the IHS Theater Department cast & crew, in front of the Riverwalk Mural by Alan Pearsall.
- 6:10 – 9:00 pm: Bottles & Cans on the Ipswich Illumination Main Stage behind Zumis.
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
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 & Public: No registration required. The Win is to arrive 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
- Beach BonFire
- OmDrum Circle
- Ocean Plunge
- ColorBlast
- Let’s Sauna Barrel Sauna
8:00 pm: 23MICROCINE Presents:The Thomas Crown Affair
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.
6 to 8 pm, Friday, October 23
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.
- Time and place: 6 to 8 pm at the Take Out Terrace Truss & Stage, 4 Union Street
Scenes from Bygone Illuminations
Thanks to Kerrie Bates for all the hard work she does putting together the annual Illumination.
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!
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.