Martha's Vineyard Illumination Night
Grand Illumination Night has been a summer staple on Martha's Vineyard since 1869, when the first event was held in honor of the visiting governor of Massachsuetts. After sundown on the third Wednesday in August, lanterns of all kinds cast a magical glow over the charming gingerbread cottages at the Martha's Vineyard Camp Ground.
In 2021, Illumination Night will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 18. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle with an introduction and the Vineyard Haven Band. Piano duets and a community sing follow, featuring favorites such as the Star Spangled Banner and In the Gold Old Summer Time.
At 8:30 p.m. house lights will go out and the first lantern will be lit by the honorary lamp lighter. At 8:45 p.m. the band concert begins as the crowd is invited to stroll through the enchanted scene.
Between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. church chimes announce the end of festivities.
The Grand Illumination is a free-will offering event, with guests encouraged to donate what they can. The camp meeting association is a nonprofit organization. For more information visit mvcma.org.
Illumination Night Stories
The Oak Bluffs fireworks will be cancelled this year due to the pandemic, the town firemen’s civic association said late Wednesday.
On Wednesday evening the Grand Illumination started the same way it has for 150 years — with a community sing.
With Illumination Night, the Agricultural Fair and Oak Bluffs fireworks all on the docket, this week marks the high point of traditional summer events on Martha’s Vineyard. It all begins at sundown... Read more
The Martha’s Vineyard Camp Ground celebrated its 49th annual Grand Illumination Night on Wednesday.
At sundown the gingerbread houses of the Camp Ground will glow with the light of thousands of lanterns, part of a summertime tradition in Oak Bluffs.
Illumination, the Agricultural Fair, the Oak Bluffs Fireworks, it’s all happening this coming week, the end of summer bonanza that keeps on giving.