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Grand Illumination Night 2026

HomeGalleriesGrand Illumination Night 2026
← All galleries29 plates · photographed on Martha’s Vineyard

Grand Illumination Night 2026, August 19 in the Oak Bluffs campground: the sing filling the Tabernacle before dark, the first lanterns going up, and the porch-by-porch stroll that has closed the campground summer since 1869.

Read our complete Grand Illumination guide →
  • The 1879 Tabernacle glowing under its lanterns once the lighting beginsPlate 01The 1879 Tabernacle glowing under its lanterns once the lighting begins
  • Benches full before dark for the sing and the Community AwardPlate 02Benches full before dark for the sing and the Community Award
  • Porch by porch, every cottage its own constellation of lanternsPlate 03Porch by porch, every cottage its own constellation of lanterns
  • Paper umbrellas, lanterns and a bubble machine on one of the showpiece cottagesPlate 04Paper umbrellas, lanterns and a bubble machine on one of the showpiece cottages
  • Dusk in the campground: cottage gardens and a lantern waiting for darkPlate 05Dusk in the campground: cottage gardens and a lantern waiting for dark
  • The banner over the Tabernacle entrance: Grand Illumination tonightPlate 06The banner over the Tabernacle entrance: Grand Illumination tonight
  • This Little Light of Mine on the big screen as the sing warms upPlate 07This Little Light of Mine on the big screen as the sing warms up
  • The MV All Island Band on the Tabernacle stagePlate 08The MV All Island Band on the Tabernacle stage
  • MV All Island Band, written by hand on the timpaniPlate 09MV All Island Band, written by hand on the timpani
  • The full band under the wrought-iron roof before the lightingPlate 10The full band under the wrought-iron roof before the lighting
  • Lanterns lit above the bandstand as the music carries onPlate 11Lanterns lit above the bandstand as the music carries on
  • At the timpani between numbersPlate 12At the timpani between numbers
  • The conductor brings the woodwinds inPlate 13The conductor brings the woodwinds in
  • The Tabernacle ringed in lanterns after darkPlate 14The Tabernacle ringed in lanterns after dark
  • The Bell Buoy cottage, 1868, glowing on every levelPlate 15The Bell Buoy cottage, 1868, glowing on every level
  • Porch after porch down the row, each its own constellationPlate 16Porch after porch down the row, each its own constellation
  • Painted lanterns crowding a single porch beamPlate 17Painted lanterns crowding a single porch beam
  • Star lanterns over the 1867 doorwayPlate 18Star lanterns over the 1867 doorway
  • Parasols and painted globes on a balcony railPlate 19Parasols and painted globes on a balcony rail
  • An heirloom lantern with tassels, lit from withinPlate 20An heirloom lantern with tassels, lit from within
  • Chrysanthemum lantern detailPlate 21Chrysanthemum lantern detail
  • Globes in yellow, red and violet against the darkPlate 22Globes in yellow, red and violet against the dark
  • A hand-decorated lantern signed Svea and ChartPlate 23A hand-decorated lantern signed Svea and Chart
  • A hot-air balloon lantern among the globesPlate 24A hot-air balloon lantern among the globes
  • Red silk lanterns and parasols, a whole porch in one colorPlate 25Red silk lanterns and parasols, a whole porch in one color
  • Parasol and painted lantern, lit like a stage setPlate 26Parasol and painted lantern, lit like a stage set
  • Even the Beetle gets decorated: a car full of glowing lanternsPlate 27Even the Beetle gets decorated: a car full of glowing lanterns
  • The spirit spills into the harbor: a boat dressed in jellyfish lanternsPlate 28The spirit spills into the harbor: a boat dressed in jellyfish lanterns
  • Everyone becomes a broadcaster for one nightPlate 29Everyone becomes a broadcaster for one night

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