Monday, August 20, 2012

Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Illumination Night

Illumination Night, Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard


If the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard aren't cute enough by day...



...the candy-confection cottages are lit up
one night each summer for Illumination Night.

This celebration is over a century old.



I wasn't able to attend myself but one the Urban Cottage roving photographers was
on the island to capture the event for you.

I'll shut up and let you enjoy this enchanting event.















Thanks to Cynthia for sharing her photos!
(Daytime photos are from Google image search)

If you would like to attend Illumination Night, it's typically held the third Wednesday of August.  I would probably start planning your vacation now as it's quite a popular event.

41 comments:

  1. so neat. I wonder about the history behind it...donna

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  2. Fun! I love Martha's Vineyard.

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  3. What fun . . . thanks for the pictures . . . bet it is a site to see!

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  4. I love Oak Bluffs. My personal preference...all those cottages in the daylight. They are just so quaint and quirky, not to mention beautiful! I'm not a big fan of them lit up at night light like that. I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to see it though :)
    am

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  5. I've never heard of it, but wow, it looks like a beautiful night to be on the island. Thanks for sharing it. I'd be in heaven if I owned one of those babies!

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  6. Never been to MV. It looks enchanting! What a lovely tradition, Illumination Night. Thanks for sharing, this is why I love blogs! Vicarious vacations :)

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  7. I've only been to MV once, and I (of course) fell in love with Oaks Bluff. If I went to Illumination night I'd probably never leave!

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  8. I was there the day before. I saw lots of lanterns hanging. no light. alas.

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  9. What a lovely event. Oh...I'd love to start that in my neighborhood.

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  10. I've heard of this...what a beautiful tradition...and everything looks wonderful in twinkle lights!

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  11. Love seeing this and yes it would be fun to start in our hoods wouldn't it.

    Oh those cottages.

    I can see I'm going have to take the ferry over next summer.

    xo Jane

    Apologize for any typos Gus tromping over keyboard as I write.

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  12. Simply beautiful! Many thanks to your friend for sharing the photos and to you for letting us have a glimpse of this lovely tradition. The lanterns seem to each have a story within themselves... would love to know!

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  13. I never knew of this until now, and goodness does it look amazing. Would love to go to Martha's Vineyard anyway. Now I really want to go!
    Camille

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  14. How FUN and Charming!! I s'pose people just mill around from house to house to house?

    Wonder what started it?

    Roving photographer....you HAVE hit the big time!

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  15. I haven't been to Martha's Vineyard in a very long time. What a good time Illumination Night must be.

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  16. Truly enchanting, just love those old cottages. Very fairy tale like. Would love to know the history behind this illumination night, it is a wonderful tradition! x

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  17. I just love Martha's Vineyard..this makes me crave to go. BUT...when I saw those Chinese lanterns...BINGO..now I know what light fixture I want in my art loft..perfect for the space!

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  18. wow this is awesome. what a fun night it must have been.

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  19. What a delightful event! I most loved the rows of rocking chairs for the watchees to view the watchers from. It's a lovely idea for any party decoration really..

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  20. What a lovely tradition! One gets the sense that all the different lanterns are lovingly collected over the years with a special eye for variety.

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  21. Wow, that just brought back a memory I had long forgotten! When we were little kids, me and my sister took part in a "Lighted Lantern" parade and this post made me recall it again. Thanks for the flashback. :)
    Nice post!

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  22. How fun! Hope to visit some day...

    Terri

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  23. Nuts! We were just out on Martha's Vineyard but missed this event. It looks like so much fun and will definitely plan better nex year.

    XX
    Debra~

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  24. We ALL NEED more ILLUMINATION! franki

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  25. I've never been to MV's Illumination night but Ocean Park in Old Orchard Beach, Maine also has an annual Illumination Night ritual that began in the 1800's, and it's beautiful, I've been many times! You should pop up some year!

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  26. Enchanting indeed...and good for the business person who sells Chinese lanterns.
    Best...Victoria

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  27. Lovely both in daylight and dark. Some of the lanterns look very covetable.

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  28. Enchanting indeed! I love poking around this area when I'm visiting the Vineyard but have never been to Illumination night. Beautiful photos. Thanks Cynthia & Steve!

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  29. What a festive and fabulous tradition! I love it when neighbors, neighborhoods, villages, and towns come together to celebrate. Thanks, Steve, for posting this. And many thanks to Cynthia for her photos!
    Cheers from DC,
    Loi

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  30. I love this. I've always wanted to go, and had heard that the night is not planned very far in advance and it's kind of spontaneous. Maybe it's changed. Very delightful.

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  31. I've been 4 times and it is magical. It's fun to watch the preparation during the daytime and the at night it's a different world.

    I highly recommend attending Illumination Night.

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  32. So cool, Steve. Thanks for sharing. I just love the lanterns.

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  33. I was on Martha's V. last week and loved it. I did not want to leave. Thanks for sharing the great images.
    pve

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  34. Just saw one of those cute Victorians on Zillow for only $320K. In college, I lived right near the beach in Rhode Island and loved the winters. I wonder how harsh it would be on MV in winter.
    Ginny
    Boulder, CO

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  35. Unreal. I wonder how all this got started. On to Google to find out.

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