Plug your lights in, don your bike helmet, and hit your high notes for Somerville’s interactive Illuminations extravaganza. This year Illuminations includes self-guided car tours, a bike tour, porch caroling around town, and a community lantern project.

Once the official Illuminations map is live (December 9), folks can take self-guided tours of decked-out houses any time they like. So, whether you’re a business or a resident, time to deck the halls and plug things in. The map will also include locations for caroling (December 9 only) and community lantern installations (December 11 only).

Illuminations month will kick off on Thursday, December 9 (rain date December 11), with caroling around town. If you, your family, choir, or a group of friends, would like to sing a few Holiday numbers on your porch or driveway, you are invited to participate. Caroling will take place between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. (Please note: acoustic only outdoor vocal performances, or with one or two classical instruments as accompaniment).

Participate by adding your home, business, or carol performance to the google map. A digital map will be created so folks can take a “deconstructed tour” on their own time: https://forms.gle/tedcq8kg3MEJiL5f8.

Participate by creating a community lantern project in your neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to create their own lantern installation in their neighborhoods and Squares that will be on display on Saturday, December 11.

If you are interested in leading the charge in your neighborhood sign-up via this Google Forms link: https://forms.gle/SMrUGFLXaCSEexWp8

Deadline to sign up is December 1. The Illuminations 2021 map will be available starting on December 9, the night Illuminations month kicks off and will be available through the beginning of January 2022.

Illuminations Timeline:

December 9 through early January 2022: Self-guided tours using the SAC’s official online Illuminations Map

December 9, 6-8pm: Illuminations kick off with city-wide caroling (rain date December 12)

December 11: Community Lantern project

December 18: Illuminations Bike Tour, starting at City Hall at 5:45 p.m. (departure at 6:00 p.m.) (rain date December 19)

So, as a participant or tour goer, celebrate the folk artistry and creativity of residents and businesses that transform their spaces and yards with lights, ornaments, and shrines of devotion and fantasy and song.

Stay updated on social media – Facebook: https://fb.me/e/mh4ykhrU4; Instagram: @SomervilleArtsCouncil.

For additional questions contact Iaritza at imenjivar@somervillema.gov.