Highland Lights returns, as we build on this local tradition, we are joined by Hudson Highlands Land Trust and returning performance artists Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, of Processional Arts Workshop. Alex and Sophia will lead a month of free, drop-in sessions in which participants can collaborate to design, build, and animate these magnificent lanterns every Saturday and Sunday from March 22nd through April 13th. On April 26 (rain date 27), we will gather once more for a performance art experience where attendees are invited to become a part of the illuminated Procession at Humble Bee Hollow Preserve.

This year’s procession marks the fourth annual Highland Lights event and represents a new chapter as HVS celebrates the construction of the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center. While last year’s “Full Fathom Five” completed a trilogy of environmental themes that began with earth (“A Reawakened Landscape”) and reached to the sky with “Ad Astra,” this year turns our focus to the intricate world of indigenous and local insects at Humble Bee Hollow Preserve. Drawing inspiration from the vital roles of pollinators, decomposers, and other insect species in our ecosystem, this year’s theme celebrates the interconnectedness of life and the delicate balance sustained by these often-overlooked creatures.

The procession highlights the beauty and importance of local insect species through articulated lantern puppets, reminding us of the critical role they play in pollination, soil health, and ecological diversity. As we bring these vibrant representations to life, we also reflect on the fragile state of biodiversity in a changing climate and the need for collective action to protect these essential species.

RSVP to a Workshop

Workshop Dates:

Saturday, March 22
Sunday, March 23
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 30
Saturday, April 5
Sunday, April 6
Saturday, April 12
Sunday, April 13