A free illuminated community-built procession through the landscape.

Highland Lights returns to celebrate five years of illuminating Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s landscape through community-built processions. Processional Arts Workshop and award-winning composer Heather Christian (Animal Wisdom, Oratorio for Living Things) are coming together to create an ambulatory performance that reflects on 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Assembly evokes the foundational act of gathering and building. Through light, movement, and voice, the performance offers a moment of reflection on common values, civic imagination, and the ongoing work of forming a more expansive “we.” Rather than presenting a single argument or narrative, Assembly creates space for many histories, many perspectives, and the possibility of shared celebration.

Local participants will journey at dusk as revolutionary figures from the distant and recent past emerge to form a growing luminous serpentine puppet inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s iconic “Join or Die” image.

  • Dates: Saturday, July 4
  • Times: 8:00PM Check-In & 8:30PM Procession Starts
  • Run time: 60 mins
  • Tickets: Free, Reservations Encouraged
  • Location: Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, Great Lawn

If you are planning to see all the shows this summer, consider purchasing a season pass. Pass holders can save up 20% off single tickets by pre-purchasing four or six-ticket packages.

Access enhanced performances

Begins at Dusk

Saturday July 4, 2026

Highland Lights: Assembly

8:30 pm

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BEFORE YOU GO

  • Location: The Procession will take place on the grounds of Hudson Valley Shakespeare. The route will wind around the property along old golf cart paths and natural pathways.

  • Tickets: We encourage registration in-advance, but it is not required. Simply visit our staff at our welcome table when you arrive.

  • Parking: Please park in the HVS gravel lot. Access to the campus is via Route 9 only.

  • Procession Start: The Procession will leave from HVS's administrative offices (a small, cedar clad brown cottage). Once you've parked, follow the signage!

  • Concessions: HVS Concessions will be open at the theater after the event with drinks, popcorn, and cookies available for purchase.

  • What to Wear: Please wear sensible shoes and dress in layers. The procession follows a natural route with some uneven terrain, and temperatures may cool after sunset.

  • Duration: The procession will take approximately one hour to complete.

  • Accessibility: If you would like to attend and have accessibility needs, please contact us in advance at boxoffice@hvshakespeare.org so we can help make your experience as comfortable as possible.