2023 Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument

By K. David Weidner, Ph.D., executive director

Since moving to Provincetown in 2017, I have come to appreciate all of New England’s seasons, but none more than autumn. Among my favorite things are the crisp mornings, smaller crowds, foliage and of course, the Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. And this year we are extra excited. Here are the details:

Return to in-person

We are ecstatic to be able to welcome the public back to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum for our time-honored tradition. At 5:30 p.m. ET, the ADA access gate and inclined elevator will open and patrons may spread out onto the grounds. The Provincetown Museum will be closed during the event. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. Attendance is free to the community. We cannot wait to see you! Please note the inclined elevator will not be running after the Annual Lighting.

Ticketed reception

New this year, we will be hosting a ticketed fundraising reception prior to the Annual Lighting ceremony. Please plan to join us and enjoy some local food and drink, and have first choice of a spot on the grounds. It will be a great way to welcome everyone back to High Pole Hill for the Annual Lighting. This party will begin at 4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased here and parking is included.

Food and drink will be provided by our incredible partners and sponsors, Liz’s Cafe, Anybody’s Bar, Box Lunch, Mac’s Fishhouse in Provincetown, Montano’s Restaurant, Perfect Picnic, Provincetown Brewing Company and Truro Vineyards. Local musical legend, Jim Brosseau, will be playing the piano.

Let them know you care: Dedicate a lighting donation

Did you know that you can dedicate your Lighting Donation in someone’s honor? You can light it up for someone who has passed; or for your team after their hard work all year; as a holiday gift for someone who loves Provincetown but can not attend this year; or just to show you care. Your donations help PMPM to keep operating and maintain our beloved Monument.

Please donate to the Annual Lighting

What it means to us We light the Pilgrim Monument each year in commemoration of the time the Mayflower spent in Provincetown and the Outer Cape before sailing onto (what is now) Plymouth. The Mayflower Compact, one of the first written forms of our modern-day representative form of government, was signed in Provincetown Harbor. So, the lights indeed represent history. But there’s more.

The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum is a true icon of our community. It stands tall for our mission of TRUTH – Tolerance | Respect | Unity | Trust | Her-his-their story – and welcomes pilgrims of all kinds. The Annual Lighting is also a reminder to all of us as to what Provincetown stands for and what it means to so many people.

In 2020, we had an incredible lineup of events and commemorations planned for the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival in the New World. The global pandemic canceled the 2020 season before it began. The in-person aspect of the Annual Lighting ceremony was another victim of COVID-19. During the years when we could not host the public for our time-honored tradition, we still heard, and felt, our beloved town. When we flipped on the lights, we could hear yells, cheers, car horns, and noisemakers from all over Provincetown – a moving reminder of what the Lighting means to our community.

We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to High Pole Hill for the 2023 Annual Lighting and cannot wait to see you!

Please help ensure that the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum can not only advance its mission of TRUTH, but continue to hold beloved community traditions like the Annual Lighting and keep standing tall for all who live in and visit Provincetown.

Please donate to the Annual Lighting

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get out to Provincetown from Boston, Bay State Cruise Company’s Fast Ferry is still running on weekends until December 3rd. It’s a fast and comfortable ride from downtown Boston to MacMillan Pier, which is just steps away from PMPM’s Bradford Street entrance.

We are so grateful for our amazing partners who have sponsored the 2023 Annual Lighting. Their support, and yours, helps PMPM in so many ways. Thank you!