Illumination 250 Celebration: A Collaboration

Illumination 250 is a collaborative celebration developed by Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC), Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), Main Street Business Alliance (MSBA), Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA), and the City of Hackensack. The celebration will expand beyond the annual HACKENSACKtoberfest from Atlantic Street Park to multiple downtown locations—Anderson Street Park, Banta Place, Demarest Place, and the Courthouse Green—featuring live performances, cultural programming, and interactive art installations to celebrate the City of Hackensack’s diverse communities and drive foot traffic to local businesses.

This year, a variety of activities will take place for the public to get involved with, co-create, and contribute to the celebration. A Community Info Gathering Session at Bergen Makerspace will allow the public to share their “American” and “Hackensack” stories, which the artists will use to inform their artworks. Hands-on community puppet-making workshops led by Processional Arts Workshop will happen at the Bergen Makerspace in August 2026. Opportunities will also be available for local artists to contribute their talent to the planned arts experiences.