Immersive arts event to transform Boston in July

Transported arts service presents We Are Boston — a programme of immersive arts experiences taking place across the town from July 2-5.

Marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence, the programme explores Boston’s historic connections to the USA while launching community conversations around cultural plans for 2030 — the 400th anniversary of the founding of Boston, Massachusetts by settlers from Boston, Lincolnshire.

Taking place across multiple locations, We Are Boston invites residents and visitors to explore the town’s past, present and future through creative projects that reflect its identity, creativity and communities.

July 2026 marks 250 years since the United States declared independence. In Boston, Lincolnshire, this anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on shared histories and global connections, while focusing on the people, places and stories that shape the town today.

Across exhibitions, installations and experiences, the programme highlights Boston’s evolving identity — rooted in heritage yet shaped by contemporary voices.

As Boston approaches the 400th anniversary of the founding of Boston, Massachusetts, We Are Boston begins an important conversation about the town’s future. What does Boston look like in 2030? How do we tell its story? And how can culture play a role in shaping a shared vision? Through this programme, local communities are invited to take part in this conversation and help shape what comes next.

Dr Anna Scott, Transported Assistant Director, said: “Boston has always been shaped by its people, and there’s a huge amount of creativity here that deserves to be nurtured and celebrated. These milestone moments (America 250 and Boston 400) are an opportunity to re-examine our history while building a future that reflects the communities who live here today.

"Through Transported’s Mind the Gap, we’re creating ways for people to experience and shape Boston differently, building pride and a stronger shared identity.”

The main headline event is the Luminarium: Aborialis, from the Architects of Air Connexus Tour, funded by Arts Council England in partnership with Transported.

Aborialis is a world of light and colour in a ‘Luminarium’ installation that awakens all the senses, creating wonder and enchantment for all ages. Boston is hosting the Luminarium - Arborialis in the Park, an inflatable sculpture inspired by trees and forests, that invites you to wander through its cavernous domes and tunnels for a unique sensory experience.

It is an accessible experience for all. People who use wheelchairs and those in the SEND community are warmly welcome.

The installation will be in Central Park from July 2-5.

On July 2 and 3 access will be reserved for pre-booked community groups, but the experience is open to the general public on July 4 and 5 from 11am-4pm, with the first hour of each day being a ‘Quiet Hour’ - a reduced

capacity for a calmer experience.

Tickets are £2.50 each and carers admission is free when accompanying a disabled ticket holder and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased at: https://store.lincoln.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/events/2026/architects-of-air-connexus-tour-presents-the-arborialis-luminarium

A representative of Architects of Air said: “Architects of Air has spent more than three decades creating spaces of wonder, reflection and shared experience, and we’re excited to welcome local residents and visitors into this unique world of light and colour.”

The Connexus Tour has been made possible through the support of Arts Council England.

Whether stepping inside a Luminarium, exploring exhibitions, or encountering performances in unexpected places, the programme encourages new perspectives and shared experiences.

Coun Sarah Sharpe, Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and Tourism at Boston Borough Council, said: “The Luminarium coming to Boston’s Central Park promises to be a truly memorable experience for both residents and visitors. Combining art, light, colour and immersive sensory elements, it offers something unique for everyone to enjoy.

“Alongside this, it presents a valuable opportunity to celebrate and share Boston’s rich cultural heritage, particularly our historic connections with the USA as we mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence. America’s story begins in our Boston, and this is a wonderful moment to reflect on that shared history.

“While visiting the Luminarium, I encourage people to explore more of the town, including the Guildhall, to discover how Boston helped shape the story of America.”

Alongside the Luminarium, there will be a wide-ranging programme across the town.

At the Guildhall (July 3-4, 10.30am–3.30pm), visitors can experience Our Voyage, an animated film by Electric Egg originally commissioned for the Mayflower 400 anniversary. Created for projection onto Gainsborough Old Hall, this powerful work traces the journey from England to the Mayflower crossing and the founding of Plymouth, Massachusetts, exploring both its legacy and its impact on Native American communities.

In Central Park, alongside the Luminarium: Arborialis, a variety of pop-up performances will take place on Saturday July 4 and Sunday July 5 (11am–4pm). Audiences can encounter Rhubarb Theatre’s Admirable Admirals, meet playful walkabout characters, enjoy high-energy performances from Derwent Valley Drummers (Saturday at 2.30pm), and experience Meet the Sheep, a delightful Lincolnshire Longwool puppet interaction.

Shodfriars (July 4, 5, 11, 18, 25, 10am–4pm, free entry) offers a rare opportunity to explore the historic building during its restoration, hosting a series of exhibitions including Pilgrim Woman: Assembly by Rachel Carter, work by Ruth Pigott and collaborators, Steven Hatton’s The Bostonians, and installations by Bartosz Fedkowicz.

At Fydell House (July 3, 4, 11, 18, 10am–3pm, free entry), visitors can step inside ahead of its reopening and explore exhibitions celebrating craft, heritage and community. Displays include The Almanac: Folk Crafts & Culture, Boston Unfurled, and collaborative Hanse-inspired works, alongside a live performance by Derwent Valley Drummers in the gardens at 12pm.

We Are Boston forms part of Transported’s next phase of work, Mind the Gap, which aims to connect with new communities and build meaningful, long-term engagement across Boston.

This programme is partly funded by Arts Council England in partnership with Transported and Architects of Air, with funding support from Boston Borough Council. The event is also funded in part thanks to Boston Preservation Trust’s National Heritage Lottery grant. Additional support from Future of the Past (SoundLincs), StoryTellers NPO and an Arts Council England project grant in partnership with the Boston Hanse Group.