An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine which is capable of having a high-degree of ignition performance and being reduced in size is provided. The ignition apparatus includes the spark plug mounted in an end of the plug hole formed in the internal combustion engine, the first ignition coil, the second ignition coil, and the control portion. The first ignition coil includes the primary coil and the secondary coil and has a secondary side electrically connected to the spark plug. The second ignition coil includes the primary coil and the secondary coil and is connected to the spark plug in parallel to the first ignition coil. The control portion controls energization of the first ignition coil and the second ignition coil. The secondary voltage developed at the second ignition coil is lower in level than that developed at the first ignition coil. The control portion works to create the secondary voltage at the first ignition coil and then create the secondary voltage at the second ignition coil to have the spark plug continue to discharge.