Hioliday Lights Festival Marks 25th Anniversary

(November 19, 2024)

This winter marks a major milestone for a beloved holiday tradition, the Holiday Lights Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary!

Produced by Mayor Jean Stothert and The RiverFront, free family-friendly events begin November 30th and run through January 1st, as well as festive lighting displays that will illuminate nightly.

"It is truly amazing to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Holiday Lights Festival," said Mayor Jean Stothert, co-producer of the Festival. "There's something remarkable about seeing the entire downtown area glow with festive lights, and it's no wonder the Holiday Lights Festival has become an annual tradition for our community."

The 25th annual Holiday Lights Festival officially kicks-off on Saturday, November 30th with the lighting ceremony. Produced by The RiverFront, the event will be held in the Gene Leahy Mall at the Performance Pavilion near 11th and Farnam. A festive musical performance will start at 5:00 p.m. featuring local band Blackbird Rock and singer Kevin McClure. The ceremony begins at 6:00. Immediately following the Lighting Ceremony, the public is invited to explore all 72-acres of The RiverFront to enjoy their festive lighting displays and décor. There will also be opportunities to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Local food trucks will be lined up on the West side of the Gene Leahy Mall along 13th Street, and The Old Market shops and restaurants will be open.

Festive holiday lights will illuminate downtown Omaha every evening from November 30th to January 1st. The Old Market Displays stretch from 10^th to 13^th Street and Farnam to Jackson Streets. The RiverFront Lighting Displays span the entirety of the Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park, and Lewis & Clark Landing, including illuminated trees and a multimedia light show. The Holiday Lights Festival North Omaha display will light up the North 24^th & Lake Street neighborhood from Burdette to Ohio Street, while the South Omaha Displays will light up South 24^th Street from L to Q Street.

The KETV Family Festival will take place on Sunday, December 8th from 11am to 4pm. Ollie the Trolley will offer free rides between six venues throughout Downtown Omaha. Each venue will offer free admission, family-friendly activities, and festive entertainment. This year's line-up of venues include Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront, the Omaha Children's Museum, the Durham Museum, the Omaha Police Mounted Patrol Barn, the Omaha Public Library's Downtown Branch, and the Joslyn, which is returning to the Family Festival after being closed for renovations since 2022.

The New Year's Eve Fireworks Spectacular will close out the 25th anniversary year of the Holiday Lights Festival and ring in 2025. The show will take place on Tuesday, December 31st at 7:00 p.m., with best viewing from The RiverFront parks and the Old Market. A special soundtrack will accompany the show, courtesy of STAR 104.5 The Christmas Station.

Throughout the Holiday Lights Festival season, the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign will take place to support hunger relief efforts.Led by Conagra Brands Foundation, all proceeds of this campaign will benefit Food Bank for the Heartland. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at blue collection barrels located at all Omaha-area Baker's Supermarkets and several local arts organizations from now until December 31st. Monetary donations can be made online by visiting www.FoodBankHeartland.org or donate via the Park Omaha mobile app when they park in a Park Omaha garage or at a Park Omaha meter.

For more information about the 25th annual Holiday Lights Festival, visit www.HolidayLightsFestival.org and follow the Festival on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about all the holiday happenings at The RiverFront, visit www.TheRiverFrontOmaha.org and follow The RiverFront on Facebook and Instagram.

The Holiday Lights Festival would not be possible without the generosity of various corporate, foundation, and individual sponsors.

Producing Sponsors are Mayor Jean Stothert and The RiverFront, with non-profit partner The Omaha Parks Foundation.
Media Sponsors are KETV Channel 7 and STAR 104.5 The Christmas Station.
Event Partner is Conagra Brands.
Shining Sponsors include City of Omaha; Douglas County Board of Commissioners; Lozier Foundation; North End Teleservices; The Sherwood Foundation, and WoodmenLife.
Radiant Sponsors include Applied Underwriters; Fiserv; Lamar Advertising; Lincoln Financial; Mammel Family Foundation; Mutual of Omaha; Noddle Companies; and Valmont.
Illuminate Sponsors include Baxter Auto Group; Broadmoor; Kiewit Companies Foundation; Milllwork & The Capitol District; Omaha Public Power District; and Tenaska. Sparkle Sponsors include Burlington Capital; CHI Health; Omaha Downtown Improvement District; Gallup; Greater Omaha Chamber; Kutak Rock, LLP; Omaha Steaks; Veridian Credit Union; and Wade Trim.

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