(OMAHA, Neb.) June 4, 2019 – The Holiday Lights Festival, produced by Downtown Omaha Inc.
Foundation and Mayor Jean Stothert, will celebrate its 20th year with a new twist in the downtown
lighting display. Due to construction at the Gene Leahy Mall, this year’s lights will illuminate the Old
Market and surrounding streets with white lights and garland from mid-November through New Year’s
Eve, with added special events as part of the Holidays in the Old Market. This year’s lights will span
from 10th-13th Streets, and from Harney to Jackson Streets.
Although there will not be the traditional Thanksgiving Evening Lighting Ceremony and Making Spirits
Bright concert this year, the Omaha community will still enjoy the Holiday Lights Festival’s many other
family-friendly events throughout the season:

• The Family Festival on December 1 will be presented in partnership with Downtown Omaha’s
arts and cultural community. While this year’s participating venues are still being finalized, past
Family Festivals have included activities at the Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Police
Department Horse Barn, Durham Museum, W. Dale Clark Public Library, and Joslyn Art
Museum.

• The New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular will take place in a new downtown location. The
public will gather in MECA Lot B near the CHI Health Center for an up-close view of the
amazing fireworks display set to a unique musical score.

• Sounds of the Season will fill the Old Market on Saturday evenings from mid-November through
December, featuring performances by area choral groups and musicians.

• The Capitol District Ice Rink will return this year, with a portion of the admission fee benefitting
Food Bank for the Heartland as part of the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, sponsored by
the Conagra Brands Foundation.

• The Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, sponsored by the Conagra Brands Foundation
encourages the public to donate non-perishable food items, household goods and monetary
donations for Food Bank for the Heartland. Donation locations included Baker’s Supermarkets
and various arts and cultural venues. In 2018, contributions from the community and from
Conagra Brands Foundation exceeded the goal of collecting enough food and money for more
than 2 million meals.

For more information, visit holidaylightsfestival.org.
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