Lights On Afterschool 101 - Wednesday, September 9, at 2 p.m. ET
Lights On Afterschool is back for its 27th year, celebrating afterschool programs, students, and staff! Taking place this year on October 22, 2026, this nationwide event brings together more than 8,000 programs to showcase the important role afterschool plays in supporting youth, families, and communities. Like afterschool programs, Lights On Afterschool celebrations come in all shapes and sizes and don’t have to be huge to be effective. Whether this is your first Lights On Afterschool or your 27th, join us for this webinar to discover new ideas and put a fresh spin on your event this year! Speakers: – Shaun Gray, Senior Manager of Design and Events, Afterschool Alliance – Dawn Fickett, Director of Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs, R.E.A.C.H. After School Program – Ghiles Jackson, Program Director, After School All-Stars – Victoria Morris, Director of Programs, Volunteers of America LightHouse Program |
We're just 9 weeks away from the 27th celebration of Lights On Afterschool!
Not sure where to begin your planning process? We’ve gathered our top tips to help you plan a Lights On Afterschool celebration that fits your program’s bandwidth and budget. This week’s planning tips include: – Check out our planning timeline: A step-by-step guide walking you through planning your event, from ideation to execution. – Browse the Event Ideas Database, recently updated with 200 new ideas, for more inspiration, searchable by theme, planning time, and difficulty. – Order a Lights On easy pack or other promotional items, including strobe buttons, sunglasses, and car decals. They make great prizes or giveaways at any event! |
Need a spark? Whether it’s your first year celebrating and you’re not sure where to start, or it’s your 27th and you’re looking for a fresh idea, Lights On Afterschool events don’t need to be big in scale or cost to have a big impact. Here are some creative ways afterschool programs celebrated last year:
💡In Denver, CO, students built a pretend “energy company” to show what happens when funding runs out—the lights go out.
💡 In Holiday, FL, a glow-in-the-dark party doubled as an art gallery celebrating student resilience.
💡 In Hatton, ND, families ran a nighttime glow run while neighbors lit their porches along the route.