💡 These Are Programs That Have Registered Events with Us So Far for Lights On 2026
Newark Youth Career Pathways (NYCP), Newark Alliance
Clinton Hill Early Childhood Community Center, Newark, NJ
AFTERSCHOOL & OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME VENDOR FAIR; 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ironbound Community Corporation
Newark
4p-5:30p
Middlesex Community School
Middlesex
Laser Light Show; 6p-8p
Plainfield Community Outreach of NJ 21CCLC ASP w/ Union County CIACC
Plainfield
Youth & Family Service Providers Networking Event
Wildwood Public Schools – Wave 21 Afterschool Program
Park Avenue Complex, Freehold, NJ
Glow All Out for Afterschool; 4:00–5:30 PM; Family engagement celebration/open house
Glassboro Child Development Centers
Dorothy L. Bullock location
Carnival; 5p-6:30p
Catholic Charities
Hatchery Hill School, Hackettstown
Hatchery Hill has a magic show coming on 10/22 at 3:15 along with a lights on craft and special snack.
Catholic Charities
Willow Grove School, Hackettstown
Willow Grove will be doing an aftercare fun day with music, fun snacks, crafts, and activities.
Catholic Charities
Cucinella School, Long Valley
Cucinella School in Long Valley will be having a DJ dance party on 10/22 from 3-5pm along with a special snack and craft.
Boys and Girls Club of Gloucester County
916 Penn Line Rd
Game Night for LOA
21st Century Pemberton Township
Busansky Elementary and Denbo-Crichton Elementary Schools
Busansky- Disco family engagement night
Denbo-Crichton- Glow party family engagement night
Phillipsburg 21CCLC REACH Program
Phillipsburg Middle School – 200 Hillcrest Boulevard, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
10/22/26, 5:00-6:30 PM -Annual Trunk or Treat – Trick-or-treating, games, food, costume contest, prizes
Clifton Public School “Minds in Motion”
School 12
165 Clifton Ave.
Clifton NJ 07012
Laser Light Show by Prismatic Magic 6:30- 7:15 Door # 3
Mullica Township ACES
500 Elwood Road
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Small Event: decorating lightbulbs for parent/ teacher conferences; outdoor team games that encourage teamwork and communication
ASPIRE – Egg Harbor Township School District
Dr. Joyanne D. Miller School, 2 Adler Ave., Egg Harbor Township
Lights On Rally
North Plainfield 21st Century
North Plainfield, NJ
Collaborating with Plainfield Lights On Celebration
East Orange School District
Bowser Elementary (180 Lincoln Street) Louverture School ( 330 Central Ave)
Karaoke Day with students and parents and staff beginning at 3:30pm
Bridgeton
Broad
Buckshutem
Cherry
Indian
QML
West
Parents and students will be painting and constructing a wood pumpkin lantern, using glow in the dark paints, and placing battery operated tea lights inside. The BSEA also sponsored mini flashlight keychains for students and their parents. The have additional fall wood decorations to paint and will be shining a light on Afterschool worksheet.
Salem County Vocational School District
Penns Grove High School, 334 Harding Highway, Carneys Point
Our 4th through 8th graders will participate in HS student led activities. Activities will include: Book Club, Arts & Crafts, Gaming, Cultural Arts, Media Production, Digital Graphics, College & Career Readiness, Film Club, Social & Cultural Awareness, 3D Printing & Design, Healthy Relationships & Choices, & Physical Education
The Ethical Community Charter School (TECCS) – 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)
The Ethical Community Charter School, Jersey City, NJ
Lights On Afterschool – The Afterschool Experience Families are invited to experience an afternoon as a TECCS after-school student!
The celebration will begin with a brief informational session highlighting the importance of after-school programming, continued funding, and the opportunities offered through our 21st CCLC program.
Following the presentation, parents will join their children in enrichment classes, participating in hands-on activities such as painting, arts and crafts, theater, financial literacy, and more.
We have extended the invitation to our entire school community, including families whose children are not currently enrolled in our after-school program. In addition to celebrating Lights On Afterschool, this event serves as an opportunity to introduce prospective families to our 21st CCLC program, increase awareness of the opportunities available, and support our ongoing student recruitment efforts.
New Hope 21st Century
Community Learning
Centers (21CCLC)
Charles P. DeFuccio
School (PS 39)
214 Plainfield Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306
Lights On Afterschool
Karaoke Night with
parents and students
Thursday, October 22,
2026
4:00 PM
Buena Regional School District
N/A
family night making beautiful lanterns
Keansburg 21CCLC
Keansburg
Keansburg will be sending out a “highlight” presentation to the families of club fun. It will go out tomorrow to families.
On Thursday, October 22, afterschool programs and supporters across the country will celebrate the 27th annual Lights On Afterschool. It’s an opportunity to recognize the people, partnerships, and programs that help young people discover new interests, build confidence, develop skills, and feel connected to their communities.
Afterschool professionals know that the impact of this work goes far beyond the hours between the school bell and the end of the day. It happens when a young person discovers a new talent, finds a trusted adult, builds a friendship, or realizes they can do something they never thought possible. Lights On Afterschool gives us a chance to bring those everyday moments into the spotlight and remind our communities why quality afterschool opportunities matter.
You don’t need a big event or a professional camera to participate. A single photo, a meaningful story, or a few words about why afterschool matters can help more people understand the difference these programs make.
This October 22, let’s fill our feeds with the people and moments that make afterschool special. When we share our stories, we help turn a statewide celebration into a wider conversation about the value of afterschool.
📸 Help Us Share the Light!
New Jersey will have a special display of support this year. Four Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges are scheduled to light up in blue and yellow on October 22 in honor of afterschool programs: the Lower Trenton “Trenton Makes” Bridge, New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, and Northampton Street Bridge. The lights are scheduled to turn on a half-hour before sunset and remain on until 11 p.m.
Here’s how you can join in:
Take a picture: If you see one of the illuminated bridges, capture the moment!
Share it online: Post your photo on social media with #LightsOnAfterschool.
Show your program’s impact: Share a photo, short video, or story that captures what afterschool means to your students and community.
Recognize your team: Give a shoutout to the professionals, families, partners, and young people who help your program shine.
Snap a picture of one of the bridges and tag #lightsonafterschool
📜 The State Proclamation has ARRIVED for Lights On Afterschool 2026
WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of New Jersey stand firmly committed to quality afterschool and out-of-school time programs and opportunities because they:
• Provide safe and engaging learning experiences that help children realize their full potential;
• Support working families by ensuring their children are safe and productive when they are out of their classrooms;
• Build stronger communities by involving students, parents, business leaders and adult volunteers in the lives of young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among youth, families and
adults;
• Engage families, schools and community partners in advancing the welfare of our children; and
WHEREAS, NJSACC: New Jersey’s Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Professional Network, has risen to the moment to support afterschool professionals serving youth in addressing their needs as they recover from the pandemic. Out-of-school time (OST) programs are an important way to accelerate learning outside of the classroom, build relationships between students and teachers, engage the whole family and community, increase opportunities and address inequities…