đź’ˇ Lights On Afterschool 2026: New Jersey Shines Bright for a Statewide Celebration
📸 Take a Look at Lights On Afterschool Across New Jersey Celebrating the People Behind Afterschool
Lights On Afterschool is always a chance to celebrate, but it is also an opportunity to make the work of afterschool more visible. This year, programs opened their doors, brought families and community partners together, and invited others to see what happens beyond the school day.
New Jersey was also part of the national Lights On tradition of lighting landmarks in support of afterschool. Four Delaware River bridges, including the Lower Trenton “Trenton Makes” Bridge, New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, and Northampton Street Bridge, were illuminated in blue and yellow for the occasion.
But the real lights of Lights On Afterschool were the people. The young people participating, the staff creating opportunities, the families showing up, and the communities celebrating alongside them.
📸 Keep scrolling to see more moments from Lights On Afterschool 2026, and help us celebrate the incredible afterschool community across New Jersey!
The photos here capture just a glimpse of how programs across the state celebrated. Each event had its own personality, but together they tell a bigger story about the creativity, connection, and energy that can be found throughout New Jersey’s afterschool community.
A celebration like Lights On Afterschool doesn’t happen without the people who make it possible. From planning activities and welcoming families to creating spaces where young people can try something new, afterschool professionals bring the celebration to life.
Lights On Afterschool may be one day on the calendar, but the work it celebrates happens all year long. Every afternoon brings another opportunity for young people to learn, connect, create, and grow with the support of caring adults and their communities.
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