We are excited to announce that registration for Lights On Afterschool 2018 is officially open!
Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide celebration of everything afterschool programs do for students, families and communities across the country. It is an event not only for recognizing the extraordinary value of these programs, but also for putting a spotlight on the need for more funding—for every child who gets to participate in an afterschool program, there are two waiting to get in.
There’s no time like the present to start planning your Lights On Afterschool event, and we’ve got all of the tools and resources to help you do so. Browse our suggested themes, get inspired exploring our events database, or start getting organized by visiting our Event Planning Toolkit!
And early bird registrants will definitely see some perks. Register your event today to start getting our emails full of expert advice and free resources, and—some would say more importantly—the sooner you register, the sooner you’re eligible for one of fantastic giveaway prizes!
Last year’s Lights On Afterschool celebrations saw 8,000 events with 1 million participants from all across the Unites States (and one event in Japan!). Check out some of the highlights from last year:
Register your Lights On Afterschool 2018 event today!
Update, May 8 at 3 p.m.: The deadline for the contest has been extended! Posters are now due on Friday, June 8. The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re changing up theme to reflect how youth see themselves and their futures because of...
BY: Shaun Gray 03/08/18
This year we were blown away with the number of Lights On Afterschool 2017 events that celebrated our official Health & Wellness theme through creative, educational activities that got kids active and learning about healthy habits. These events were great examples of everyday work that...
BY: Faith Savaiano 11/30/17
Afterschool STEM learning was one of our top themes for this year’s Lights On Afterschool, and with good reason. Afterschool programs provide an ideal space to connect kids to exciting, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences, helping them engage deeply with...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 11/21/17
At the Afterschool Alliance, we spend a substantial part of our year focusing on Lights On Afterschool; when it finally happens, we’re running to keep up! We couldn’t wait to head out of the office (and sometimes out of the state) to explore the amazing programs and events that...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 11/02/17
This year might just be our most photogenic Lights On Afterschool yet! The Empire State Building lit up the night in blue and yellow on the evening of October 26, the Lowry Bridge gleamed on the waters of Hennepin County, and social media buzzed with our amazingly successful...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/31/17
Happy Lights On Afterschool! Today is a day to celebrate the amazing impact afterschool programs have on the lives of millions of children every day. Thank you for everything you do to keep the Lights On Afterschool! For the next 24 hours, our home page will be populated with a social media...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/26/17
Lights On Afterschool is just seven days away! While many programs are wrapping up their plans, some will only start planning this week. Luckily, we’ve got something for everyone over at our Last-Minute Ideas page. Use these ideas as the foundation of your event, or add an extra...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/19/17
With Lights On Afterschool only two weeks away, many programs and coordinators are busy finalizing the creative and fun celebrations that will take place across the country. But while many afterschool providers are experts at planning engaging activities for large groups, all Lights On Afterschool...
BY: Faith Savaiano 10/12/17
Whether it’s cooking up polymer-based jiggly jelly, writing computer code, or exploring urban ecology, we know that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning thrives in afterschool! Afterschool STEM learning presents an incredible opportunity to help students learn, expose...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/05/17
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH, director of Community Partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The 2017 America’s #HealthiestSchools campaign is grounded in the shared belief that every child deserves a healthy school. Afterschool leaders are essential partners for healthy...
BY: Guest Blogger 09/28/17
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH, director of Community Partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The 2017 America’s #HealthiestSchools campaign is grounded in the shared belief that every child deserves a healthy school. Afterschool leaders are essential partners for healthy...
BY: Guest Blogger 09/28/17
The Afterschool Alliance is pleased to present this post as part of the Afterschool & Law Enforcement blog series. For more information on the ways afterschool programs are partnering with local police, check out our previous blogs on building relationships and...
BY: Elizabeth Tish 12/09/16
One might not think that basketball can help kids gain critical math skills. But for twin sisters Patricia and Angela Rodas, that’s exactly the case. The Rodas sisters have become rather like local celebrities in the San Francisco Bay Area through their success in NBA Math Hoops, a...
BY: Robert Abare 11/18/16
For the Boys and Girls Club of East Los Angeles (BGCELA), encouraging kids to lead healthy lifestyles goes hand-in-hand with the other areas of the organization’s mission: building students’ academic success and developing their character. For Lights On Afterschool 2016,...
BY: Robert Abare 11/04/16
As you might have heard, Lights On Afterschool 2016 was a big success! Thousands (8,200 to be exact!) of programs and leaders hosted events in their communities. The Empire State Building glowed yellow on the evening of October 20, along with the Orlando Eye, the...
BY: Robert Abare 10/24/16
Exactly 8,200 events held across the USA and the world make this year's Lights On Afterschool the biggest and brightest since the rally first began 17 years ago! One million people joined together to shine a light on the accomplishments of afterschool programs and to say...
BY: Erin Murphy 10/21/16
On October 6, we joined Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings to kick off Lights On Afterschool 2016 with a special NBA Math Hoops tournament at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Take a look inside the celebration with our executive director Jodi Grant and...
BY: Robert Abare 10/18/16
Tomorrow, October 6, we are kicking off the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool with Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on a big national stage: a game between the Warriors and the Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose, California! Before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday,...
BY: Robert Abare 10/05/16
Written by Griffin Schwed, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council See how your program can celebrate 4-H National Youth Science Day at your 2016 Lights On Afterschool event on our Celebrate Afterschool STEM page, part of the revamped Lights On Afterschool...
BY: Guest Blogger 09/07/16
After reviewing hundreds of submissions from afterschool artists from across the country (and the world!), the Afterschool Alliance is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2016 Lights On Afterschool poster contest: Baldwin County High School’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st...
BY: Robert Abare 08/25/16
Afterschool STEM learning was one of our top themes for this year’s Lights On Afterschool, and with good reason. Afterschool programs provide an ideal space to connect kids to exciting, hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences, helping them engage deeply with...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 11/21/17
Lights On Afterschool is just seven days away! While many programs are wrapping up their plans, some will only start planning this week. Luckily, we’ve got something for everyone over at our Last-Minute Ideas page. Use these ideas as the foundation of your event, or add an extra...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/19/17
Whether it’s cooking up polymer-based jiggly jelly, writing computer code, or exploring urban ecology, we know that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning thrives in afterschool! Afterschool STEM learning presents an incredible opportunity to help students learn, expose...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/05/17
All across America, afterschool programs love their libraries! According to a 2017 study of more than 350 afterschool programs, nearly three-quarters reported that they were working with their local public library in diverse ways, from literacy initiatives to book lending programs and STEM...
BY: Leah Silverberg 09/21/17
Lights On Afterschool is less than eight weeks away and lots of programs have started planning their events! From marches and rallies to scavenger hunts and STEM lessons, the possibilities for a successful event are endless. Looking for inspiration for your event? Check out the revamped Event...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 08/25/17
Tomorrow, October 6, we are kicking off the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool with Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on a big national stage: a game between the Warriors and the Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose, California! Before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday,...
BY: Robert Abare 10/05/16
Written by Griffin Schwed, Integrated Marketing Manager at National 4-H Council See how your program can celebrate 4-H National Youth Science Day at your 2016 Lights On Afterschool event on our Celebrate Afterschool STEM page, part of the revamped Lights On Afterschool...
BY: Guest Blogger 09/07/16
Lights On Afterschool is just seven days away! While many programs are wrapping up their plans, some will only start planning this week. Luckily, we’ve got something for everyone over at our Last-Minute Ideas page. Use these ideas as the foundation of your event, or add an extra...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/19/17
With Lights On Afterschool only two weeks away, many programs and coordinators are busy finalizing the creative and fun celebrations that will take place across the country. But while many afterschool providers are experts at planning engaging activities for large groups, all Lights On Afterschool...
BY: Faith Savaiano 10/12/17
Angela Mamun is a Renaissance woman–or at least she’s learning to be. And she’s found the right afterschool program to help her grow her talents. “I think to be a good student you have to be good in everything, or at least know how to do everything,” said the 11th...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 07/25/17
One might not think that basketball can help kids gain critical math skills. But for twin sisters Patricia and Angela Rodas, that’s exactly the case. The Rodas sisters have become rather like local celebrities in the San Francisco Bay Area through their success in NBA Math Hoops, a...
BY: Robert Abare 11/18/16
Written by Chanelle Ignant, Youth Participation Coordinator at KQED, and Rachel Roberson, who leads the Letters to the Next President project for KQED. Also check out the Celebrate Youth Voices event idea for Lights On Afterschool 2016. Sign up for the upcoming Lights On...
BY: Guest Blogger 08/16/16
Registration is now open for the nation’s only celebration of afterschool programs! Mark your calendars for Lights On Afterschool: October 20, 2016, and then start preparing for your event by registering today. Last year’s Lights On Afterschool saw more than 1 million Americans...
BY: Robert Abare 08/11/16
Update, May 8 at 3 p.m.: The deadline for the contest has been extended! Posters are now due on Friday, June 8. The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open, and this year we’re changing up theme to reflect how youth see themselves and their futures because of...
BY: Shaun Gray 03/08/18
Over the last few months, we’ve received hundreds of impressive submissions for the 2017 Lights On Afterschool poster contest. Using paint, crayons, colored pencils, mixed media, and even digital design tools, students of all ages from communities nationwide shared a wide variety of creative...
BY: Rachel Clark 05/01/17
Tomorrow, October 6, we are kicking off the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool with Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on a big national stage: a game between the Warriors and the Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose, California! Before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday,...
BY: Robert Abare 10/05/16
After reviewing hundreds of submissions from afterschool artists from across the country (and the world!), the Afterschool Alliance is thrilled to announce the winner of the 2016 Lights On Afterschool poster contest: Baldwin County High School’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st...
BY: Robert Abare 08/25/16
Written by Chanelle Ignant, Youth Participation Coordinator at KQED, and Rachel Roberson, who leads the Letters to the Next President project for KQED. Also check out the Celebrate Youth Voices event idea for Lights On Afterschool 2016. Sign up for the upcoming Lights On...
BY: Guest Blogger 08/16/16
This year we were blown away with the number of Lights On Afterschool 2017 events that celebrated our official Health & Wellness theme through creative, educational activities that got kids active and learning about healthy habits. These events were great examples of everyday work that...
BY: Faith Savaiano 11/30/17
Lights On Afterschool is just seven days away! While many programs are wrapping up their plans, some will only start planning this week. Luckily, we’ve got something for everyone over at our Last-Minute Ideas page. Use these ideas as the foundation of your event, or add an extra...
BY: Charlotte Steinecke 10/19/17
By Daniel W. Hatcher, MPH, director of Community Partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The 2017 America’s #HealthiestSchools campaign is grounded in the shared belief that every child deserves a healthy school. Afterschool leaders are essential partners for healthy...
BY: Guest Blogger 09/28/17
For the Boys and Girls Club of East Los Angeles (BGCELA), encouraging kids to lead healthy lifestyles goes hand-in-hand with the other areas of the organization’s mission: building students’ academic success and developing their character. For Lights On Afterschool 2016,...
BY: Robert Abare 11/04/16
Tomorrow, October 6, we are kicking off the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool with Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on a big national stage: a game between the Warriors and the Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose, California! Before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday,...
BY: Robert Abare 10/05/16
As you might have heard, Lights On Afterschool 2016 was a big success! Thousands (8,200 to be exact!) of programs and leaders hosted events in their communities. The Empire State Building glowed yellow on the evening of October 20, along with the Orlando Eye, the...
BY: Robert Abare 10/24/16
Exactly 8,200 events held across the USA and the world make this year's Lights On Afterschool the biggest and brightest since the rally first began 17 years ago! One million people joined together to shine a light on the accomplishments of afterschool programs and to say...
BY: Erin Murphy 10/21/16
On October 6, we joined Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings to kick off Lights On Afterschool 2016 with a special NBA Math Hoops tournament at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Take a look inside the celebration with our executive director Jodi Grant and...
BY: Robert Abare 10/18/16
Tomorrow, October 6, we are kicking off the 17th annual Lights On Afterschool with Learn Fresh, the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings on a big national stage: a game between the Warriors and the Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose, California! Before the 7:30 p.m. tipoff on Thursday,...
BY: Robert Abare 10/05/16
Registration is now open for the nation’s only celebration of afterschool programs! Mark your calendars for Lights On Afterschool: October 20, 2016, and then start preparing for your event by registering today. Last year’s Lights On Afterschool saw more than 1 million Americans...
BY: Robert Abare 08/11/16