Over one million brilliant, white lights will soon shine bright in downtown Omaha.
The 18th annual Holiday Lights Festival will officially kick-off Thanksgiving night at 6:00 when Mayor Stothert leads the crowd in a countdown to reveal the 2017 display. Prior to the lights being flipped on, the Omaha Children's Choir will perform a special concert for those attending the lighting ceremony.
Again this year, the festival will help to raise money and non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of the Heartland's 'Shine the Light on Hunger' campaign. Blue barrels will be located throughout the city, as well as at the Gene Leahy Mall during the lighting ceremony, to collect food donations.
After the lights are turned on, attendees are encouraged to head over to the Holland Performing Arts Center to enjoy the sounds of the Nebraska Wind Symphony with vocalist Camille Metoyer-Moten. The 'Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert' starts at 7:00 PM and is free to the public.
Parking at meters downtown is free on Thanksgiving. For anyone wanting to stay warm during the ceremony, you can watch the festivities from the W. Dale Clark Library at the west end of the Gene Leahy Mall.
The lights will stay on from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM through New Year's Day. You can find full details about the Holiday Lights Festival here.