In America today, 7.6 million children are alone and unsupervised after school. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. They provide opportunities to help young people develop into successful adults.
Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 with celebrations in 1,200 communities nationwide. The following year 3,600 events took place. Today, more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool rallies are held annually, attracting 1 million Americans and media coverage nationwide.
Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has served as Chair of Lights On Afterschool since 2001.
The Afterschool Alliance salutes the many Lights On Afterschool partners and programs who make this event a success, in particular the After-School All-Stars, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4-H Afterschool, Junior Achievement, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Young Rembrandts, and the YMCA of the USA.
We invite you to join us and become a Lights On Afterschool partner this year.
Press Releases
2023
Oct 26, 2023: Today, the Lights Are On for Afterschool Programs Across The Country 24th Annual Rally for Afterschool Shines a Light On the Important Role Programs Play for Students, Families, Communities
Oct 26, 2023: 'Energy Superheroes' Join Afterschool Students For Lights On Afterschool Today Book-Signings, Robot Building, Exercises with Solar Bugs Planned at Afterschool Programs in Charleston, Denver, Houston, and Mons, Belgium
Oct 24, 2023: Rallies for Afterschool Will Be Held in All 50 States Thursday Rallies for Afterschool Will Be Held in All 50 States Thursday 24th Annual Lights On Afterschool Will Include Diverse Events With Students, Parents, Educators, Public Officials, Community Leaders, Others
Oct 20, 2023: ‘Energy Superheroes’ to Join Lights On Afterschool Events in Charlottesville, Denver, Houston – and Mons, Belgium Next Thursday Book Signings, Solar Bug Exercises Set With Afterschool Students
Oct 19, 2023: From Washington, DC to Washington State, America’s Landmarks Will Be Lit Up for Lights On Afterschool Next Week Empire State Building to Be Bathed in Yellow and Blue for Afterschool Next Thursday
Oct 12, 2023: Student Art, Music, and Dance Will Be Showcased at Lights On Afterschool Events Across Nation This Month
Oct 4, 2023: Digital Billboards Across Nation Will Shine a Light on the Many Ways Afterschool Programs Support Students, Families, Schools, and Communities Clear Channel Outdoor Will Support the 24th Annual Lights On Afterschool With Coast-to-Coast Digital Billboard Campaign on October 26th
Sept 20, 2023: San Antonio Seventh Grader Wins National Art Contest Folks Middle School's Lydia Ireland Designed This Year's Lights On Afterschool Poster
Sept 6, 2023: 24th Annual Lights On Afterschool Set for Thursday, October 26 A Million People Expected to Join National Rally for Afterschool This Year
2022
Oct 20, 2022: The Lights Are On for Afterschool Programs Across America Today 23rd Annual Rally for Afterschool Spotlights the Programs that Support Students & Families
Oct 20, 2022: Houston 'Energy Superhero' Joins Afterschool Students to Mark Lights on Afterschool Book-Signing, Mini-Turbine-Building Exercise Greets Students at YMCA of Greater Houston’s Ridgemont Elementary School Program
Oct 20, 2022: Boston 'Energy Superheroes' Join Afterschool Students to Mark Lights on Afterschool Book-Signing, Mini-Turbine-Building Exercise Greets Students at YMCA of Greater Boston’s Wang YMCA of Chinatown
Oct 20, 2022: 'Energy Superheroes' Join Afterschool Students to Mark Lights On Afterschool Today Book-Signings, Mini-Turbine-Building Exercise Greets Students at Afterschool Programs in Boston, Chattanooga, Houston, Oklahoma City
Oct 19, 2022: America Will Rally for Afterschool Programs Tomorrow, Thursday 23rd Annual Lights On Afterschool Will Feature Events In Every Corner of the Nation
Oct 19, 2022: Thursday: Health, Wellness, Fitness and Violence Prevention to be Focus of Lights on Afterschool Celebration at BPS 6 3 PM Event Will Bring Together Students, Educators and Families to Rally for Afterschool
Oct 18, 2022: October 20: Afterschool Students to Visit NASA D.C. Headquarters, Meet Virtually with Astronaut Jessica Watkins, Actress Keke Palmer Watch Parties Across Country Will Feature NASA Female Role Models
Oct 18, 2022: October 20: Houston 'Energy Superheroes' to Join in Lights On Afterschool Celebration at Ridgemont Elementary Women Highlighted in New Book to Lead Students in Building Wind Turbines
Oct 18, 2022: Results from Statewide Teen Survey to be Released at Lights On Afterschool Event in Atlanta Thursday Interactive Event at VOX ATL Will Showcase Youth Leadership and Views on 2022 Election, Mental Health, Out-of-School-Time Activities
Oct 13, 2022: October 20: Boston 'Energy Superheroes' to Join in Lights On Afterschool Celebration at Wang YMCA of Chinatown Women Highlighted in New Book to Lead Students in Wind Turbine Activity
Oct 13, 2022: From Alabama to Alaska, Landmarks Are Being Lit for Lights On Afterschool This Month Empire State Building to Be Bathed in Yellow and Blue for Afterschool Next Thursday
Oct 12, 2022: Lights On Afterschool to Kick Off in Oakland Tomorrow 4 pm Event at MLK Jr. Elementary School Will Kick Off National Rally for Afterschool Come Out and Play the Afterschool Program Way!
Sept 29, 2022: Digital Billboards Across Country Will Share the Tremendous Work Afterschool Programs are Doing to Boost Students, Families, and Communities National Billboard Campaign from Clear Channel Outdoor Will Support the 23rd Annual Lights On Afterschool
Sept 15, 2022: New York City’s Empire State Building Will Join the Lights On Afterschool National Rally on Thursday, October 20
Sept 8, 2022: Mural By Bronx Students Wins National Art Contest LEAP Afterschool Program Students Designed This Year's Lights On Afterschool Poster
Aug 31, 2022: Lights On Afterschool Set for Thursday, October 20 A Million People Expected Join 23rd Annual Rally for Afterschool
2021
Oct 27, 2021: Rallies for Afterschool to Be Held Across the Country Tomorrow for 22nd Annual Lights On Afterschool
Oct 26, 2021: Billboards Around the Nation Will Illuminate the Vast Contributions Afterschool Programs are Making to Students and Families in the Pandemic Clear Channel Outdoor Supports the 22nd Annual Lights On Afterschool with National Billboard Campaign
Oct 25, 2021: National Lights On Afterschool Virtual Events Begin This Week, as Thousands of Programs Across U.S. Rally for Afterschool Virtual Events Include Special Viewing of River City Drumbeat Film Tonight; National Youth Town Hall with Greeting from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Thursday
Oct 25, 2021: Empire State Building To Be Bathed in Yellow and Blue Thursday to Mark Lights On Afterschool Landmarks Around the Country Lit This Week to Honor Afterschool Programs
Oct 22, 2021: Lights On Afterschool Events Around Nation Showcase Students' Music, Dance, and Art
Sept 29, 2021: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Country to Showcase Afterschool’s Key Role in STEM Education
Sept 2, 2021: Students, Educators, Community Leaders Across U.S. to Rally on Thursday, October 28 for 22nd Annual Lights On Afterschool
2020
Oct 22, 2020: America is Turning the Lights On for Afterschool Today!
Oct 21, 2020: America Will Rally for Afterschool Tomorrow as 21st Annual Lights On Afterschool Events Are Held Across the Country
Oct 21, 2020: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Nation Are Showcasing the Engaging, Fun STEM Education Afterschool Programs Provide
Oct 16, 2020: 21st Annual Lights On Afterschool: Student Conversation with an Astronaut Will Be Among Virtual Events Celebrating Afterschool Next Week, as Thousands of Programs Host Local Events National Events Amplify Youth Voices, Focus on STEM, Wellness, More
Oct 15, 2020: Lights On Afterschool Events Across Country Set for Next Week
Oct 14, 2020: City Leaders, Afterschool Supporters Light Up Billboards Around the Country to Illuminate the Work of Afterschool Programs During the Pandemic Clear Channel Outdoor Supports Lights On Afterschool 2020 with National Billboard Campaign
2019
October 24, 2019: Today Is the 20th Anniversary of Lights On Afterschool. Across U.S., Landmarks Are Being Lit Up, Events Held for Afterschool.
October 23, 2019: At 8,000+ Sites, America Will Hold the 20th Annual Lights On Afterschool Rally Tomorrow
October 16, 2019: Nation's Law Enforcement Leaders Highlight Need for Afterschool Activities to Reduce Crime
October 11, 2019: City Leaders, Education Advocates Light Up Billboards Nationwide to Illuminate the Need for Critical Afterschool Learning Opportunities Groups Team with Clear Channel Outdoor in National Billboard Campaign Marking the 20th Anniversary of Lights On Afterschool
October 8, 2019: 20 Years of Fun and Learning After the School Day Ends: SpongeBob SquarePants and Lights On Afterschool Celebrate Two Decades Helping Kids
October 3, 2019: KIND Celebrates Lights On Afterschool – The Only National Rally for Afterschool Programs, To Be Held for the 20th Consecutive Year This Month
September 26, 2019: 20th Annual Lights On Afterschool Set for Thursday, October 24; More Than a Million People Expected to Rally for Afterschool That Day