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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 

2024

Oct 3, 2024: Lights On Afterschool Events Across Country This Month Will Highlight Innovative Ways Afterschool Programs Boost Students’ Physical and Mental Wellbeing

Sept 26, 2024: NASA, 4-H, and STEM Superheroes Plan Fun, Educational STEM Activities for Lights On Afterschool 2024

Sept 19, 2024: Houston Students' Digital Artwork Wins National Contest Sofia Espinoza and Elizabeth Figueroa Designed This Year's Lights On Afterschool Poster

Sept 11, 2024: Usher Sparks Call to Expand Afterschool Opportunities, Announces Role as National Voice for Afterschool at Detroit Tour Stop

Sept 4, 2024: America Will Turn The Lights On For Afterschool On Thursday, October 24 One Million People to Participate in 25th Annual Lights On Afterschool Rally

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 25, 2023: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the United States Are Showcasing the Fun, Educational STEM Activities Students Enjoy in Their Afterschool Programs

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 20, 2023: Life Pieces To Masterpieces to Lead “Lights On Afterschool” at Flagship Celebration in DC with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education, Dr. Cindy Marten

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 17, 2023: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Nation This Month Are Showcasing the Ways Afterschool Programs Support Student Health and Wellbeing

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 27, 2023: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Nation Next Month Will Highlight the Many Ways Afterschool Programs Boost Student Achievement and Well-Being

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!

Oct 6, 2022: This Month, Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Country Will Highlight the Many Ways Afterschool Programs Support Students’ Physical and Mental Well-Being

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 22, 2022: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Country to Showcase the Fun, Innovative Ways Afterschool Programs Engage Students in STEM Learning

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 28, 2021: From New York City’s Empire State Building to the Mighty Lights Bridge in Memphis, the Lights Are On for Afterschool Across the United States Today!

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

Oct 20, 2021: Organizations Focused on Science and Tech Learning, Sports and Fitness, Public Safety, Food and Nutrition, Youth Development and More Are Rallying for Lights On Afterschool This Month

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 20, 2020: New York City’s Empire State Building Will Be Lit in Yellow and Blue Tonight for Lights On Afterschool; Other Landmarks Around the Country to be Lit This Week

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

Oct 7, 2020: 21st Annual Lights On Afterschool Set for Thursday, October 22nd. Virtual Events to Amplify Youth Voices, Focus on STEM, Wellness, and More

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 23, 2019: From New York City’s Empire State Building to San Francisco’s City Hall, America’s Landmarks Will Light Up in Yellow and Blue This Week for the 20th Anniversary of Lights On Afterschool

October 21, 2019: Lights On Afterschool Events Across the Country This Week are Showcasing the Many Ways Afterschool Programs Educate Students About Healthy Eating, Stress Management and Active Lifestyles

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

October 2, 2019: Lights On Afterschool Events Across Country This Month Will Showcase the Fun, Creative Ways Afterschool Programs Engage Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

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